| Unique husband and wife team, Norm & Lily | | | | Aunt Georgia was a very gregarious person, |
| Goldman, write and paint about Banff, | | | | and although she never operated a B&B, |
| Alberta. | | | | her home was always open to anyone who wished |
| | | | to drop in and savor her great cooking and |
| | | | warm hospitality. |
| | | | |
| Banff Alberta -More Than A Cute Tourist Town | | | | The present B&B owners wishing to carry |
| | | | on Aunt Georgia's traditions provide their |
| A Stay In Not Just An Ordinary B&B In | | | | guests with the finest in hospitality and |
| Banff Alberta | | | | amenities. It is little wonder that it has |
| | | | become a favorite among honeymoon couples. |
| -Article by: Norm Goldman | | | | |
| | | | Jami's attention to detail and her boundless |
| -Paintings by: Lily Azerad-Goldman | | | | energy is evident everywhere. Because this |
| | | | B&B only has four guest rooms, it is easy |
| TOWN OF BANFF | | | | to offer individualized service. When Jami |
| | | | says Thea's House differs from other |
| As Canadians, my wife and I are somewhat | | | | B&B's in Banff trust me, she is not |
| embarrassed to admit that although we have | | | | exaggerating! |
| traveled around the world for the past | | | | |
| thirty- five years, we never once visited | | | | We stayed in the Rundle Room, or the |
| Banff Alberta. Perhaps, we believe in the old | | | | honeymoon suite, with its petit balcony that |
| mistaken belief - "the grass is greener on | | | | had a fantastic view of the mountains. This |
| the other side of the fence." | | | | room, as well as the other three, is |
| | | | completely separate from the owner's living |
| This year after some reflection coupled with | | | | quarters, thus providing the utmost in |
| our crying over the Canadian dollar taking a | | | | privacy. All rooms are spacious, uncluttered |
| beating in the USA, we decided that it would | | | | and filled with those extra sought after |
| not be a bad idea to check out Banff and | | | | romantic touches - the finest linens, best |
| surroundings. | | | | down duvets and down pillows, fluffy towels |
| | | | and bathrobes, gas fireplaces, tv, vcr, |
| There are no photos, movies or videos that | | | | telephones, kingside beds in three of the |
| could do justice or could have adequately | | | | rooms while the fourth has two double beds, |
| prepared us for the mind- blowing and | | | | entertainment units, fresh flowers, and |
| overwhelming peaks of the Canadian Rockies. | | | | chocolates placed on the pillows. |
| At times they even felt somewhat | | | | |
| intimidating, and in fact my wife confessed | | | | Luxurious, also, was our suite with its large |
| to me that she felt a little claustrophobic | | | | Jacuzzi tub for two and steam shower, where I |
| walking around the Town of Banff looking up | | | | had the ultimate pleasure to steam myself and |
| at these towering mountain summits. | | | | then loll back and let the magic of the |
| | | | locally made bath salts work on my tired |
| When we mentioned to a visitor from France | | | | bones, especially after our grueling day of |
| that a short drive from our hometown of | | | | hiking. |
| Montreal there are the Laurentian Mountains, | | | | |
| she laughed at us saying these are hills | | | | To be noted is that the three other rooms |
| compared to the Rockies. We didn't feel | | | | have standard size jetted bathtubs with |
| insulted-she was right on! | | | | showers. |
| | | | |
| In 1883 the Town of Banff was created as a | | | | Breakfast you can bet will be something out |
| result of the trans-continental railway | | | | of the ordinary. Jami believes that before |
| having been built through the Bow River | | | | hiking or skiing you need sufficient fuel. |
| Valley. | | | | You are sure to be served fruit salads, |
| | | | breads, cereals, jams, homemade yogurts, tea, |
| The town is perched along the Bow River | | | | coffee, and one of the daily hot breakfasts, |
| within the Banff National Park that has been | | | | which varies from day to day. Jami is also |
| classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. | | | | very attentive to her guest's dietary needs |
| From almost everywhere you can view the | | | | as evidenced by her purchase of special |
| Cascade, Tunnel, Sulphur, and Rundle | | | | pancake mix and bread for my wife, who is |
| Mountains. | | | | lactose intolerant. |
| | | | |
| It was only in 1990 did it officially become | | | | If you are looking to fall in love or just |
| an incorporated town, however, with one very | | | | the spark for romance, this is the place to |
| important difference from other Alberta | | | | stay, and we have to concur with the couple |
| towns- Parks Canada controls environmental | | | | who wrote in our room's guest book, "we came |
| protection within the town. You can well | | | | here to relax and fall in love. Thank you for |
| imagine the" red tape" a homeowner has to | | | | making it easy. This place is the most |
| endure before any kind of renovation or | | | | beautiful we have ever seen." |
| modification is approved. | | | | |
| | | | Activities In And Around Banff |
| We were also informed that a cap has been | | | | |
| placed on any future development of the town. | | | | If just hanging around Thea's House or |
| | | | walking up and down Banff Avenue checking out |
| | | | the souvenir shops is not your cup of tea, |
| | | | you don't need to go very far to find |
| Thea's House, More Than Just A B&B | | | | something exciting to do. |
| | | | |
| There are over 4.8 million visitors | | | | |
| converging into the Banff area every year. | | | | |
| Imagine trying to make a reservation in an | | | | Just a short drive away is Banff Upper Hot |
| inn, B&B or hotel during the peak | | | | Springs. It is the only hot springs in the |
| seasons! | | | | Banff area open topublic bathing. The water |
| | | | may be hot but as we discovered it was |
| Consider yourself fortunate if you succeed in | | | | heaven, particularly if you suffer from |
| securing a room in one of the most | | | | arthritis. |
| extra-ordinary romantic B&Bs in the area | | | | |
| called Thea's House, located five minutes | | | | How about taking a boat ride or fishing on |
| from Main Street Banff. According to owners, | | | | Lake Minnewanka in the heart of the Canadian |
| Jami and Greg Christou, it is not unusual | | | | Rockies in Banff National Park. |
| that reservations for their four guest- rooms | | | | |
| can fill up six months in advance. | | | | You can also sign up for the tours offered by |
| | | | Discover Banff Tours. We enjoyed the evening |
| You are probably wondering what the name | | | | wildlife safari adventure that lasted about 2 |
| "Thea" stands for and what is so special | | | | ½ hours during the early evening hours and |
| about this B&B? | | | | where we had the opportunity to observe |
| | | | animals in their natural environment. |
| Jami informed us that the name "Thea" means | | | | |
| aunt in Greek. Apparently, the B&B was | | | | As for cultural activities, you have to check |
| named after Greg's grand- aunt, Georgia, who | | | | out the famous Banff Center For The |
| originally owned the house. Her last wish was | | | | Performing Arts, where you are sure to find |
| to have the house kept within the Christou | | | | something going on in the way of a theatre or |
| family. | | | | musical performance. |
| | | | |