The Princess and the Pea Hotel provides a unique guest experience
Angela Martin, general manager of the Princess and the Pea Hotel in Langley, patiently explains to a guest why her establishment, which first opened in the 1880s, is so named.
“It’s a reference to the old fairy tale in which a young woman’s royal ancestry is proven through a test of her sensitivity,” she says. “In bed at night she feels a pea that has been placed under 20 layers of mattresses.”
Fittingly, the six-room wood frame venue located at Langley’s historic Five Corners junction looks like something out of a fairy tale, as do the six appropriately named guest rooms - Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, etcetera - whose vintage décor (balanced by modern conveniences) exudes cosiness.
Across the road from Princess and the Pea is a former 1930s general store, now a bistro; kitty corner is a small bakery; beside that is a historic church. Other heritage buildings define this tiny niche of Langley, a city that is experiencing dramatic growth but bravely clings to its reputation as a slice of country not far from Vancouver.
And in this tiny niche that motorists could miss if they blinked, the Princess and the Pea has developed an international reputation, welcoming guests from across Canada, the U.S., and overseas. “Americans on their way to Alaska enjoy stopping here for a night or two, and international travellers love our ambiance,” Martin says. “We’ve also become known as a great place to have weddings, and our glass-covered patio can hold up to 35 people.”
Martin frequently refers to her family’s establishment as “a labour of love,” but a keen sense of showmanship and considerable industry expertise (Martin spent 20 years working for major hotel brands before becoming general manager for her parents four years ago) has built upon the Princess and the Pea’s initial reputation as a charming local venue.
The hotel’s success is also vindication for Martin’s parents, Wally and Sharon. In 1997, Wally, a construction specialist, was laughed at when he told colleagues he would buy and restore what was then a rundown relic. “Council members thought I was crazy because the building was a complete wreck,” he recalls. “But the floors, siding, and some of the exterior were authentic and worth saving.” Wally and Sharon’s determination was helped by the fact that the building was B.C.’s first pioneer hotel.
The restored Princess and the Pea reopened under its original name, Traveler’s Hotel, and almost instantly earned a reputation as a hidden gem in the Fraser Valley. After Angela returned to the fold a rebranding occurred, and today she and her parents regard their proprietorship as unique to the hospitality trade. “We’re steeped in history,” she says. “Originally Traveler’s Hotel facilitated the gold rush. It was the first structure built in the Murrayville district and has been in continuous use since 1887. And thanks to my parents’ hard work, walking into our inn today is like walking back through time.”
Indeed, the history associated with Princess and the Pea is palpable, right down to the fixtures and antique furnishings. So too is the Martins’ propensity for old-fashioned service. “We love nothing better than sitting down with guests and having great conversations,” Martin says.
With Princess and the Pea firmly established as a quiet and restful stopping place for travelers, what does the future hold for the venue? “We’re just thankful that business is returning to normal after the pandemic lockdowns,” Martin says. “We have a bit of everything in terms of traffic, and giving our guests a great stay is fulfilling and fun.
“So we’re simply going to continue making our guests feel comfortable, in the best old world tradition.”
- Western Hotelier Magazine
