The stars of Netflix reality show ‘Motel Makeover‘ are opening their third boutique hotel-style June Motel, complete with ‘curated design’, daily housekeeping and ‘self-serve’ offerings. Svetlana Nartey reports
Moteliers and Netflix stars April Brown and Sarah Sklash (pictured above), renowned for their distinctive brand – the June Motel – are poised to unveil their latest venture, the June Motel Beaver Valley, in March 2024.
The entrepreneurs had successfully established the June brand in 2017 with their debut Prince Edward County property, and gained further acclaim through hosting the Canadian reality television series “Motel Makeover”, which premiered on Netflix in August 2021 and documented the renovation of their second venture: Sauble Beach motel.
Now, Beaver Valley – the pair’s third venture – offers a newly intimate take on the motel model, while maintaining the June’s signature retro-feminine energy. (Below are some photos of the Prince Edward County motel.)
“We couldn’t be more excited to see the June Motel’s journey evolve once again with the opening of our third motel in Beaver Valley,” says Brown. “At the June, we’ve always been about pushing boundaries and redefining the motel experience. With Beaver Valley, we’re taking that ethos to a whole new level. We’ve tapped into something incredibly special here – a place that resonates with our guests’ desire for intimate gatherings, the rejuvenating country air, outdoor adventures, and the chance to reconnect with what truly matters.”
Located alongside the Beaver river in Kimberley, Ontario, the new motel seeks to reconnect travellers with nature while providing them with home-comforts. Created in collaboration with Ashley Montgomery Design, the eight rooms of the motel morph the hospitality of a boutique hotel – as daily housekeeping, a well-stocked fireplace, free coffee, pastries and a mood-lit turn-down service are available – while retaining the homely feel of an Airbnb through various self-serve offerings.
“Looking at the ever-changing landscape of recent years, we saw a growing need for a different kind of getaway experience – a more intimate one,” adds Sarah Sklash. “Guests were seeking something that falls right in the sweet spot between the autonomy and intimacy of an Airbnb and the curated comfort, design, and memorable experiences of a boutique hotel.
“With the June Motel Beaver Valley, we’ve created that perfect blend, catering to those who crave a unique escape. It’s a place for travellers looking for a different type of adventure, one where they can curate their own experiences while still enjoying the thoughtful touches and curated design that make a stay truly special.”
The June Motel Beaver Valley’s unique proximity to nature affords a blended experience that caters both to those seeking luxury and simplicity. Guests can choose to engage in some of Ontario’s finest outdoor experiences, including skiing, hiking, canoeing, and outdoor spa adventures at Le Scandinave Spa in Blue Mountain, but also simply soak up the surrounding nature of the mountain, Collingwood and Thornbury through hikes or moonlit strolls.
The June Beaver Valley also neighbours the Hearts Tavern – crowned one of Canada’s top restaurants in 2022 – meaning that luxury dining is within reach yet not obligatory, as the motel features its own paired-back culinary experiences.
This strive for a home-hotel equilibrium is in keeping with border industry efforts to reimagine the function of motels, with brands such as the German Motel One scaling up its design-led, roadside hotel concept. As the next generation favour modern lodging, the new motel designs hope to fill a gap in the travel-industry through providing flexible and affordable lodging without aesthetic compromise.
“The moment we saw this property – the size, the views, and everything the destination has to offer, we knew it would be the perfect setting for magical micro destination weddings and energising offsites,” says April Brown. “Our transformation of the motel is focused on just that, including a communal Parlour, featuring a stone fireplace, lounge seating and games, and a flexible studio space that can be used for weddings, workshops, retreats, and culinary experiences.”
Prospective guests and design enthusiasts can follow the renovation journey of the June Motel Beaver Valley via an eight-episode Instagram series, produced by Little Friday Productions on the June’s Instagram page (@theJuneMotel). The hotel’s grand opening will also be featured in the series, allowing followers a first peek at the finished motel.