Team Spotlight - Celebrating Love at the Inn

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Shawna Gardham
By Shawna Gardham, Public & Media Relations Manager
Newsletters22 February 2025

For many, the Wickaninnish Inn is more than a destination–it’s a place where the rhythm of the waves and the warmth of the community set the stage for something truly special. For Francis and Seraina, the Inn is the backdrop to their love story.

Though their first introduction happened at work, it was beyond the Inn’s walls that Francis and Seraina truly got to know one another. Francis lived in one of the Wick’s staff accommodations, a place where colleagues often gathered to unwind after their shifts. One evening, a roommate invited Seraina to join them for dinner. The conversation was effortless, the company easy, and somewhere in the exchange of stories and laughter, a quiet connection took hold. Francis took the first step, and neither of them could have predicted just how far it would take them.

 

Both held key roles at the Inn, with Francis as the Front Office Manager and Seraina as the Housekeeping Manager. Their work was deeply connected, with the front office serving as the head and housekeeping as the heart of operations. No two days were ever quite the same, and their synergy was evident in the way they supported each other. Whether Francis was vacuuming rooms to ensure a timely check-in or Seraina was assisting at the front desk, their teamwork was seamless. Though their positions have since evolved, both remain important contributors to the Inn in different capacities today.

Being colleagues and partners allows them a rare insight into each other’s professional personas. “Often, people don’t get to see their partner’s work personality,” Seraina reflects. “I’m grateful to have worked side by side with Francis for over seven years. It has made our relationship strong.”

For couples considering working at the Wickaninnish Inn, Francis and Seraina offer nothing but encouragement. “It’s a place where you grow—not just as a couple, but individually on a professional level,” they share. Working together at the Inn has deepened their appreciation for teamwork and mutual respect. “Everyone always respected our time, and based on operational demands, the team always tried their best to give us the same days off and vacations together,” they recall. Francis and Seraina felt they weren’t just “a couple,” but rather recognized as individuals with their contributions and supported in growing together.

Beyond the Inn, life has brought its share of memorable adventures together. One particularly vivid moment came during Seraina’s first visit to the Philippines, where Francis navigated the bustling chaos of traffic with ease while motorbikes darted and dogs wandered through the streets, much to Seraina’s wide-eyed disbelief. These shared experiences, filled with laughter and discovery, have defined their relationship.

This quiet, coastal nook on Vancouver Island also played a role in shaping their relationship. “With Francis having lived in bustling cities and Seraina accustomed to life in the air, the remoteness of Tofino and the Wickaninnish Inn provided the perfect setting for them to get to know one another,” they share. Here, time slows, allowing for long hikes through ancient forests, quiet moments on the sand, and shared adventures in the waves. In Tofino, they found not just a workplace, but a place where they could build a life together.

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