About
Learn the rich history of the Harbour House Hotel, from its founding in 1916 by the pioneering Nona Crofton to its modern-day rebirth as Salt Spring Island’s premier waterfront destination.
A Legacy of Hospitality, Over 100 Years in the Making
From a 12-bedroom guesthouse founded in 1916 to a newly reborn island destination, our story is one of resilience, warmth, and a deep connection to Salt Spring Island.
The Founding Matriarch
Our story begins in 1916 with a remarkable woman, Nona Crofton. When her husband, Fred, went to serve in the First World War, Nona was left to care for their six young children on their 100-acre seafront farm. With incredible fortitude, she converted their farmhouse into a 12-bedroom guesthouse, naming it Harbour House after Fred’s Irish country home. She began taking in travelers, and it was her warmth and liveliness that became the heart of the hotel, creating a beloved community hub that brought guests back year after year.
A Farm-to-Table Pioneer
For nearly 50 years, the hotel’s kitchen was run by our legendary cook, Billy Eng. The original farm supplied him with fresh produce, eggs, and meat, making Harbour House one of Canada’s first true farm-to-table hotels. In an era with no regular ferry service, the hotel was a model of self-sufficiency, a testament to the island’s resourceful spirit.
A Modern Rebirth
Today, after a nearly two-year continuous renovation, the Harbour House has been reborn. We have lovingly updated our historic property to offer modern comforts while preserving the spirit of our past. The Crofton Room, our event space, is named in honor of our founders. The farm-to-table ethos lives on at Woodley’s Kitchen, where we proudly source ingredients from local artisan producers.
It is our greatest wish to do right by Nona’s legacy—to be a beacon at the head of Ganges Harbour, turning weary travelers into avid explorers, where guests to the Harbour House become part of the extended family returning often.
