just 15 minutes from Wolfville, guests are within easy reach of the Annapolis Valley’s renowned wineries, restaurants, and cultural experiences. Rather than offering packaged add-ons, Sunken Escapes encourages guests to engage with the local community directly - whether that means visiting a nearby vineyard, picking up fresh ingredients for a meal, or exploring the area’s natural landscapes. Looking back on the journey from idea to opening, Chet acknowledges both the challenges and the lessons learned along the way. “If I could go back,” he says, “I’d tell myself to have more patience - and a bit more grace.” Building something from the ground up requires constant attention, problem-
solving, and resilience. At the same time, it demands the ability to step back, adapt, and trust the process. “You have to stay on top of things,”he adds. “But you also have to be able to breathe through it.” As for the future, Chet isn’t focused on rapid expansion within Sunken Escapes itself. Instead, he sees potential in applying what he’s learned to new projects - helping others bring similar ideas to life on their own land. “There are so many incredible places out there,” he says. “People just need the right approach to make something out of them.” For now, though, the focus remains on refining what already exists - continuing
to shape an experience that feels both intentional and evolving. Much like the landscape that surrounds it, Sunken Escapes is not static. It’s shaped by seasons, by light, by weather, and by the people who pass through it. Each stay leaves a different impression, but the underlying purpose remains the same. “It’s not just about staying somewhere,”Chet says. “It’s about experiencing something you can’t recreate anywhere else.” And for those who make their way down the quiet road to Sunken Lake, that experience begins the moment they arrive - before they even reach their cabin, before they unpack, before they look up. Because here, the escape isn’t something you seek out. It’s something you step into.
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It’s not just about staying somewhere, it’s about experiencing something you can’t recreate anywhere else. ”
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BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE 69
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