“I can be who I am,” says Curtis, who discovered the property for sale while looking for a new project—and a new challenge from the Vancouver commercial real estate world he had worked in for more than 20 years.
Hospitality was always in his DNA. With a Naturopath mother who owned and ran a health food store, Curtis grew up immersed in food and wellness. His career began in some of Western Canada’s top hotels, helping open the Pan Pacific Hotel for Expo ’86 and working with The Westin and The Four Seasons. That foundation in service and care has stayed with him ever since.
WOODS on Pender pulled him in from his very first visit. Now known as the “WOODS Guy + WOODS Chef,” Curtis manages the resort and creates menus inspired by his childhood and the local bounty of the Gulf Islands. Leaving corporate life was a leap, but on Pender he found space to be himself, embrace a slower rhythm, and create a place where others can do the same.
“When I think of wanderlust I automatically think Airstream,” he says. “The iconic design, the history, the freedom of the open road with no specific destination in mind. For many of us who grew up in the ’60s and ’70s it was part of our culture. For Millennials, it’s a return to nature, growing your own food, being aware of your environmental impact, and finding belonging.”
WOODS was created with that spirit in mind—like summer camp, but with the comforts we always wished for: a hot shower, good food, and a welcoming community. Curtis brings his deep hospitality roots, and a commitment to care that makes WOODS a uniquely grounding, memorable place to stay. His calming energy makes this special destination a welcoming place to enjoy your holiday.
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