We stayed at Fairburn when Mara was still there, in 2009. Unfortunately, we didn't receive the hospitality we expected from the glowing reviews. We stayed in the cottage with our two children (it was our 25th wedding anniversary) and there was no one to greet us, no one to help us figure out fun places to visit or farm stands or anything. Mara was cold and unavailable for the most part, when we could find her, especially since we weren't spending hundreds of dollars to eat dinner there (our kids are picky eaters and couldn't get a price break.) Therefore, it was as though we didn't exist. Very odd.

The farm is quite beautiful, but was surrounded (at the time) by logged fields and scrub. The "enchanting" water buffalo just kicked up enormous clouds of dirt each morning and evening, which came right into our cottage. The cottage had broken lamps and very little light. There was almost no soap and no screens on the windows (this was late summer.) We had to drag one of the only working lights to the kitchen to work on a puzzle. Mostly, it was extremely expensive for what it was, and while we enjoyed going up the farmhouse and sitting on the beautiful porch there, we always were made to feel like interlopers (even though the cottage wasn't exactly inexpensive.) I think it's a good thing, overall, that Mara is gone and the family is running it.

I think with the new management by the farm family, it is probably a much better place, and a much friendlier experience. The cottage is extremely rustic and simple, and I think had we had a sense of welcome and enthusiasm from the folks that worked there, with guidelines for what we could (or couldn't) do, what was okay, etc., we would have had a much nicer time.

The house itself is really lovely, what we saw of it! Obviously, this is a rather late review, as we went back in 09.

For the past 3 years my husband and I have been lucky enough to step out of the hustle- bustle of daily life and retreat to the quiet life on Fairburn Farm. Originally we had stayed in the big farmhouse , but the past 2 years we have enjoyed a week in the privacy of the little cottage uphill from the main house. The cottage has 2 bedrooms so is perfect for a young family since the second bedroom has a twin and bunk beds. Since it was just the 2 of us, we used the extra bedroom as a dressing room to store our luggage and clothing. We do love to cook so took advantage of the big, open kitchen which is actually the center of the cottage. There is no tv for distraction so your attention is turned to the sound of the swallows flying in and out of their nests, the leaves rustling in the trees, or the "sound of silence." What a perfect backdrop to disconnect from the stresses of modern life.
The Cowichan Valley offers an abundance of fresh farm and artisan products. We would stop at the neighborhood farm stand daily to pick up fresh eggs and veggies, drive over to the seafood store on the bay for fresh local scallops, fish, and dungeness crab, and pick up a bottle of wine at one of the many vineyards on the way. The picnic table outside offered the perfect casual setting to celebrate the bounty.
Our highlight of the day was awaking each morning to the "water buffalo parade" as the herd of buffalo came up from the pasture to be milked in the milking barn up the hill. The cottage was protected by a picket fence and yard that allowed us to safely stand outside and watch the animals pass by. Mary Ann and her family were wonderful about educating us about water buffalo, milking, and the products that come from the farm. I can't wait to share the experience with our grandchildren. What a priceless opportunity for "city folks."

Even though my husband is a through and through city boy who never had pets and is "The" ultimate bookworm and I was raised on a hobby farm, and thus a lover of animals and nature, we both found Fairburn farm to be a perfect retreat for us. Its discovery was purely serendipitous.

Both of us being lovers of good wine and food, our plan was to explore the wineries and fine food of the Cowichan Valley. During the search for central accommodations we found information about Fairburn Farm. I was immediately smitten with the idea of staying on a farm, especially one where I might have the opportunity to make a personal acquaintance with water buffalo.

Once there, all our expectations were more than met. Breakfast was lovely each of the 3 mornings and included juice, fresh fruit with a sprinkle of homemade granola topped with yogurt, quiche, omelette, french toast, freshly baked muffins and loafs, toasted bread from a nearby bakery and, tummies more than satisfied, a wonderful cup of coffee enjoyed on the porch.

Wonderful sheets and linens, wide open windows, and a very comfy bed lulled us to dreamland. The wide porch drew us to spend a late afternoon and evening there with good books, a picnic dinner that we assembled earlier in the day and a lovely bottle of local wine. I loved playing with the dogs and was thrilled when the herd of two year old water buffalo would saunter from the far side of the field carefully sniffing the air along the way and, upon deciding I was no threat, came right up to the gate, explored me with their long tongues and let me scratch their hard bristly cheeks and forheads.

Watching the herd brought up at milking time and visiting the milk barn was an education in itself. The family is happy to share the history of the herd and their experiences along with the ways by which they operate the farm in as self-sustaining way as possible.

Laurine and Michael, Vancouver, BC

We wish we had planned to stay here longer. This was our first stop after Victoria, and it was a nice change-up. This is not the place to go for night-life or to use your internet or a TV; this is a place to go and hang out on the large porch for hours watching the water buffalo be herded and gazing up at the green hills. The B&B is at the end of a somewhat long gravel road, though still not too far away from Duncan; Duncan is pretty sleepy after about 5. The B&B is now run (as of this spring) by one of the daughters who grew up on the farm and recently came back to stay, meaning that this is the third generation investing themselves in the farm, which I think is great. Maryann was very helpful, and the room was quiet and comfortable. Breakfast was absolutely huge and tasty.