House of the Friesians

Our stay in the cabin was a spur of the moment decision to get away for some R&R and it exceeded our expectations! It is off grid yet it had every appliance and amenity we were used to. The place was impeccably clean and the beds are worth 10 stars! The cabin can host a large family gathering as it will sleep 15 people comfortably. Our young children really enjoyed the unique hot tub experience! The owners will do anything to ensure you have the BEST time! They even went through the effort to mail jewelry we had forgotten when we left which we greatly appreciate! Overall we had a great time and there are no regrets. Oh and the scenery is Amazing!

Was a vendor for a wedding. Everything was beautiful. The only complaint was the composting toilet. It was over full and gross. Owners were lovely.

Words can't describe the amazing feeling you get when you meet the amazing duo of Gerard and Caio.owners of this truly gorgeous property and all around kind and caring humans. They, together with our amazing team of vendors, helped to make our wedding a once in a lifetime experience for not only my husband and I but also for our family and friends as well.

The minute we drove up to the property we felt a feeling of love that words can't describe. The amazing structures (barn, shelter and cabin), were only made more beautiful by the surrounding mountains, blue sky, and lush forest.truly a magical setting.

No matter the need or want, G & C endeavoured to help make our dreams come true. The vendors that were recommended, the execution of the days leading up to the event, day of support, and the countless hours of communication and advice they gave turned what is typically known to be a stressful time into one we truly enjoyed! We always looked forward to visiting the property during our preparation and our conversations with G & C throughout the process.

To anyone planning an event or looking for a getaway you must consider this incredible place! Not only will your eyes be amazed with the beauty around you, your heart will be full after experiencing the kindness of Gerard and Caio.

10/10 experience, and we will absolutely be coming back as many times as we possibly can:)

Gerard and Caio are absolutely wonderful to deal with! Some friends of ours got married here over the thanksgiving weekend and it was truly wonderful! I was part of the planning process and visited the property ahead of the event, and they made every aspect of putting this event together an absolute joy for the couple. Their warmth and kindness is unmistakable.

I am completely stunned that there is nothing short of 10,000 5 star reviews for House of the Friesians. In this uncertain covid world that we find ourselves in, Gerard and Caio were nothing shy of EXCELLENT throughout the wedding planning, "day of" execution, and vendor selection (trust me, use EVERYONE that they recommend - Chef Richard is THE BEST CHEF in the valley. They focused on not only the experience of the wedding party but the entire guest list. With 40+ people staying on site (included in the rental cost) it was more of a family reunion than a wedding. If ANYTHING was needed over the weekend, it seemed that G&C had it completed before we even asked them! They are the kindest and sweetest people that would do anything in their power to ensure a stress free event for any/all guests. The venue was world-class, the decor was world-class (Inspire Flowers in Invermere is a MUST), the caterer was world-class (Trotters catering, Chef Richard) and the family is world-class. My new wife and I are planning on adopting them:) Don't just take my word for it, please see that attached photos (many taken by Caio). If you want an unforgettable wedding, YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR VENUE!

For family events, weekend getaways, WEDDINGS, this is hands down the best venue in the Invermere valley. Trust me, we looked at them all:)

The setting speaks for itself. A rustic barn on a working ranch in the middle of the mountains. Though rustic, the rooms are clean and hotel worthy. The owner, Gerard, is one of the best parts about this rental. He bent over backwards for us. When it was clear that it would rain for our wedding, he arranged to have my wife brought through the barn on horse and carriage through the crowd of our guests. When the sky cleared for our photos, he brought a canoe to the lake so we could take pictures there. Our wedding felt casual and intimate. The hand crafted log tables and chairs require minimal decorations to make beautiful. My only warning is that the chairs and tables are very heavy and moving them for the reception and back the next morning is a lot of work and requires many hands to make it easier. Make sure you have scheduled a time for your helpers to be there.

Thank you Gerard for all you did for us to create a wonderful wedding even in the rain.

Where to even begin? We had our wedding at House of the Friesians and it could not have possibly been a more perfect weekend. Gerard and Caio (as well as the rest of their family and animals) are some of the most kind and welcoming people we have ever met. Gerard was helpful, welcoming, on top of the details right from the beginning, and always quick to answer our questions. The venue was clean and well organized for us, they were flexible and easy-going, and made us and our friends who stayed on-site feel completely at home for the weekend. Thank you so much Gerard and Caio for making our wedding beautiful, fun, and stress-free!

We were interested in this venue and sent a $1000 deposit to hold the dates for a few days so we could travel out and check it out. Gerard was of no help once we got there. We were left to basically look at stuff on our own. Due to Covid restrictions we haven't been able to plan a wedding for 150 people and said we would not be needing the dates. We told him this a few days after sending the money and a full year before our intended dates. No co tracts were signed and Gerard refuses to return our deposit. He said if it booked we would get it back…. Well, The venue booked on the days that we were interested in and he still refuses to return our money. Gerard is an absolute nightmare to deal with abs to be honest the venue isn’t really that great to begin with.
After reading the other 1 star reviews I see EXACTLY what they are talking about.
And we are left having to deal with lawyers because of this Horrible horrible horrible experience with these crooks

Gerard and Caio at House of the Friesians were incredible for the entire 2.5 years that it took to plan and finally have our wedding due to covid. Gerard made his home ours and our wedding was a fairytale come true. Caio is one of the best photographers we've ever had and we will forever cherish her photos and the memories we've made at House of the Friesians. The Paagman's are all family to us now and we highly recommend this venue for your next event whether it be for a wedding, retreat, or reunion, this is the place to be. A simple piece of heaven with the most amazing, generous, and accommodating people.

The reviews left alarm me.this place was an absolute nightmare- from the tantrum Gerard threw in front of a number of guests to taking a guest to a field on their quad and turning it off (in the middle of the night) only to return when she said she was a cop. I struggle to understand how this guy is even open. He's completely off his rocker, wants you to sign contracts blindly (with last minute fees that you have no choice but to pay or find a new venue within 10min), and he relentlessly argues like a 4 year old. This was by far the most uncomfortable experience I have ever been in.and I was just a bystander. I can't believe he had no other 1 star reviews or is still open considering he doesn't follow any covid protocols and allows multiple huge parties a night. Id find someplace more reputable and less sketchy to create memories.

Just can’t say enough about this place!
The mountain views - spectacular
Gerard and Caio- wonderful hosts
The lodge and shelter- clean, cosy
The area - calm, serene, rough cowboy country

A perfect place for our large family to get together once again from all over Canada.
Pictures and reviews don’t do justice to the beauty of this venue, it needs to be experienced!
Many thanks!

My husband and I had to last minute change our wedding plans due to covid, and the hosts of House of the Friesians helped us pull everything together in less than a month’s time and we had the most incredible wedding weekend we could ever have dreamed of! The hosts are incredibly generous and thoughtful, the setting is breathtaking with 360 degrees mountain views, and staying all together in the barn brought such a deep sense of family and community and joy and I couldn’t recommend this place more! Wish I could give it ten stars ️
We will be coming back to have coffee with the hosts next time we are in the area:)

I am hesitant to leave a review as I don't want to give away such a beautiful secret but it's mean not to share so here goes!
We discovered this incredible place looking for a venue for my music and singing retreats and have been regular guests of the cabin ever since. We have stayed in the heat of summer and mid winter and either time,   it's beautiful, comfortable and provides so many options for hikes and adventure or simply relaxing. Its perfect for anyone looking for an "off grid" feel without losing the conveniences and luxuries of a relaxing and comfortable getaway. Gerard and Caio are incredible hosts and if you get to meet Mowgli you are in luck!   We can't wait to get back to our favorite place! Many thanks Emma & Jason

Simply The Best! This has become our family’s annual vacation spot. From the spectacular views and location to the amazing accommodation with fantastic beds and amenities. Think hot tub, horses, open fires for bbqing etc etc.
Gerard and Caio are the most wonderful friends you can ever hope to make!

The breathtaking beauty of the place is matched by the quality of the amenities and the service excellence of the hosts. From the planning and setup support, the wedding in the meadow overlooking the Purcell mountains, dinner celebration, accommodations, and the many other aspects that make for a successful wedding, this place has it all.

Gerard and Ciao are some of the nicest people my wife and I have ever met. We had my wedding here and they helped make it one of the best days of our lives. They were very generous and you could feel the love radiating off of them. The scenery is absolutely world class. We cannot think of one thing that would of made it better than what we experienced. Our guests told us that they had the time of their lives too! If you're wondering about having your wedding at Gerard and Ciao's House of the Friesians, do it! You will have the time of your life!

Can’t say enough good things about this place. We stayed in the barn and loved our 5 days we stayed. The Barn was clean and comfortable. The wood heated hot tub was perfect on those crisp evenings. Surrounded by clean crisp air, the Friesians, and beautiful mountains. The hosts are amazing and full of knowledge and experience. Please don’t hesitate for one moment to stay here. They also have a cabin for rent a little bit up the road that’s very private. It’s a bit far if you stay here to visit the parks but a great location to chill and take in the scenery, do some hiking, and pet the horses. You find yourself between two mountain ranges so there’s not a bad view in site. Perfect for weddings or parties. Lussier Hot Springs is only about an hour and a half away and is totally worth a visit. The town of Invermere is super cute and deserves to be explored. The Rock and Gem Store on 7th was a great little store if you like that sort of thing. We had a wonderful stay here and memories that’ll will last a lifetime.

Super cute getaway! The family is very welcoming and nice. They greeted us with Freshly baked muffins. The cabin was huge, clean, and the beds were actually comfortable to sleep on. I would definitely come back with my friends again for a weekend getaway! Thank you!

This is an incredible place. My sister got married here, and I couldn’t have imagined a better venue for the wedding: beautiful mountain scenery, spacious and sparkling clean living quarters, well stocked amenities, and the BEST hospitality I’ve probably ever experienced anywhere. Gerard, Caio, and their family are incredible. I can’t recommend the House of the Friesians enough.

The Friesians opened their venue to us as a family. The wedding was a huge success in every way. I recommend this most beautiful place where you feel welcomed and treated professionally.

Exceeded our expectations! Great hosts, pet friendly. Exceptional views in every direction. Will definitely be back! I rarely give 5 stars, but Gerard and Ciao made the experience wonderful and their place is stunning.

We stayed at the House of the Friesians (log cabin) for 5 days, and we loved it. The beds were super comfortable and the log cabin that we stayed was super clean. We were surrounded by beautiful nature and gorgeous mountains. Gerard and Caio are the best hosts that I have ever met, they are very kind and generous with their time to keep their guests happy and busy with lots of activities. Gerard taught my daughter to ride a horse, which was very nice of him to take time off his busy work and to teach my daughter how to ride. This is a skill that would normally cost a lot of money, and he taught her for free. The ATV rides were awesome; my kids loved and enjoyed it very much. The muffins that Caio baked and shared with us were delicious and we thoroughly enjoyed them. Gerard and Caio we can’t thank you enough for being such great hosts.

Beautiful location and even better hosts! Could not have asked for a more delightful weekend - Gerard was so thoughtful and willing to go into town to get supplies so that the wedding could go off without a hitch. /10 would recommend!

This was a second trip to the barn for a family vacation and I don’t think we will ever go anywhere else. It is so spacious and ideal for multiple families. We brought our 2 and 4 year old and they could run laps in the barn. It is safe as well, a large gate to block the stairs and not having to bring a pack and Play is awesome. The views are incredible and at night in the wood burning hot tub you could see the Milky Way. This place is magical and Gerard makes sure you feel like family. He is there with anything you could possibly need. I look forward to coming back year after year.

Amazing place to be together. Beautiful scenery all around, and very comfortable! Absolutely the best place to disconnect from the crazy world. Relaxing and warm vibes. Thank you Gerard and Caio for being such attentive and great hosts. We will be back.

Recently photographed a wedding here of an amazing couple. Gerard and Caio and their family are wonderful hosts. Thanks for everything!

Every girls dream! We didn't even know where to start for planning our dream wedding, until we found House of the Friesians. The owners Gerard and Caio understood our wishes, recognized how important this day was for us, and went above and beyond in making sure that our dream came to life. They had the necessities covered from wine glasses, plates, cutlery, to the speaker system and mic for the ceremony and reception as well for the outside dance floor. They provided beautiful personally hand crafted log tables and chairs for the reception, chairs for the outdoor ceremony set up to see the most stunning mountain views as far as the valley goes behind the alter.
You do not need to be a horse lover to enjoy the artisan feel of arriving by horse and carriage to your wedding ceremony. The horses are tame, and well disciplined. My one bridesmaid is a little nervous with horses and after the ceremony when she arrived by carriage, she was extremely happy she was able to have that experience. You certainly feel like it's a dream when you are riding up in a carriage with the world's most beautiful horses, and see your soon to be husband, friends and family watching you arrive. There are no words.
The responsibility that Gerard and Caio take on personally to make sure that everything goes as smoothly and enjoyable as possible is amazing. We will be forever grateful for their help in making our dream wedding come to life!