They did it again.
Carolyn and Steve Touhey, owners of Two Eagles Lodge, a B&B and vacation rental in Union Bay, were honoured at the 2011 Vancouver Island Better Business Bureau Torch Awards gala as winners of the 2011 Torch Award for the Hospitality/Tourism/Events industry.
The 2011 award now sits on the mantle at Two Eagles next to the 2010 Torch Award. The Touheys are honored to have been recognized for two consecutive years by the BBB for their superior customer service to their guests.
In addition to the BBB Torch Award, the Touheys were recognized by their peers as Comox Valley Ambassadors of the Year at the Comox Valley Home-Based Business Association’s awards ceremony on May 5.
Both award ceremonies coincided with the four-year anniversary of Two Eagles’ official opening in 2007.
According to the BBB, its Torch Awards is the largest consumer-driven awards program on Vancouver Island. Each year local businesses are nominated by their customers and honoured for being fair, reliable, trustworthy and honest in their day-to-day practices.
There were nearly 200 businesses nominated in the 12 award/industry categories this year. The gala was held at the Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort and Spa.
“What a week!," says Carolyn. "While we knew we were finalists for the BBB award and very grateful just for that, we were blown away to get the award for a second year, given the incredible number of hospitality and tourism businesses on the island and the fine calibre of the other four finalists.
“What shocked us even more, however, was the honour at the HBBA meeting," she adds. "It’s very touching when other business owners recognize how much effort goes into a business that is responsible for not only representing our beautiful Valley when people visit here from around the world, but for making incredible memories for them.
"We try to live our motto — where new friends and great memories are made in paradise.”
In addition to these awards, Two Eagles Lodge received a Vancouver Island Business Excellence Award, naming it the 2011 Tourism/Hospitality Business of the Year earlier this year.
Two Eagles Lodge, situated on 12 pastoral acres complete with horses and chickens overlooking Baynes Sound and Denman Island, offers a guest wing including two B&B rooms and a 900-square foot vacation rental. It was built in 2007 after the Touheys moved to the island from Maryland in 2006.
In addition to entertaining and caring for guests at Two Eagles, they also host various events at their home/business, including house concerts, parties for area businesses or groups, weddings, and retreats.
The Touheys are active in the community as members of the Chamber of Commerce and the Home-Based Business Association; Carolyn is also a member of the Women's Business Network.
Two Eagles Lodge also belongs to the Comox Valley Bed-And-Breakfast Association, BC Innkeepers, and BC Tourism.
— Two Eagles Lodge