The story goes that the original building was a blacksmiths’ and built in the 1840s. Funny to think that it went on to become the largest (and some say most luxurious) hotel in Metis Beach. In 1875 three brothers from the Astle family opened the “Astle Bros. Hotel”. In the early 1900s, when two of the brothers left the partnership to open other hotels, it changed its name to “Seaside House”. In 1922 an additional wing was added to give 110 bedrooms and 20 staff rooms. The hotel opened from June to September each year until 1963 when it was closed permanently, finally being demolished in 1966.
Lorna Bethell, having lived opposite the hotel, remembers helping the war effort in the hotel ballroom in the 1940s, while Elizabeth Martin remembers playing games on the verandas.
Notice that the property borders the public access to the beach, and it is possible to walk down the path to get to it.
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