The guest experience is something we continue to focus on- from design and decor to amenities to make our guests stay more comfortable. We are committed to continually enhancing the comfort and accessibility of our homes. Sometimes, the updates involve major upgrades, and we wanted to share one of our recent capital improvement projects enhancing the guest experience at our Rosario Sea Views property with a major upgrade to the driveway and parking area.
Here’s a look at how we transformed the driveway to ensure smoother, safer access for all vehicles - year round!
The Challenge
The steep grade of the driveway presented a significant hurdle for vehicles, making the drive up and down quite challenging, especially during the summertime. During the dry season, the gravel driveway became very loose due to lack of moisture causing vehicle tires to spin. Additionally, the spinning caused ‘humps’ to form in several areas up the drive. - which became an ongoing cycle with each vehicle passing week-over-week, despite constant raking and regrading. : (
We knew that a permanent solution was needed. However, there are no asphalt paving companies on Orcas Island. So, a quick shout-out to the construction companies that did an amazing job from start to finish - Lawson Construction (Friday Harbor) and Asphalt NW (Bellingham) - including getting a LOT of heavy equipment and machinery to Orcas in order to complete the job.
The Transformation: Asphalt Refinishing
The project commenced with a meticulous preparation phase, ensuring the base was well-prepared for asphalt laying. The asphalt was then professionally laid down and rolled to compaction, providing a new smooth surface that significantly enhanced the ability for all vehicles to navigate the steep grade during all seasons.
The Benefits:
The results were immediate and impressive:
Enhanced Accessibility: The newly refinished driveway now offers a gentle, manageable slope, making it much easier for all types of vehicles to access the property.
Smooth Ride: The asphalt surface provides a smooth ride, reducing the bumps and jolts experienced previously.
Improved Safety: With the less steep and smoother driveway, the safety of driving up and down has been notably enhanced, especially during wet or icy conditions.
Improved Parking: We had the entire parking area completed in addition to the driveway access, making for a smooth transition from parking to the front entry.
Aesthetic Appeal: Besides functionality, the fresh, sleek look of the new asphalt driveway has added a touch of modernity and aesthetic appeal to the property.
The End Results:
We are thrilled with the outcome of this driveway refinishing project for our guests. But honestly, we might be a little more excited that we don’t have to rake out the humps in the drive any longer! : )
