The August House: A Boutique Inn Redefining Hospitality in Nova Scotia

Nestled in the historic town of Windsor, Nova Scotia, The August House is not just a place to stay but a thoughtfully conceived hospitality experience that merges design, connection, and community impact. With 11 curated rooms, this boutique inn and gathering space distinguishes itself by offering guests more than just accommodations—delivering a sense of ease, connection, and delight that endures beyond check-out. 

For Colette O’Hara, this business is the realization of a long-held vision, shaped over many years and brought to life by three partners who bring different strengths but share one heart. “We designed The August House to feel both intimate and elevated – like visiting the home of a good friend who has impeccable taste and a knack for hosting.”  

But what sets The August House apart? “We lead with heart. We believe hospitality is about how you make people feel. So, we’ve created a space that’s warm, modern, and transportive, where guests can truly settle in, connect with others and reconnect with themselves. From our house made breakfast to sauna sessions and fire pit chats, we’re here for your full-hearted moments – whether you’re solo, celebrating or retreating with your team.”  

The inspiration behind The August House traces back to a formative trip to Italy, where Colette was struck by how beautifully the Italians honour place – through food, design and the art of gathering. That idea took root and eventually blossomed into a vision: to create something equally intentional and alive in Nova Scotia.  

“Together with my partners, we brought that dream to life in a historic Italianate home in Windsor. Not a replica of Italy, but a deeply local love letter to the Annapolis Valley; a place that captures the magic of warm August days and easy togetherness, all year round. 

The August House is more than a business. It’s a living invitation to rest, connect and return to what matters.” 

With April marking Earth Month and Earth Day celebrated on April 22, it’s a fitting time to spotlight businesses that are making meaningful environmental and social contributions. At The August House, social impact is built into their operations. 

Colette shares that, “We direct 2% of revenue from every individual room night sold into The Judy Fund, a fund we use to support good things in our community. This year, we’re specifically focused on supporting food security initiatives in our region. It’s our way of ensuring that every guest’s stay does good for the place we call home.” 

“From an environmental perspective, we invested in a state-of-the-art air-to-water heating and cooling system that allows us to manage room-by-room climate control with precision. This system reduces energy waste, increases efficiency in our pre-1850 home and cleverly recycles heat from air conditioning to warm our domestic hot water – a modern solution with meaningful environmental benefits.”  

For 2025, The August House aims to deepen its retreat offerings, building on a successful year of increased bookings. “Our focus for 2025 is continued, intentional growth. After a strong increase in bookings in 2024, we’re building on that momentum, with particular attention to expanding our retreat offerings.” 

“We’re welcoming more corporate and wellness retreats to the inn, and our biggest milestone for the year will be hosting and facilitating our own signature retreat. This will be a curated experience that brings together our team and trusted collaborators to offer guests the full August House experience — one that leaves them feeling expanded, connected, and more alive.”  

Colette shares that the advice she would give to entrepreneurs is, “start with your why. Before anything else – the name, the logo, the business plan – get clear on why you’re doing it and what difference you want to make. Then take the time to define your values and build everything from there. 

When your values are baked into the foundation, they become part of every decision you make, from how you design your offering to how you lead your team. They become your anchor and your compass. 

Business can be overwhelming, but when you’re grounded in purpose, it becomes so much more than a to-do list. It becomes a way to bring something meaningful into the world.” 

Support from organizations such as the Centre for Women in Business (CWB) has furthered their development. “We’re still new members of CWB, but already we’ve felt the impact. Conversations with Nora Perry and Judith Richardson have opened doors to valuable resources, fresh tools, and meaningful connections we might not have found otherwise. Their support has been thoughtful and generous, and we’re excited to keep learning, growing and building alongside the CWB community.” 

As The August House continues to grow, it’s a beautiful example of how hospitality can be both stylish and deeply meaningful. With a blend of thoughtful design, community-minded values, and heartfelt leadership, it’s creating a space that not only welcomes guests but leaves a lasting impression on everyone it touches. 

Be sure to check out The August House website here!