At Harley’s Home, the story began in 2017 when my dad started building this wooden house with all his heart. He wasn’t just a builder; he was an artisan, pouring love into every detail and every piece of wood. Although he wasn’t familiar with smartphones and technology, he always longed to create a warm and welcoming place for everyone.
This Facebook page was set up by a friend of my dad’s, who promised to help him attract guests, but unfortunately, it didn’t yield much success.
On April 30, 2017, we launched Chez Hill, the original name of the homestay. However, despite all the efforts, this place gradually faded into obscurity, like a dream that hadn’t come true. Although my dad tried many things to generate income from this house, nothing went smoothly.
When he hung the sign, I’m sure he envisioned a bright future where our home would thrive. I wonder what his feelings were like on the day he took the sign down...
After completing three years of university, I decided to return to my hometown to take over my dad's homestay startup—a challenge not just for me but for my entire family. At that time, I faced strong opposition from my mom, who just wanted me to have a stable job. But I pushed forward, using my meager savings to decorate and renovate the house. I didn’t think too much; I just took it step by step!
Four months after the initial idea, Harley's Home officially opened its doors. I encountered many challenges since I come from a media background, not a business one, hahaha. However, through those mistakes, I gradually improved myself and continued to refine the homestay.
My parents are naturally hospitable and down-to-earth, and it seems we've inherited that trait, haha. Our home is like a backyard garden, with no one trained in hotel management. If you're looking for the professionalism of a hotel, I’m sorry, but we don’t have that. However, if you’re searching for a place that feels like home, I invite you to come and stay with us.
You might be surprised to see that we have many dogs and cats at our home. In fact, more than half of them are stray animals we’ve rescued from the streets. My family takes care of them with love. Even though my mom often complains about the cost of feeding them, she never hesitates to spend money on their medical care. My love for animals definitely comes from her.
The dogs here may not be as beautiful as those at other homestays, and their behavior might not be perfect either, but I hope you can be understanding. They may not look great, but they are playful and full of energy. Once you feed them a couple of times, they will warm up to you quickly!