About the Inn
Over 30 years ago, Maria Santa Lucia followed her heart to Homer, Alaska, where she “started out” working for Icicle Seafoods on the Homer Spit, while living in a camper along the beach. Maria states that she and her friends were known as “Homer Spit Rats.” Now, fast-forward to the present: Maria lives on the hillside above Homer in a beautiful home which she designed herself– one with a majestic view of Kachemak Bay, and the daily splendor of sunrise, mountains, glaciers, sunset, and at certain times, the Aurora Borealis.
Maria raised four sons, whose father taught them the art of commercial fishing for red salmon in Bristol Bay north of the Aleutian Islands; the boys began this training at age 10. Three adult sons currently continue in the commercial fishing industry, in contract with Trident Seafoods, while the oldest son Peter is now over ten years into a career with the United States Army Special Forces.
When the boys were still young, it became necessary to supplement income, and Maria put her talent of “hostessing and hospitality” to work by opening Majestic View Bed and Breakfast. Over the years, as the boys have become adults and gone off on their own, Maria has been able to devote more and more of her time and attention to building and running a quality bed and breakfast that offers one of the best lodging experiences on the Kenai Peninsula. Having lived in the area since 1983, Maria has a wealth of knowledge on Alaska, and enjoys educating people about the area, telling stories, and helping her guests to attain their dream vacation – whatever that may be. Maria’s breakfasts are “to die for”; Italian women are known for their cooking, and when you stay at Majestic View, you don’t get the “continental breakfast,” you get the FULL SPREAD. Her gigantic “Alaskan Pancake” covered with fresh fruit is a guest favorite, as are the stuffed French toast and homemade sourdough pancakes. Breakfast is always an enjoyable time – where you might share a meal and conversation with people from just about anywhere in the world while enjoying the amazing view. You may even catch a glimpse of the wild Alaskan moose that visit Maria’s yard. Maria has a special gift for helping guests to feel at home, and many do so by frequenting the common living area and spacious deck that faces the ocean. Maria and her staff pride themselves on offering seven clean and neatly decorated living spaces – each with its own unique opportunity, that are specially prepared for guests by check-in time. Maria enjoys meeting and visiting with her guests, and directing them to the best dining and entertainment options that Homer has to offer. Maria is at the B&B the vast majority of the time, but when she cannot be, guests are well taken care of by Tim, Mary, Victoria, and the rest of the staff.
In her spare time, Maria enjoys exercising and playing with her two Australian Shepherds “Brody” and “Blue”; she is a talented artist and painter (original art is displayed in the home and select pieces are for sale) and is actively involved in the local Homer art community; she also writes and publishes her own cookbooks, which are available to guests. Maria has always loved to dance, beginning as a cheerleader at age 8. She has taught dance in the Homer community schools. She was Homer’s first certified Zumba instructor (2010) and has over a dozen certifications including Aqua Zumba, Zumba Gold and Zumba Kids. God, spirituality, family, and the outdoors are her favorite pursuits.
Maria loves DoTerra’s essential oils and enjoys promoting health and healing by teaching people how to use them in their everyday lives; she is building an active team and considers this an important part of her future business. Many guests enjoy “talking oils” with Maria, and some even get the relaxing Aromatouch oil application; after a long day of playing, it’s the greatest (says Tim), and many of our lady guests enjoy the pampering too.
Maria began taking care of the elderly in the year 2000 (she loves this and is very gifted), and in 2008, she expanded this service to the downstairs and called it “Majestic View Assisted Living” – housing up to 5 residents at a time, and helping individuals and families care for their loved ones in the latter stages of life, through death. She has been a CAN since 2000, and was administrator of the assisted living – though necessity often found her “working in the trenches.” She is AFFA certified, AEA certified, and AAA certified. Though Majestic View Assisted Living is now closed, Maria has enjoyed remodeling the lower level to support more B&B units (the Bears Den and Moose Manor), and she still visits the elderly in our community on a regular basis.
Maria’s husband Tim is a relatively new addition to the B&B. Tim hails from Minnesota, where he was a long-time freshwater fishing guide (think Walleye and Musky) and an avid outdoorsman. He met Maria in the summer of 2013 while vacationing; the two were a “match made in Heaven,” and decided to combine their experience and passion and put it to work for the B&B. Tim will often be seen in the background, working on the grounds, the home, or assisting guests. One of Tim’s favorite times is breakfast, where he gets to assist Maria, or relax and visit with new friends, talking about yesterday’s adventures or their plans for today. A sea captain, Tim is all about adventure – and often takes guests out on his boat to sight-see, view wildlife, hike, fish for salmon and halibut, hunt bears, berry-pick, provide water taxi, or do whatever happens to be in season. Tim is a former photographer, photo-lab owner, butcher, wildlife biologist, and fishing guide – which all lend themselves to his ability to cater to Majestic View Bed and Breakfast guests. In the “off-season,” Tim works as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Minnesota, and plans to expand his MFT licensing to Alaska by 2017. Maria and Tim regularly travel back and forth between Minnesota, Florida, and Alaska so that they can maintain relationships with parents, kids, grandkids, and great friends.