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Vancouver Island is an outdoor enthusiast’s wonderland. Its raw beauty and natural wonder draw millions of revelers every year, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be included in that number.
With its soaring popularity, a number of excellent accommodations have emerged, allowing its adventurous visitors to enjoy both the luxurious and untamed sides of the island.
Some things to keep in mind: the busy summer period, especially peak whale season, can fill up quickly. It’s best to book as far ahead as possible to avoid disappointment and soaring rates. Grabbing a sneaky shoulder season stay might be the play, even if the weather is a little less agreeable.
Here are the best Vancouver Island resorts.
The best Vancouver Island resorts on a budget
Wild Coast Chalets
Location: Port Renfrew, Vancouver Island
Price: $107+
Vibe: Bare bones, beautiful, and beach-ready
The rundown: Sometimes simple is all you need. So many Vancouver Island hotels are laden with luxurious bells and whistles—which is great if that’s what you’re into—but don’t forget why you’re there: to experience the great outdoors.
Wild Coast Chalets embodies that sentiment, offering simple but comfortable accommodation just steps away from the Pacific Ocean. You’ll need to do nothing more than roll out of bed to have the wonders of Vancouver Island at your feet. Better yet, its prices start at around $100 and don’t skyrocket as high as others in the area do in the summer.
Hotel Zed
Location: Tofino, Vancouver Island
Price: $120+
Vibe: Groovy, baby
The rundown: For something a little quirkier, check in to Hotel Zed. If you’re familiar with the hotel franchise, you’ll already know they fully embrace their retro-chic vibe, making it one of the most unique Vancouver Island hotels. Stepping into Zed Hotel is an experience in itself, packed with wacky decor that throws you right back to the vibrant aesthetics of the ‘70s.
But don’t think its oddball nature means you’ll be far from the action. Guests at Hotel Zed are never more than a short walk from some of the area’s finest outdoor draws like Chesterman Beach, while Tofino’s outstanding restaurants and other pleasures are close, too. Rates start at around $120 but book well ahead.
The best Vancouver Island resorts for a mid-range budget
Pacific Sands Resort
Location: Tofino, Vancouver Island
Price: $220+
Vibe: Oceanside opulence
The rundown: Our COO hasn’t stopped raving about Pacific Sands Resort since he visited last year. While he does have a tendency to rattle on, he’s right on the money with this one. The stunning resort is one of the most popular Vancouver Island hotels, placing guests at the heart of the island’s most iconic spots.
The resort’s Cox Bay location is utterly breathtaking, whatever time of year. In fact, storm-watching over the Pacific Ocean from the comfort of the hotel is regularly mentioned as an unforgettable memory by guests. Check out our COO’s write-up from his time at the resort. Once again, book early—this place is popular. Off-season rates hover around the $220 mark, but summer prices can soar.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
Location: Victoria, Vancouver Island
Price: $220+
Vibe: Island indulgence
The rundown: Further down the island you’ll find the town of Victoria, and the jewel in its crown is the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Boasting staggering ocean views (seriously, opt for an ocean-view room), this luxury hotel is built for comfort. Not that you won’t explore the island, too—but if one place was to hold you within its walls, it’d be this one.
Its on-site restaurants are excellent, its service is legendary on the island, and amenities like the seaside mineral pools stand out. Like Pacific Sands, its rates start at around $220 but can double or more in the summer. With such a coveted location, and arguably the best in-room views on the island, it fills up fast.
The best Vancouver Island resorts for a big budget
Hastings House Country House Hotel
Location: Ganges, Salt Spring Island
Price: $386+
Vibe: Adventure: in a manor of speaking
The rundown: To get a taste of true, unadulterated luxury, we need to step off the main island to Salt Spring—a little satellite island just off Vancouver Island’s coast. There you’ll find Hastings Country House Hotel, a stunning English manor house nestled into the dramatic Canadian coast.
With only 18 rooms, service is personalized and dazzling, while the in-house restaurant has guests raving for long after their stay. Nice touches like freshly cut bouquets from the hotel’s garden make things all the more memorable. Is it pricier than other Vancouver Island hotels? Sure. Is it worth it? Definitely.
Sonora Resort Canada
Location: Sonora Island
Price: $1,000+
Vibe: Luxury gone wild
The rundown: Again, this one technically doesn’t fall under the Vancouver Island hotels category. It’s just across the water on Sonora Island, but close enough that we needed to include it. Its price point isn’t for the fainthearted, but this place is staggeringly beautiful.
The resort is only accessible by sea or air—you’ll need to fork out for a private plane or boat hire to get there—but that makes it all the more dramatic. Secluded, epic, and luxurious, while gifting the ultimate platform for adventure in the region, any stay here is unforgettable. World-class wildlife watching and fishing are the headline acts among other activities, but the resort itself has a good crack at stealing the show. This is a special place.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
