Clayoquot is the perfect family adventure getaway for anyone who wants to be off the grid, in the gorgeous untouched Canadian wilderness of Vancouver Island, and experience fun, and sometimes personally challenging, activities. An extremely unique and special spot - surrounded by water, forest, animals, and fresh air! But most importantly, the staff were truly A+. It is a trek to get there but absolutely worth it. Once on property - which will involve some combination of planes, seaplane, car, or boat - (highly recommend the seaplane) - you are there and do not leave. There are no outside roads that lead to this resort, and your accommodations are fixed wooden structures with tent-like roofs. Upscale glamping at its best - amazingly comfortable with everything you could need - including an outdoor shower and an indoor gas heater that looks like an old-fashioned wood burning one. Genuinely nice touches. We were in the only attached tent with our young girls which was ideal for us. There is even a door you can close in between the two attached “tents.” We were up in the woods, which was a short walk from the main buildings. If you want to be on the water, then I would request one of those tents which are right on the water’s edge. Really beautiful. We traveled with another family and absolutely loved our stay. Delicious food prepared by Chef Mark and his team - fresh, local, and yummy. Something for everyone and dietary restrictions respected. But note - you are not leaving for any meals. Dinners are different every night (and gourmet in preparation), and breakfast and lunches were the same every day during our 4-day stay, but there are plenty of options to choose from. However, you are not going to Clayoquot for a culinary experience - this is about being one with nature, doing and seeing things that are unique, appreciating the utter beauty of your surroundings, and challenging yourself with new adventures! Plus, we were not lacking for food. All the meals were delicious – we even asked for recipes to take home. Activities were a-plenty. Rock climbing, whale watching, tree climb, e-biking, archery, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, and much more. Guest safety is of utmost importance. Helmets, special shoes, fitted equipment, and lessons on everything were all key before departing on any adventure. Our days were jam packed with action which was perfect for early evenings at the bar for the adults and the kids spending time together in the game tent. Bartender John kept the creative cocktails flowing with a smile and lite bites pre-dinner. Nice touch that all food and drink was included so we never saw a bill… Post-activities, you can also completely relax at the spa. Massage therapists were fantastic, and loved the outdoor hot tub, plunge pools, and sauna. It was awesome to work hard all day, and then relax for a bit before heading to dinner. Plus, the scenery is unparalleled being outdoors while soaking your sore muscles! The true stars of this property are hands down the staff. Maybe it is the Canadian hospitality, but everyone at Clayoquot has this enthusiasm that is infectious. They help to get you out of your comfort zone, try new things, and most importantly have so much fun. Their training is also top notch. It was all the little things - every detail was thought about. Even the servers at each meal knew what your schedule was and would ask you how your hike was that morning or how was last night’s bonfire and s’mores. You feel more like a family member rather than a resort guest. It was an appreciated touch. Shout outs to Justin - Wow. Host with the most and an incredible group leader. All his suggestions were fantastic, and he went the extra mile to make our entire group had the best time possible. Sadie and Mercedes were impressive on all our excursions - from trail walks in the woods to spotting whale blowholes on the water, we did it all and had an incredible time. These ladies always had a smile and made our days super memorable. Linda is a star - she has a heart of gold and amazing energy…she even got our hiking group to have a spontaneous dance party in the woods! Truly a special person inside and out. And resort-mom Sarah is extraordinary. We were sad to leave and still talk about our time at Clayoquot. Memories that will last forever! If you are looking for a family adventure for 4 nights (good amount of time, but you can also do a 7-night stay if you are a more advanced adventure traveler) – check out at this Canadian hidden gem! I highly recommend it.…
Seaplane ride in was special, you see how remote this place is.The staff are relaxed and professional, they adapt activities to abilities/wants/needs. Our tent with en suite big,warm sumptuous! The place is Magical with killer views everywhere! The bar and deck are the best we have seen amongst our travels with attentiveness of delivery first class service and variety of drinks! The activities range is brilliant, we stayed a week and tried everything barr fishing as it’s not our bag. Lots of staff here have their dogs so it does feel like a home from home. The remoteness is real we heli hiked to a summit and you can see the vast views mountains and river with the lodge and nothing else !! Horses are well looked after and riding the river bed is cool. Canyoning was a blast and at the end of each activity luxury awaits, food here is like eating at a mitchellin star restaurant we are taking recipes home! Spa and hot tubs are brilliant, along with private dining options too. These guys have it right for a delux remote break with luxury and quality thrown in. We could stay a year!…
Our wedding day and our stay at the lodge was the most memorable time of our lives. We made terrific friendships, enjoyed marvellous hospitality and left forever changed by our experience. If you visit Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, remember to remind yourself how lucky you are every moment of your stay; it won't be until after you leave that you realise how truly special a stay at the lodge is.
Words are no substitute for the experience. We are here for a Thursday to Thursday stay, and it’s only Saturday. There is nothing that we have experienced so far that has fallen short of our elevated expectations. From the wilderness outside our tent “door”, to the food at the Cookhouse, to the friendliness and expertise of the staff, to the leadership of Sarah, the GM - this is a place that provides indescribable enjoyment whether you are sitting on your deck watching the tide and the light change, or on a boat looking for bears, whales, porpoises, sea lions and otters (all of which we saw on yesterday’s 4 hour ride from the lodge to the Pacific Ocean via Tofino), or any of the wide range of activities that are offered. Thank goodness we have a lot of days left for things to do, sights to see, people to meet. This is truly a “bucket list” vacation. Thank you Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. We will miss you when we leave and so grateful for the time we had with you.…
It is difficult to convey in words just how beautiful this lodge and its location are. In this remote, mountainous island location we saw numerous black bears and sea otters on the best boat trip ever; we hiked, went canyoning and kayaking, and then at the end of the day enjoyed the most incredible meals, with the menu changing daily, from a hugely talented group of chefs. Whilst it is expensive, everything is included and the staff are generous with everything. The staff really make this place; they are young, full of enthusiasm and always smiling. They were wonderfully kind to our young kids who didn’t want to leave. The very kind manager, Sarah, was ever present and clearly loved by her staff. It was a privilege to spend 4 days in this beautiful place.
What a wonderful holiday we have had at clayoquot ! The whole team was amazing: they are full with passion and dedication to the lodge and the visitors. Being in this special place in nature made us all feel very much one with the surroundings. The team granted us every wish and made us feel very welcome. We went bear and wale watching, on a long hike through the Vancouver Island rain forest and horseback riding. The meals were great and original, but still very accessible for our teens. WiFi was in the tents but not any place else, nore was any cellphone contact. The tents were perfectly equipped. We can’t find anything to complain about and will return asap :-)
We had the most incredible few days at Clayoquot. The place is absolutely magical, one is truly immersed in nature and the experiences are abundant and unique. The food and food service were excellent. The guides and all staff are energetic, kind, polite and have a can do attitude. Our tent was very comfortable, clean and had everything we needed. Housekeeping was very efficient. So overall a truly unique and magical holiday. We were very sad to leave. Having said this, the pricing sets a very high level of expectation and I still cannot reconcile the price with the offering. For the price we were paying we would expect more personal touches, more private experiences, more luxurious accommodation, a better equipped spa, longer duration heli transfers included in the cost, more elaborate pick nicking options in the wilderness and more knowledgeable guides on our hikes, better transfer in and out services without delays. As aguest you can ask for things to be arranged for you but I would prefer to have been offered more bespoke options proactively rather than having to request them. In the end, we decided to view the price we were paying more as a donation to the maintenance and preservation efforts of the lodge that towards the actual offering. So I guess if the cost of this holiday is a stretch for you....I would suggest you stay in Tofino instead and embark on your adventures from there. But if money is not an issue, go for it!…
My husband and I spent 4 nights at the lodge and enjoyed our stay from start to finish. We hoped to arrive directly to the resort via sea plane, but unfortunately received communication that alternative methods of transportation was needed due to the weather (arranged flawlessly by the staff). Despite the longer than expected travel time, all the stress just melted away upon arrival. I am not a camper and never grew up camping, so I wasn't entirely sure if I would find the experience comfortable, particularly staying in a tent and having an outdoor shower. We stayed in the waterfront ensuite tent, which definitely exceeded all expectations in terms of comfort and luxury. The tent was more spacious than I expected, the gas stove kept us plenty toasty at night, the bed was comfortable, the heated floors in the bathroom was amazing and the outdoor shower (which is covered by the tent awning) was one of the most amazing shower experiences. I wasn't cold taking showers at night as there was an abundance of hot water and the steam helps keep you warm. Prior to arrival, I provided a list of the different activities we wanted to do during our stay. Everything was all organized and the staff was very prompt to accommodate any changes without any issues. All the staff who guided each excursion were super friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Additionally, they provide all equipment (hiking boots, cowboy boots, rain jacket, rain pants, wetsuits, etc.), so you don't need to bring any extra hiking shoes, clothing or gear if you want to pack light. With the exception of the sight and sound Zodiac boat, which I think had 10 guests, all the other excursions were very small (not more than 4) or even private, making the experience much more intimate and personal. I would also highly recommend splurging and doing a helicopter tour. We did the sip to sky, where we land on top of Ursus peak for about an hour and snacked on charcuterie and champagne. It was such a decadent and memorable experience! Food at the lodge was excellent given the remote location. Breakfast and lunch was the same menu each day (though, lunch offers a different soup and entree daily) and dinner menu changes daily. The kitchen staff does offer some off-the-menu options if you ask in advance, including preparing any fresh catch of the day you might bring in from the fishing trip (we caught a Chinook salmon and ate it later that evening!). Though, I had no complaints about the food, my only comment is wishing there were more local, simply prepared dishes in keeping with the camping experience. For example, I would prefer a plate of fresh caught peel-and-eat shrimp or crab rather than an Asian baked bao or tempura (don't get me wrong, I enjoyed both dishes). One thing I really enjoyed were the local BC wines, which were amazing! We both really enjoyed every moment of our stay and already trying to figure out when we want to go back again!…
In the remote coastal rainforest of Vancouver Island, the Cloyoquot Wilderness Resort is this adventurer's travel dream. It skirts the banks of Clayoquot Sound and offered me a well deserved escape to the still, tranquil beauty of Canada's wilderness. I appreciated the 'off the grid' grounding with accessibility by sea plane to connect with the 600 acres of glorious wild nature reserve. The property is armed with 25 canvas tent accommodations that represent clamping at it's best. My model included a plush king bed, heated floors, cedar clad outdoor shower (a neat washing feeling). The space encompassed a generous lounging area, a wood fireplace and was decked out with contemporary furnishings and specially commissioned pieces from local designers and artists. One strict rule: no food in the tent, lest you entice bears to make a meal of you. This was a pretty cool boudoir. Clayoquot prides itself on it's litany of adventures. From hiking, canyoning, horse-riding mountain trails to thrilling marine adventures in a Zodiac and up-close encounters with black Bears, sea otters, whales and the like. I tried them all and was plagued with sore muscles and made good use of the Healing Grounds Spa that provided me with revitalizing massages to reset my body for another day of adventure. Food is a big part of the experience at the Lodge. I enjoyed eats comprised of seemingly simple lunch items of quinoa salad and freshly caught fish to tasting menu's supplemented with salmon, scallops, prawns and crab all caught by local fishers. World-class dining is included here, with lots of fish, foraged herbs, berries and mushrooms... providing.incredible culinary delights.....yummy to my tummy. Staff are more like guides than regular hotel service providers. So, if you are a keen adventurer, carry a heavy wallet, relish the wild and free wilderness, accompanied by top-notch digs and eats....then try the ........... Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge..........Bear the Wilderness.…
I've just come back from a spectacular opening weekend at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, and I'm having extreme withdrawal symptoms. My heart and soul are full, as well as my belly from the amazing culinary experience. I have been to this resort, many times before. It has always been one of my favourite spots on earth. This trip cemented my love for the lodge and the destination. The tents are stunning. The backdrop, as spectacular as always. As mentioned, the food was scrumptious (and I need the peanut butter cookie recipe from Elise). The private performance by Sarah McLoughlin will never be forgotten...,but what touched me the most was the amazing team they put together to welcome and host their guests. Genuine, caring, attentive and always with big smiles. Ohhh, I love this place. Put this on the top of your bucket list. Profound gratitude to General Manager Sarah Cruse and her talented team.…
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