Himwatsa House is a solid choice for your first visit to Tofino. It has clean, large rooms, some with great views of Clayquot Sound, and is centrally located in the very small town of Tofino. Everything is within walking distance. Staff was helpful, and overall, my stay was very satisfactory. The only reason for the overall rating of average is the price -- Tofino overall is an expensive place to stay. Second, I'd probably give room #2 an above average rating (4/5) based on the better price to value ratio (see below).
Himwatsa House is located at the end of the main waterfront road in Tofino. The rooms are located on the second floor above the Himwatsa store/gallery, Sea Shanty restaurant, and a couple other storefronts. Parking is provided for guests.
The rooms are your basic modern condo style; nothing special - not romantic, not outdoorsy, not upscale. We stayed in two of the rooms. Room #5 is a large suite with kitchen, dining area, living area, bathroom, separate bedroom, and outside balcony with hottub. There is satellite TV in all the rooms. The balcony has a somewhat obstructed view of the sound. The rest of the windows look out toward the streets and town - nothing to look at.
Room #2 is a large room, with a kitchen and dining area, and an outdoor balcony (no hottub) with great views of Clayquot sound. And I do mean great -...Himwatsa House is a solid choice for your first visit to Tofino. It has clean, large rooms, some with great views of Clayquot Sound, and is centrally located in the very small town of Tofino. Everything is within walking distance. Staff was helpful, and overall, my stay was very satisfactory. The only reason for the overall rating of average is the price -- Tofino overall is an expensive place to stay. Second, I'd probably give room #2 an above average rating (4/5) based on the better price to value ratio (see below).
Himwatsa House is located at the end of the main waterfront road in Tofino. The rooms are located on the second floor above the Himwatsa store/gallery, Sea Shanty restaurant, and a couple other storefronts. Parking is provided for guests.
The rooms are your basic modern condo style; nothing special - not romantic, not outdoorsy, not upscale. We stayed in two of the rooms. Room #5 is a large suite with kitchen, dining area, living area, bathroom, separate bedroom, and outside balcony with hottub. There is satellite TV in all the rooms. The balcony has a somewhat obstructed view of the sound. The rest of the windows look out toward the streets and town - nothing to look at.
Room #2 is a large room, with a kitchen and dining area, and an outdoor balcony (no hottub) with great views of Clayquot sound. And I do mean great - one of the most scenic outdoor views I've had from a hotel room. Unless you need the extra room, I thought the less expensive room #2 was the better bargain since Tofino is all about the amazing outdoors.
The only major detraction was that the hottub water was somewhat "oily" even though it had the typical chlorine smell. I declined to use it much.
Second major detraction might be your expectations. Many people come to Tofino for the beauty of the outdoors, and stay at lodges near the ocean. Himwatsa is not situated in the woods; you are not surrounded by the towering pines of the Pacific Northwest. You are in a very small town with the benefits and minor detractions that entails (the biggest being the occasional noisy seaplane taking off).
I found the balance just right - I could walk out to a cafe for coffee, or get provisions for a hike at the small local grocery store - but was a short drive to the Pacific Rim park.
If you've never been to Tofino, don't misunderstand the "town" characterization. It is a very small town by any standard, and has few of the detractions of urban life, like noise or...More
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