In the tranquil beauty of Canada’s remote wilderness, accessible only by seaplane or boat, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge presents remote luxury on Vancouver Island. Remote and remarkable, the property sits amongst a lush coastal rainforest surrounded by the UNESCO listed Clayoquot Sound Biosphere. Skirting the bank of the ocean inlet, the 600-acre property is an ideal location from which to explore the wilds of the island..
Offering an unforgettable experience of the landscape and its wildlife filled with adventure-laden days and world-class accommodations, guests can unwind and escape to the still tranquility of the surroundings. Guests choose from twenty-five luxuriously appointed white canvas tents which are contemporary by design and include specially commissioned furnishings from local designers that evoke a personal connection with the Vancouver Island landscape. Each tent opens to a verandah with traditional Adirondack chairs made for relaxing with a book and drinking in the view.
Clayoquot Wilderness General Manager Sarah Cruse said the team offered a highly personalized stay tailored to individual guest needs.
“On meeting guests fresh off the exhilarating scenic seaplane flight in, we start to get a sense of what they’re looking for and start creating a personalized stay, whether it be adventures on horseback, hiking mountain trails or canyoning the Bedwell River,” Sarah said.
The Cookhouse is the hub of dining on the property, allowing guests to enjoy local produce-driven, sustainable dining, fine wines and daily changing menu of locally sourced sustainable produce. Adjacent to The Cookhouse, The Ivanhoe Lounge is a dedicated bar and lounge with floor-to-ceiling glass welcoming in views of the sound and the abundant wildlife. Here guests can enjoy canapés and bar snacks complemented by premium wines, craft beers and small-batch spirits. The Outpost is the pick-up point for water sports equipment including kayaks and canoes,the meeting point for guided tours and includes a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Included in your stay are all meals, selection of wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages, select signature guided experiences (more about that below) and one 60-minute massage at the Healing Grounds Spa. Offering restorative treatments for body, mind and soul, the spa is perched on the water’s edge and features two indoor treatment rooms, a waterfront massage tent, a wood-fired sauna and a series of relaxing hot tubs set in the decks, looking out to the sound and surrounding coastal forest.
“Or guests might be looking for a relaxing getaway with spa treatments by the sound with fine food and wine to complete the picture. We’re happy to offer it all,” Sarah said.
The lodge offers a series of extraordinary nature-based adventures and a personalized itinerary suited to each guest for adventure, education, natural enrichment and personal connection. Their signature experiences include aquatic adventures like canoes, kayak and stand-up paddleboards, along with canyoning and the Sights of the Sound Zodiac boat tour. On land, there is an abundance of hiking trails and horseback riding opportunities to fully immerse guests in nature. Other experiences include: archery, fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing and the peaceful yet exhilarating glacial plunge in the pristine Bedwell River. Additional tours, which are additional to the tariff , include helicopter and fishing tours.
Along with the natural beauty surrounding the lodge and the connection to nature which guests feel through all their crafted adventures, sustainability is front-and-center at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. Starting with a commitment to the natural environment, the lodge also has a commitment to the local community by honoring, celebrating and protecting First Nations culture and educating guests about the region’s natural and cultural heritage. The Lodge also has numerous sustainability measures in place including a BIOvator, an all-steel in-vessel composter to manage the property’s organic waste, a small mill which utilizes naturally fallen trees for firewood, boardwalks and as building materials..
With check-ins and check-outs on Sundays and Thursdays only, packages include the seven-night Bedwell Safari (starting at $3,900 per night in a Rainforest Deluxe tent) and the three-night Baillie Escape (also starting at $3,900 per night in a Rainforest Deluxe tent).
Article by Jarone Ashkenazi
