Nestled on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Pacific Shores Resort and Spa in the Parksville area offers a gateway to cedar forests and waterfalls. This resort property includes 76 vacation homes on 15 acres of oceanfront view. Pacific Shores' location makes day trips possible to the Gulf Islands that attract vacationers on the Strait of Georgia.
Just steps from Craig Bay, guests can visit the European-style AquaTerre spa, trails, organic gardens, indoor ozonated pool and outdoor heated thermal pool. Guests can enjoy the kayaks, canoes, volleyball, bocci ball court and a pirate ship playground. The Landing West Coast Grill offers wood-fired cedar-plank salmon and West Coast seafood bouillabaisse.
Painter's Lodge on the east coast of central Vancouver Island appeals to avid sport fishers. Located on the Strait of Georgia, Campbell River earned the title "Salmon Capital of the World," according to the Campbell River Tourism website. Sir Richard Musgrave, British journalist, praised the river's plentiful chinook over 100 years ago in "The Field" magazine. Guests who book fishing packages can have their prized catch cleaned and refrigerated.
In addition to the abundant salmon, Campbell River is home to bears, eagles, sea lions and whales. Guests can opt for seasonal wildlife tours on board the "Hurricane Zodiac" among the Discovery Islands. Painter's Lodge offers West Coast and continental cuisines in the Legends Dining Room and more casual comfort food at the Tyee pub. A water shuttle delivers guests to the nearby spa at the April Point Resort on Quadra Island.
In 2010, the Wickaninnish Inn ranked first for a Canadian hotel and fourth for North American resorts in the "World's Best Awards," as voted by "Travel + Leisure" readers. Perched on the rugged Pacific coastline in Tofino, the Wick attracts winter storm watchers who book the Winter Storm Season getaway.
Guests can see the expert craftsmanship that went into the Wick's decor. A hand-adzed cedar entranceway and driftwood chairs grace the accommodations. The Pointe Restaurant offers Dungeness crab to savor as you take in a 250-degree view. Activities include the Long Beach nature tour, Sunday art tour and Rainforest Beach Loop Trail. According to The Vancouver Sun, whale-watchers can see northern gray whales migrate between Baja California and Alaska. Guests can relax in the Ancient Cedars Spa. Even pets enjoy pampering after a hard day's work on the beach as they freshen up in the pet shower station.
