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March 1, 2002
Relaxing on the Pacific Rim
Variety of hotels offer storm-watching, fine dining and family
fun.
BAILA LAZARUS EDITOR
When's the last time you were able to watch the sun set on the
ocean as a masseuse kneaded the stress knots out of your shoulders;
where the warmth on your face was caused by natural sunlight and
not a heat lamp; and where the sounds of waves crashing on the beach
and birdcalls were real and not piped in from a CD player?
Has it been too long? Or have you never experienced such decadent
pleasure? Either way, it means it's time to re-examine priorities
and check yourself into the Wickaninnish Inn.
Located just a short drive south from Tofino, "The Wick,"
as it's familiarly known, has developed a worldwide reputation as
being a coastal getaway of the highest calibre. Every one of its
46 finely appointed rooms has a fireplace, private balcony, soaker
tub and even binoculars that guests can take out of the hotel for
bird- or whale-watching. As well, every room faces the ocean - a
conscious design decision that was made to ensure that guests get
firsthand views of the coastal storms for which the area is known.
In fact, the entire hotel was built to offer the best storm-watching
experience possible.
The inn was built only six years ago by Tofino resident Howard McDiarmid,
who also figured prominently in the creation of Pacific Rim National
Park in 1971. The original Wickaninnish Inn was situated where the
park now exists; it became a marine interpretive centre when the
park opened. More than 30 years later, McDiarmid's son Charles now
runs the newly constructed inn. His background in hotel administration,
love of West Coast artwork and ability to make every guest feel
pampered has given the inn its world-class reputation.
On calmer days, the natural surroundings offer an abundance of experiences.
Skim across the ocean in a zodiac looking for whales, take an easy,
guided hike in the old-growth rainforest to see one of British Columbia's
largest trees or go for a leisurely stroll on the beach accompanied
by a naturalist.
Back at the hotel, the Ancient Cedars Spa offers visitors shiatsu
massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, thalassotherapy and hydrotherapy
treatments, to name a few. Couples (or good friends) can get side-by-side
massages in the cabana, just outside the spa, overlooking the ocean.
Open the door to let the sea breeze in and watch the coastal birds
swoop past. But first, don't forget to relax outside in a cozy,
terrycloth bathrobe, with your feet soaking in a foot-spa as you
stress over which aroma to use in your massage oil.
As one of only five Relais and Chateax hotels in Western Canada
(offering the highest class of courtesy, charm, character, calm
and cuisine), The Wick also provides exquisite dining in its Pointe
restaurant. Beside fine food, visitors get a 240-degree view of
the ocean and can watch 20-foot waves crash over the rocks from
the comfort of their table.
For those used to travelling with pets, The Wick also has six rooms
available that accommodate furry friends.
The Wickaninnish Inn is located five kilometres south of Tofino
on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Travelling time is about
five hours by car (including ferries) and about an hour by plane
from Vancouver. Room rates range from $200 in low season to $400
in high season. Call 1-800-333-4604 or visit www.wickinn.com for
more information.
Latest in leisure
Just down the coast from The Wick, and due to open in April 2002,
the latest addition to Vancouver Island getaways is the Long Beach
Lodge.
Located on Cox Bay, the lodge is a 43-room beachfront resort right
on the northern edge of the Pacific Rim National Park. Besides offering
ocean views (two-thirds of the rooms face the water, the other third
face the forest), the lodge will bring people together in its Great
Room, a large common space with an oversized fireplace, comfy chairs
and a striking view of the Pacific.
Artie Ahier, the general manager, and his wife, Lisa, the executive
chef, have between them more than 50 years of experience in the
hospitality industry. They have seen a goal finally realized after
working in various areas in Canada and the United States and settling
on the B.C. coast as a place to build their dream hotel.
Besides being pet-friendly and offering the indulgence of fireplaces,
soaker tubs and private balconies, the Long Beach Lodge will also
feature a 50-seat meeting room, as well as a games room and theatre
so families with children won't have to worry how to occupy the
kids' time.
Rooms at the lodge will range from just over $100 per night in the
low season up to around $300 for an ocean view in high season. For
the introductory year, the lodge is freezing rates for holidays.
Call 1-250-725-2442 or visit www.longbeachlodgeresort.com.
Beachfront freedom
For those looking for a more home-away-from-home atmosphere, the
Pacific Sands Beach Resort might be an option into which you'd prefer
to look.
Geared towards the family, all of the hotel's rooms have full kitchens
and many of the cabins and suites can sleep up to six people. Guests
can get beachfront cottages where the ocean is a 20-second walk
from the front door. Many suites also have fireplaces and the higher-end
suites come with a private hot tub located on an oceanfront deck.
Emphasizing the resort's focus on children, manager Dave Pettinger
has instituted numerous activities for the younger set. There are
activity books for kids, returning families get welcome packages
that include sand buckets and spades, there are sandcastle-building
contests, marshmallow roasts and inter-tidal walks with naturalist
Kim Steinbart every Saturday morning from June through September.
Not too far from the resort, visitors can also participate in surfing,
hiking, kayaking, whale-watching and golf.
Rates range from $125 for a two-bedroom beach cottage in low season
to $395 for a 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom, deluxe suite in high
season. For information, call 1-800-565-2322, e-mail [email protected]
or visit www.pacificsands.com.
Vacation by the sea
If the lure of a small town on the coast is something hard to resist,
head to Tauca Lea by the Sea, a waterfront resort in Ucluelet, about
a half-hour drive south from Tofino.
The resort itself is located on a small peninsula right near the
boat basin in Ucluelet. Walking distance from the town, the resort
offers privacy, while giving visitors complete access to local activities,
such as whale-watching, kayaking, surfing, scuba diving, hiking,
sports fishing and boating.
The Boat Basin restaurant offers exquisite cuisine featuring local
fare. If available, try the banana-squash soup and their cherry
pie with warm goat cheese.
Each of the resort's suites has an ocean view, balcony, fully equipped
kitchen, soaker tub, sofa bed and leather recliner set before a
gas fireplace.
Rates range from $150 for a one-bedroom in low season to $350 for
a two-bedroom suite with whirlpool in peak season. But great deals
can be had in two-bedroom suites that can sleep up to eight people,
starting at $210 per night.
A special West Coast Fly and Drive package includes a flight with
Harbor Air Seaplanes from Vancouver to Nanaimo, an SUV rental from
Budget so you can explore the West Coast through the Pacific Rim
National Park, and four days and three nights at Tauca Lea by the
Sea, starting from $499 per person.
For more information, call 1-800-979-9303 or visit www.taucalearesort.com..
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