Hotel Snapshot
There’s absolutely nothing as world-shifting as flying into Clayquot Wilderness Lodge, located on the Clayoquot Sound of the Bedwell River, before landing on the water and being picked up by a horse-drawn wagon. The trip takes you up to the main lodge, where sparkling wine awaits. The landscape looks like you were dropped into a screensaver or Zoom background — a masterpiece of blue water, big trees, grass-covered mountains, and blue sky. (It might make you feel like you want to be a painter or a poet, it’s so beautiful.) Opened in 2000 and added to the Baillies Lodges portfolio of properties in 2021, the seasonal lodge (running May through September) boasts beautiful views with fire pits and walking paths, great activities with amazing guides, an on-property spa, saunas and hot tubs, and a bar with floor to ceiling windows. Then, there are the tents. (If they can be called that.)
Design and Character
With 25 luxury tents dotting both the shore and further back, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is the epitome of glamping. There’s a mixture of forest and water views, and the tents themselves feel more like high-end suites than anything you'd associate with traditional camping — featuring king-sized beds, cast-iron stoves, vintage-style furnishings, and ensuite bathrooms.
The main lodge stands in the middle, with the dining room and an adjacent bar next to it. Walking paths lead guests between the tents, the spa, the yoga pavilion, and the water’s edge, while communal fire pits, communal central lounge tents, and cedar decks offer places to gather or take in the surrounding views in quiet solitude.
The Rooms
The tents boast everything you could need — including a permanent and standalone bathroom, with heated floors and an outdoor shower that feels magical when you look up to see the stars. Specially-designed furniture and First Nation artwork make the tent feel like a true home, and decks with adirondack chairs invite you to sit and stay awhile. There’s an option of booking adjoining suites that share a deck, perfect for family or friends who are traveling together. Super plush beds are awaiting you after a long day of exploring, and depending on the season, a heated water bottle is thoughtfully left to keep you warm (though the cast iron stove in each tent is both functional and charming).
Food & Drink
Dining at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is rooted in a deep sense of place, drawing inspiration from that which is native to Vancouver Island. The culinary program, led by Chef Ben Godin, focuses on sustainably sourced ingredients from the land, sea, and surrounding communities, with daily-changing menus that reflect what’s fresh and in season. Mornings start slow or fast, depending on your mood — with options ranging from hearty Eggs Bedwell with Dungeness crab and avocado to lighter bites and pressed juices. Lunch is casual but thoughtful, designed to refuel after a morning of kayaking, hiking, or wildlife spotting, with dishes like ceviche made from local catch or a Blue Goose beef burger served fireside or by the water.
Come evening, the pace shifts. Dinners are a multi-course experience, featuring produce from Vancouver Island growers and protein from nearby ranches and the ocean — think grilled sablefish, bison shoulder, or perfectly seared rib-eye. The lodge’s culinary team has created rotating menus (with a few continual standouts) that celebrates the region's cultural and ecological richness.
The best part of ending the day at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is heading to Ivanhoe, the on-site bar that has everything you could need for your favorite drink or one of their signatures, as well as a wonderful wine selection and local beers. With floor-to-ceiling windows inside on the bottom floor, you can stay cozy and watch the water, or head upstairs to the rooftop to watch the sun set behind the mountain and, later in the night, a tipple by the fire pit.
The drink program emphasizes small-batch and British Columbia–made spirits, with house-made syrups, tonics, and garnishes that make every cocktail feel intentional. Signature drinks include the Van-Quadra Negroni, made with Sheringham Seaside Gin from Vancouver Island, and the Fog Lifter, a rich, moody cocktail crafted with Ron Zacapa 23 rum and honey from Wayward Distillery. There’s also a curated list of included wines, ciders, and beers, or for something truly special, the premium cellar offers international vintages and Champagne.
Amenities
First thing’s first: Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge’s price is all inclusive of food and most beverages, including guided experiences, optional guided activities, and the use of things like mountain bikes and watercraft.
Every evening you put in your coffee or tea order, and every morning a pack is set by your tent to welcome you to another day. Guides are on hand for everything you should need, and activities run the gamut — from hiking through old-growth forests and paddleboarding on glassy inlets to trail rides, whale watching, fishing, biking, and more.
The lodge also features a waterfront spa with a hot tub, cedar sauna, and massage treatments inspired by the natural surroundings. For something truly unforgettable, guests can book private helicopter excursions, which lift off right from the property and land atop a nearby mountain. There’s hiking excursions or, my personal preference, a sunset experience, where a charcuterie board and bottle of wine await with panoramic views stretching all the way to the Pacific.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Located on an island, the lodge is a destination in and of itself, tucked deep within the UNESCO-designated Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Accessible only by seaplane, boat, or helicopter, it feels completely removed from everyday life — wild, remote, and pristine. You’re surrounded by towering rainforest, mountains, and quiet inlets, with no towns or roads nearby, which means all excursions and experiences are arranged through the lodge itself. From guided hikes and wildlife safaris to kayaking in secluded bays or exploring tidal pools, everything you could want to see or do in the area is woven into the experience — no outside plans or itineraries needed. That said, many travelers choose to pair their stay with a visit to Vancouver proper, or with a visit to Tofino, a laid-back surf town known for its beaches, hot springs, local art, and thriving food scene. For those coming from Victoria or Ucluelet, it’s easy to combine a few days of rugged luxury at Clayoquot with a broader Vancouver Island adventure.
Fast Facts
Location: Vancouver Island
Vibe: Elevated outdoorsy hospitality, that both adventurers and wellness-focused travelers will enjoy
Rating: 5-Star, with a rating of Three MICHELIN Keys by the MICHELIN team
Room Count: 25 tents
Pricing: Prices start at CAD $3,500/night (all-inclusive of meals, drinks, and many activities)
Our favorite thing about the hotel: Ivanhoe, the bar and perfect meet-up spot, as well as the barrel hot tub and sauna
Dining: A culinary team led by Chef Ben Godin helms the restaurant which serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Amenities: Activities and spa on site
Nearby Attractions: As its a remote glamping site, not much is available by way of being nearby; that being said, it can be added on to an itinerary exploring more of the Sound or paired with time in Vancouver, or places like Tofino
Airport: Vancouver Airport (YVR) to a 45-minute seaplane ride that lands at the property; the property is only accessible by seaplane or boat
