With the Inn at the Pointe and The Pointe restaurant opening in 1996, the Wick’s is still pretty young but the area in which it sits is full of history. You can read up on Tofino history in the library of the On the Beach building (completed in 2003) and even get a glimpse at some of Captain George Vancouver’s log books and navigational equipment used when he charted the Island.
The common areas (and many of the 75 guest rooms) are filled with driftwood furniture, wood or marble sculptures, paintings, carvings, large comfortable chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows so that the amazing view is always visible. Claire MacDonald, Marketing Planner for the inn, said that the idea was to make the decor and amenities so unique that if you were to take one look around, you would know that you are at The Wick, and no where else in the world.
Our room faced North-West over a rocky channel as waves provided the soundtrack to our stay. We didn’t turn on the television for entertainment nor did we make use of the inn’s DVD library. We opened the sliding door, turned off our lights, and sat together in silence as the rain fell and thunderous waves crashed on the sharp shore below.
I’ve been fortunate enough to stay in two Relais-Chateaux properties before (Aerie, Sonora) and they all have exceptional services and amenities.
In our room we also had lavender on our nightstand, Senseo coffee, a journal above the fireplace to jot down notes (and see the musings of previous guests), and a media player (with iPod/iPhone dock) that somehow always ended up spinning the Michael Buble CD after turndown.
Now there are generally two types of people: Those who get out in the rain to splash around and explore in their wellies, and those who snuggle up indoors as storms pass overhead. The perfect place for both is Tofino, BC and more specifically, The Wickaninnish Inn.
In the rain, the region seems even more active than when the fog rolls in under clear skies. Children ride bikes on the sand, adults jog alongside their dogs on the multi-use path, surf boards are replaced with body boards in a storm, and hotel guests in their distinctive yellow coats get out to stretch their legs as sea foam rolls across sandy bays.
From the beach, the hotel hardly sticks out among the trees, which was the point when both buildings were constructed. Even the paint colour is supposed to replicate the shade of a faded and weathered Cedar.
As if our experience wasn’t romantic enough, on Friday afternoon we were led into a small one-room cabin placed on the rocks just ahead of the Inn for a side-by-side massage at the Ancient Cedars Spa. Happy Birthday, John
When it came time to leave The Wick, our hair was wind-blown and sprayed with salty sea air from walks around the property. If we had more time we would have dinned once more at The Pointe, inspected the Captain Vancouver records in the library, and done a lot more of nothing while we watched the waves from either our balcony or a horizontal piece of driftwood on the shore.
Heading South toward Cox Bay, we would spend our last night on what some locals call the real West Coast. We were warned that we “might just relax” while in Tofino and that’s exactly what happened.
All photos are by Rebecca or John Bollwitt for Miss604.com
Disclosure: cmp.ly/2
While OktoBEERfest runs tonight on Main, Vancouver is lucky enough to have another Oktoberfest event happening Friday of next week.
What Oktoberthirst When Friday October 2nd from 7:00pm – 10:00pm How Tickets are $25 – $35 based on availability (and you must be 19 years or older to attend). Admission includes snack foods, live music, and all beer samples.
Oktoberthirst is taking place at the Alpen Club, which is Vancouver’s headquarters for all things German – especially when it comes to good times, good food, and frosty beverages.
If you’re heading out to one of Vancouver’s many Oktoberfest events over the next week or so, please remember to enjoy responsibly and plan a safe trip home in advance.
This morning we woke up in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
I’ve driven most freeways, motorways and scenic byways of this province, from Spuzzum to Bella Coola, and I can now add the Pacific Rim Highway to the list. Yesterday the narrow, winding road that is Highway 4 led us down toward Pacific Rim National Park like a glacier-fed creek heading toward the open sea.
Crossing Vancouver Island to reach its Western shore is an experience unlike any other. Just past Coombs and before you hit Port Alberni you’ll find Cathedral Grove, which is reminiscent of driving through Redwood Park in California. The ancient Douglas Firs and Red Cedars, some almost 10 meters in diameter, act as majestic welcome poles as though you’re venturing down the private driveway of the Pacific Ocean.
As previously mentioned, I’ve driven up and down mountain passes and gravel roads that run along rushing rivers. What makes Highway 4 different is really the trees. It wasn’t until I went to Prince George last winter, and Chilliwack Lake in the spring, that I realized I had not laid eyes on an old-growth forest during my adult life.
Now I’ve seen old trees and stood finger tip to finger tip with 8 others to give a Redwood a giant bear-hug while it was measured. However I have no clear memory of seeing an un-touched, un-logged, and completely virgin forest — and when you see one, you’ll know.
Dead trees stick out like massive pins in a lush green cushion. They are worn, grey, cracked, and crooked behemoths. I was told once that it’s almost haunting to witness.
Further down the road, deciduous trees flank the highway when it opens up to let in pockets of sunshine through the clouds. Lush green leaves on the branches watch their yellow and orange counterparts tumble to the ground and crunch under the tires of the passing traffic.
Our tiny car crossed over Lost Shoe Creek #2 and Lost Shoe Creek #1 until we found ourselves rolling down the driveway of The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino.
We had great company for dinner at The Pointe restaurant, enjoying a 260 degree view of the coast as we sampled the catch of the day from Tofino, paired with cheese from Cowichan and wine from the Okanagan.
Retiring to our Northwest-facing room for the evening we turned out the lights and turned on the fireplace. We opened the sliding glass door as nature provided the soundtrack to our evening.
The beat of the falling rain was drowned out by the rushing water below our balcony. Every few minutes one wave would have more force than those that came before and it would make a loud “tharump!” as it crashed against the jagged shore.
After our journey from downtown Vancouver, across the Strait on the ferry, and along a Highway new to us both, we rested our heads just feet away from the crashing waves of the Pacific.
We sat in darkness and watched the water, lit only by moonlight and the intermittent orange glow from a lighthouse in the distance, and fell asleep.
Twice a year (for our anniversary and John’s birthday) I do a write-up about how important my husband is to me. I start to cry while typing, I get an email from my mom about how I made her cry, and it becomes one big huge sap-fest. This year, I’m going to keep things light. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
It is with great pleasure and a phenomenal amount of gratitude that I announce that Miss604.com has won “Best Local Blog” in the Georgia Straight’s 15th annual “Best of Vancouver” issue. This is the second year that Miss604.com has won this title and it is 100% due to the support of the voting public and my wonderful readers.
What makes this news even better is that I share this win with a blog that I personally recommend to others all the time, and that is Vancouver is Awesome.
Vancouver is Awesome is a non-profit with the goal of promoting Vancouver in a positive light. With its roster of authors, original weekly themes, unique interviews, and event sponsorship it has changed the Vancouver blogging landscape for the better. I am very honored to share the title of “Best Local Blog” with Bob Kronbauer and his team. I am also excited to be contributing to their series, Vancouver Was Awesome.
@Miss604 was also voted “Best Local Twitterer” in this year’s “Best of Vancouver” and I thank all of my followers in Twitterland for that honor. I have been using Twitter since 2007 and it’s amazing once again, to be honored by my readers and followers.
Going forward (and as always) I will have good days and bad, I will have stories you might skip over and those you might share with all of your friends and family. My posts might be personal in nature, they might feature photos of delicious food, or help you discover a neat local event or two. This is something that I am committed to each and every day because I simply love to do it.
As Miss604.com celebrates its 6th anniversary this fall, I thank you again for your support over the years. Without it, the site wouldn’t be what it is today.
Other “Best of Vancouver” winners include:
Best local band (signed): Mother Mother
Best local band (unsigned): Said the Whale
Best afternoon radio host(s): Peter Schaad and Carmen Cruz (The Peak)
Best morning radio host(s): The Kid Carson Show w/ Nira Arora & Amy (The Beat 94.5)
Best local author: Douglas Coupland
Best local street/community festival: Car Free Day (Commercial Drive)
Best local microbrewery: Granville Island Brewing
Best resort/hotel – Vancouver Island: The Wickaninnish Inn
Best spa getaway: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa
