With blazing sunshine warming us, deep blue ocean waters welcoming us and lush green forests enveloping us, our recent adventure on the Sunshine Coast left us wanting much more! Fortunately there are an unending number of choices in accommodations for all tastes and budgets including some of the most extraordinary places! Want a rustic cabin or campsite? You got it. A luxury resort? Check! Something a little unusual? In spades!

If you’re looking for Rustic…

 

Backeddy Resort & Marina

The Backeddy is 5 acres of serenity at the end of the road. In fact you have to hang a right before the ferry terminal that takes you to Powell River to get there! Located in the village of Egmont near the Skookumchuk Narrows, the Backeddy may be easy to miss but it’s hard to forget. With 7 vintage A-frame cabins, 2 deluxe couples cabins, a small inn, and oceanfront camping (RV & tents), there’s something to suit all tastes. The Backeddy doesn’t need fancy anything to make it awesome because the amazing landscape and sound of the tides are all you need out here. However a marina, liquor store, picnic & bonfire area, as well as a great pub, do help cover the basics!

The new oceanfront cabin that we stayed in was comfortable and cozy. Heated by a real wood burning stove, with stone counters, mini fridge  and powerful showers, the cabin was clean  with modern touches and a much appreciated Keurig!  With sliding glass doors and transom windows, the light flowed in and the view was tranquil. It was so peaceful waking up to this:

 

While there was no in-room TV or cell coverage and the Wi-Fi was spotty (eep!) it didn’t take me long to chillax. A glass of wine on the deck of our seaside cabin as we gazed at the waters of the Sechelt Inlet probably contributed! Watching the water go from smooth as glass to visible currents as the tide changed is remarkable!

Kayaking, scuba diving, boating and hiking are the most popular activities at the Backeddy, followed closely by relaxing on the beach or patio and having epic burgers at the Pub. It’s a quiet, unhurried place, with friendly staff, just as you’d expect from a small family operated resort. We’re looking forward to visiting again with our kids this time, as their larger A frame cabins will sleep up to 4. And if you have fur babies, you can bring them along too because the Backeddy is also dog friendly!

Backeddy Resort and Marina Contact Info:

Address: 16660 Backeddy Road, Egmont, B.C. V0N 1N0
Phone: 604.883.2298 or toll free 1.800.626.0599
Web: www.backeddy.ca

 

If you’re looking for space and luxury…

The Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina

“Did you see the bathtub?” my husband asked me moments after we entered our villa at the Painted Boat. Walking around from room to room with my mouth hanging open in awe over the space, the decor and the view, I was left wondering how on earth I could go home after staying in such a beautiful spot. The bathtub in question was a giant 2 person soaker in the equally giant master bathroom. The bedroom itself roomy enough for us to spread out our bags and getting some good rest was easy; the king size bed in the master suite was the one of the top 3 best beds I’ve ever slept in! And I even got the excellent Wi-Fi that I just can’t quit!

Walking around our villa was a breathtaking experience; so massive and so airy! With 2 bedrooms (the second bedroom has queen size bed), 2 huge bathrooms, a full sized fully appointed kitchen, living room, dining room and more storage than you can shake a stick at, you will never feel crowded at Painted Boat. The villas can very comfortably sleep 4, with space for 2-4 more on the queen size pull out sofa in the Living room and loft (select suites). They certainly didn’t skimp on the finishings, with slate tiles, maple hardwood, and granite counters in the kitchen and bathrooms.

And to top that all off,  the decor items at Painted Boat are not your generic hotel prints! The artwork, photography and pottery decorating the villas have been sourced from local BC artisans and contribute to a warm, west coast vibe. All villas look out over the harbor, and feel nothing short of spectacular. The Painted Boat is a Canadian Rocky Mountain Resort and the grounds, villas and amenities are maintained with the same attention to detail that you’ll find at other CRMR resorts in Banff & Lake Louise and Emerald Lodge in Field BC.

What can you do at Painted Boat? Eat for starters! With a fully equipped kitchen, you can easily prepare fantastic meals in the comfort of your own suite (a small grocery store is within walking distance!). Or if you feel like leaving the cooking to the experts, The Restaurant at Painted Boat with its modern West Coast Pacific Rim style menu has re-opened for the season as of May 1! After all that food, you may feel the need to exercise. The area around Pender Harbour is perfect for sea kayaking, boating (the marina is beautiful), hiking, scuba diving, mountain biking and any other outdoor activity you can dream up!

If you’d rather work up a sweat indoors, the Painted Boat’s fully equipped gym overlooks the infinity pool which itself overlooks the harbor. Nowhere on this property is the view not part of the equation! And if vegging out in a state of bliss is preferable to perspiration, the Sunshine Coast Spa at Painted Boat is another luxurious perk! Serenely decorated with stone, natural wood and other organic elements, as befitting a spa, the Spa and Spa garden was a great escape within our escape!

While guests of Painted Boat can pay to use the Spa Garden which includes sauna, hot pool, cold pool and salt water float pool, use of the spa is free when treatments are purchased.

Sitting in the living room of our villa, I envisioned a week with friends, enjoying a drink on the huge patio, playing cards around the dining table, and cooking together after days of enjoying everything the Sunshine Coast has to offer!

The Painted Boat Contact Info:

Mailing Address: PO Box 153, 12849 Lagoon Road, Madeira Park, BC, V0N 2H0 (How to get here)
Phone: 604-883-2456 or Toll free: 866-902-3955
Email: reservations@paintedboat.com
Web: www.paintedboat.com

 

If you’re looking for Romance….

 

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort

Imagine walking along a boardwalk through the rainforest when you happen upon a voluminous white tent perched on a rugged outcropping of boulders at the edge of the sea. Walk into this tent onto warm slate tiles then sink into a lush, cloud-like, bed heaped with pillows and down duvets. Open the French doors overlooking the ocean to let in sunshine and salt air, while running run hot water into the deliciously deep 2 person hydro/light therapy tub. Turn up the gas fireplace before you slip into the water, turn on the jets, sip a glass of wine and exhale with deep satisfaction!

Sigh…

I wish I was there right now…

The Rockwater has a selection of accommodation including rooms in their lodge, cabins (one, two or three bedrooms, perfect for families and pet friendly) and of course the tenthouse suite that has ruined me for any hotel with its over the top Arabian night’s glamping extravagance and ridiculously romantic feeling.  The tenthouse suite was equipped with comfy lounge furniture on the expansive deck, a mini fridge, that giant tub, his & hers terry robes, a table and chairs at the foot of the bed perfectly positioned so you can sit & gaze at the waves while playing the games-for-2 I found tucked into a drawer.

Balanced against the rocks in Oles Cove, it’s easy to see where Rockwater got its name! Formerly a fishing lodge, it has become a focal point for fine dining, accommodations and sport. The grounds around Rockwater are perfect for outdoor fun including swimming in their heated (seasonal) pool, horseshoes, bocce, croquet and there’s even a beach volleyball court! And if you’re looking for something even more strenuous, Rockwater has a qualified Yoga instructor offering classes, Halfmoon Sea Kayaks runs tours out of Oles cove and there are many hiking trails and scuba diving spots nearby.

All that activity will make you hungry, so you have to enjoy a meal in the Rockwater’s restaurant. Eating by candlelight while overlooking the pool & bay certainly helped soothe my appetite! Our dinner was delicious and well presented, and breakfast the next morning was just as scrumptious!

I sadly did not get a chance to visit the spa but it begs to be experienced. On my spa bucket list is an opportunity to visit in the summer and have an outdoor massage in the ‘Spa Without Walls’.  We took a short walk along the bluff to the spa-tents overlooking the water and I can only imagine how mesmerizing and relaxing it would be to listen to the waves and smell the salt breeze while being massaged. In the cooler months, from October through mid-May, massages are done in the Winter Spa Tent which is set up with the same luxuries as the tenthouse suites.

It’s not hard to see why this is a hotspot for weddings & honeymoons! It’s equally hard not to contrive reasons to go back to Rockwater!

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort Contact Info:

Address: 5356 Ole’s Cove Road, Halfmoon Bay, BC
Phone: 604-885-7038 or toll free 1-877-296-4593
Local: 604-885-7038
Fax: 604-885-7036
Email: reservations@rockwatersecretcoveresort.com
Web: www.rockwatersecretcoveresort. com

Spending time on the Sunshine Coast is easy with these resorts to welcome you in! And BC Ferries makes it a lot more affordable with their 2 night retreat packages including accommodation and Ferry. Romance, Adventure and Luxury await!

A big thank you to Sunshine Coast Tourism for arranging our accommodations at these tremendous resorts and to the Backeddy, Painted Boat and Rockwater for your warm and welcoming hospitality!