1119 Pacific Rim Hwy, Box 389, Tofino, Canada | (937) 315-4602
Scenic beachfront setting and lots of natural beauty
Pleasant rooms have ocean-view balconies, microwaves, and Keurig coffeemakers
Outdoor hot tub with lovely views
Beachfront Bistro restaurant with boxed lunches available
Seasonal Snack Shack on the beach
Modern and spacious gym with cardio and weight equipment
Kid-friendly features include menus, play sets, and babysitting services
Coin-operated laundry facilities
Free parking and property-wide Wi-Fi
Pet-friendly rooms include treats and bowls (for a fee)
Few attractions are within walking distance
Room decor is generic and hallways look dated
Beachfront Snack Shack is only open seasonally
Breakfast not included in rates
Shuttle service to downtown Tofino is unreliable
No pool
This upper-middle-range property is more of a low-key beachfront retreat than a typical resort, despite its name. Guests love the hotel’s location for its surrounding natural beauty and direct access to a stretch of Mackenzie Beach, but reaching downtown Tofino and its attractions requires a car. Common areas through the mostly-renovated property are clean and fairly modern, and although the 85 rooms and suites are generic where decor is concerned, they come with microwaves, ocean-view balconies, Keurig coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. A gym, plus two outdoor hot tubs offer additional on-site activities. Food options are mediocre, as one eatery is only open seasonally, and breakfast isn’t included with rates. The nearby Long Beach Lodge Resort offers similar amenities and rooms, so it's worth a price comparison check.
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Scene
Simple, but clean chain property with several renovated areas and direct beach access
Celebrating 25 years of operation in 2017, the hotel has been undergoing renovations since 2015 to update everything from its reception area and restaurants to guest room furnishings and fixtures. The results aren’t luxurious, but the property looks nice. The lobby combines practical tile floors and neutral colors with organic elements like tree trunk tables, a stone fireplace, and touches of aboriginal decor. Outdoor hallways between rooms remain slightly dated (with some chipped paint) serving as a reminder of the hotel’s motel-style setup. However, well-maintained grounds lead straight out to a stretch of sandy Mackenzie Beach. Scenic views and simple but sufficient facilities make the property popular with families and couples.
Location
On beautiful Mackenzie Beach, short drive to downtown Tofino, hiking routes, and whale watching excursions
The hotel’s quiet beachfront location, framed by woods and headlands, is its biggest draw, especially for nature lovers. The beach is ideal for walks, and the Tofino Botanical Gardens are just 11 minutes away on foot, but most other areas outside the hotel require a car to access. It’s a short, three-minute drive to the Tofino Brewing Company, and an eight-minute (or under) drive to downtown Tofino and its many restaurants. The hotel does have a shuttle service to and from downtown, but it’s often understaffed and unreliable. A six-minute drive will reach The Whale Center whale watching tour site. Expect a 12-minute drive to the Tonquin Trail & Tonquin Connector hiking route.
Victoria International Airport is a four-and-a-half-hour drive away. It’s a 17-minute drive to Tofino-Long Beach Airport. Transfers to the local airport are available for fees.
Rooms
Generic decor, but balconies have lovely ocean views; amenities include microwaves, free Wi-Fi, Keurig coffeemakers
Room decor is unexceptional, with simple red bedspreads, gray carpeted floors, and generic wooden furnishings. However, the spaces are spotless, and the plain interiors are offset by abundant natural light and gorgeous views of the beach from the furnished balconies or patios that come with each room. All non-smoking rooms are available with one or two queen-size beds, or a single king-size bed. Cribs are provided on request. Bi-level rooms, connecting rooms, and accessible rooms are also available.
All rooms come with simple desks, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, fairly large closets, and free Wi-Fi. They also have Keurig coffeemakers and tea-making facilities, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Some king suites come with kitchenettes or full kitchens including two-burners stoves and cooking utensils. Ironing equipment is also provided. Several suites also have sofa beds and separate living rooms.
Spacious bathrooms come with large mirrors and granite counters, plus Pharmacopia brand toiletries and hairdryers. All bathrooms have shower/tub combos with fixed showerheads.
Features
Two restaurants, a lovely beach, gym, and two hot tubs
The hotel’s Beachfront Bistro is open in the mornings and evenings, with boxed lunches available to-go for the afternoon. The restaurant is rustic yet airy, with raftered ceilings and abundant seating, both inside and on an outdoor patio among fire pits. The restaurant’s 180-degree views of the beach are beautiful, but the food gets mixed reviews. Breakfast, available through an a la carte menu, isn’t included with room rates, but guests do get a discount for the meal and children’s menus are available. The beachfront Snack Shack serves casual barbecue fare, but it’s only open seasonally. The free, self-serve coffee, tea, and snacks in the reception area are welcome perks, as is the welcome drink served on arrival. There are ice and vending machines throughout the property.
There’s no pool, but the sandy beach is popular for swimming, strolling, and activities like stand up paddleboarding. The grounds also include a play set for kids and a small barbecue/picnic deck.
The on-site gym isn’t fancy, but equipment is sufficient and towels are provided. A side building includes two hot tubs that overlook the ocean. An on-site laundry room offers two coin-operated washers and four dryers.
Business facilities include a banquet hall and conference rooms. A two-computer business center has printing and photocopying equipment. Daily newspapers, parking, and property-wide Wi-Fi are all free. Babysitting services are available.
The resort has a designated section that allows pets. Pet-friendly rooms include welcome treats, bowls, and beds, but come with per-night fees.
