Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast is a haven for adventurous travellers—and the Wickaninnish Inn defines the region.
Affectionately known as the Wick, the Wickaninnish Inn is perfectly set near Tofino on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, surrounded by ancient rainforest and the sea. It offers unparalleled views and access to nature, and this year was named the best luxury hotel in Canada by the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.
With elegant accommodation, fine dining, and an award-winning spa, there’s no shortage of comfort to pair with the rugged landscape. This family-managed inn has been redefining quality and exceptional hospitality for 30 years.
Built for this
While visitors are enticed to the region year-round by the breathtaking contrast of the quiet of the rainforest and the power of the Pacific Ocean, there’s something special and exhilarating about visiting during the winter storm season.
At the Wickaninnish, you get a front-row seat to nature’s raw power and majesty. There’s nothing like it. Gale force winds. Giant waves. Lively skies. It’s an experience people remember and talk about for years.
Enjoy the wild spectacle from the comfort of your room or from relaxing settings in the inn, including the Lookout Library, Ancient Cedars Spa, or The Pointe restaurant, which features sweeping 240-degree views of the ocean. If you want to feel the full experience of storm season by walking the beach and forest trails, the Wick has you covered, with full wet-weather gear and rubber boots provided in every guest room.
While it’s not unusual for an early storm to arrive in late October or an encore performance from Mother Nature in March, storm season is most reliable from the beginning of November until the end of February.
Stewards of nature
Environmental sustainability isn’t a buzzword at the Wickaninnish — it’s embedded in the inn’s history, from the placement, design, and construction of the buildings to the repurpose of wood and other materials in the interior design.
The goal today is still to minimize environmental impact. Inspired daily by the incredible landscape and natural ecosystem, the inn’s operators take their role as stewards of the land and the community seriously and integrate environmentally responsible methods into their operations and offerings for guests.
Environmental sustainability isn’t a buzzword at the Wickaninnish — it’s embedded in the inn’s history.
It begins by empowering employees who are enthusiastic about making a difference at the Wick and in the community. This commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Wickaninnish was the first Relais & Châteaux property to be Biosphere Certified in North America and the second of the association’s 580 luxury boutique properties in the world to receive such distinction. It has Five Key Status in the Green Key Eco-Rating program, and received VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality certification from the Forbes Travel Guide, highlighting the inn’s commitment to over 100 rigorous standards designed to protect the environment and support the well-being of employees, guests, and the community.
Cozy up by the fire, or venture into the wild—your storm season escape awaits.
