Tofino Hotels & Motels
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Tofino, British Columbia.
About as far west as you can travel on Vancouver Island to what feels like the end of the earth is Tofino: A small settlement of about 1,650 people with facilities to service many more, for its wild coastline—comprised of kilometres of sandy beaches and wild waves—attracts thousands of visitors annually. Despite, or in spite of, its dependence on the tourism industry, Tofino remains a small, working fishing village and surfing town perhaps because of its remoteness.
The village is accessible by private or small commercial aircraft and there is a marina for those arriving by boat. Most visitors, however, arrive by car via Highway 4, three hours northwest of Nanaimo—as such, Tofino is not much of a day-trip destination. Visitors can stay in high-end resorts or hostels and everything in between.
TOFINO VILLAGE
Tofino is the quintessential seaside village with unique shops, artist galleries, independent cafes and restaurants and, of course, surf shops—all within an easy walk from each other. The village is devoid of chain hotels and motels, and instead, a selection of unique, independent properties exist.
Overlooking Tofino Harbour, the Paddler's Inn, built in the 1900s, is the village's original hotel that welcomed guests arriving by ship at a time when that was the only way to reach Tofino. Offering views and convenience, the Tofino Village Motel overlooks the Pacific Ocean Inlets with views of the Mariner Mountain Range. The Schooner Motel also provides typical motel accommodation with basic amenities and the most central lodging location in Tofino. Also quite central, the House of Himwitsa is a First Nations owned-and-operated lodge, restaurant, art gallery and cannery. Located dockside, spacious rooms offer grand views of Clayoquot Sound
While not hotels by definition, the Inn at Tough City and Weigh West may be suitable options. Tough City, along with water views, provides more of an inn experience with individually decorated rooms (with ensuites) within a character building. In contrast, Weigh West is more akin to a resort with modern rooms ranging from one-bedroom to kitchenette units with amenities that include a pub, waterfront restaurant, adventure centre and marina.
THE BEACHES
The coastline surrounding Tofino is famous for its long stretches of white hard-packed and soft sand interrupted by scattered rock outcroppings allowing for hours of exploration and recreation, from walks to internationally renowned surfing.
Mackenzie Beach is the nearest beach just south of Tofino and home to the Best Western Tin Wis Resort Lodge, a resort hotel with a beach-side location and oceanfront rooms with private patios—just 3 km (1.8 mi) south of Tofino. There are more than just the standard amenities here, including a fitness room, restaurant, conference centre and wedding services.
A little farther south, Chesterman Beach is considered the pride of Tofino and is enjoyed year round. It begins just south of the Wickaninnish Inn, made iconic for its location on a rocky protrusion of land affording it views of the setting summer sun or winter's unfettered waters commonly known as storm season. Strictly speaking, however, Wickaninnish is more of a resort than a hotel, providing visitors a full-service experience, which includes a spa, restaurant and lounge—amenities that are reflected in their rates.
Tofino's most famous beach, Long Beach is internationally recognized and hosted the O'Neil Cold Water Classic in 2009. The water, icy year round, is littered with beginner surfers in the summer and pros and locals in the winter. While there aren't any hotels situated here, there are two beachfront resorts. Long Beach Lodge features luxury accommodation where everything is taken care of. Whereas Pacific Sands offers suites and villas for self-catering convenience.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION
Along the Pacific Rim Highway between Mackenzie Beach and downtown is the Tofino Botanical Gardens. Ecologically minded visitors may stay in their Ecolodge and enjoy 5 ha (12 acres) of waterfront gardens at the gateway to the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The village is accessible by private or small commercial aircraft and there is a marina for those arriving by boat. Most visitors, however, arrive by car via Highway 4, three hours northwest of Nanaimo—as such, Tofino is not much of a day-trip destination. Visitors can stay in high-end resorts or hostels and everything in between.
TOFINO VILLAGE
Tofino is the quintessential seaside village with unique shops, artist galleries, independent cafes and restaurants and, of course, surf shops—all within an easy walk from each other. The village is devoid of chain hotels and motels, and instead, a selection of unique, independent properties exist.
Overlooking Tofino Harbour, the Paddler's Inn, built in the 1900s, is the village's original hotel that welcomed guests arriving by ship at a time when that was the only way to reach Tofino. Offering views and convenience, the Tofino Village Motel overlooks the Pacific Ocean Inlets with views of the Mariner Mountain Range. The Schooner Motel also provides typical motel accommodation with basic amenities and the most central lodging location in Tofino. Also quite central, the House of Himwitsa is a First Nations owned-and-operated lodge, restaurant, art gallery and cannery. Located dockside, spacious rooms offer grand views of Clayoquot Sound
While not hotels by definition, the Inn at Tough City and Weigh West may be suitable options. Tough City, along with water views, provides more of an inn experience with individually decorated rooms (with ensuites) within a character building. In contrast, Weigh West is more akin to a resort with modern rooms ranging from one-bedroom to kitchenette units with amenities that include a pub, waterfront restaurant, adventure centre and marina.
THE BEACHES
The coastline surrounding Tofino is famous for its long stretches of white hard-packed and soft sand interrupted by scattered rock outcroppings allowing for hours of exploration and recreation, from walks to internationally renowned surfing.
Mackenzie Beach is the nearest beach just south of Tofino and home to the Best Western Tin Wis Resort Lodge, a resort hotel with a beach-side location and oceanfront rooms with private patios—just 3 km (1.8 mi) south of Tofino. There are more than just the standard amenities here, including a fitness room, restaurant, conference centre and wedding services.
A little farther south, Chesterman Beach is considered the pride of Tofino and is enjoyed year round. It begins just south of the Wickaninnish Inn, made iconic for its location on a rocky protrusion of land affording it views of the setting summer sun or winter's unfettered waters commonly known as storm season. Strictly speaking, however, Wickaninnish is more of a resort than a hotel, providing visitors a full-service experience, which includes a spa, restaurant and lounge—amenities that are reflected in their rates.
Tofino's most famous beach, Long Beach is internationally recognized and hosted the O'Neil Cold Water Classic in 2009. The water, icy year round, is littered with beginner surfers in the summer and pros and locals in the winter. While there aren't any hotels situated here, there are two beachfront resorts. Long Beach Lodge features luxury accommodation where everything is taken care of. Whereas Pacific Sands offers suites and villas for self-catering convenience.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION
Along the Pacific Rim Highway between Mackenzie Beach and downtown is the Tofino Botanical Gardens. Ecologically minded visitors may stay in their Ecolodge and enjoy 5 ha (12 acres) of waterfront gardens at the gateway to the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Air Charters
Atleo River Air Service
Seaplane Vacations and Charters - Scenic flights and Vancouver Island air taxi!
Oceanfront Resort
Ocean Village Beach Resort
Tofino's best value on the beach - oceanfront, rustic, family and dog friendly!
Fishing Charter
Jay's Clayoquot Ventures
Tofino's most recommended saltwater and freshwater fishing outfitter since 1996!
Tofino Photographer
Eco Tours
