Vancouver Island’s celebrated luxury outpost Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge skirts the banks of its namesake ocean inlet, Clayoquot Sound and offers an escape to the still, tranquil beauty of Canada’s remote wilderness. Set among magnificent conifer forests, the lodge offers guests an unforgettable experience of the landscape and its wildlife. Adventure-filled days are bolstered by local produce-driven, sustainable dining, fine wines and the chance to unwind in generously appointed guest quarters. Twenty-five canvas tents designed with contemporary interiors complement local artisan-designed pieces to offer a decadent retreat.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family Resort
Location
Bedwell River Valley, British Columbia V0R 2Z0 Canada
Forget Disneyland, It’s quite possible this is the most magical place on earth. We just returned from our 4 night stay in Clayoquot Sound and we have never been more sad to come home. From start to finish everything was out of this world. We have been fortunate to travel to many places, but CWL is the most special. To the person below who commented on the price (without actually even being there) I can assure you it was worth every penny and then some. We were able to experience paddle boarding down estuaries, hiking to glacial waterfalls, paintball, heli hiking to a beautiful alpine lake for cliff jumping and a picnic, horse back riding, the spa, biking, whale watching and fishing. Every experience was 10/10 for both the kids and adults! The food was another highlight of the trip! Asher is an incredible chef. As someone with many food allergies, I often find dining out difficult. Not only was Asher totally accommodating, but he made me delicious alternatives. Sarah, you have put together an incredible team. The staff were somehow able to make this trip even better. Every single person we encountered were so friendly and kind, and so great with the kids. Everyone there is bonded by their love of nature, and you can feel how much they love this special place. We can’t wait to return. Thank you for the trip of a life time!
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Baillie Lodges, Owner at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Responded Jul 20, 2021
Dear Haley, Wow! Your opening comment is one of the best ever - thank you! Many hands are involved in delivering the Clayoquot experience and to read your heart-warming review about your 'trip of a lifetime' is the ultimate reward for us. We will be sure to keep the magic alive for you and your family until we see you again. Best wishes, Team Clayoquot
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It is difficult to convey in words just how beautiful this lodge and its location are. In this remote, mountainous island location we saw numerous black bears and sea otters on the best boat trip ever; we hiked, went canyoning and kayaking, and then at the end of the day enjoyed the most incredible meals, with the menu changing daily, from a hugely talented group of chefs. Whilst it is expensive, everything is included and the staff are generous with everything. The staff really make this place; they are young, full of enthusiasm and always smiling. They were wonderfully kind to our young kids who didn’t want to leave. The very kind manager, Sarah, was ever present and clearly loved by her staff. It was a privilege to spend 4 days in this beautiful place.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Baillie Lodges, Owner at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Responded Aug 30, 2022
Thank you for your wonderful review! It really is a challenge to put the Clayoquot experience into words, but yours capture the essence of a stay perfectly. We're so pleased you and your family enjoyed getting off-grid to see the sights and sounds of Vancouver Island, quite literally on the 'Sights of the Sound' marine Zodiac tour - and you've the bear foraging photo to prove it! Our culinary team view food as far more than just fuel and use locally sourced sustainable produce (with many ingredients harvested from the kitchen garden) to bring a true taste of the region to every plate. While we're undoubtedly lucky to call the Bedwell Valley home, we're even luckier to be blessed with a passionate and dedicated team. They will be warmed to hear your kind words. Thank you for joining us in the 'wild west' for your summer sojourn. Until next time... Team Clayoquot
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We had the most incredible few days at Clayoquot. The place is absolutely magical, one is truly immersed in nature and the experiences are abundant and unique. The food and food service were excellent. The guides and all staff are energetic, kind, polite and have a can do attitude. Our tent was very comfortable, clean and had everything we needed. Housekeeping was very efficient.
So overall a truly unique and magical holiday. We were very sad to leave.
Having said this, the pricing sets a very high level of expectation and I still cannot reconcile the price with the offering. For the price we were paying we would expect more personal touches, more private experiences, more luxurious accommodation, a better equipped spa, longer duration heli transfers included in the cost, more elaborate pick nicking options in the wilderness and more knowledgeable guides on our hikes, better transfer in and out services without delays. As aguest you can ask for things to be arranged for you but I would prefer to have been offered more bespoke options proactively rather than having to request them.
In the end, we decided to view the price we were paying more as a donation to the maintenance and preservation efforts of the lodge that towards the actual offering.
So I guess if the cost of this holiday is a stretch for you....I would suggest you stay in Tofino instead and embark on your adventures from there. But if money is not an issue, go for it!
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Date of stay: July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Baillie Lodges, Owner at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Responded Aug 18, 2022
Hi there Mar, Thank you for your review, and it’s great to hear you had the most incredible few days with us. We appreciate you sharing the highlights of your stay from unique experiences, comfortable tents, engaging staff, excellent food and even efficient housekeeping. We appreciate your perspective on preservation, as it is a difficult task to provide all of the aforementioned amenities and experiences while having a sustainable approach and no environmental impact. We hope to see you again in the future and thank you for joining us in Vancouver Island’s wilderness playground. Warm regards, Team Clayoquot.
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Seaplane ride in was special, you see how remote this place is.The staff are relaxed and professional, they adapt activities to abilities/wants/needs. Our tent with en suite big,warm sumptuous! The place is Magical with killer views everywhere! The bar and deck are the best we have seen amongst our travels with attentiveness of delivery first class service and variety of drinks! The activities range is brilliant, we stayed a week and tried everything barr fishing as it’s not our bag. Lots of staff here have their dogs so it does feel like a home from home. The remoteness is real we heli hiked to a summit and you can see the vast views mountains and river with the lodge and nothing else !! Horses are well looked after and riding the river bed is cool. Canyoning was a blast and at the end of each activity luxury awaits, food here is like eating at a mitchellin star restaurant we are taking recipes home! Spa and hot tubs are brilliant, along with private dining options too. These guys have it right for a delux remote break with luxury and quality thrown in. We could stay a year!
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Don’t worry if you forget something they have everything here you need to do the activities.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Baillie Lodges, Owner at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Responded Sep 22, 2022
Dear Ann-Marie Such a heartfelt review, thank you! Your excitement is palpable and we think you've covered every aspect - from the Michelin star worthy food (our chefs will love that!) and wide range of adventures (the heli hiking jaunt sounds like a real 'pinch-me' moment!) to the scrumptious cosiness of the tent and awesome bar and rooftop deck, not to forget the horses and doggies which are so part of the experience. We're grateful to you for giving others reading a virtual account of what the Clayoquot experience is truly like - in a nutshell, unforgettable. Best regards Team Clayoquot
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This was a most unique, fun splurge, taking us to a serene, pristine wilderness and putting us in touch with fantastic people who kept us safe during thrilling adventures and taught us so much about the land. Spectacular food by chef Asher Blackford. Epic!
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Date of stay: June 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:#23 was stunning, comfortable, well-appointed.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Baillie Lodges, Owner at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Responded Jun 23, 2021
Dear Karen, Thank you for your wonderful review. As one of our first guests in the 2021 season it means the world to us to receive such praise, amplified by your being a fellow Vancouver Island resident. We're incredibly humbled share our home here in the Bedwell with our neighbors and to create unforgettable memories in your own 'backyard'! Chef Asher and his culinary team have elevated the dining experience to a whole new level this season with their delicious dishes championing local and regional produce. They make sure you don't go hungry! Thank you also for highlighting the warmth and knowledge of our our talented guides. We agree, they are pretty fantastic! We hope to see you again one day - for now, welcome to the Baillie Lodges family! Best wishes, Team Clayoquot
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Words are no substitute for the experience. We are here for a Thursday to Thursday stay, and it’s only Saturday. There is nothing that we have experienced so far that has fallen short of our elevated expectations. From the wilderness outside our tent “door”, to the food at the Cookhouse, to the friendliness and expertise of the staff, to the leadership of Sarah, the GM - this is a place that provides indescribable enjoyment whether you are sitting on your deck watching the tide and the light change, or on a boat looking for bears, whales, porpoises, sea lions and otters (all of which we saw on yesterday’s 4 hour ride from the lodge to the Pacific Ocean via Tofino), or any of the wide range of activities that are offered. Thank goodness we have a lot of days left for things to do, sights to see, people to meet. This is truly a “bucket list” vacation.
Thank you Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. We will miss you when we leave and so grateful for the time we had with you.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Baillie Lodges, Owner at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Responded Sep 14, 2022
Dear John Thank you for your glowing review. That you felt compelled to share the joy you're feeling only days into your vacation signals we're doing a good job! It sounds like the wild beauty of Vancouver Island and the efforts of our wonderful team to make you feel not only at home, but transformed by the experience is working its magic. It’s our aim to create unforgettable memories for our guests and while you've endorsed the lodge as a true bucket-list destination, we hope your stay isn't a once-off and that we might see you again. Warm regards Team Clayoquot
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What a wonderful holiday we have had at clayoquot ! The whole team was amazing: they are full with passion and dedication to the lodge and the visitors. Being in this special place in nature made us all feel very much one with the surroundings. The team granted us every wish and made us feel very welcome. We went bear and wale watching, on a long hike through the Vancouver Island rain forest and horseback riding. The meals were great and original, but still very accessible for our teens. WiFi was in the tents but not any place else, nore was any cellphone contact. The tents were perfectly equipped. We can’t find anything to complain about and will return asap :-)
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Baillie Lodges, Owner at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Responded Aug 18, 2022
Hi Fanja, Thanks for joining us on the Emerald Edge! We are very lucky to be blessed with passionate and energetic team members, and we’re glad that they made you feel welcome and part of the Clayoquot family. It’s a privilege to have access to such a remarkable part of the world and creating personal encounters of our wild-west playground is what we do best. We’re thrilled your stay was unforgettable and we can’t wait to welcome you back. Safe travels and until we meet again. Team Clayoquot
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What a magical place! Absolutely breathtaking nature. The experience was five star and more! Every person that works at the Lodge is so geniunely wonderful. The service was impeccable. The wilderness guides were so knowledgeable. So many adventures to choose from. The food was insane! The menu changes for lunch and dinner, every day. The dishes are world class and every thing you taste is better than the last thing you ate. My husband and I felt truly lucky to have been able to experience Clauoquot. Highly recommend!
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our wedding day and our stay at the lodge was the most memorable time of our lives.
We made terrific friendships, enjoyed marvellous hospitality and left forever changed by our experience.
If you visit Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, remember to remind yourself how lucky you are every moment of your stay; it won't be until after you leave that you realise how truly special a stay at the lodge is.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Each tent is unique and none are in a bad location.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Baillie Lodges, Owner at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Responded Sep 14, 2022
Dear Samantha Congratulations! We're so thrilled to have been involved in the wedding day of your dreams! It’s hard to describe the feeling of magic in the air that day, it seemed as though the whole of Clayoquot Sound was celebrating too. Wishing you both the happiest of futures together, and perhaps we will see you again for an anniversary one day. Kind regards Team Clayoquot
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I don't normally write reviews but decided to jump on the bandwagon recently. Clayoquot has been on the back of my mind and I wasn't going to write about our stay in September last year but feel people need to know what this resort is really like.
We were really looking forward to our 3 night stay in Clayoquot but in the end we were ever so pleased to get out of there. Yes, we experienced bad weather for our stay but the staff did absolutely nothing to counteract this problem. As per other reviews, there were issues with their management/staff but we were paying guests and for the price they charge the service should be seamless, despite what is going on behind the scenes. At a resort of this standard, we shouldn't be told of the staff crisis! I have travelled quite extensively to resorts of this calibre and have never in my life experienced this problem.
In a nutshell it was disorganised chaos. From a fishing trip where the boat ran out of petrol and we were 2hrs late getting back, to being assigned a guide that had never done stand up paddle boarding/snorkelling for salmon- an activity they highly recommended. I ended up with bruised shins lugging my board over banks as he had no idea where we were supposed to look for the salmon. On one day when it was torrential rain, we had absolutely nothing to do and kept asking for options. Finally 1 activity - photography was set in place. That was it for the day. Every guest was walking around bored. In this situation a contingency plan should be in place. A cooking class, wine demonstration, stretching class, massages, lecture on the flora and fauna..... It is absurd to have to ask/beg staff to find some activity to fill in our day. I could go on and on about the running of this resort. All in all, this was a very disappointing few days and despite the beautiful location they need to seriously step up their game if they want to compete in the luxury market.
Prior to Clayoquot we stayed at Sanora and it was truly magnificent. I'm not a whinging whining traveller; in fact easy to please but when you pay a premium you expect a quality product. Clayoquot failed in every aspect.
After our stay we should've received a part refund or an apology and unfortunately there was no communication, despite the manager admitting our stay was far from satisfactory.
My only advise; explore other options!
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Date of stay: September 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there Sandra,
Unfortunately we can't allow pets at the lodge. The reviews are with reference to our staff dogs, who undergo training to ensure they are capable of managing in the wild.
We have to take precautions to safeguard biodiversity and ensure the ecosystem goes undisturbed, we hope you understand.
Sincerely,
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Thanks for reaching out and great question.
The temperature and weather between July and August is very similar, with both months recording average daily highs of 23 degrees (Celsius), and the lowest months of rainfall for the year with less than 100 millimetres. August typically sees the return of thick morning fog, striking a nice contrast to the mountains and burning off throughout the morning. The dates you've mentioned showcase fantastic weather to explore the Sound, and I hope we get to show you in person!
On our website you can find a "Reserve Now' button on the top right of the page. This will allow you to check availabilities and provide more information about rooms and bookings. Contact information for our reservations team is also available via our website. We hope to welcome you soon !
Hi Richard,
While we offer ocean fishing and alpine lake fishing experiences, we are no longer offering activities targeting Salmon due to environmental sustainability implications. We do have specialist fly fishing guides who can take you fishing the beautiful lakes and rivers, but protecting Salmon is critical for the ecosystem.
Thanks Richard
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