I’ve lived in British Columbia for ten years now, and I’m still surprised at how many unexpectedly gorgeous natural locations I continue to discover. When I looked out the window of my room at the Poets Cove Resort and Spa, on Pender Island, this is the view that started my day. Beautiful, right?
Guest Rooms & Cottages
Poets Cove is a full-service resort, with several different types of accommodations on the resort property. My room was one of 22 located in the main lodge that’s set right on the waterfront. The rooms have upscale cottage-style furnishings, either one king or two twin beds, a fireplace, and the occasional duck print throw pillow.
The lodge rooms aren’t huge — they measure about 350 square feet — but the water-facing windows and additional window between the bedroom and the spacious bathroom (which has a soaker tub and separate shower) let in lots of light. Lodge rooms range from CAD$199-309 per night.
Behind the main lodge, the property rises up a hill where 15 modern cottages and 9 townhouse-like villas, each with two or three bedrooms, provide accommodations for families or larger parties. They’re a bit farther from the water, but their hillside location gives them fine ocean views.
Each cottage or villa has a kitchen and two full bathrooms, a fireplace, washer and dryer, a BBQ, and a deck — many with private hot tubs — overlooking the ocean. Rates for these units, which measure 845 to 1700 square feet — run CAD$350-710/night.
Facilities and Amenities
Many activities at Poets Cove center around the waterfront, where you can lounge on the short sandy beach, rent kayaks or canoes, or take a guided canoe tour.
If the ocean water is too chilly, find your way to one of the property’s two heated pools. You can also work in the fitness center or play tennis, basketball, volleyball, or table tennis. Bike rentals are available, as are guided cycling tours, although note that the island is a hilly one!
At the entrance to the Susurrus Spa, a waterfall tumbles over a cave-like steam room. Inside, you can indulge in a massage, facial, or other treatment.
Aurora Restaurant, the resort’s main dining room, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving contemporary West Coast fare. The more casual Syrens Bistro and Lounge offers upscale pub meals.
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Getting There and Around
BC Ferries provides daily ferry service between the Vancouver area’s Tsawwassen terminal and Pender Island. Most trips involve a stop or transfer on Galiano or Mayne Islands. Poets Cove Resort is about a 20-minute drive from the ferry dock.
You can also fly directly to the Poets Cove docks on a float plane from Vancouver. Check with Harbour Air for schedules and prices.
Once you’re on the island, there are trails to hike and beaches to explore.
And yes, it’s a beautiful place.
You can book directly online at the hotel website. Or compare rates at Hotels.com.
Hotel review by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller, author of the books, Moon Handbooks: Ontario and Living Abroad in Canada. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Poets Cove Resort arranged my stay for review purposes.
Wow, what a gorgeous place! I’ve never even heard of that island. I’ll bet the water is getting quite chilly already on that beach though, right?
It is gorgeous! I think the water is chilly most of the year along the BC coast, even in the middle of the summer, but plenty of hardy souls do go in. I stayed on Pender Island in the spring, and it was cool, uncrowded, and lovely.