Wind, waves, water, wilderness, wonderful food and West Coast warmth await you at the Wickaninnish Inn: if that doesn’t turn you on after your wedding, what will?

Our big day had been a huge success and even more spectacular than we thought possible. But apparently the best was yet to come… a room fit for a West Coast King and Queen welcomed my new husband and I to the earthly delights of the Wickaninnish Inn. When the door swung open, the lights were dimmed, candles were lit, the fireplace was on and romantic music was playing. Rose petals were scattered on the floor, over the bed, and in a bath that had been drawn for us in the double soaker tub overlooking the beach. Wow. And sitting on the table next to the fireplace was a bottle of champagne and a welcome card from Guest Services representatives, Emmanuel and Rheena.

Waves were crashing on the rocks below our balcony and the wind was howling. This was our idea of heaven.

Several hours earlier, on our drive here, we had accidentally drifted off course. “Nicole, I hate to say this, but shouldn’t we be in Ucluelet or Tofino by now? Or Port Alberni?” My new husband suddenly looked sheepish. Apparently he had unconsciously headed towards the site of his stag the week before instead of our honeymoon destination. I had been dozing since we docked in Nanaimo, but now, a few hours after we had driven off the ferry in Vancouver Island’s Departure Bay, I was wide awake. As we passed a sign saying Port Hardy – not Port Alberni – I decided to call The Wickaninnish Inn.

Cory at Guest Services was calm and gracious as we realized that we had been headed in the wrong direction for a few hours despite clearly marked signs. He kindly offered to change our dinner reservation at the Inn’s Pointe Restaurant to as late as possible. The staff at the Wickaninnish was clearly prepared to go above and beyond to “iron out any wrinkles” in the beginning of our marriage.

Upon our arrival, we were seated in the dining room while Emmanuel took our things to our room. We were brought two glasses of Blue Mountain Brut and ordered a dozen fresh oysters to share. I decided on the Ginger & Tamarind Glazed Sablefish and Paul asked for the Sloping Hills Pork.  We both had a piece of each type of delicious homemade bread brought to our table, and the amuse bouche was fantastic.  My sablefish and Paul’s pork dish were out of this world and we shared crème brûlée in several different flavors for dessert. A dish of decadent chocolate truffles arrived with our cappuccinos, accompanied by a piece of dark chocolate with the word “Congratulations” written on it in white chocolate.

Needless to say, this welcome put us in a wonderful mood and the rest of the week got better and better. There was a surf competition taking place – the O’Neill Coldwater Classic – down the beach; the restaurants in town – Shelter, Sobo, Schooner and others – were incredible; our couples massage at the Inn’s Ancient Cedars Spa was an out-of-body experience; the tasting menu at the Pointe Restaurant was gastronomically magnificent; and on days when the weather wasn’t exactly sunny, we had a perfect excuse to luxuriate in our romantic room.

We moved to the Chesterman Beach Loft Suite for our last night at the Inn.  That meant Paul could do the one thing he’d been determined to accomplish while we were there – cook crab! It was a lot of fun and a delicious treat – thanks to the suite’s well-equipped kitchen. We even collected seawater to cook our 3 huge live crabs in. Yum.

I met with Charles McDiarmid, the Managing Director of The Wickaninnish Inn, the next morning for a guided tour. It’s impossible to stay at the Wickaninnish without being impressed by the incredible attention to detail around every turn. From the furniture and art pieces made by local artists, to the use of recycled wood to the way that every part of the place reflects its unique combination of awe-inspiring, wild surroundings and unmatched, sumptuous interiors. Did I mention that you can see the view from every place in the bathroom… even the shower? Our king bed was turned down every night, there were books and dvds in the library to borrow, countless indoor and outdoor areas to explore, and always someone willing and able to offer us anything we needed. It quickly became evident that creating the Wickaninnish Inn was a labor of love for Charles, his father and their team.  As a result, the Wickaninnish is a truly magnificent Canadian destination.

Paul and I love to travel. We had spent time in Europe last summer, and I had just moved back to Vancouver from Toronto before we got married. But when the time came to plan our honeymoon, we both realized there was no place we’d rather go than Tofino… and definitely no hotel we’d rather stay at than the Wickaninnish Inn. The best part of it is that now I have the perfect excuse to suggest a stay there at least once a year… for our anniversary, of course.

If you live in Vancouver chances are you are going to want to head out for the long weekend to get away from city. And as any Vancouverite knows, the city is surrounded by amazing places to visit, especially for those of us who want to ‘get back to nature’.

If you are thinking that the perfect island getaway is what you need for the long weekend, look no further than Pender Island. This island is one of British Columbia’s most spectacular, southern gulf islands and is easily accessible by both airline and ferry.

Poets Cove Resort & Spa:

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You’ll find Poets Cove on the less populated South Pender Island, perfect for some alone time. With its rolling farmland, pristine lakes, wilderness and marine parks, it offers endless opportunity for exploration and enjoyment.

Poets Cove is beautifully designed with an elegant sophistication about it. Each room is complete with its own fire place, balcony and stunning view of the ocean. During your weekend stay here, make sure to take advantage of Poets Cove’s Susurrus Spa which offers a full range of spa services using seasonal ingredient treatments in a soothing atmosphere of relaxation and indulgence.

Although best known for its awesome winter rains, Tofino is great in the summer for those who love to surf, kayak, hike or go whale watching. Located on Vancouver Islands west side on the Pacific Ocean, this is another perfect weekend getaway.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort – Bedwell River Outpost:

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This premier eco-safari destination is open annually from mid May to the end of September and only offers all inclusive adventures of 3, 4 or 7 night stays. Inspired by late 19th century Great Camps, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort promises a delicious irony of indulgent luxury and remote, untamed wilderness.

Under the canopy of the Rainforest along the water’s edge you’ll find a total of 20 roomy guest tents. They are great white canvas prospector-style quarters built on discreetly-situated raised wooden platforms, connected by cedar boardwalks.

These all inclusive packages include all gourmet meals made with very fresh, whole-food oriented ingredients, drinks, and all guided and unguided activities including some spa treatments. Note: arrivals are available only on Thursday or Sunday.

If you are hoping to stay away from the Pacific on the east side of Vancouver Island another great getaway is Port McNeill. This coastal town supports many species of fish and wild life. And, of course, the mild climate allows for year round outdoor recreational activities, and is enjoyed by visitors from all over the world.

Nimmo Bay Resort:

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If you are looking for adventure, Nimmo Bay Resort has tailor made helicopter adventures that will exceed your highest expectations. Best known for its Heli Fishing and wilderness adventures, the Nimmo Bay professionals will work with you to custom design a wilderness outdoor adventure for your group of any size.

Each day is action packed with a variety of coastal adventures in and out of the helicopters. This is truly the best way to experience the beauty of the B.C. coast.

Each of the nine chalets at the Nimmo Bay Resort are all set in a panorama of pristine wilderness that only British Columbia can provide. Complete with a floating main lodge and bakery where meals are served close by, your stay here will be on that you will never forget.

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The Wickaninnish Inn is one of those places on earth that comes to mind when asked “If you weren’t here, where would you be right now?” as I found out during a recent trip to Alaska.

After too many days throwing good money at bad hotels, I said to my partner “Let’s fly back early to Vancouver, take a ferry to Vancouver Island and spend the last two days of our holiday at The Wick”.  So we did.

This was my third stay at the hotel and it won’t be my last.

It is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island right on the edge of a magnificent Pacific beach on the outskirts of Tofino – a quaint fishing and whale watching community – and quite simply does everything right.

All rooms have picture windows with sea views and are decorated in a way that brings the outside in.

Beds are huge and incredibly comfortable; bathrooms have baths shaped for two people with views directly over the water and tea lights set into local granite pebbles.

Frette towels and Aveda amenities are in abundance, a clock radio comes with a CD player and a selection of local CDs, the tv is hidden inside a lovely wooden cabinet so you can pretend it’s not there, there are plenty of goodies in the mini bar and water is provided on the bedside table at turndown which is perfect for when you wake up thirsty in the middle of the night and have no idea where you are.

But my favourite part of the room is the fireplace that comes to life at the touch of a button – if there hadn’t been a million other things to do in Tofino, I would happily have spent my entire stay stretched out on the sofa with my feet up on the footstool, working my way through the selection of topical books and magazines provided in the room and scanning for whale blows with the in-room binoculars.  Heaven.

The restaurant at this hotel in Tofino is perched up on the cliffs in a round room with huge windows and cedar beams rising to a central chimney.

If you need to focus on a conversation with your partner, don’t sit beside the window – I did and couldn’t take my eyes off the sea all through dinner!

Food is imaginative, well presented and delicious with an emphasis on local ingredients – not surprising for a hotel that is part of the Relais & Chateaux collection but better than we expected.

There is a spectacular wine list with plenty of local British Columbia wines and a sommelier on hand to help out with pairings.

The hotel is filled with local art I wanted to take home, bikes, bright yellow waterproofs and rubber boots are provided for trips to the village and long walks on the windy beach, local wood carvers work from a beachfront cabin and are happy to show tourists around and explain their native art (I had a fascinating conversation with ‘Feather George’ who carves delicate eagles’ feathers from local wood) and there is a spa to die for.

In fact, the Ancient Cedars Spa ranks up there among my favourite hotel spas (check out the Dolder Grand in Zurich, the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt in Dublin, the Villa Padierna in Marbella and Trisara in Thailand if you like that sort of thing) not only for the setting – ask for the cedar-shingled massage cabin perched on the cliffs – but for the quality of service and the overall experience.

We booked a couples’ aromatherapy massage, made sure we had time to enjoy the steam room and came out over 2 hours’ later ready for bed!  The pre-massage treatment is so lovely that I have recreated it in my garden back in London – I won’t give the game away but it involves a large tub, a bag of marbles, hot water and your favourite essential oils…

This is the first time I had visited The Wickaninnish Inn during the summer and it was just as magical as my last mid-winter stay when huge Pacific rollers pounded the cliffs and fires were lit throughout the hotel.  I love this hotel and have no hesitation in recommending it, whether you live locally and need to get away from it all or whether you are traveling from overseas and visiting Vancouver.  It’s a stone’s throw from the city and will really give you a sense of what the west coast is all about.

If you are travelling by ferry to the island and or by car, like we did (you can also fly directly to Tofino by float plane), make sure you allow three hours from the ferry terminal to the hotel so you can admire the lakes along the way and stop for half an hour at Cathedral Grove to stroll among the massive Douglas firs, cedar and spruce trees – it’s all part of the experience and, if you are anything like me, one you will want to live over and over again.

Heads up food and wine lovers – Tofino’s Food and Wine Festival is happening this weekend. If you’re planning on enjoying this festival on in Tofino on Vancouver Island, Canada, be sure to check out the Wickaninnish Inn’s two night package made specially for the event!

Known for it’s gorgeous scenery, beautiful forests, ocean views, and, of course, stellar food and wine, Tofino, British Columbia is the perfect summer vacation spot for luxury travelers seeking to escape it all on Canada’s Pacific coast.

Food and wine lovers are in luck this weekend, especially, as the 7th annual Tofino Food and Wine festival is taking place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, 2009.

The festival celebrates the marriage of food and wine in the unique setting of a temperate coastal rainforest! It’s strongly supported by the community of Tofino, as well as Vancouver Island purveyors and British Columbia wineries.

This festival provides cultural and educational experiences for food and wine lovers from all over, as well as an opportunity to discover sustainable British Columbia food sources – and is sure to be a great time for summertime foodies.

If you want to attend the festival this weekend, the Wickaninnish Inn, a gorgeous hotel in Tofino, is offering a special package just for you.

This package, which starts at about $950 includes two nights accommodation in your preferred room type and admission to two events hosted at the Inn by Road 13 Winery’s owners.

Specifically, guests will:
• Participate in a Friday afternoon wine tasting for two in the Salal Room (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.), hosted by Mick and Pam Luckhurts of Road 13 Winery.
• Enjoy a Road 13 five-course Winemaker’s Dinner for two, prepared by Chefs John Waller and Nicholas Nutting.
• Receive complimentary valet parking.

Don’t wait – the weekend is fast approaching!

Kiwi Collection CEO Erik Haugen offers journey suggestions to travellers based upon his own personal experiences travelling around the globe.

Canada’s British Columbia is one of my favourite places to travel during the autumn season, as the golden coast of Canada still has plenty of warm days and beautiful sunsets, and as the leaves begin to change colours, the landscape provides some beautiful vistas.

Although you can tackle British Columbia at a quicker pace, I find that a 14 night journey gives one enough time to see the glorious sights, taking in some of Canada’s finest destinations.

Arrival sometime in the last week in September / first week in October

Stay 2 nights at Wedgewood Hotel in Vancouver (This property is newly christened as a Relais & Chateaux property and is charming and intimate)

The City of Vancouver, (host city of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games) is a vibrant city full of life and sight-seeing opportunities, and is home to some fabulous world-class restaurants. Although not the capital of the province, Vancouver is the heart of the west coast of Canada, the third largest city in the country. While in Vancouver, you may be tempted to check out: Stanley Park, Granville Island, Chinatown, Gastown, or shopping on Robson Street, among others.

Transfer to Little Beaver Creek Ranch in Quilchena between Kamloops and Kelowna

Stay 2 Nights in Little Beaver Creek Ranch

Enjoy the horse riding and the great food. This area of British Columbia is referred to as ”Cattle Country” and is a quiet location nestled in the Nicola Valley, half way between the Pacific Coast and the Rocky Mountains.

Transfer to Okanagan valley (British Columbia’s Wine Country)

Stay 2 nights at the Burrowing Owl (experience some wine tasting and relaxation)

Oliver, British Columbia is known officially as the “Wine capital of Canada”, and is a great region to taste some of the region’s finest libations.

Return to the coast and transfer to Whistler

Stay 2 Nights at the Four Seasons Whistler

Explore British Columbia’s Outdoor adventure area. Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, the site of the 2010 Olympic Alipne Ski and Sliding events provide a plethora of activity options to pursue — not only during the winter season.

Transfer to Tofino (likely via seaplane from Vancouver) on Vancouver Island

Stay 2 nights at the Wickaninnish Inn

Experience their Aveda Spa and The Pointe Restaurant. A dining experience can also be arranged in Tofino. For the adventure seekers, Tofino (and nearby Ucluelet) provide an opportunity for year-round surfing — arguably the best waves in the country — be sure to pack your wet suit as the waters around this area are on the chilly side, to say the least.

Transfer to Victoria (car or seaplane)

Stay 1 Night at Laurel Pointe Inn, Victoria

Victoria is a beautiful spot for whale watching, birding or other eco-friendly activities.

Transfer to Sooke (Near Victoria)

Stay 2 nights at the Sooke Harbour House (Relaxation)

Transfer back to Vancouver

Stay 1 night at the Loden Hotel (A KOR Hotel Group property recently opened)

Depart For Home