Northern Exposure

Natural Beauty, Luxury Await at Wickaninnish Inn

By Christine Huard
Copley News Service

Many honeymoon memories are made in the quiet moments newlyweds share strolling together along the beach, gazing at the starlit sky or snuggling in front of the fireplace. Canada's west coast seems just such a place to make those memories happen.

Vancouver Island in British Columbia holds all the natural wonders the Pacific Northwest has to offer - from windswept beaches to ancient rain forests to stunning sunsets - and some of the best inns and bed-and-breakfast establishments to be found anywhere. It's pretty much the stuff from which honeymoons are made.

Many newlyweds looking for a lovers' hideaway have found the island's Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino. Set against the backdrop of an old-growth forest, the oceanfront inn offers a romantic atmosphere unique to the area. Couples looking for a mix of eco-adventure and luxury will find the perfect getaway here.

Start the day with breakfast in bed while enjoying the panoramic view of the ocean; hike the nature trails of Pacific Rim National Park; picnic on the sandy dunes of Chesterman Beach; or ride bikes into town to explore Tofino's quaint galleries and shops. Still looking for more to do? Then try sea kayaking, whale watching or a treatment at the inn's Ancient Cedars Spa.

Unspoiled and unpretentious, this is just the kind of place for couples to recharge their batteries and reconnect with each other after the long, hectic months leading up to their wedding.

Isn't it romantic? The rustic, cedar-built Wickaninnish Inn offers an exceptional degree of privacy, comfort and hospitality. Sitting atop a rocky promontory overlooking Clayoquot Sound, each of the 46 rooms has a view of the Pacific along with a fireplace, private deck and soaker tub, making it the perfect retreat after exploring the beach or forest, or taking a day-long trip to nearby Hot Springs Cove, where a one-hour hike through the rain forest is rewarded with a natural hot spring that showers down over rocks to meet with the sea. Bathing suits are optional.

In each sun-soaked guest room, large windows frame the ocean view creating a picture-perfect image of tranquility. The sound of the rolling surf instantly soothes the soul as waves crash on rocks just below the private patio. Leave the sliding door open at night to enjoy the ocean lullaby.

Built in 1996, the inn quickly established itself as a premier resort and has been listed since 1998 in the prestigious Relais & Chateaux Guide. The Pointe Restaurant has gained its own acclaim by Canadian chef Jim Garraway showcasing local ingredients, from farm-fresh organic produce to seafood from local crabbers and fishermen, in his distinct version of West Coast Canadian cuisine. The restaurant is one stop on The Gourmet Trail, a culinary tour of the island, and has among its many distinctions been awarded a four-diamond rating by the American Automobile Association/Canadian Automobile Association.

When newlyweds aren't canoodling in their cozy love nest, or sampling the gourmet delights that Chef Garraway has to offer, a barefoot walk along the soft sands of Chesterman Beach is in order. This one-and-a-half mile stretch of beach seems perched on the edge of the world with dense forest to one side and the vast expanse of the Pacific on the other.

Bird-lovers will enjoy spotting the many species of migratory shorebirds, as well as bald eagles and osprey. Nature-lovers will enjoy the marine life often seen playing in the protected bay of Clayoquot Sound, including gray whales, humpbacks and orcas, a variety of porpoises and two kinds of sea lion. The gray whales can be seen from March through May making their way home to the Bering Sea after wintering in the warm waters of Baja, Mexico. And lovers will find something to do as well, what with the pounding surf, sandy dunes and romantic sunsets.

Stormy Weather: The inn makes the most of good weather and bad. Winter storm-watching season runs from November through February. During these months guests can witness the drama of wind and rain, lighting and crashing waves either from the comfort of their fireplace-warmed room or down on Chesterman Beach. Guests will find rain slickers in the closet if they want to venture outside for a taste of the invigorating weather.

The inn even offers a winter storm package, which includes two nights accommodation for two, a three-hour guided nature walk, two storm caps, Pacific Rim Guide books and two winter storm drinks in the On-the-Rocks Bar and Lounge.

Other packages feature accommodations, gourmet picnic lunches, sparkling wine and chocolate-sipped fruits, spa treatments, even express flights from Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle.

If you go: Tofino can be reached by air or car. If you take the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo the drive is about three hours, from Victoria about four and a half. Both are well worth the time, especially if you make a stop along the way at Cathedral Grove in provincial MacMillan Park, home to some 800-year-old cedars. The Wickaninnish Inn is on Osprey Lane at Chesterman Beach.

Rates change with the season, but range from $150 to $165 during the winter storm season and go up to $289 to $300 for a premier room during the summer. For more information, go online to the inn's Web site www.wickinn.com.

For those who are looking for a great place to honeymoon closer to home, here is a suggestion: The Alaskan Inn.

Nested amongst the granite cliffs in Ogden Canyon, the Inn consists of 23 suites and cabins all featuring an Alaskan theme.

"This is really a special-occasion destination," says Tiffani Clark, general manager of the Inn. "It is set up as a couples retreat and is an adults-only facility. Each room has its own hot tub, full entertainment systems and king or queen beds."

One thing that sets the Alaskan Inn apart from other bed-and-breakfasts, aside from the breathtaking scenery, is that each couple receives a full in-room breakfast each morning. On the weekends, dinner is also served in-room.

For information on rates and reservations, call 888-707-8600.

And for those who are looking for a mountain retreat to stage a memorable wedding or reception, the Millcreek Inn up Millcreek Canyon could be just the ticket. The beautiful rustic setting is the perfect place for a new couple to exchange vows and celebrate with guests.

"Our niche is the fact that the Inn is exclusively reserved for the wedding party, meaning you are not sharing the Inn with any other group." says Sasan Moatamed, owner of the Millcreek Inn. "We customize everything from top to bottom, and we can handle everything in-house, such as cakes, limo service, DJs, florists, photographers, officiants, everything."

For more information, call Moatamed at 801-652-1220.