REMOTE? REFINED? REMARKABLE?
Without a doubt!
That is the tag line for luxury outpost located on the wild Pacific Ocean near Tofino on Vancouver Island. Only accessible by sea-plane, Clayoquot is a stunning retreat with 20 tented accommodations, spectacular cuisine and wines, and a very unique, personalized way of delivering exactly what you want, when you want it. Guests are indulged with personal private guides for activities from ocean and fly fishing, sea or river kayaking, whale and bear watching, hiking, rock and tree climbing, archery, shooting, horseback riding and even heli-hiking and fishing experiences.
Clayoquot is very casual and relaxed but at the same time uber high-end. John and Adelle get it on so many levels but most especially with their carefully selected team, from the kitchen staff, servers and sommelier at the Cook house, down to the guides and everyone that keeps this wonderful place humming – and always with such passion. I love to see how they treat each other and their jobs with such vigor, care, and respect. Whether stoking the fire, serving a local BC (British Columbia) Syrah, clearing out snow for a new luxury mountaintop camp site, or taking a group of kids for a horseback ride, no one day looks the same for the team members here.
Clayoquot is only open May to October and if you want to come in July or August, be prepared to book at least a year out. The ideal guest; a couple, a group of friends or a multi-generational family. And a family like ours who love the idea of a perfectly done outpost with so much to do but also lots of time for camp fire chats, hot tub time overlooking the Bay, or cozy 5 course dinners when they want it.
Kids are treated exceptionally well, and they are welcome to belly up to the bar and order what ever they would like to eat directly from Chef Ryan, who may entertain them with some fantastic magic tricks or witty jokes. The word NO simply does not exist at Clayoquot, well that is except for riding bikes past either of the two bridges. The owners are savvy and safety conscious and well aware when the cougars or bears are roaming in the woods – the only NO we heard the entire time was when two 14-year-olds crossed the camp bridge at dusk on bikes with some younger kids – cougar bait!
Each night guests are encouraged to choose the next days activities and again nothing is a NO. Somehow the small team manages to personalize each guest desires – does your daughter want to go riding, father and son want to deep water fish, and mom wants to hike up to to Penny Falls? Sure, no problem. Everyone is assigned a member of staff to escort them. Even the staff is excited each morning to get their days assignments and one of the owners, John, insures you know your game plan and are happy. Changes? Sure, anytime. No problem.
Even the tented spa and hot tubs are a treat and every adult has one massage included. I can be a bit of a spa snob and the hot stone and the Thai massage I received were of the best treatments I have had. (Although one spa treatment per adult is already included in your stay, guests of Resort to Laura Madrid also receive two additional spa treatments per stay – a $300 value, and with these therapists, priceless!)
What does a day’s dining look like? Breakfast might be crab, caramelized onion and avocado eggs benedict, lunch might be a spicy fish taco stuffed with shrimp, scallops and fish, and dinner, a five course tasting menu of barbecued salmon, pork ribs, tuna tartar, duck confit, roasted sable fish, etc. All of the wine pairings are local from British Colombia and a lot of fun. Absolutely everything is included from the sea plane transfers to the premium wine and spirits to personalized guiding on any activity to daily laundry should you like.
After dinner pursuits – billiards, s’mores, fireplace chats or even back to the hot tub!
So many of my clients travel far and wide to have a remote luxury experience in the wilds of Patagonia or Tanzania, I say for those short on time or who want such an experience closer to home, Clayoquot is a must and will most certainly elevate your senses and your expectations!
Saying good bye is the most difficult thing to do when you have been moved by an experience.
Remote? Yes indeed, can’t get there by road. And when the sea plane can’t get into to collect you due to weather, guess what, you stay another night! It is rare, but when a storm came in, 40 guests expected could not get in and the lucky 25 due out, had another fabulous night in this Pacific Outpost Paradise.
Refined? I cant imagine even the most demanding hotel lover, would find issue with the pampering of every kind instilled upon lucky Clayoquot guests.
Remarkable? You betch-ya! Let me know when you are ready to be Wowed!
A view I won’t forget anytime soon!