British Columbia and its houses
British Columbia is the Pacific edge of Canada — a city, a ski country and a wilderness — and the luxury follows that map. On Vancouver Island, across the strait, a canvas camp on Clayoquot Sound whose tents stand on wooden platforms joined by cedar walkways, in a wilderness of rainforest and tidal river reached only by boat or seaplane; in the city of glass towers on an inlet with the Coast Mountains behind it, the Georgia, the 1927 landmark hotel of downtown Vancouver that Rosewood reopened; and two hours up the Sea-to-Sky Highway, in the ski country the Guide calls the best skiing on the continent, the ski-in houses of Whistler — the castle at the foot of Blackcomb and the polished resort a few minutes from the village. Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge holds the province's strict five-star standing; the Georgia and the two Whistler houses are listed at four. The lodge runs from late spring to early autumn, Whistler skis from late November into spring, and Vancouver is at its best from May to October.
Luxury hotels in British Columbia
4 hotels
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Five-star · Tofino & Clayoquot Sound
A canvas camp on the rugged Pacific coast of Vancouver Island, reached only by boat or seaplane.
From $2,400 per night
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Rosewood Hotel Georgia
Four-star · Vancouver
The 1927 landmark of downtown Vancouver, reopened by Rosewood with its original elegance kept and its rooms made modern.
From $500 per night
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Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Four-star · Whistler
The ski-in, ski-out castle at the foot of Blackcomb in Whistler, more country retreat than corporate hotel.
From $500 per night
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Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler
Four-star · Whistler
A polished contemporary resort a few minutes from Whistler's main village, rarefied seclusion in a popular ski town.
From $600 per night
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Tofino & Clayoquot Sound
The wild west coast of Vancouver Island, where the Sound's islands and inlets meet the old-growth rainforest. It takes in Tofino and its surf beaches and the Bedwell River Valley, and is reached by seaplane from Vancouver in about an hour or by boat from Tofino.
The neighborhoods
Tofino & Clayoquot Sound
The wild west coast of Vancouver Island, where the Sound's islands and inlets meet the old-growth rainforest. It takes in Tofino and its surf beaches and the Bedwell River Valley, and is reached by seaplane from Vancouver in about an hour or by boat from Tofino.
Rosewood Hotel Georgia · Vancouver — © Rosewood Hotel GroupVancouver
The downtown peninsula between Burrard Inlet and False Creek, about half an hour from Vancouver airport. It holds West Georgia Street and the art gallery, Coal Harbour and the seawall, and Gastown, with Stanley Park at the end of the street.
Whistler
The ski country of Whistler and Blackcomb, at the top of the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Below the two mountains lie the pedestrian village and the lakes and trails of the valley, about two hours north of Vancouver airport.
Good to know
Which are the five-star hotels in British Columbia?
One, on Clayoquot Sound. The five-star house we list in British Columbia is Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, the canvas camp in the Bedwell River Valley of Vancouver Island that is reached only by boat or seaplane, with its tents on wooden platforms, the Cookhouse cooking over an open fire and the wilderness as the main attraction. Beside it we keep three four-star addresses, each listed exactly at the standing it holds: Rosewood Hotel Georgia, the 1927 landmark of downtown Vancouver; Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the ski-in, ski-out castle at the foot of Blackcomb; and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, the contemporary resort a few minutes from the village with its Ski Concierge.
Where should I stay in British Columbia: Vancouver, Whistler or Clayoquot Sound?
Vancouver for the city — the Georgia stands downtown by the art gallery, half an hour from the airport, with Stanley Park, the seawall and Granville Island within reach; Whistler, about two hours north by the Sea-to-Sky Highway, for the slopes from late November into spring and the trails, lakes and golf in summer; and Clayoquot Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, for the wilderness — the lodge is reached by seaplane from Vancouver or by boat from Tofino, and it runs only from late spring to early autumn.
When is the best time for British Columbia?
It depends on the zone. Whistler's ski season runs from late November into spring, with the deepest snow from January to March and a long tail into April; the same mountains open for hiking, biking and golf from June to September. Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge opens from late spring to early autumn, when the Sound is at its calmest and the rivers run with salmon. Vancouver is a city of all seasons and at its best from May to October; the winter months are mild and wet on the coast. Each house keeps its own calendar on its page.
How do I get around British Columbia?
Vancouver airport is the door to the province: downtown in about half an hour by car or the Canada Line, Whistler in about two hours by the Sea-to-Sky Highway or by shuttle. Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is reached by seaplane from Vancouver's harbor or by boat from Tofino, which has its own small airport with flights from Vancouver; the lodge arranges the transfer with the booking. A car suits the Sea-to-Sky corridor; Vancouver's downtown is walked and Whistler's village is pedestrian. The houses arrange airport transfers on request.
How do I reserve a stay?
Search your dates on the hotel's page to see reference rates, then send the concierge a request. The concierge confirms exact rates and availability with you before anything is booked, and any payment and its timing are set out before you confirm.
