With its craggy mountain peaks, lush temperate rainforests, and mesmerizing wildlife, British Columbia’s allures are vast and varied. From urban oases with water access to remote lodges immersed right in the thick of it, BC has no shortage of hotels that embrace their surroundings—and in doing so, help their guests do the same thing. When it comes to making the most of your time in Canada’s westernmost province, consider one of these exceptional hotel stays.

KITOKI INN (BOWEN ISLAND)

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The complete and total serenity of Bowen Island’s Kitoki Inn is felt immediately, as a softly-lit sign beckons guests into its forested oasis. Rocky steps lead up from the parking lot to the minimalist but luxurious cabins, of which there are only three—a master class in intimacy and privacy. The ultra-boutique hotel takes its cues from Japanese design and wellness, with exposed-wood cabins outfitted with everything necessary for a rejuvenating stay: floor-to-ceiling windows that look out into the quiet forest (and that open up onto a private deck); a small kitchenette complete with Japanese ceramics and a wide selection of Asian teas; bath amenities from Bowen Island’s own Sangre de Fruta; a plush bed of oh-so-soft linens; and a mini fridge stocked with items for breakfast each morning.

Every detail is considered here, from the neutral-toned linen coasters in the kitchen area to the bedside orb lamps that set the tone come sundown. Guests of Kitoki Inn also get exclusive access to the property’s open-air bathhouse, which is modelled after Japanese onsens: there’s a shower, a giant soaker tub, and a wood-burning fireplace, all of it with views of a soothing Japanese garden that includes a running-water fountain that soothes the mind, bamboo stalks that whisper in the wind, and a traditional Japanese lantern that glows gently in the dark. It’s extremely easy to immerse oneself in nature here, equally as enchanting when it’s drenched in pouring rain or baking in warm sunlight.

THE NAMI PROJECT (UCLUELET)

Tofino’s little sister Ucluelet should not be overlooked by anyone travelling to Vancouver Island’s wet and wild west coast. Known for its epic storm-watching, Ucluelet also boasts one of Vancouver Island’s most interesting hotels: The Nami Project. This adults-only boutique property is perched right on the edge of a cliff, offering jaw-dropping views of the ocean’s edge. Here, the constant hum of the waves crashing against the rocky black shore offers a kind of natural therapy, the sound as soothing as it is intoxicating. The hotel itself has guest rooms in the main building along with a set of private standalone cabins, and each one is designed in a calming, neutral-toned colour palette: light woods, white linens, cream furnishings. The aesthetic is a big part of the allure here, with every corner curated just so: a stack of hardcover lifestyle books, a tea pot with matching cups, an essential oil diffuser from Vancouver brand Vitruvi. Each accommodation also comes equipped with a fully stocked kitchen, including plates from Vancouver brand Fable and organic teas from Ucluelet’s Thay Tea.

The cabins feature private Japanese-style cedar hot tubs and dry cedar saunas, along with large open-air decks that jut out over the moody ocean down below (the main-lodge suites, meanwhile, have private saunas and access to shared outdoor hot tubs). It’s hard to want to leave the property for any reason, but if you grow tired of cooking, consider dinner at Pluvio, which offers some of the island’s very best dining (Michelin inspectors, take note) or The Break for coffee and baked goods. Back at The Nami Project, slide open the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and let the sound of the waves lull you back into a slowed state. This is pure, unadulterated peace.

KINGFISHER PACIFIC RESPORT & SPA (COURTENAY)

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Courtenay might not be the first town that comes to mind when one considers a visit to Vancouver Island, but the Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa makes a very good case. Found on the outskirts of quaint Courtenay, the Kingfisher is renowned for its beachfront location and next-level spa.

On the first point, many of the hotel’s newly renovated suites—complete with giant two-person soaker tubs and cozy fireplaces—come with incredible views of the ocean, with the calming sound of lapping waves audible from the balcony.

On the second point, the Kingfisher’s Pacific Mist Spa features two standout offerings. The Hydropath is an immersive 60-minute hydrotherapy treatment in which guests are guided through a series of relaxing water treatments, including a tension-relieving shower-massage circuit, a rejuvenating cold shower, a calming mineral soak, and an invigorating body scrub. The Healing Caves, meanwhile, are a 75-minute guided treatment involving a dry sauna (complete with video clips of Utah), a steam room (with scented air), a cold room (with video clips taken over BC’s Coastal Mountain Range), an infrared light room (made to look like a forest), and a mineral bath (with a very fun thunder-storm simulation). Each cave was designed to help detoxify and replenish the body, and the results will leave you truly blissed out. After all that relaxing, dinner at the hotel’s onsite Aqua Bistro & Wine Bar serves up such Pacific Northwest delights as salmon with sweet and sour dashi, and classic halibut fish and chips. In the heart of Courtenay, don’t miss FrankieJo’s for coffee and sweet treats, and Sixth Street Social for comforting bistro food.

PAN PACIFIC WHISTLER MOUNTAINSIDE (WHISTLER)

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For those who love being right in the thick of the action, there is no better hotel in Whistler than the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside. Situated right at the base of the Whistler Gondola—with an outdoor pool and two hot tubs overlooking the hill—the property is pure mountain charm. In winter, Whistler Blackcomb offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world, with two mountains and an epic Peak 2 Peak Gondola that connects them at the top.

Over on the Blackcomb side, upscale restaurant Christine’s offers sweeping views of the mountains in a cozy atmosphere. In the summer, meanwhile, the mountain turns into a bike park—also one of the world’s best—that attracts riders from far and wide. When it comes time for sustenance, Dubh Linn Gate, an Irish pub located inside the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, serves well executed comfort food (and pours an excellent Guinness, too). Or take the short walk to the hotel’s sister property, the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, and grab a seat at the Raven Room, which is easily one of Whistler’s best bars. Also located at the Pan Pacific Village Centre is the Whistler Day Spa, where a 100-minute red light therapy massage is the perfect way to relax sore muscles after big bike or ski days.

Equally worth a visit is Italian restaurant Quattro, which offers such delights as buffalo mozzarella with grilled sourdough, and rigatoni with fennel sausage ragu. For a dose of local culture, a short walk from the Pan Pacific will lead wanderers to the Audain Art Museum: a gorgeous space that houses a notable collection of BC artists, from Stan Douglas to Bill Reid. The building is itself a work of art, too, flanked by natural light and quiet forest; in fact, only one single tree had to be cut down for its construction.

SONORA RESORT (SONORA ISLAND)

Accessed by float plane or helicopter, Sonora Resort is a true hidden gem of British Columbia’s hotel scene. Found in the Discovery Islands along the remote and pristine Inside Passage, Sonora shines for its warm Relais & Chateaux service and its emphasis on thoughtful, responsible eco-tourism. Rooms are cozy and spacious, each showcasing incredible ocean views. For the pinnacle of wilderness luxury, two private villas offer multiple bedrooms, plush living areas, and floor-to-ceiling windows—true nature immersion.

When not soaking in the oceanside outdoor hot tub or pool, Sonora offers a range of outdoor adventures to suit every desire—from some of the world’s best salmon fishing, to helicopter tours of the pristine nature below, to guided ocean kayaking, to grizzly bear viewings (from a safe distance, of course), to boat tours (which may result in spotting orcas or humpbacks, depending on the season). Back on property, indulge in the best of BC produce, meat, and seafood at the onsite restaurant.

BODEGA COVE (GALIANO ISLAND)

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Tucked away on the Gulf Island of Galiano sit a series of modern cabins as charming as they are remote. These one- and two-bedroom lodgings were originally built from old-growth cedar in the 1960s, and were lovingly renovated in 2016, reopening as Bodega Cove in 2018. Each cabin has a skylight to let the natural light in (and to showcase the pitter-patter of raindrops on classic Pacific Northwest days); heated natural marble bathroom floors and standalone soaker tubs; luxurious light fixtures from Vancouver company Bocci; organic bath amenities; beautiful leather furniture; and a French press equipped with beans from Vancouver Island’s Foglifter Coffee Roasters.

But it’s Bodega Cove’s location on quaint Galiano that really makes it come alive: the cabins are surrounded by untouched forest, and are also right across the street from the ocean, giving guests what amounts to almost private beach access. Between nature walks, make a reservation at Pilgrimme, located a short drive away, for a true taste of contemporary island life. Bodega Cove is a 10-minute walk from sister property Bodega Ridge, which used to be a horse ranch and now boasts its own set of cabins along with a main lodge—meaning there’s more than one way to stay here. What both properties definitely offer is a chance to escape the noise of city life, to watch the stars, and to simply breathe.

THE LOFT AT LIQUIDITY (OKANAGAN FALLS)

The Okanagan’s Liquidity winery is famed for its bottles of vino, but equally impressive is its new two-bedroom onsite accommodation, called The Loft. The aesthetic is clean and bright, with neutral-toned furniture, shiny appliances, contemporary artworks by the likes of Phil Darrah and Christopher Griffin, and large windows that let the landscape do the talking. And talk it certainly does: The Loft’s giant windows and adjoining rooftop deck give way to incredible views of the sweeping Okanagan Valley, including expansive vineyards and sparkling Vaseux Lake.

Guests can opt for a five-course private chef dinner, or choose a “take and bake” meal option for something more private. In the morning, a selection of fresh-baked pastries and local Okanagan fruit is hand-delivered for breakfast. And of course, it’s just down the stairs that guests can opt for a glass of wine and some Spanish-inspired nibbles at the winery’s tasting room and restaurant. Complete with king beds, large ensuites, a gourmet kitchen, and a spacious living and dining area, The Loft is one of the most luxurious ways to immerse oneself in BC’s winemaking region.

THE DOUGLAS (VANCOUVER)

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Not all city hotels are created equal. For an urban dwelling with distinct nods to nature, The Douglas, located in Vancouver’s downtown stadium district, is an ideal option. Attached to the lively Parq Casino with direct access to BC Place Stadium, The Douglas greets guests at its sixth-floor lobby with a giant replica of a Douglas fir tree (hence the hotel’s name), which has been encased in glass and transformed into a 25-foot front desk. That Pacific Northwest aesthetic is found throughout the hotel, from the swish cabin-library vibe at lobby bar D/6, which is swathed in forest hues; to the guest rooms, which are complete with plaid throw blankets, rich earth tones, and art pieces depicting Vancouver’s surrounding nature. To further drive home the urban camping theme, each room comes equipped with a large Yeti cooler instead of a mini fridge.

Guests should also consider a visit to the Spa by JW at the adjoining JW Marriott Parq Vancouver hotel, where the luxurious Spirit of the Mountain Wellness Journey involves a body scrub, body wrap, and body massage, along with a mini scalp or facial massage—all using plant-based ingredients with floral and woody aromas. And for sustenance, embrace the seafood of the west at The Victor, where the onsite sushi bar serves up truly excellent rolls and cuts of fish, from hamachi sashimi to spicy tuna drizzled with sesame oil. (Meat eaters should also indulge in a decadent cut of steak—the restaurant’s other specialty.) Perhaps best of all? Despite its downtown location, The Douglas guest rooms are remarkably quiet, offering an idyllic post-dinner respite from the buzz of the city.

WICKANINNISH INN (TOFINO)

A shining example of West Coast hospitality, the Wickanninish Inn—shortend to simply the Wick by those who know and love it—is largely credited with putting Tofino on the tourism map. The hotel began as a family home, but it’s since grown into a Relais & Chateaux property cherished the world over for its warm hospitality and prime location on Tofino’s iconic Chesterman Beach. Guestrooms and common areas alike feature floor-to-ceiling windows, showing off the grand vista of Tofino’s moody Pacific waves and the surfers who dare to brave them. To that end, Surf Sister offers fun and accessible surfing lessons for all abilities (and yes, wetsuits are provided).

Waking up at the Wick and taking a walk along the sandy shore, or curling up with a book in the onsite library as the rain comes down outside, are moments of pure magic. The hotel’s restaurant The Pointe offers seasonal Pacific Northwest fare, embracing as many locally-farmed and -harvested ingredients as possible in a celebration of the region’s terroir. A stay at the Wick is a bucket-list item for many, and it’s not hard to understand why.