The quirky and artistic island of Galiano is the perfect nature escape. Although remote, it can be reached by a direct one-hour ferry from Tsawwassen making it the ideal location to get away from the city for the weekend.
Galiano Island has many unique places to stay that provide an authentic West Coast island experience. From charming boutique hotels to cozy B&Bs, we list the best Galiano Island accommodation, each for a unique reason.
Best Accommodation on Galiano Island
1. Best hotel for rustic island vibes 3. Best hotel for a cozy-luxe feel 1. Best for soaking in a hot tub with ocean views 2. Best for a weekend away with friends |
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Unique Hotels on Galiano Island
Here are our top 3 hotel picks, each with a unique setting and their own set of pros and cons:
1. Best hotel for rustic island vibes: Bodega Ridge & Cove Cabins
Their onsite South East-Asian inspired restaurant, Lola, brings locally caught seafood, fresh produce and fire-forged ingredients to their dishes. It's led by Head Chef Elmark, whose Filipino upbringing shaped his culinary passion, starting in his grandmother's kitchen.
Before moving to Galiano, Chef Elmark worked at prominent restaurants such as Dirty Apron and Bao Bei in Vancouver. The setting feels magical with the outdoor fairy lights and rustic wooden lodge.
Hotel Drawbacks:
One thing you will want to consider when staying at Bodega Ridge is the location. It's a 25 minute drive away from the main village and ferry terminal and a 20 minute drive away from Montague Harbour. This will make drives longer if you wish to explore some of the main sights. However, if you're looking for a remote experience, Bodega Ridge is a great choice.
Read reviews for Bodega Ridge2. Best hotel for ocean views: Oceanfront Inn & Spa
Their onsite spa, Madrona del Mar, is excellent with its skilled therapists, massage huts in a garden, and relaxing Mediterranean feel. After you're done getting your massage you can sit outside with a tea and enjoy peaceful views of the ocean and flowers around you.
Stop in at their oceanfront pizza patio, La Lena, for lunch. They serve unique pizzas such as curry chicken pizza, roasted yam pizza and duck confit pizza. There is an onsite restaurant called Atrevida, but we found that there are better spots on the island.
Hotel Drawbacks:
The hotel is lacking in its service and attention to detail in rooms. Part of this could be because we last visited during the pandemic, however, the staff seemed almost absent. I called to get my spa robe and I couldn't get a hold of anyone for an hour. I even went down to the lobby and no one was there. Luckily, 5 minutes before my massage, I was able to get a hold of someone to get my robe in time.
The rooms have ocean views and a wood-burning fireplace, however, the attention to detail is lacking for the price they charge. For example, there were two different coloured lightbulbs in each of our bedside lamps, one being a warm colour and the other being a bright cool colour that you would see in an office. The rooms felt slightly unwelcoming with their cold features.
If you're looking for a more luxurious stay and attentive staff, we recommend Woodstone Manor which is coming up next on our list. If you're looking for a place close to the ferry with a great spa and ocean views, Oceanfront Inn is a good choice.
See rates for Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa3. Best hotel for a cozy-luxe feel: Woodstone Manor
Sitting on the terrace for breakfast is a delight as you have beautiful views of the farm next door with retired racehorses. The fine dining restaurant serves tasty European-inspired cuisine.
On the second floor, there is a lounge, which was our favourite room in the hotel. It's super cozy with the fireplace and big comfy couches and chairs. There is a stack of board games you can choose from.
The hotel is located a 5 minute drive away from the main centre and ferry terminal. It's also only a 10 minute walk away from the Hummingbird Pub. We had a few drinks at the local pub and then walked back to the hotel to play board games.
Hotel drawbacks:
If you are looking for West Coast island vibes, you may not get it here as the decor has a colonial England-type of feel. If you're looking for something that feels cozy-luxe however, this is a great spot to pick.
If you are keen on having ocean views, note that the hotel sits on a wooded acreage with countryside views.
See rates for Woodstone Manor4 Best B&Bs on Galiano Island to experience the islander way of life
We have rounded up some of the best B&Bs on Galiano Island, each for a unique reason.
1. Best for soaking in a hot tub with ocean views: InTheBluff
Check out rates for InTheBluff
2. Best for a weekend away with friends: Waterfront Escape on Galiano Island
Check out rates for Waterfront Escape on Galiano Island
3. Best within walking distance to town & the ferry: Waterfront Staycation
Check rates for Waterfront Staycation
4. Best for a romantic getaway: Eagles Nest Retreat
Check rates for the Eagles Nest Retreat
We hope you enjoyed these unique accommodations on Galiano Island!
Start planning your trip to Galiano Island
- 🛏️ Browse more hotels and B&Bs: on Booking.com or VRBO
- 🌊 Fun Activities: see our list of the 16 top things to do on Galiano
- 🥗 Restaurants: see our list of the 11 best restaurants on the island
- ⛴️ Book your ferry: BC Ferries
- 🚗 Car rental: see Rentalcars.com to compare car rental prices across different companies.
You should consider also visiting the bohemian island of Salt Spring along the ferry route. We list 33 fun things to do on this free-spirited island.
Looking for an oceanfront glamping experience? Check out our review of luxury camping on Hornby Island at Fossil Beach Farm.
Planning a trip around BC? See our full list of the top 17 getaways from Vancouver.