Sonora Resort

So many things are right with Sonora. I usually make 5 star reviews, but I need to talk about this place. The views, the wildlife, spa and some of the guides are wonderful. The manager greets you when you arrive and then you never see him again. That sets the tone. No one seems to really care what is going on. It seems to run by 20 year olds and they just want to finish the season and move on. This place lacks direction. There are some exceptions with the staff; Robin the guide, Jesse the bartender, and another cheerful lady who was always nice. The food was as my husband put it “like being on a cruise ship.” Not in a good way. This could be better with some involvement of some management and better food choices. A general manager presence and involvement with a better food program with even a “chef experience” could really elevate this place. I wanted it to be 5*, but it’s 3.5.

What was super unfortunate was that the service wasn’t even close to the property and facilities. The staff was totally untrained with the acception of a couple that were the shining starts of the group. The food was the largest letdown of all. Everything overcooked and tasteless. I would overlook and not have an issue with the untrained staff because they were all very nice, if the food wasn’t so bad. They as well ran out of over a dozen things in our four day stay. This all comes down to bad management and that’s such a huge shame. The ownership I have to tip my hat to because the facility was an 11 out of 10 and the investment of the equipment and the attention to detail of the Maintanance crews was second to none. I found myself not wanting to order anything the kitchen delivered. I would love to bring clients up because it’s a once in a lifetime experience but we would have to bring our own Chef to not sour the experience and I would not want to invest the high cost without just even decent food. Please let me know ow if this is fixed and I will bring you a lot of visitors.

beautiful location; attentive staff; Rooms have great view - more rustic than luxurious;Food is good but an eclectic menu- Eco tour is a must and the gazebo at the end of a walkway is worth the small hike - overall 4 stars- was very! surprised at fuel surcharge on checkout for copter, boats etc- not disclosed until checking out!

Once we heard about Sonora Resort (from some random strangers over lunch in Sun Valley, ID) we knew we had to go. It turned out to be our favorite trip of our adventurous 30 year marriage! We came for our 30 year anniversary and would HIGHLY recommend it. Our favorite activity was going every morning to watch the tide come in, where the seals and sea lions would frolic and fish for salmon. It was just joyful and beautiful and perfect. We'd grab our coffee from the restaurant and stay there, mesmerized and entertained for 1 - 2 hours. One day we rented a boat with a captain who took us to see exactly what we wanted to see...a pod of orkas, some humpbacks and a fabulous bald eagle. It was magical! One day we rode mountain bikes up to Florence Lake. We were there in mid-Sept and had the lake to ourselves! Another day we took a hike up into the forest of the island...it was like being in another land, very fantastical. Just fabulous! We did not do any planned activities with groups, because it's just not our thing, but we did the things that we wanted to do and would not change one thing (expect to stay MUCH longer!) The people who work there and joyful and lovely and we enjoyed meeting and chatting with many of them. You feel like you've made friends! The restaurant is lovely and very accommodating. The food is good. The wines are mostly BC wines. We didn't love them, but did enjoying trying many of them and had fun with that. I can't say enough good things. We cannot wait to go back! We took the boat ride in, which was about an hour. It was not luxurious, but it was so much fun. I loved seeing all the islands on the way there from Campbell River. It was about 1 hour. And, when we left we took the seaplane. It was the best. So much fun! So amazing to see it all from only 500 feet above. I loved that. Oh, and Sonora Resort and Island is spectacularly beautiful and magical. You can see from photos how beautiful it is, but to be there and see it in person is just amazing!

We were blown away with the service, food & scenery. The Grizzly tour was special and even the boat rides were enjoyable. Be sure to watch the sea lions feeding a sort walk from the lodge. We only wish we stayed longer!