The Wickaninnish Inn

The spectacular Wickaninnish Inn (WI), located aside the world-renowned Chesterman beach, has placed its stamp on the west coast region, perhaps more so than any other business in Tofino or Ucluelet. It does this in many ways, & even those who have not actually been to the wonderful property on which WI stands, will have felt WI’s influence. At the most noticeable level, it has set the tone, & early on, for the now well-rooted movement of farm, to foraged from ocean, shore & forest, to table, with regard to surrounding eateries in this area, where ancient forest meets ever changing oceanscape. Many of the well-regarded local chefs have been trained @ WI, be they now owners of their own restaurants or heading or working in fine dinning eateries, which attract visitors to the West Coast. Pluvio — which also focuses of seasonally-based menus, with ingredients locally sourced, wherever possible — in Ucluelet would be one such example, with a look at staff in other places also revealing just how many have been training & had their environmental aware attitudes instilled by the inspiring WI. The Pointe, the main WI eatery has seen many a chef pass through its kitchen. WI offers a number of eating venues. Likewise many who work in the hospitality industry in management & the front end. A visit to WI reveals how rooted these trainings & attitudes are in WI’s new generations of chefs, servers & others — those now keeping the long-held WI reputation in place. Also evident & passed on to many in all businesses is a concern for the environment, a concern that reaches back to the very first WI owner, & is as robust today among the family’s following generations, as it was at inception. WI’s attitude is one should not just see the world but while doing so help build it up to be a better place. It makes all aware that intention & impact review is crucial to this task. WI places a 1 pct sustainability fee, on guests, thereby making all co-stewards of the area, as it notes on its material posted on its website and which it distributes. One feels these attitudes are in the Tofino ether & many more now hold similar positions to WI. WI closes annually from the early start of the year until the first week of February to rebuild & maintain. This year it is closed from today, January 2, until noon on February 6, 2026. I have been inspired on every visit I have made to WI with family & friends, stretching to our first visit in the later 1990s. And this on all fronts - excellent service, imaginative dishes & astounding surrounds. Many more visits are in sight for me for 2026 when WI reopens on February 6. Posted by S Fuller

Only about 2.5 hours drive from Nanaimo, roads are generally good, but check with DriveBC website fo dlays and conditions in winter.

We enjoyed our stay in the Inn once again as we celebrated another anniversary. The staff are always so welcoming and nothing is too much trouble to please the guests. Th Inn boasts a high end restaurant and casual dining Bar with room service. This Inn can cater for you and your dog.

From the moment we arrived at The Wick’, you understood why it consistently ranks among the world's best. However, the personalized service provided for my wife’s birthday week elevated the experience our celebration from merely luxurious to absolutely magical. The true brilliance of The Wickaninnish lies in its anticipation of what will make a stay transcendent. A the thoughtful basket of hiking snacks, which trust me, are a godsend when exploring here, a personalized menu for her birthday dinner, the fact that every member of the staff knew it was her birthday, the house made chocolates, that specifically wished her happy birthday, and the list goes on. And all this through simply mentioning when I was reserving, that it was her birthday. The Wickaninnish creates moments. This was not just a hotel stay; it was an immaculately choreographed, deeply personal celebration that made my wife feel truly cherished. If We are already planning our return.

Stopped in for a drink and to check out this gorgeous establishment. I can say enough about this place...the view, the atmosphere, and the service. The staff were exceptional and served a glass of wine and a drink with the courtesy and flair that they would give someone who paid for the most expensive room in the place. The view of the rugged, wild, moody coast in November was exceptional. love, love, love.