This secluded eco-friendly resort offers pristine surroundings and lots of privacy.
By: Tiffany Vazquez
Located 30 minutes by boat from the town of Tofino, British Columbia, the remote Clayoquot Wilderness Resort promises the ultimate in eco-friendly seclusion amid pristine surroundings. Perhaps this is why the fiercely private couple Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds chose to host their intimate wedding celebration here last September.
The resort’s accommodations consist of white canvas tents perched on raised wooden platforms and connected by cedarwood boardwalks. Inside the tents are wood-framed beds covered with cozy down duvets, and such antique furnishings as glass oil lamps and heirloom rugs, as well as wood-burning stoves. Of course, the 11 guest tents and suites also feature all the modern conveniences, including WiFi.
At the heart of this wilderness resort you’ll find the Library Tent and the Lounge Tent, gathering spaces outfitted with overstuffed chairs, and billiard, chess and game tables fashioned from dark woods, plus loads of hardcover books. For those who love the spa experience, the resort’s Healing Grounds, designed with a wraparound sun deck and comfy chairs, offer therapeutic massage, wood-fired hot tubs and a sauna, and revitalizing seawater baths.
A host of active adventures are available in the resort’s spectacular surroundings—whale watching, bear watching and fishing excursions, in addition to self-guided hikes through old-growth forests and dense fern gardens. Kayakers can try their luck at white-water paddling or opt for more serene ocean outings, which include stops at secluded inlets and hidden rocky coves. Mountain biking, horseback riding and archery instruction are also on the resort’s
activity menu.
Meals here reflect Clayoquot’s commitment to sustainability by highlighting fresh local ingredients. Guests might feast on Pacific smoked salmon eggs Benedict for breakfast and grilled Clayoquot Sound oyster chowder with oven-roasted venison and sweet potato flan for dinner. Vegetarians also score big with Chef Timothy May’s offerings: One favorite is roasted organic pear-and-parsnip soup with toasted hazelnut flan. You can choose to dine alone or, along with fellow guests, share a family-style table lit by antique lamps and dozens of candles (three-night all-inclusive packages start at about $3,800 per person and include a massage; wildretreat.com).
Photography: Courtesy of Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
