After staying two weeks in Vancouver and Whistler, my husband, my 3-years-old child and I finally found a very friendly enviroment in Alert Bay Lodge. The managers, Marvin and Kathleen, are lovely people that made us feel as we were at home all time. I could have the best home-made breakfast of Canada, specially the coffee and hand made bread. Above all, for Andalusian people like us, it was wonderful having a very good meal, cooked with olive oil! No burguers, no pizzas but salmon, peas, baked potatoes, fresh salad and a delicious pie. The dining room has beautiful views, many books you can read there, toys for children and also a satellite tv and internet.
The island has a wonderful forest to walk that lead you to a lonely beach where we could see a minke whale very very close to us. It was absolutely exciting!

When life gets rough and all appears to be stress then this is exactly the place to be. The calming influence of the Lodge and it's managers, the effervescent Kathie and quiet, gentle Marv just makes things better. The views from the Lodge are serene, the peace eminating from the island is second to none. A wonderful, wonderful holiday. Thank you.

My friend Yoshi and I decided to take a trip to the northern end of Vancouver Island and spend a few days in Alert Bay. I had researched different accommodations. This one stood out originally because of the price. I wasn't expecting such an experience for $55 plus tax per night for a small room.

The room I was in was #2, The beds were comfortable and each night I slept like a rock. When you walk up to the lodge you instantly get a sense that this is going to be a fantastic place. The front room has a patio that sits you right above the ocean, giving you a view like no other. It is easy to sit there and forget about everything else in the world. It is also a good spot to see Ravens and Minke Whales roaming around. You must walk along the waterfront and see the treasures that mother nature washes up on the shores of the Bay. You will definitely find things that will make you say WOW.

We opened the front door and were immediately greeted by Marvin, Kathleen and there two adorable dogs - Peggy Sue and Radar. The four entertained us daily with stories of the area, giving us suggestions on what to do in Alert Bay, and in a sense, they had suddenly become our temporary family away from home. Our hosts continued to show their hospitality by offering a fantastic breakfast with fresh baked goods, coffee that is better than any coffee on the island, and conversation that is always aimed at ensuring that our experience at their lodge and in Alert Bay will be remembered in a good way forever. They made us dinner on Monday night (all restaurants are closed that evening in the Bay) - it consisted of baked potatoes, beans and best of all, Sockeye Salmon. $15 meal that would cost you an arm and a leg and possibly a toe anywhere else.

I am giving the thumbs up and then some to Alert Bay Lodge visitors. While the walls are a wee bit thin between the rooms, you will do enough hiking and touring around that you will fall asleep very easily. The only reason why one can ear things through the walls is because it is so peaceful and quiet outside. In fact, you could likely hear a pin drop it is that peaceful.

I can only say thank you to Kathleen and Marvin and the dog clan. I will definitely refer people there and hope to return for a visit soon.

My wife and I stayed at the Lodge for two nights in late April 2009. It was a very warm, friendly, comfortable kind of place, full of character. Everything was well organized and went off without a hitch. Our hosts were very hospitable and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. We will definitely stay there again and would have no trouble recommending it to any of our friends.

Jerry and Virginia Philipson, Comox, British Columbia, Canada