This New Canadian Resort Immerses Guests in the Outdoors — With Whale-watching, Golf, and Local Cuisine

At the junction of Strathcona Provincial Park and the shorelines of the Discovery Passage in Campbell River, Naturally Pacific Resort now rises.

After a full day of exploring the Butchart Gardens and hiking the trails surrounding the Malahat Skywalk with my daughter on our first-ever trip together, we happily accepted help with our luggage from a kind bellhop after pulling into the resort.

The Mailman family are fourth-generation Campbell River residents who have built homes and apartment buildings across Canada. The resort represents their first foray into boutique hotels and their commitment to community building. Designed in collaboration with Vancouver-based CHIL Interior Design, the property mirrors the natural contours of the surrounding forests, waterways, and elegant lines of the adjacent golf course.

Entering the building, lifesize photography featuring breathtaking vistas populates each wall. Local photographer Sean Schuster’s film images of the rushing waters at Myra Falls, snow-covered Mount Washington, and grizzlies hunting salmon in the Butte Inlet inspire excitement for the outdoor adventure that awaits me in Campbell River.

Before heading to the room, I meet with the concierge to book some experiences that are only available here. A Campbell River whale-watching tour offers the opportunity to view humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, and the rare Dall’s porpoises, sometimes mistaken for baby orcas. She also steers me to the People, Land, Water tour with the Homalco, an indigenous tribe native to this area who offer indigenous-led excursions to historic First Nations Village sites where I will have the opportunity to immerse in the rich traditions, language, and stories of the Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) people.

Chyanne Trenholm, general manager of Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours, added, “After a welcome in our language by your Indigenous guide, we head out on the Salish Sea toward Aupe, or Church House, the last village site of Homalco First Nation. Once you’re on the land, walking the trails and seeing the still-standing school is storytelling, sharing the area’s history, the culture we are working to reclaim, and flora and fauna. Often, the guide’s parents or grandparents grew up there. It’s emotional learning the true history of the area you’re visiting, told by us.”

Settled into my room, I pour us glasses of Road 13 Syrah, a British Columbia wine, and head out to the patio to watch the pop-up Aurora Borealis over the emerald fairways abutting the back of the hotel. Outdoor firepits blaze below as couples snuggle under cozy blankets and children play lifesize games of Connect Four and Chess, awaiting the once-in-a-lifetime night sky phenomena made possible by a historic solar storm this weekend.

Here is my review of Naturally Pacific Resort and how it’s adding accessibility to Campbell River’s bucket list wildlife and outdoor adventure story on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The Rooms

I stayed in a double queen room with panoramic golf course views flanked by snow-dusted Mount Washington. The 444-square-foot space afforded me a comfortable lounge area with a jade tweed couch, a round wooden side table, a coffee station with Nespresso machine, and a bar fridge. The sliding glass doors with floor-to-ceiling shale gray curtains open to a spacious patio overlooking the firepits and fairway. The rooms and suites, of which there are 100, have either king or queen beds with mountain or ocean views.

Each features design elements that call to the surrounding landscape, including textured wall coverings in blues and greens, earth-toned furnishings, stone counters and vanities, and minimalist accents. The third floor holds 12 pet-friendly rooms. Each is equipped with plush “Naturally Pawcific” Yeti dog beds and bowls and two full-service dog washing stations on either end of the floor.

Rooms range from the double queen ($465 per night) to the single king ($405 per night) to the executive suite ($585 per night). Rates fluctuate by season.

Food and Drink

A space with floor-to-ceiling windows, grey baffling that hinders sound and mimics the Campbell River, and a live plant wall houses Carve Kitchen & Meatery, the resort’s onsite restaurant. Executive Chef Ryan Watson roots around for menu inspiration in the 10,000-square-foot garden, apiary, and orchard on the property. He fills it out with a smattering of Vancouver Island farmers and makers, supporting local producers wherever possible.

They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner for guests and anyone else who wanders in. I indulged in a hearty bowl of steel-cut oats and fresh berries each morning, washed down with fresh-squeezed orange juice before heading out for my daily adventures. But dinner is where Watson shines. My daughter and I dined here on our last night, basking in all the whales we saw, the artists we met, and the unspoiled wilderness we explored. We started with the basil-compressed watermelon arranged on the plate with hunks of heirloom tomatoes, shavings of watermelon radish, stretchy burrata cheese, and bits of torn fresh basil. For some crunch, we ordered the OMG Onion Rings — the thick-cut, duck confit laced rings foiled perfectly with the daikon and carrot salad mounded on the side and the pool of 5-spice plum sauce below.

When you find yourself in the salmon fishing capital of the world, it’s only fitting to indulge in the local delicacy. The salmon filet, with its perfectly crisped skin, the charred broccolini, and the velvety chive and citrus beurre blanc studded with chili crunch, was a true ode to Campbell River’s culinary heritage.

Waiting for our chocolate layer cake with hazelnut paste (a sophisticated nutella flavor bomb, let’s be honest), I noticed a group of lively guests on the patio gathered around a locally hand-carved, live-edge harvest table, with a river of blue resin flowing down the center, another reminder of place.

Sated, I made my way to the bar. As sunset approached and lit up the surrounding skies and fairways with fiery pinks and golds, I ordered the drink made in homage to this nightly show, The Golden Hour. It arrives with a delicate smoke bubble enveloping the drink. A few seconds later, the bubble bursts, delivering a cloud of cinnamon scent, lighting up my senses. The bartender shares that they infuse local tequila (chosen for its golden color) with cinnamon onsite, fresh lemon foils, and spiced tequila to bring out all the flavors without hiding the tequila base. Creme du Violette calls to all the gentle violets growing around the property — a fitting send-off on my last night at Naturally Pacific Resort.

Activities and Amenities

I could tell you about the indoor heated pool that opens to the outside, the fitness facility, and the outdoor hot tub, but where this resort shines is in the local activities it offers guests.

To get a little flavor on my first day, the concierge booked me with Campbell River Whale Watching, northern Vancouver Island’s first carbon-neutral eco-tour company. After a short safety breaching, we embarked on our journey through remote passages, active tidal zones, and sheltered inlets. Eyes peeled, we spotted our first pod of orcas just 10 minutes in. Soon, they were joined by a second, a pod of Southern Residents, an endangered species. Because of their status, our captain hailed all other boats to stay away, and we shut our motor off to let them pass. But they were not interested in leaving. Instead, they frolicked and jumped from the water for the next 30 minutes.

Sharing those moments with my Marine Biologist daughter capstoned an incredible trip. Though we saw abundant sea lions, Dall’s porpoises, a black bear, and countless other wildlife, it was that pocket of time, bundled in winter coats and scarves out in the frosty wind, I will remember most vividly. The company specializes in educational nature tours designed to minimize environmental impact while providing opportunities to view whales, grizzly bears, and wilderness kayaking while sharing local history and attractions.

The property also works with Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours for experiences led by Indigenous guides. They offer six tours that center on whales, bears, and culture. Over the past 20 years, Homalco has guided these tours in partnership with private luxury resorts and some local operators. Still, in 2021, they decided to run the tours from start to finish, making these once-in-a-lifetime experiences available and affordable for everyone.

Trenholme added, “This year, we introduced a tour in collaboration with Klahoose First Nation at Toba Inlet for grizzly and cultural experience. It is the first of its kind.”

Also on the horizon are wheelchair-accessible electric hybrid boats built by the Homalco tribe, but for now, looking out over the Butte inlet landscape of mountains and ocean, hearing just the sound of birds chittering and waves crashing, and working with cedar strips to make a bracelet that embodies the history and culture of the people of fast-running water provides an emotional experience connecting visitors to this place, in this moment.

Adjacent to the resort, Campbell River Golf Club has an 18-hole, par-71 resort-style course with the longest par five on Vancouver Island. It is also scheduled to be a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. The Velocity Driving Range, an immersive virtual golf experience that employs technology from Toptracer and is appealing to beginners and seasoned players. The Velocity Lounge offers a diverse cocktail list, a menu of shareable dishes, and multiple seating vignettes.

As general manager Justin Stevens said, “Velocity is like a bowling alley for golf with a wide selection of local beers and ciders, and unique tower cocktails and sodas that serve up to six people.

Across the pavement sits Elements, stocked with all the golf supplies you might need, lifestyle apparel, and locally crafted products.

The Spa

Just off the hotel’s lobby sits Immersion Spa & Wellness. After a full day hiking Elk Falls trails, my daughter and I beeline for the custom, oversized mineral pool for a soak, followed by a refreshing Experience shower where chromotherapy, aqua therapy, aromatherapy, and sound combine to soothe away all the soreness of the day.

Lights throughout can be adjusted for maximum relaxation, and treatments inspired by local botany populate the spa menu. Some options include forest Therapy pedicures, full-body freshwater and mud masks and wraps, and natural antioxidant facials utilizing local ingredients. Also on site is a full-service salon and a suite of body services ranging from grounding rituals to full-body detox.

Family-friendly Offerings

Beyond the Campbell River Golf Club sitting at the borders of the resort with its Trackman-driven Golf Academy and lessons for all ages and ability levels, lifesize versions of Connect Four and chess, along with cornhole boards, dot the lawn outside the pool, ready for a rousing game with the whole family.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Three king-sized rooms are ADA-compliant. There are also elevators on each floor, accessible entrances, and service animals are welcome throughout the property.

Sustainability initiatives go beyond eliminating plastic water bottles at this property. Naturally Pacific Resort teamed with Wilderness International so when you decline housekeeping, 1 square meter of protected rainforest is purchased in the guest’s name. The guest is given a geocode to view the area. They compost food waste, have onsite recycling, have a sod garden they use to build out and refurbish holes on the golf course rather than buying, and partner with many local artisans for decor and hotel offerings. One of their most revolutionary steps is tracking waste to ensure they are moving towards the lowest carbon footprint possible.

Location

With the shores of the Salish Sea and the foothills of Strathcona Provincial Park bookending Campbell River, you’ll want a rental car to explore the area’s hiking trails, waterfalls, and outdoor adventures. There is no large international airport in Campbell River, so getting to this unspoiled area takes some planning. If you are coming from a Canadian destination, you can fly into Victoria, British Columbia, and either pick up a rental car and drive the picturesque three hours along the coast or hop on a short flight to Campbell River Airport, just nine miles from Naturally Pacific Resort.

If you arrive from a U.S. destination or beyond, you will likely need to hop through one of the larger airports like Vancouver International and either take a seaplane, get a short connecting flight to Campbell River, or rent a car and ferry over to Vancouver Island.

Elk Falls Provincial Park beckons with old-growth forests and an iconic suspension bridge, Discovery Passage — the salmon fishing capital of the world — bursts with angling opportunities, and Kwakwaka’wakw Master Carver Bill Henderson carves traditional totem poles and potlaches in a studio open to the public. Check out our Vancouver Island Getaway Guide for all the tide pools teeming with marine life beyond walking distance from the hotel.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Currently, no packages are offered, but stay-and-play opportunities that include golf and wellness options are coming soon.