When it comes to spending time away with my sweetie, romantic getaways on Vancouver Island have always been on the top of my list.
There are just so many romantic places on Vancouver Island to choose from! From the great resorts in Vancouver Island to romantic Tofino getaways to some of the best places to stay on Vancouver Island, there really is something for everyone. There are cheap Vancouver Island getaways to British Columbia luxury resorts, and every price point for romantic Vancouver Island getaways is covered too.
From the southern end of Vancouver Island where you’ll find some great romantic places to stay in Victoria to the northern tip with excellent British Columbia destinations, there is romance lurking all over Vancouver Island :-). I dare say that Vancouver Island may be as romantic a destination as Paris 🙂
Vancouver Island is the ideal destination for nature lovers and the perfect place to disconnect from the stress of everyday life. Plan your Vancouver Island romantic getaway and find out where to stay on Vancouver Island to rekindle that spark or light that fire!
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Where is Vancouver Island?
Vancouver Island is in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and is the western-most part of Canada, in the province of British Columbia.
The Island is 460 kilometres long (290 miles) and 100 kilometres (62 miles) wide with a population of over 775,000. Vancouver Island has the warmest climate in Canada. The largest city on Vancouver Island is Victoria, which is the capital of British Columbia. Other larger towns on Vancouver Island are Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Parksville (with some great romantic resorts on Vancouver Island), Courtenay and Campbell River.
Vancouver Island is across the Straight of Georgia from mainland British Columbia, a distance of approximately 18.5 kilometres (11.5 miles).
Vancouver Island was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Kwakiutl, the Nuu-chah-nulth and the Coast Salish. Many Indigenous people continue to live on Vancouver Island.
How to Get To Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is well-connected to the mainland of British Columbia by British Columbia ferry services. It’s also well connected to other parts of North America by air transport.
To get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver, you can take BC Ferries to either Victoria or Nanaimo.
Many airlines fly direct to Victoria International Airport on Vancouver Island, including Air Canada, WestJet, Alaska, Air North, Flair and Pacific Coastal Airlines.
The inner harbour of Victoria is also serviced by seaplane and helicopter from Vancouver by Harbour Air and Helijet Airways. There’s no quicker way to get to Victoria from Vancouver than by Helijet (20 minutes!)
Tips for a Great Romantic BC Getaway
Vancouver Island is celebrated for its great natural beauty and outdoors pursuits. Get outside and walk, hike and celebrate the beauty of your couples retreat on Vancouver Island.
If you’re looking for a bargain, book outside of high season. Summers are particularly popular on Vancouver Island so prices tend to be higher at that time. Try to align your romantic getaway on Vancouver Island with a meaningful date for you, like your anniversary or a birthday.
Pack light. Don’t burden yourself with heavy bags. Use a small wheeled backpack and don’t forget your essential travel accessories.
Get to know the area around your hotel. Exploring new areas is a great way to reconnect with your sweetheart and to create new memories.
Book a room or suite with a great view. There’s no better ending to a romance-filled day than to watch the sunset on Vancouver Island.
Romantic Getaways on Vancouver Island
Romantic Places to Stay in Victoria
A holiday in Victoria BC is a great choice for couples looking to get away and enjoy all that this great small city has to offer. Victoria is easy and quick to get to from Vancouver and there are a lot of choices for where to stay in Victoria.
When thinking about places to stay in Victoria, BC, consider what kind of accommodation will suit you best. Whether you’re looking for a cheap romantic weekend getaway to Victoria, a romantic beach getaway to Victoria, or an all inclusive in Victoria, BC, Victoria BC lodging is varied enough so there is something to suit you perfectly. There are always Victoria BC lodging specials to look for too.
Fairmont Empress Hotel
For the best romantic accommodation in Victoria, there’s no better choice for places to go on Vancouver Island than the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel.
Renowned as a romantic getaway on Vancouver Island for more than 111 years, this newly restored and renovated property will allow you to indulge all of your romantic dreams with its heavenly setting and luxurious touches. The Fairmont Empress Hotel is recognized as one of the Top 21 Iconic Hotels in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Located in the heart of downtown Victoria at the Inner Harbour, the Empress Hotel is one of the most romantic places in Canada. With the fantastic Willow Stream Spa (don’t miss the chamomile sugar scrub or the couples side by side massage) and excellent Pacific Northwest cuisine right in the hotel, you really can’t go wrong.
The rooms and suites at the Empress Hotel are very impressive and the beds are super-comfortable. Staying at the Empress feels like you’ve stepped back in time to a more elegant era :-).
I think the Fairmont Empress Hotel is one of the best places to stay on Vancouver Island.
| Amenities: | Willow Stream Spa, health club, indoor heated pool & whirlpool, many dining options |
| Best For: | Couples who want a luxurious romantic getaway in a beautiful and vibrant city |
| Star Rating: | 4 stars out of 5 |
| Romance Factor: | 4.7 ♥ out of 5, for elegant atmosphere, charming location and multiple amenities. |
Check the latest prices for a romantic Vancouver Island getaway at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
Magnolia Hotel & Spa – Victoria
If your idea of a romantic getaway on Vancouver Island tends more toward a boutique hotel experience, the Magnolia Hotel is the perfect place to stay on Vancouver Island.
Situated in the heart of the downtown Victoria, the Magnolia was voted the Top City Hotel in Canada by Travel & Leisure magazine. With just 64 elegant rooms, this cozy hotel offers outstanding elegance and romance with two poster beds, floor to ceiling windows and large soaker tubs.
The Magnolia has some of the most beautiful rooms in Victoria with a variety of great views including harbour, city and views of the beautiful Parliament Building in Victoria.
I love the location of the Magnolia. It’s in a relatively quiet area but is still close enough to walk to all of Victoria’s attractions. The service at the Magnolia is impeccable – we’ve always found the staff very personable and friendly. The Magnolia Hotel is a great Vancouver Island getaway and a perfect choice for a British Columbia honeymoon.
| Amenities: | Spa Magnolia, The Courtney Room fine dining, Fitness Centre |
| Best For: | Couples who enjoy a boutique hotel experience who enjoy the buzz of downtown |
| Star Rating: | 5 stars out of 5 |
| Romance Factor: | 4.6 ♥ out of 5, for super-comfy rooms, great privacy and exceptional service |
Check the latest prices for a romantic BC getaway at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa.
Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa
Located just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria, Brentwood Bay is on the pristine Saanich Inlet and is home to one of the best resorts on Vancouver Island.
Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa is a great location for a romantic getaway with a quiet location in a cute little town. The resort is right next to the Brentwood Bay ferry terminal, and you can take the ferry across to Mill Bay and up Vancouver Island from there, bypassing the Malahat Highway.
Every guest at the Brentwood Bay Resort is personally greeted by a friendly staff member with a glass of sea cider – a delicious treat! The rooms are spacious with a great resort-style ambiance. Some rooms have fireplaces, which can be very cozy and romantic on chilly nights. The views of Brentwood Bay are simply stunning.
One of the great advantages of staying at this property is its proximity to Butchart Gardens, one of the best attractions on Vancouver Island. It’s a quick 7 minute drive away! There are so many romantic things to do at Butchart Gardens, but my favourite is going after dark to see all the beautiful gardens illuminated. It’s a really magical place at night.
| Amenities: | Spa, Marina, Brentwood Bay Pub, Dining Room, Art Gallery featuring local artists |
| Best for: | Couples looking for a beautiful setting on the water |
| Star rating: | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Romance Factor: | 4 ♥ out of 5, for cozy atmosphere and good privacy. |
Check the latest price on a getaway in BC for couples at Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa.
Romantic Places to Stay on Vancouver Island – Mid-Island
Sooke Harbour House Resort & Spa
Sooke Harbour House Resort Hotel is one of the best resorts in BC. It is certainly one of the best known and most-loved resorts in British Columbia.
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Olympic Mountains, this beautiful resort boasts direct beach access, with 28 uniquely-styled rooms to suit every taste. The rooms and suites vary in size and theme and include a variety of bed types including loft beds. Most rooms have excellent in -room tubs with some jacuzzi tubs and steam showers as well as wood-burning fireplaces. Some of the tubs are on balconies and patios! Who doesn’t love a beautiful hot bath outside on a cool day with a gorgeous view and a glass of wine?
Every room comes with a decanter of blackberry port. All the rooms at the resort were renovated in 2016.
The dining room at Sooke Harbour House is award-winning and worth the stay alone. With a focus on local, natural and sustainable Canadian food, the food is simply to-die for. My favourite memory of dining at Sooke Harbour House was enjoying a beautiful salad garnished with edible flowers picked from the gardens on the property at my daughter’s wedding. Yes, Sooke Harbour House is so romantic that my daughter had her wedding and reception there!
There’s an excellent afternoon tea at Sooke Harbour House, served by the sea. It’s an experience like no other. It’s worth knowing that the excellent dining room is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from mid-October to the end of May. The resort is pet-friendly too!
| Amenities: | Spa, art gallery, whale watching, kayaking, fishing, ziplining, geo-caching. |
| Best For: | Adventurous and outdoorsy couples who appreciate gourmet dining and a beautiful West Coast setting |
| Star Rating: | 4 stars out of 5 |
| Romance Factor: | 4.6 ♥ out of 5, for the beautiful setting and excellent dining experience. |
Check the latest prices for getaways on Vancouver Island at Sooke Harbour House.
Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa
I’ve stayed at this romantic resort on Vancouver Island so often that it feels like my second home!
Located just outside Courtenay in the mid-Island area, the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa is one of the great Vancouver Island resorts for couples and exactly as the name suggests – one of the best resorts in British Columbia, complete with breathtaking ocean views. We’ve frequently seen otters and whales frolicking from our rooms!
The rooms at this top resort on Vancouver Island have recently been renovated and are modern and stunning. Some rooms overlook the serenity gardens but the best are the Beachfront suites and ocean view rooms. There’s nothing for igniting romance like the sound of waves crashing on the ocean ♥ .
The star of the show at the Kingfisher is the Spa. Honestly, I love the spa so much that on my visits, my spa robe is my go-to garment :-). The Kingfisher has amazing spa packages, most of which include the absolutely divine Pacific Mist Hydropath. Just imagine the experience of going from pool to pool, each experience different from the last, to finish at the amazing waterfall massage with your sweetheart. The relaxation is amazing.
The spa treatments at the Kingfisher are uniformly excellent. We usually pick one day to spend entirely at the spa and fully immerse ourselves in the experience. It’s one of the best spa resorts on Vancouver Island.
Dining at the Kingfisher is a great experience too. There’s been a recent renovation to the restaurant building at the resort and there is now two places to dine – the Aqua Bistro & Wine Bar and the Ocean7 Restaurant. We’ve had quite a few romantic dinners at Ocean7 overlooking the ocean with it’s amazing wildlife as well as passing boats and sea planes. I can’t wait to try the new Aqua Bistro.
The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa is the perfect resort for your Canadian honeymoon package, and is one of the best spas in BC.
| Amenities: | Great variety of rooms & suites, ocean views, amazing spa, yoga on site, 2 dining venues |
| Best For: | Couples looking for the ultimate relaxing and romantic experience, who appreciate fine dining too\ |
| Star Rating: | 4 stars out of 5 |
| Romance Factor: | 4.8 ♥ out of 5 – for being my favourite place for a romantic getaway on Vancouver Island. |
Check the latest prices for your BC romantic getaway at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa.
Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort
Located in Parksville, just 37 kilometres north of Nanaimo, this sheltered oceanside community has a great variety of romantic destinations including my favourite getaway on Vancouver Island, Tigh-Na-Mara.
Tigh-Na-Mara (Gaelic for “House by the Sea”) has been around for more than 70 years and has many devoted guests who return year after year and for good reasons! With 22 acres of tranquil West Coast forest and 3 kilometres of a shallow sandy beach with the warmest ocean swimming in Canada, Tigh-Na-Mara is paradise found. The beach is a tidal flat beach where the tide goes out almost one kilometre, leaving small pools that heat up in the sun.
There’s a ton of outdoor recreation opportunities at Tigh-Na-Mara, in summer or winter. The beach and all of its attractions is the best summer activity, plus there’s also mountain biking, sports courts, and a fitness centre and sauna. Tigh-Na-Mara also has great programs for kids and teens, if you’re there with your family. It’s definitely one of the best beach resorts in Canada.
Tigh-Na-Mara is the perfect romantic winter getaway in BC in large part because of the most romantic cabins on Vancouver Island. They look and feel like little log cabins and are super cozy with a private deck. Some also have wood-burning fireplaces.
There’s a great restaurant/lounge at Tigh-Na-Mara that features fresh seafood with a seasonal menu.
Of course, there’s also an award-winning spa, the Grotto. Another dining option is part of the spa and it’s really unique and interesting. On the 3rd floor there is a Treetop Tapas restaurant where “endless” tapas is served, but only to guests in spa robes!
In terms of BC resorts and spas, Tigh-Na-Mara is definitely at or near the top of the list! It’s one of my favourite spa getaways on Vancouver Island.
| Amenities: | Grotto Spa, enormous sandy beach, sport courts, mountain biking, indoor pool and sauna, 2 restaurants |
| Best For: | Couples who would enjoy a beach-front rustic setting |
| Star Rating: | 4 stars out of 5 |
| Romance Factor: | 4.7 ♥ out of 5, because that beach is amazing |
Getaways on Vancouver Island – West Coast
The rugged west coast of Vancouver Island is an amazing place to visit. From the twisting drive from Port Alberni through Cathedral Grove to the stunning villages of Tofino and Ucluelet, there’s no better place to showcase the amazing nature of British Columbia.
The easiest way to get to the west coast of Vancouver Island is to take the BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. Tofino or Ucluelet is an easy 3-hour drive from Nanaimo. Don’t rush it though – admire the gorgeous scenery along the way and don’t forget to stop in Cathedral Grove – it’s amazing.
Long Beach Lodge
On the wild west coast of Vancouver Island is the surfing capital of Canada – Tofino. Long Beach Lodge & Resort is one of the most romantic Tofino getaways you can imagine, situated as it is on a huge sandy beach where you can enjoy the wild Pacific surf.
With both rooms in the lodge and private cottages, this exceptionally romantic place to stay is a great choice. Make no mistake: don’t expect to rough it at Long Beach Lodge. This is a luxury boutique hotel constructed to resemble a grand West Coast style residence. It evokes feelings of warmth and familiarity.
What I really love about Long Beach Lodge is the great room. There’s a massive granite fireplace and the room is filled with over-stuffed chairs and cozy sofas, perfect for curling up in. The room is encircled with windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean. If you visit during storm-watching season (from November to March), you’ll be able to watch the storms from the Great Room, up close and personal but with huge panes of glass between you and the storm!
Storm watching is a real draw in Tofino and neighbouring Ucluelet. Because the coast is so exposed with no land mass between the coast and Japan, the wind builds up and creates waves that roll in at up to 20 feet in height. It’s amazing to witness and the perfect romantic BC winter getaway. Tofino truly is one of the best places to visit in British Columbia.
While you’re in Tofino, check out Dani’s great tips for some Tofino must-do’s.
| Amenities: | Great room, SandBar Bistro, Yoga classes, surfing |
| Best for: | Adventurous couples with a taste for dramatic waves and walks on the beach |
| Star Rating: | 4.5 stars out of 5 |
| Romance Factor: | 4.9 ♥ out of 5 because there’s no better reason for snuggling than when watching storms |
Check the latest price for a stay at one of the most romantic places in BC at Long Beach Lodge
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Just down the road from Tofino is Ucluelet, home to the extraordinary Black Rock Oceanfront Resort and the perfect couples retreat on Vancouver Island.
The Black Rock is arguably even better for your storm watching retreat than Long Beach Lodge. Nestled against the awe-inspiring Pacific Ocean, the Black Rock Resort is architecturally stunning, with rock, water, glass, steel and wood elements. Huge windows allow for stunning ocean front views from almost every room. It’s a great couples resort in Canada.
The Black Rock has studio, premium and one-bedroom suites, all with luxury amenities and unobstructed ocean views. There’s gas fireplaces, balconies and eco-inspired bath amenities. It’s also pet friendly so you don’t have to leave your beloved pooch at home.
There’s so much to do at the Black Rock. Spend time beachcombing or go on a zipline tour. There’s fishing, adventure tours, kayaking and of course, surfing. Pacific Rim National Park is close by with its stunning lush and ancient rainforest. The Black Rock is also the perfect location for whale watching season. Tours leave from Barclay Sound to see gray, humpback and Orcas migrating and feeding, from February through April.
There’s also a great spa at Black Rock, complete with an outdoor hot tub and a plunge pool.
A word about surfing: there are many surf schools available to teach new surfers in both Ucluelet and Tofino. Don’t be afraid to try it! Wet suits are provided by the schools and the instructors are great.
| Amenities: | great choice of suites, amazing ocean views, spa, artisan dining, surfing |
| Best For: | Couples who love the sound of the surf and who love to explore the outdoor wilderness around them. |
| Star Rating: | 4 stars out of 5 |
| Romance Factor: | 4.6 ♥ out of 5 – for being surrounded by the amazing beauty of nature and the sound of the ocean. |
Check the latest price of this cool place to stay on Vancouver Island – the Black Rock Resort & Spa
I’ve stayed at the Empress a number of times, it’s such a great page but haven’t been to the others. I was recently in Tofino which I love, but would like to check out more of Vancouver Island. I’m a big fan of the winter island getaways. Just a cabin in the middle of nowhere to really take a break.
Thanks for your comment, Emma 🙂 I couldn’t agree more – the storm watching getaways are the best for a winter break!
Oh my, this looks absolutly amazing!
if it wasent so far away from me, I bould book it right now 🙂
Cheers from Stockholm Sweden 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Ann 🙂 Stockholm is so beautiful too!
All of these resorts look wonderful. I’ve been to Vancouver island for a kayaking symposium and loved it. So beautiful. I would love to go back for some spa time! The Kingfisher sounds fantastic.
Thanks for your comment, Ann 🙂 I really love the Kingfisher – the spa is soooooo good and it’s such a lovely, relaxing time there.