The Best Galiano Island Accommodation for a Weekend Getaway

The quirky and artistic island of Galiano is the perfect nature escape. Although remote, it can be reached by a direct one-hour ferry from Tsawwassen making it the ideal location to get away from the city for the weekend.

Galiano Island has many unique places to stay that provide an authentic west coast island experience. From charming boutique hotels to cozy B&Bs, we list the best Galiano Island accommodation, each for a unique reason.

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Best Accommodation on Galiano Island Best hotel for rustic vibes Best hotel for ocean views Best luxury hotel 5 Best B&Bs to experience the islander way of life

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Best hotel for rustic vibes: Bodega Ridge

If you are looking for rustic island vibes, Bodega Ridge is the place to be. The boutique hotel has seven log cabins, situated on 22 acres and down on the water at Bodega Cove. The cabins are well designed with a cozy chic interior and cedar deck. It's a great place for groups or families as some of the cabins fit up to six people.

The onsite Baja-inspired restaurant called Tranquilo is delicious and a must try. The head chef came from Dirty Apron and Bao Bei, two prominent eateries in Vancouver. The setting feels magical with the fairy lights and outdoor wooden picnic tables. Don't miss out on their kombucha cocktails and fish tacos.

Hotel Drawbacks:

One thing you will want to consider when staying at Bodega Ridge is the location. It's a 27 minute drive away from the main centre and ferry terminal and a 20 minute drive away from Montague Harbour. This will make drives longer if you wish to explore some of the main sights. However, if you're looking for a remote experience, Bodega Ridge is a great choice.

Best hotel for ocean views: Oceanfront Inn & Spa

The Oceanfront Inn & Spa sits on the shore of Sturdies Bay and has serene ocean views. The boutique hotel is only a 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal, making it a great place to stay if you don't want to take a car on the ferry. The hotel offers Smart Car rentals, making exploring the island a breeze. The car rental rate is $45 CAD for four hours or $80 CAD for 8 hours.

The Madrona del Mar Spa is excellent with its skilled therapists and relaxing Mediterranean feel. After you're done getting your massage you can sit outside with a tea and enjoy peaceful views of the ocean and flowers around you.

Stop in at their oceanfront pizza patio, La Lena, for lunch. They serve unique pizzas such as a curry chicken pizza, roasted yam pizza and duck confit pizza. There is an onsite restaurant called Atrevida, however we found that there are better spots on the island.

Hotel Drawbacks:

The hotel is lacking with its service and attention to detail in the rooms. Part of this may be due to the ongoing pandemic, however the staff seemed almost absent. I called to get my spa robe and I couldn't get a hold of anyone for an hour. I even went down to the lobby and no one was there. Luckily, 5 minutes before my massage, I was able to get a hold of someone to get my robe in time.

The rooms have ocean views and a wood-burning fireplace, however they are missing key details for the price they charge. For example, there were two different coloured lightbulbs in each one of our bedside lamps, one being a warm colour and the other being a bright cool colour that you would see in an office. The rooms felt slightly unwelcoming with their cold features.

If you're looking for a more luxurious stay and attentive staff, we recommend Woodstone Manor which is coming up next on our list. If you're looking for a place close to the ferry with a great spa and ocean views, Oceanfront Inn is a good choice.

See rates for Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa

Best luxury hotel: Woodstone Manor

Woodstone Manor is a newer boutique hotel on Galiano Island with forest and countryside views. The attention to detail and service is excellent. The rooms are warm and spacious with a heritage vibe. The beds are very comfortable and each room comes with spa robes and slippers.

Sitting on the terrace for breakfast is a delight as you have beautiful views of the farm next door, which is home to retired racehorses. The fine dining restaurant serves tasty European-inspired cuisine.

On the second floor there is a games room, which was our favourite room in the hotel. It's super cozy with the fireplace and big comfy couches and chairs. There is a stack of board games you can choose from.

The hotel is located a 5 minute drive away from the main centre and ferry terminal. It's also only a 10 minute walk away from the Hummingbird Pub. We had a few drinks at the locals pub and then walked back to the manor to play board games.

Hotel drawbacks:

If you are looking for west coast island vibes, you may not get it here as the decor has a colonial England type of feel. If you're looking for something that feels cozy luxe however, this is a great spot to pick.

If you are keen on having ocean views, note that the hotel sits on a wooded acreage with countryside views.

See rates for Woodstone Manor

5 Best B&Bs on Galiano Island to experience the islander way of life

To help with your accommodation decisions, we have rounded up some of the best B&Bs on Galiano Island, each for a unique reason.

1. Best for a romantic getaway: Eagles Nest Retreat

What makes this B&B special: The Eagles Nest Retreat is an intimate cabin located in Collinson Point Provincial Park. The cabin has a lot of character and includes access to an outdoor hot tub with gorgeous 180 degree views of the ocean. It's the perfect place to spend a romantic weekend. You can pick herbs from the garden and cook a romantic dinner, sit in the cottage chairs overlooking the ocean or relax in the hammock. The cabin also has great access to hiking. You can hike directly to The Top of the World, Active Pass, Bluff Park or Phillimore Point.

• ⭐ rating: 4.92 (300+ reviews)
• Minimum stay: 3 night minimum

Check out rates for the Eagles Nest Retreat

2. Best to watch marine life: Orca Bay Retreat

What makes this B&B special: Orca Bay Retreat is a private escape with spectacular ocean views of Active Pass, an active marine channel where you can spot whales, eagles, seals and otters. It has two bedrooms with queen-sized beds and french-door walkouts making it ideal for two couples. Outside you will find a deck with outdoor seating, a BBQ and a lawn with cottage chairs overlooking the water.

Orca Bay Retreat is a 10 minute drive away from Sturdies Bay and the main hub Galiano.

• ⭐ rating: 5 (50+ reviews)
• Minimum stay: 2 night minimum

Check out rates for The Orca Bay Retreat

3. Best for an off-the-grid experience: Rustic Cabin in the Woods

What makes this B&B special: Rustic Cabin in the Woods is a super cozy cabin nestled in the forest with a rustic island feel. It's the perfect spot for a seculded nature escape. The cabin is only 200 sq.ft., making it a great way to experience the tiny house movement. A wooden ladder leads you to a loft where you will find the bedroom. Play board games by the floor-to-ceiling window, have a campfire outside in the firepit or take a 20-minute walk to Retreat Cove, a hidden sandstone cave. Something important to note is that the shower and toilet are located outside of the cabin.

• ⭐ rating: 4.8 (350+ reviews)
• Minimum stay: 2 night minimum

Check out rates for Rustic Cabin in the Woods

4. Best for a weekend away with friends: Waterfront Escape on Galiano Island

What makes this B&B special: The Waterfront Escape is an extraordinary spot for a tranquil getaway with your friends. The house is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean and can accommodate up to 6 people. With 200° of ocean views you will have marvellous sunsets. The detached boathouse is set up like a yoga studio and also has incredible sea views. Do yoga with your friends in the morning, suntan on the large infinity daybed, have dinner outside on the wooden table or cozy up by the fire in the living room at night time.

• ⭐ rating: 4.7/5 (3+ reviews)
• Minimum stay: 3 night minimum

Check out rates for Waterfront Escape on Galiano Island

5. Best within walking distance to town & the ferry: Waterfront Staycation

What makes this place special: Although the Waterfront Staycation is close to the main centre, it feels off the beaten path with its serene oceanfront views of Whaler Bay. Whaler Bay has calm water, making it ideal for water sports like kayaking or SUP boarding. The large 300 sq.ft. deck is a wonderful spot to have a glass of wine or barbecue and admire the views.

• ⭐ rating: 4.8 (50+)
• Minimum stay: 2 night minimum

Check rates for Waterfront Staycation

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Start planning your trip to Galiano Island

• 🌊 Fun Activties: see our list of the 10 top things to do on Galiano
• 🍴 Restaurants: see our list of the 8 best restaurants on the island
• ⛴ Book your ferry: BC Ferries
• 🚗 Car rental: see Rentalcars.com to compare car rental prices across different companies.
• 🏥 Travel insurance: World Nomads. Already traveling? You can purchase insurance with World Nomads while you're abroad. A 48-hour waiting period just applies for coverage.

You should also consider visiting the bohemian island of Salt Spring along the ferry route. We list 21 fun things to do on this free-spirited island.

Looking for an oceanfront glamping experience? Check out our review of luxury camping on Hornby Island at Fossil Beach Farm.

Planning a trip around BC? See our full list of the top 17 getaways from Vancouver.

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