Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is part of the Baillie Lodges family of experiential luxury lodges. The Baillie Lodges experience embraces the luxury of travel and is about connection with the landscape, its culture and wildlife, a celebration of superb regional cuisine and luxurious lodgings. It offers a genuine sense of place, a union of sights, scents and tastes that immerses guests in their surrounds. Guest itineraries are tailor-made, creating a personal, lasting connection with the destination. A stay with Baillie Lodges offers time to reconnect with the people and places that matter most.
The sights and sounds of Vancouver Island’s wild west coast are welcomed into the 25 luxury canvas guest tents which line the ocean shores and dot the ancient growth forest, a tribute to the pioneering pursuits of the turn-of-the-century prospectors with contemporary comforts and custom furnishings. A stone’s throw away lies Clayoquot Sound, surrounded by coastal landscapes and towering forests where a swag of adventures awaits.
Located on the foreshore of Clayoquot Sound and welcoming magnificent views of its vast oceanic wilderness, The Cookhouse is the hub of dining, drinking and lounging. The restaurant features an open kitchen promising coal-face style theatre and a daily-changing menu of locally sourced sustainable produce. Generous lounging flows to the decks outside, a perfect spot to relax and drink in the views. In the evenings an outdoor fire draws in guests for s’mores and shared stories.
Named for Clayoquot’s vintage tugboat, the SS Ivanhoe, the bar rests at the shore edge where the Bedwell River spills into the Pacific Ocean. The Ivanhoe features floor-to-ceiling glass welcoming in views of the sound as wildlife including bears, eagles, blue herons, otters, and seals go about their business. Inside, guests lounge with handcrafted cocktails in suede armchairs warmed by the fireplace. A menu of canapés and bar snacks complements premium wines, craft beers and small-batch spirits.
The lodge’s hub for dining, lounging and recreation, The Outpost is centrally located near the Bedwell Bridge and comprises The Cookhouse and adjoining dining and games tents, the pick-up point for water sports equipment including kayaks and canoes and the meeting point for guided tours. A fitness centre is also nearby for guest use.
The Healing Grounds Spa is a serene sanctuary perched on the water’s edge where the rainforest meets the rhythmic currents of river and ocean. Rejuvenating treatments feature marine botanicals along with glacial clay sea salts and pure forest essences hand harvested in British Columbia. A wood-fired sauna provides restorative warmth, while the deep hot tubs are the perfect post-adventure tonic with spectacular views by day and starlit views to the heavens by night.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge has been awarded Three MICHELIN Keys, one of just two lodges in Canada to hold the honour. It’s the highest recognition in the MICHELIN Guide’s newly expanded hotel selection, an international benchmark for unique hospitality, distinctive character, warm welcome and exceptional service. View our listing
Baillie Lodges took the reins at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in time for the 2021 season, working with KSL Capital Partners. The remarkable Australia-based lodges in the Baillie Lodges portfolio are Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest and The Louise in the Barossa Valley. These lodges are complemented by Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in Canada, Huka Lodge in New Zealand and Tierra Patagonia and Tierra Atacama in Chile.
Baillie Lodges has started on a three-year plan to align Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge with its luxury lodges around the world, commencing with refurbishment of its 25 luxury tents to lead with a more contemporary vibe in 2021. A second phase followed in the 2023 season, including a makeover for The Cookhouse and guest facilities. James and Hayley Baillie believe Clayoquot is a natural fit for the Baillie Lodges family as the most remote and wild addition to the collection to date.
Founder Richard Genovese dreamed of a place where guests could unwind, reconnect with loved ones and immerse themselves in the wild. His vision was realised when he bought land at Clayoquot Sound, and the 600-acre lodge opened in 2000 as Canada’s premiere eco-safari lodge. Richard tragically died in 2017 following a battle with cancer. KSL Capital Partners purchased the property in 2019, with a view to uphold Richard’s vision and protect the ecosystem in which the lodge is set.
In an ode to Clayoquot Sound’s bygone era as a goldmining settlement, prospector-style tents are furnished with contemporary interiors to complement locally made textiles and artworks from First Nations artisans to provide an opulent retreat. Baillie Lodges signature clean lines, generous appointments, pared back, refined luxury and end-of-the-bed views evoke a personal connection with the Vancouver Island landscape.
The Baillie Lodges environmental commitment is best expressed by each lodge’s interaction with its local natural and cultural surroundings.
A stay on single-use plastic is in place across the property, and wherever possible opt for glass and stainless-steel bottles and canvas tote bags. Straws are not used at all. Amenities in guest tents are presented in refillable glass and stainless-steel vessels.
The provision of educational information is fundamental to guest experiences at Clayoquot. Guides share their knowledge to raise awareness around such themes as environmental protection and ecological impact mitigation – crucial in ensuring longevity of the natural world.
Clayoquot’s culinary program uses as many locally produced organic ingredients as possible, all of which are sourced from British Columbia – and always from Clayoquot Sound if available. An extensive kitchen garden and greenhouse produces organic fresh greens, vegetables and herbs.
Since 2001, Clayoquot has worked to help regenerate the declining salmon population by creating new spawning habitat on the property and restoring native stocks to river systems. A keystone species, the lodge is passionate about safeguarding the future of wild salmon.
The Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge team is dedicated and close-knit, attracting hospitality professionals from Canada, Australia and around the world and creating a remote family for guests and staff alike. Renowned for their relaxed and friendly first-name service along with impeccable attention to detail, our people are the secret sauce that keep our friends returning for more.
Sarah Cruse is the General Manager of Clayoquot and also known as the ‘Camp Mom.’ Sarah has nearly 20 years’ experience leading luxury experiential resorts, including a decade at the helm of Peninsula Hotels’ Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California and previously at Dunton Hot Springs in Dolores, Colorado. Sarah’s passion for Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge ensures the lodge continues to be recognised as a world-class travel and adventure destination.
Canadian-born Julius Keszi is Assistant General Manager at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, bringing his easy-going nature and innate curiosity to the Bedwell. With over 12 years global industry experience spanning stints in Australia’s outback and on the tropical shores of Hayman Island, Julius is well-versed in the challenges and rewards of remote living. Julius provides invaluable support to Sarah in offering lodge guests an extraordinary encounter of Vancouver Island’s natural playground.
Executive Chef Ben Godin has a very well-travelled palette after working in top restaurants in Australia, Europe and throughout Canada. Drawn by the abundance of premium produce in the Pacific Northwest, Ben creates daily changing menus that showcase the finest local and regional ingredients available with many fresh-picked from the onsite kitchen garden.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is the O.G. (Original Glampster) of luxe retreats.Neal McLennan Western Living Magazine
How can a place so wild feel so welcoming and luxurious? I grappled with this question every day I was out there, and I loved it.John Vaillant Travel + Leisure
I've just come back from a spectacular opening weekend at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, and I'm having extreme withdrawal symptoms. My heart and soul are full.Marc Telio TripAdvisor
The luxury adventure camp has always been iconic - and now, it has a fresh look, forest-to-fork fine dining, and a few fresh ways to experience the Pacific Northwest.Julia Eskins Travel + Leisure
Twenty-five Canadian safari tents are studded along the banks of Clayoquot Sound and among towering old growth forest offering private wilderness views and a real privilege of place.
Find your tent
Healthy, witty and wise best describes the cuisine at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, where small scale, sustainable ingredients and the producers and stories behind them play a leading role.
Whet your appetite
The Healing Grounds Spa promises guests a physical and spiritual sanctuary. The secluded spa features two treatment rooms, a waterfront massage tent, a yoga and meditation room, cedar hot tubs and a sauna.
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