Awards & Recognition

We are unconditionally committed to providing you, our guest, with the most memorable world class experience, unequaled by any coastal Inn from Mexico to Alaska.

Relais & Châteaux

Just one-and-a-half short years after opening, the Inn was named as a Relais & Châteaux property. The designation honours the Inn as one of just over 500 hotels and restaurants in 45 countries throughout the world which uphold the Relais & Châteaux quality charter. Our designation was unusual, occurring well ahead of the required three-year operation period for consideration.

Since then, our Managing Director Charles McDiarmid was recognized with the Passion Trophy, presented to owners of Relais & Châteaux properties who, with exceptional personal commitment and creative vision, have transformed guest stays into cherished memories.

You can visit this collection of unique properties at www.relaischateaux.com.

Wickaninnish Inn Relais and Chateaux Canada

Immaculate Cleanliness

Achieving the highest levels of cleanliness is included in our standard of service at the Inn. We take every measure daily to keep our rooms, facilities and amenities refreshed, renewed and sanitized at all times.

AAA Best of Housekeeping Award
Surpassing Expectations

A 2021 AAA Inspector’s Best Of Housekeeping Hotel

BC Hotel Association Housekeeping Award
Highest Standards of Excellence

A Preeminent Establishment

We are proud to create exceptional experiences for our guests. We are continuously rewarded by the positive feedback we hear from you, and are honoured to have received formal recognition for our service, ambience and location.

Condé Nast Traveler(North America):

#3 of the 10 Top Resorts in Canada 2023 (Readers' Choice Awards)

#2 of the 10 Top Resorts in Canada 2021 (Readers’ Choice Awards)

Best Resort in Canada 2019 (Readers’ Choice Awards)

Condé Nast Traveler's Platinum Circle (recognition for making the publication's Gold List over five years in a row)

Travel + Leisure:

#5 Favorite Resorts in Canada (World's Best Awards 2023)

A Top 100 Hotel in the World in 2021
Hall of Fame recognition for ranking high on World’s Best Awards list for over 13 years running

AAA - Four Diamond Property: Upscale style and amenities with the right touch of service.

Forbes Travel Guide Global: Four-Star Rating

Condé Nast Johansens:
Most Excellent Lodge
Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway

Andrew Harper's Hideaway:
Grand Award Winner in this "connoisseurs' worldwide guide to peaceful and unspoiled places” Top 20 International Hideaways (fourth overall, only Canadian winner)

Condé Nast Traveller (International Edition):

Top Canadian Resort (Readers’ Travel Awards)
Top 100 (Readers’ Travel Awards)

The Times UK's 2022 - Best Hotel in British Columbia

Business Examiner - 2023 Vancouver Island Business Excellence Award Winner

The Pointe Restaurant
The Pointe Restaurant Mid Day

Exceptional Amenities

Winning “top” destination awards encompasses our excellent facilities and offerings that go beyond what guests anticipate. However, our amenities are so highly regarded, they have been awarded recognition in and of themselves.

Condé Nast Traveler (North America):

Best for Leisure Facilities (Condé Nast Readers’ Travel Awards)
Top “Year-round Resort Spa in Canada”
Best by Design in the Americas (with the talented team at BBA Design Consultants Inc. in Vancouver, who helped transform our vision into a relaxing getaway destination for many)

Travel + Leisure:
#1 Hotel Spa in the Continental U.S. and Canada (Ancient Cedars Spa)
Best Hotel Spa Overall—worldwide (Ancient Cedars Spa)

Forbes Travel Guide Global: Four-Star Rating for Ancient Cedars Spa

Condé Nast Johansens:
Most Excellent Spa Hotel in the United States and Canada

Wine Spectator:
Best of Award of Excellence for The Pointe Restaurant

Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards:
Gold standing in "Best Vancouver Island" category as a culinary destination (Eight years standing)

Condé Nast Traveller (International Edition):
Top Canadian hotel for Leisure Facilities

Beach Access at Wickaninnish Inn
Beach Access from the Pointe Building

A Green Standard

Being sustainable requires more than business smarts. Surrounded by nature, it’s easy to see why we’ve been inspired to include environmentally responsible methods within our daily operations and offerings for our guests.

Condé Nast Johansens:

Most Excellent Eco-Resort

Green Key Program:

We are pleased to be a member of the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating Program. In order to achieve the highest Five Key status as a hotel that exemplifies high standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all areas of operations, the Inn participated in audits evaluating various areas of sustainable hotel operations. We employ cutting-edge technologies, policies, and programs that set the international standard for sustainable hotel operations.

Sustainable Tourism:

Since 2016, we've gone through a rigorous evaluation by the Green Tourism Certification Program, now the Sustainable Tourism Program, the world’s largest and most credible sustainability certification for tourism businesses. Graded on over 80 criteria, the Wickaninnish Inn has consistently achieved Gold Certification, with reassessments performed every two years.

Green Leader Business:

The Green Leaders status is earned by achieving a green level score through BC Green Business for at least 3 consecutive years. The Pointe Restaurant has been growing its score since we started working with VIGBC in 2016, achieving 2022, 46 points (out of 51)!

The Inn is also recognized as an Ocean Friendly Business. This award highlights our initiative to reduce our plastic footprint, as single-use plastics make up 90% of the waste found on local beaches during regular beach clean-ups! As stewards of the environment, the Inn is committed to continuing to implement reusable wares and technology and adopt measures that divert waste that could end up in our oceans.

Biosphere Certified:

At the Wickaninnish Inn, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable life experiences while upholding standards that provide exceptional value to our guests, a secure and healthy work environment for our team, and a lasting legacy for our families and community. The Wickaninnish Inn is Biosphere Certified since 2023 and is continuously working on each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

WildSafe BC Business Pledge:

Recognizing the potential for conflicts to arise between animals and humans in our natural environment, the Wickaninnish Inn has embraced the WildSafe Business Pledge to ensure the safety of both our team members and guests while preserving the surrounding wilderness of our area. The Inn proactively works towards mitigating wildlife conflicts by implementing best practices in solid waste management and providing annual comprehensive training strategies by WildSafeBC for team members to enhance their understanding of safety protocols and conflict reduction.

You can read more on Sustainability at the Inn here.

A Word About Online Reviews

In this age of mobile access and ever more prevalent online media, many publications are providing guests with the opportunity to give their feedback and support of properties they’ve visited by posting reviews or submitting votes online. If you have enjoyed your experience at the Inn or at other B.C. properties, we invite you to join the online conversation through any of the following links: Facebook, Trip Advisor, Condé Nast Traveller, Travel + Leisure Magazine.