A scenic two-hour ferry ride from Vancouver, Salt Spring Island is an established artists’ community with a well-known gallery route and several vineyards that welcome visitors for tours and tastings of handcrafted local wines. Outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling are popular, and the large Saturday Market—open from April through late October—offers local produce, crafts and food. If you stay at Hastings House Country House Hotel, however, you may find so much charm on the property that you won’t feel the urge to explore far.
The hotel occupies a collection of historic buildings, including a restored barn converted into individual suites, each uniquely furnished and thoughtfully appointed. Many suites feature heated slate floors, fireplaces and deep soaking tubs, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Overlooking the marina and bordered by hillside meadows where sheep graze, the pastoral setting feels like a page from a storybook.
Guests can relax with afternoon tea or choose from a range of spa treatments before sitting down to dinner prepared by chef and author Marcel Kauer. He focuses on transforming local fish, shellfish, fruits, vegetables and dairy into memorable seasonal meals that highlight the island’s ingredients.
You may also like:
Go Wild in British Columbia