Pacific Shores Resort & Spa — Hotel in Area E (Nanoose Bay)

Wife's Birthday Weekend Getaway.

Having read some of the higher reviews that Pacific Shores received, and only having stayed at the Tigh Na Mara resort previously, I was interested in giving Pacific Shores a try in the spirit of trying new places. Unfortunately, Pacific Shores was slightly under-whelming.

Hotel: On check in, there was only one front end staff, who began to help us, then put us aside when another couple who had gone to check on which room they were interested in returned. When we were finally helped, we were offered a room upgrade for $30 a night. When looked, I wouldn't really call it an upgrade as it was the same price as if it was what I had booked. The staff member appeared flustered as well. We were advised against parking in the parkade due to water leaking and possibly staining the paint of the vehicle, and provided the option of the parking lot just down from the parkade. When we got there, we found it was a muddy unlit turnaround at the end of the road, where refuse (ie old Christmas tree) was dumped. It did not feel like a safe place to walk in the dark (puddles, holes), or to leave the vehicle. When we got to our room, it was cold and the heat was turned off. We also found three silver fish in the bathtub. There was no alarm clock, which we later found tucked in the back of a drawer. The following day, we left on an outing, believing that room service would come and replenish the supplies (cups, coffee, sugar, creamer, toiletries). When we returned, no one had come. We called and were told that they ONLY SERVICE THE ROOMS EVERY THREE DAYS, and anything else was on request. We requested and items were brought over promptly, but comments were passively sarcastic.

RESTAURANT: We only ate breakfast at the pub/restaurant. We had clearly dried on food on a set of utensils, which we set aside near the edge of the table for our waitress to take away. She reached past the dirty set and took a clean set. We asked what kind of hash browns were served, and she had a difficult time explaining whether they were shredded, deep fried cubed, or house made. When they did come, the hash browns were dried and hard.

SPA: I booked my wife a 60 minute hot stone massage. When my wife was escorted in, the service and cordial introductions and explanations were far from what was expected. The staff member used her hands far more than the hot stones, and hardly used any for pre-warming areas. It became clear that the staff member was under the weather, as my wife could hear her laboured breathing, and at one point felt a cold wet drip on her. My wife left greatly disappointed in the experience. When I arrived to pick her up, the doors to the spa were locked. Apparently, there was no front end staff working.

We will be looking at other options...

Recently stayed at the property the night before and after our wedding. Upon check in we were greeted by the loveliest front desk staff - I didn’t catch her name but she was the highlight of the stay. The room in the 700 block was alright. It was very warm and musty when walking in. No air conditioning but the fans were great. The room cleanliness was less than great though. So many overlooked details. Dirty fingerprints on the door ways. Crumbs on the couch. Fridge was dirty. Room layout was nice as we had a suite. Nice kitchen area with dining table. In suite laundry as well.

The bed was horrible. Very old and dated. Very loud. All furnishings in the room were quite dated apart from the bathroom which was nice but the shower pressure was also not ideal. Walls are also very thin, we were able to hear the people in the room next to us quite well. This ended up being the same for our friends in other rooms in the 700 block as well including the loud uncomfortable beds.

Fast forward to the night of our wedding we arrive back at the hotel where some friends are also staying as well at our recommendation. We all go out to the patio with the fire tables at 10:45. They aren’t working. We call the front desk and were told they run all night and there should be instructions. We get a follow up call that due to strata rules they shut off at 10:30. Unfortunately for us but also the couple who were also there who just checked in and were told the same as us. We decided to make the best of it and enjoyed the sitting area. Minutes later security came to escort us out due to noise bylaws (we were not loud at all). My friend asked if we could stay as it was our wedding night, we were quiet and he could see we were all still dressed up. He insisted we leave and continued to shine the flash light in our faces.

We also ran out of toilet paper before bedtime and searched high and low but did not find any. Decided to wait until morning to call down as the front desk is closed overnight and just security works and we had already had such a negative experience. I call down at 8:30am and let them know we were out only to be told they would let housekeeping know when they arrived later or I could come down and get some. I ended up going to get it because what else could I do at that time.

Unfortunately we will not be recommending the hotel to anyone going further. After an amazing wedding day/evening it just put a damper on the rest of the night. It is a shame as the grounds were beautiful (minus the lawnmowing at 730am Friday morning) For $300+ per night after all the resort fees etc save your money and...

Please share!!! No one should be taken advantage of in this way. This is a very unique resort. The surroundings are absolutely stunning. However it is run perhaps the most poorly of any establishment I’ve ever visited. The entire establishment is run by separate entities. None of which take responsibility for the other. They charge 5 star rates and deliver 1 star service. I’d like to give just one example.:. Although I have several to reference. My son has a real interest in kayaking. I knew (because of the past several visits) that pacific shores offered this. So I booked a room. Via phone I was offered a beautiful “loft suite”. Ocean front. I was told it was best on the property in the booking agents opinion. I told her specifically we were bringing a 13 year old who wanted to kayak and a baby. She described this room as perfect for us. The best room here in her opinion. After tax the room was 350 dollars for one night. She gave me the name and number of the company to book my kayak and I did so. Upon checking in we were given a regular two bedroom hotel room with a flight of 20 stairs... nothing as was described. I called the front desk and requested a baby gate and was told they don’t have any. I went to front desk and simply asked if perhaps they had a room more as was described because none of us could relax in such a suite with a toddler... so they switched us to another suite. No view at all. But a lot more suitable to an infant. I then rushed to meet the kayak lady for a 5pm reservation. She no showed. Later sent me a text saying the weather was bad and she had staffing problems. This was unbelievable. The water was absolutely calm. I was so disturbed. I went down to the front desk and tried to come to a reasonable resolution. They told me if I left immediately (and woke my sleeping baby) also that the room didn’t need house cleaning they would refund my money... this was a holiday for my family. One night for 350 dollars. I had booked a suite to accommodate my family and was told I had a reservation for kayaking with my older child. They lie. They don’t represent themselves well. I asked if they could at least compensate me and they told me i could leave and if my room did not require cleaning I would receive a partial refund. The management is horrible. Don’t ever visit here. I’ve never in my life been spoken to this way. I will never return. Please share with all your friends. I got married here. This is not how anyone should be able to...