Where to stay · Sunshine Coast (Roberts Creek & Gibsons)
Bonniebrook Lodge
A 1912 oceanfront lodge where the restaurant keeps banker's hours and the sunsets do not.
what it is
historic seaside inn
the damage
from ~$182/night
rated
★ 4.7 (103)
from Vancouver
~40-min ferry from Horseshoe Bay + short drives
Bonniebrook has stood on the Gibsons shoreline since 1912, which means it predates the paved highway and quite possibly the whole idea of the weekend getaway. Seven suites in contemporary West Coast dress sit on two acres of woodland above the water, with Chaster Creek doing its burbling business out back. Some rooms come with a jacuzzi, in case the ocean across the road feels too far to walk.
Downstairs is Chasters, a restaurant that leans French with a West Coast accent and, crucially, opens only a few days a week. Plan your dinner around its hours rather than the reverse, because turning up hungry on a dark Tuesday is a rookie error the locals will forgive but never quite let you forget. The beach opposite handles the sunsets.
The lodge carries a 4.7 on Google across a hundred-odd reviews and sits at the top of Gibsons' specialty-lodging heap, which for a building older than sliced bread is a respectable innings. Bring a bottle out to the balcony and let the Strait do most of the talking.
The setting
Elphinstone, just south of Gibsons on Ocean Beach Esplanade, oceanfront across from Chaster Beach and a few minutes from the shops of Gibsons Landing.
Getting there
Drive to Horseshoe Bay (about 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver), take the BC Ferries sailing to Langdale (40 minutes on the water), then about 15 minutes by road toward Gibsons. Reserve the summer ferry ahead, as up to roughly 70 percent of car-deck space is now bookable and it fills. Parking is on site. A car makes this one much easier.
good to know
Why it works
- Oceanfront suites, some with jacuzzis
- Chasters Restaurant on site (limited days)
- Sunset beach across the road
- Standing since 1912
- Minutes from Gibsons Landing