British Columbia is beloved for its natural beauty, so it's only fitting that each of these properties share one characteristic: they're front-row seats to the raw beauty of their wild surroundings. From the windswept west coast of Tofino to the warmth of the Okanagan, we've rounded up six of the finest luxury and boutique properties our province has to offer.
Fairmont Empress
Location: Victoria, B.C. | Vibe: Historic Luxury
Dubbed “the castle on the coast”, the Fairmont Empress is the bucket-list stay in B.C.'s capital. Depending on which of the 464 rooms you check into, guests are treated to either a bustling city, courtyard, or busy Inner Harbour view, where it's especially easy to while away the days watching seaplanes take off and land in the Salish Sea.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler
Location: Whistler, B.C. | Vibe: Mountainside Luxury
Skiers and snowboarders, hikers and mountain -bikers, zip-liners and spa-goers—come one, come all to the Four Seasons Whistler. As the epitome of luxury hotels at North America's largest ski resort, this property is situated right in the heart of the pedestrian-only Upper Village. It has rooms, suites, townhouses, and private residences aplenty to suit every taste and group size.
Sparkling Hill Resort
Location: Vernon, B.C. | Vibe: Opulent Spa Escape
Set high upon a granite hilltop adjacent to the Predator Ridge Golf Resort, lies a glittering jewel in the Okanagan's crown: Sparkling Hill. True to its name, the 149-room luxury resort is dramatically decked out with 3.5 million Swarovski crystals, but where it really sparkles is in its European-inspired health spa experience.
The Wickaninnish Inn
Location: Tofino, B.C. | Vibe: Wild and Free
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, the Relais & Châteaux property affectionately known as The Wick is perfectly poised for winter storm watching; in fact, owner and managing director Charles McDiarmid specifically designed the property for it. From November until February, the crashing waves over Chesterman Beach are the perfect excuse to stay on property to feel like one with the energy of the wild.
This story has been edited and condensed for clarity. Read the original version in the Fall/Winter 2023 edition of driver magazine.
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