This is one of the best places I have ever stayed in 25 years of global travel. The building has been beautifully renovated, remodeled and furnished by an owner with style and love. There are so many ways in which the needs of guests have been anticipated and catered to, it’s hard to know where to start. I did not feel like I was staying at a hotel – it was too informal and easy to help myself to whatever I wanted when I wanted it. It wasn’t like staying at a B&B: there was a hotel level of privacy and service staff ready to do whatever I needed at any time. I’ve had better breakfasts. I’ve had more opulent furnishings. Staying at a Ritz Carlton is like being a celebrity – but this is like hanging out at the very large country estate of a friend’s rich uncle who isn’t there, but the service staff is. The bedroom was large, well appointed with excellent beds and pillows, a place to set two bags of luggage aside from the drawer space. A standard fridge and freezer for guest use allows people to buy their own refreshments and food, and use the plates, glasses and cutlery available in the 24 hours eating room with always available coffee, tea, juices, candies, home baked goods, etc. Wed – Sunday they offer a dinner set menu for $48 – we tried it one evening and it was priced a little higher than what you would pay for a comparable meal in Vancouver, but not much. And it was very well prepared and presented. We brought our own wine for a $15 corkage fee. The backyard is an acre of mown lawn, with Adirondack chairs facing two mountains in a tranquil yet wilderness setting (we missed the young grizzly who came to the edge of the property for a look see). That is also the view from the hottub. Glorious. They have excellent homemade sandwiches to go, with ice cream and other goodies in their gift shop/café. But what makes this place so special are not the material pleasures, but the spirit of the young owners, their two young children and staff. They have attained a state of hospitality nirvana that combines opposites: laid back, go with the flow, home-style ease with an upscale aesthetic, attention to cleanliness and dedication to customer comfort. I wish every northern BC accommodation could be like Bella Coola Eagle Lodge.
