Resort Review: Pacific Shores Resort and Spa (Vancouver Island)

Pacific Shores Resort and Spa

My timeshare is probably one of the best investments I have ever made.

I did not always think so.

I ranted about fees, used it sparingly, suffered poor customer service, thought about selling it.

But very recently, RCI redeemed itself through one beautiful resort in Vancouver Island.

Enter Pacific Shores Resort and Spa.

Let’s start from the very beginning.  The resort was in Vancouver Island, which is not in Vancouver, and we had to cross a body of water to go to it.  And by body of water, I mean a large one, and by cross, I mean through a ferry.  So we took the BC Ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island and brought our rental car to the island (our rental car on a ferry!).  This was the first time hubby drove in Canada ever so he was not very pleased that (1) he was driving the car to the inside of the ferry (which was crowded with other cars) (2) the ferry, with the car (and us), will be sailing for more than an hour and (3) he was sticking his neck out and his driver’s license too by doing this.  But after all is said and done, I think he did a great job.  (whew)

We arrived at dusk and stopped at the Nanaimo Shopping Mall – which had a Walmart, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Michael’s, Pier 1, Chapters and PriceSmart, among others (no, I was not in the boondocks).  We got some groceries at Pricemart and talked to the locals some.  They were very nice.

And then we went to the hotel.

The entrance to the hotel.

I love the color-scheme because I am into the browns.  The plants, though, have been touched by winter and are withering.  They should have removed that dried-up plant in front.

But the winner are the rooms.  I had a two-bedroom suite during my one-week stay.  It had a living room with a fireplace, a full kitchen, dining area, a bedroom with a nook for a light read or tinkering with the computer, a full bath with a bathtub and a separate shower.  The other bedroom had its own little living room and bathroom.

Living Room and Dining Room with Lola Becky and the grandchildren

Master's Bedroom with the Master

Guest Bedroom

I especially loved the kitchen.  We stayed here for a week so having a kitchen was very convenient.  For about groceries of $200 for the week, my family of 3 adults and 2 children were able to eat, and I mean, EAT.

My kitchen (for the week)

Around the resort, there was much to do.  There was a barbecue, some kayaks, a heated pool, a gym room.  But the sights and sounds (bird and nature and more nature) around the resort were such a relief to the soul.

A resort by the sea

Side by side by side

The hot tub (that we did not get into)

Happy together

Pathway to Blissful Rest

Where land meets the sea and the birds

Playground

Heated Pool

We went around Vancouver Island and here were some of our notable stops.

Fish Tales

Where the delectable Fish and Chips is served (eat all you can)

Smithford's (an art place, one of many wonderful art-place finds)

The harbour at Victoria

By the Empress Hotel in Victoria (where the price of tea goes up and down from day to day)

The weather was nippy and sometimes the rain would throw a shadow to the day but I loved the resort and Vancouver Island – loved its simplicity and silence, of how its residents (man and bird and beast) would make the best of winter and the dreariness, which (I think) even enhances its beauty.  I was told it would be even better during the summer and maybe, maybe, we will return.

Because for now, we rest. 🙂

Article and photos by Issa. Copyright 2009-2012.
website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
email: issa@youwanttoberich.com

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