The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa is a small full-service resort located near Courtenay, British Columbia on Vancouver Island. We stayed here for 2 nights during a weekend getaway and will share information about the resort and the area.
The Resort and Our Room:
Depending on what you are expecting, you might be surprised when you pull into the driveway and see two buildings: one that looks new and polished and another that looks like an old motel. That being said, the grounds and facilities at the Kingfisher are top notch for a small independent resort of this type.
The resort has a number of different room types located in a renovated wing or an older wing. We stayed in a NEW Ocean Courtyard room located on the ground floor with 2 queen beds. The beach front rooms have stunning views but have not renovated.
Upon entering the room, we were wowed; the photos make it look nice but it is even nicer in person. Whoever designed the room balanced functionality with style. The bathroom is a little small but the shower was really good. We also found the bed pretty comfortable and appreciated having a Nespresso machine for coffee. The thing we enjoyed the most though were the two chairs on our patio and having easy access to the Serenity Garden which is landscaped so well and really suits the setting; a smart amenity that sets the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa apart from other hotels in the region. The Serenity Garden is a nice place to sit and relax anytime of the day but we loved sitting by one of the many firepits during the evening after using the pool. As much as we liked our own patio, we did not find our patio very private and would book a room on the upper floor next time because they offer more privacy.
As a result of their COVID protocols, the gym was not open during our stay but the pool and spa area was and it was very easy to book a 45 minute time slot. Both times we booked, no one else was scheduled at that time; it is up to 6 people per 45 minute timeslot if we recall correctly. They also have specific hours for children which means you can enjoy the pool and spa area without screaming children if you are there on an adult’s getaway. The pool was refreshing and well maintained, as were the hot tub and the steam room.
The Kingfisher is also known for its spa; its Pacific Mist Hydropath is super popular. The Pacific Mist Hydropath is a series of 8 stations, kinda like a Nordic Spa. The setting is also quite unique as it is a “re-created West Coast shoreline featuring sandstone sculpted caves and pools”.
The resort also has an ocean view restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner indoor and outdoors. The menu has healthy options focused on “immunity boosting” to match the spa vibe and also some more indulgent options too. We did not eat at the restaurant but people had good things to say about it.
The service was also impeccable; everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful and they went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our stay. The staff at the pool and spa were also very friendly and professional and did a great job keeping everything clean.
The Location and Getting Here:
The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa is located in what is known as the Comox Valley and on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island. Courtenay, where the Kingfisher is located is also close to another popular coastal resort area known as Qualicum Beach. We really wanted to stay the Kingfisher in one of the renovated rooms but it was sold out most weekends during the summer and so when we saw that there was a last minute cancelation, we booked it and made a reservation on BC Ferries to come enjoy a leisurely weekend.
We took a ferry from Twsawwassen to Nanaimo and then drove about 1 hour to get to the resort. The drive itself is pretty nice; you can stick to the highway or take the coastal scenic route. We decided to stop at the Tidal Tacos Shack in Qualicum Beach for fish tacos; they were good but not blow your mind good.
The Kingfisher is also located a 10 minute drive away from Cumberland, a really cute artsy town with places to eat, drink and shop. Cumberland reminded us of Marfa a little, if you can believe it! We enjoyed Cumberland Brewing’s beer and food, Cooks Restaurant burgers, burrito bowls from Biblio Taco and apple fritters from Cumberland Village Bakery.
In addition, you can easily drive to Comox and we do recommend going if you like breweries as there a few and Land & Sea Brewing does amazing nachos!
Oyster lovers will want to Fanny Bay to get some oysters to shuck as well!
We really enjoyed being close to the water and going for walks and also finding other places for easy day hikes by the river to go swim. We spent half a day at Nymph Falls Park.
We found the Kingfisher’s location perfect to be able to explore away from the resort but also without having to drive too far and for too long.
Summary:
We found our weekend at the Kingfisher to be really relaxing and we also enjoyed exploring the nearby areas. It is close enough to Vancouver to visit for a weekend but also far enough away to escape the city. We found the Kingfisher to be a good place for an adults only couple’s getaway (or even with friends), and a good place for families too (some rooms are also pet friendly). Even if the hotel was fully booked, it was quiet and we had enough space to unwind and be on our own. We highly recommend spending the weekend here and exploring the Comox Valley!
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