Guide to Eco Hotels in Vancouver Island ( 2023 Updated)

An eco hotel, or a green hotel, is an environmentally sustainable hotel or accommodation that has made important environmental improvements to its structure in order to minimize its impact on the natural environment and eco friendly hotels Vancouver Island are considered excellent place to hang out for a couple of nights in Vancouver and then beyond in Canada.

In 2011, Vancouver implemented the Greenest City Action Plan to become the greenest city in the world by 2020.

Voted the third greenest city in the world by the Economic intelligence unit and possessing the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per capita within Northern America, Vancouver has become a ‘sustainable powerhouse of a city’ (Corporate Knights 2019) within sustainability fields and green planning.

1. Ecolodge – Tofino 3* – Eco Friendly Hotels Vancouver Island

Situated on 12 acres of the Tofino Botanical Gardens, this unique guest accommodation is part of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It offers free admission into the Tofino Botanical Gardens and has classroom facilities to provide an educational experience.

Guest rooms include free WiFi, towels and robes. Some rooms have a private bathroom while others have shared bathroom facilities.

The on-site Darwin’s Café, open from May through September offers a selection of baked goods, coffee and tea. Guests will receive a 15 per cent discount at the cafe during its operating hours.Guests can enjoy the outdoor fire-pit and BBQ.

Amenities at the Ecolodge include a commercial-grade guest kitchen, a library, a large open dining room and a lounge with a fireplace.

This waterfront guesthouse in Tofino Biological Gardens is set in 12 acres of rainforest gardens. It’s 0.3 km to the nearest beach and 3 km from Tofino.

Warm, colourful rooms have free WiFi and shared baths. There’s a room with bunk beds, and a suite has an en-suite bathroom.

Continental breakfast is complimentary, and there’s a cafe, shared kitchen, lounge and library. Guests receive free admission to the rainforest gardens, which also feature sculptures, chickens and goats. Classrooms are also available for hire. Parking is free.

The Ecolodge at Tofino Botanical Gardens is a 10 room bed & breakfast lodge, located in a whimsical 12 acre rainforest garden. The Ecolodge was designed for the conscientious traveler looking for quiet, clean, affordable accommodation in Tofino, with a focus on groups, retreats, family reunions and education and learning opportunities.

The Ecolodge features a large common kitchen, dining room and lounge, and cozy fireplace. Instead of TVs and telephones in rooms, the Ecolodge has a well stocked library. Most rooms have shared washrooms, with two ‘family suites’ featuring private washrooms.

Basic stay next to botanical garden (entrance fee included when you stay), stayed here for 3 nights. All facilities are shared, but clean. Unfortunately no sink in the room to brush your teeth for instance.

Double bed a bit small for two if you like your space, but comfy.

Breakfast: coffee, oats, bread and bran muffins (very fresh!). Perhaps a bit too “eco” for my liking in the end (i.e. no eggs, cheese or meat). Furthermore: you have to clean your own dishes. Not much work, but not really something I want to do in a hotel on holiday.
Also signs everywhere about what you should or shouldn’t do (e.g. turn off lights, clean basin after use, don’t throw waste in here, don’t flush too much, etc).

Accommodation is basic and some of the furniture a little worn but clean and confortable. We were given fresh white towels, wifi, dressing gowns and Eco friendly toiletries. Breakfast was included!

We were free to use the Botanical gardens to rest and read our books or soak up the flowers which was a lovely end to what somewhat was a busy and tiring day immersing ourselves in the environment. We were also lucky to coincide with the lantern festival and left the weekend of a music festival both of which were held in the gardens.

Set out of the main village area but there is a bus (which goes from just outside) but stops at 8 so car useful to get in and out of restaurants at night and of course to explore the area in the day.

Firepit, BBQ and blankets for the veranda plus towels for the beach all provided.

The gardens, lodge and service are excellent and most beautiful. Have stayed her twice and would return again. Great value for the money and an amazing eco experience. If you love a more alternative space that centers around nature, this is it! Great breakfasts.

Beautiful Eco park attached to this very unique hotel. The breakfast is very good, wide variety of food including home made muffins and jams etc. Very helpful and friendly staff also. This hotel is unlike most hotels, it’s very much like a bed and breakfast. There are robes for each guest staying in the room. No televisions in the rooms, but you are right in the middle of a beautiful nature scene.

How much does a room costs at Ecolodge – Tofino?

Prices start 165$/night for Deluxe King Room. The Loft Suite is 272$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for couples.

Featuring a flat-screen cable TV and an iPod dock, this 2 story loft suite offers a bedroom on the 2nd floor and a living room, washroom, and patio on the main level. A sofa bed is also provided.

Where to book online – Ecolodge – Tofino – Eco Friendly Hotels Vancouver Island – you can find the best eco friendly hotels deals in Vancouver during Cherry Blossom Festival which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Vancouver on Booking.com or Agoda.com or Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

2. Magnolia Hotel & Spa 4* – Eco Hotels Vancouver Island Canada

Just 4 minutes’ walk to the Inner Harbour, this Victoria hotel offers guestrooms with free Wi-Fi as well as an on-site restaurant.

A cable TV is offered in each room at Magnolia Hotel & Spa. A work desk is also included. Guests can enjoy Aveda bath products in addition to gourmet coffee, tea and bottled water.

Guests of Hotel Magnolia will appreciate fresh fruit upon arrival. Access to the on-site fitness center and relaxing, full-service spa is offered.

The BC Ferries Terminal is 45 minutes’ drive away. Market Square is 750 m from Magnolia Hotel & Spa.

A 4-minute walk from Downtown Inner Harbour, this polished hotel and spa is within a 6-minute walk of Victoria Conference Centre and the Royal BC Museum.

Refined rooms with plush, traditional furnishings feature floor-to-ceiling windows and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs, as well as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. All have minibars, and tea and coffee making facilities; some add fireplaces, chaise lounges and/or harbour views. Room service is available.

A restaurant and bar serves Mediterranean-inspired small plates, as well as breakfast and weekend brunch.

64 Elegant rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, two poster beds and deep soaker tubs. Outstanding location, just 2 blocks from Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour and in the heart of the city’s best shopping, dining and entertainment. The Courtney Room restaurant, awarded a Top 10 Best New Restaurant in Canada in 2018, is Victoria’s hottest new dining experience. The locally sourced menu features dry-aged steak, fresh pasta, and a great Happy Hour.

It is a great hotel in a very convenient location.

The room was a good size and had all of the amenities one would expect (separate shower/tub, refrigerator, small sitting area, etc.) I particularly enjoyed the small balcony. It is worth knowing that the hotel works diligently at being eco friendly. A big plus.

I tried room service a couple of times and quite enjoyed it. I found that the front desk staff members were great about helping me find my way around and make arrangements for my activities while I was in town. They also helped me to know what special events were happening around town each day so I wouldn’t miss anything. They were super helpful and accommodating with anything I needed.

Worth knowing that The Magnolia is also dog friendly. I was particularly impressed that there were bowls and a bed set up for my little fellow before we even arrived. The staff were very welcoming to both of us.

Definitely recommend! If you get the chance to stay at The Magnolia, be sure to use the robe (it’s in the closet for your use while at the hotel). So comfy!

Room was very immaculate! Amenities in the room were deluxe! Dyson hair dryer, nespresso coffee machine! So many little touches as well. Great staff and the restaurant was exceptional great food.

One of the best restaurants in Victoria. Love it. Care and attention to food all way around and great staff. Thank you so much. The location of the Hotel was the best too, right downtown near great shopping and walk around the sea wall.. I am not kidding. I love luxury and good quality food.

This hotel really lived up to our expectations and the reviews online. The service was excellent, the hotel very clean with that Boutique feel to it.

The rooms are decked out with great amenities: Dyson hairdryer, Nespresso machine, l’Occitane toiletries, and the most comfortable and cozy bathrobes.

Breakfast can be had in the Courtney room adjacent to the hotel, or delivered to your room through room service.

Location couldn’t be more central. 2 blocks away from the Empress and harbor, restaurants are all within walking distance.

There is parking available onsite through Valet, however, they also guide you to a public parkade which costs less than $5/day

I will definitely recommend this hotel to anyone going to Victoria, and go back myself on our next visit.

How much does a room costs at Magnolia Hotel & Spa?

Prices start 239$/night for Superior Room. The Diamond Room with Harbour view
is 349$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for couples.

Located on the hotel’s top 2 floors, this room boasts a fireplace, harbour views and turndown service. A cable TV and a minibar are included.

Where to book online – Magnolia Hotel & Spa – Eco Friendly Hotels Vancouver Island – you can find the best eco friendly hotels deals in Vancouver during Cherry Blossom Festival which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Vancouver on Booking.com or Agoda.com or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

3. The Parkside Hotel & Spa 4* – Eco Friendly Hotels Vancouver Island

A block from Victoria Conference Centre in Downtown’s south, this stylish all-suite hotel with an imposing glass atrium is a 5-minute walk from Beacon Hill Park and a 10-minute walk from US vehicle and passenger ferries.

The modern 1- and 2-bedroom suites feature living areas, and full kitchens or kitchenettes. All come with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, plus private balconies and heated bathroom floors. Some add skyline views or fireplaces.

Amenities include an indoor pool, a posh day spa and a cinema, in addition to an exercise room, a rooftop patio and an all-day cafe/bar. There’s underground parking (fee) with electric vehicle charging.