Sechelt Inn

We’ve been coming back every year, and it’s nice to see the renovations underway. The rooms have a spacious feel, the waterfront setting is hard to beat, and the service is consistently great. Kerri, Katie, and Karen, if I’m remembering her name right, were all so kind. Freds is a great addition and absolutely worth trying.

Our belongings were eventually brought out, but a gift I’d bought for someone was missing from them. The night before, after staying our first night, the three of us returned very late from a full day out and found our key cards deactivated. No one was on shift, and neither contact number answered, so we slept in the car, assuming we could sort it out in the morning. At the desk, the receptionist seemed prepared for us. She already knew who we were, had our documents laid out, and delivered what sounded like a prepared explanation from management. She said we’d booked just one night and that the hotel had been full for a long time, so a three-night booking couldn’t have been made. That didn’t match the phone call: I’d called because I had a pet, gave the dates for a three-night stay, and the receptionist checked them several times before confirming there was no problem. The website had also shown availability. She said I should have checked the checkout date on the paperwork more carefully. We asked about our things, which were already set beside her, but no one had contacted us to collect them or ask why they were still in the room. The cleaning staff might have thought we’d abandoned it. She quickly sent us on our way while sticking to the same explanation. I trusted the booking because I’d never had this happen before. Now I’ve learned to read every detail and confirm repeatedly that a receptionist has booked what they said they did. I wouldn’t risk staying here because of the overbooking issue. Booking online without a pet might work better, but the customer service was horrible.

We’d arranged a three-night stay over the phone and confirmed the check-in and checkout dates three times, but somehow only got one night. After that first night, we returned at 11:30 p.m. and our key cards wouldn’t work. The hotel isn’t staffed overnight, and nobody answered either of the two numbers on the door. With all our things locked in the room, we had to sleep in our truck. At the desk the next day, the woman told us we’d booked for one night and that the hotel was full. She went straight into justifying it because we’d signed a document. We’d booked ahead and made sure our accommodation was arranged, so this was a bizarre and frustrating explanation. They’d also taken our belongings out of the room without calling or letting us know, even though they had hours to ask why our things were still there. One of the worst hotel experiences I’ve had in 30 years. If you stay here, confirm your booking at least five to ten times.

The location is hard to beat, right by the water and an easy walk to shops and the beach. Renovations have made the rooms feel fresh and clean, and they’re really comfortable.