The Maq Hotel

The staff were warm and easy to talk to, the restaurant was cozy and served us a fantastic meal, and the bar has happy hour and the best Aperol Spritz. The location is good too. Our room faced the restaurant terrace, so music and noise were an issue. We were warned at check-in and given earplugs. If you’re there to party, it might be a great fit, but I wouldn’t choose it for a quiet, restful stay. There are some practical drawbacks: the room and bed are small, the Wi-Fi is very poor, and there’s no toilet brush. There’s no fridge either, just a cooler that needs ice. In the heat of the room, the ice melted quickly and left everything wet. It also didn’t feel suited to a longer stay. On arrival we got a welcome drink, plus one free coffee per person from the lobby. Nothing else was included. The room was quite expensive compared with the many other hotels we stayed in. Breakfast is available to buy, but ours looked like it had been sitting out for days. The sign said “homemade yogurt,” though it was a watery cup with granola already gone soft from sitting on the yogurt.

The MAQ has a warm, distinctive feel, with comfortable spots in the lobby for people to hang out together. We travel full time around Canada and the US, and this was one of the nicest places we’ve stayed. It’s a welcome change from standard chain hotels, and we fell in love with it. The harbour, shops, restaurants, and grocery stores are just steps away. Everything being in one place was handy too: I even went down to the cafe for coffee in my slippers because it felt like home. The restaurant was amazing, and the servers knew the menu and could talk through the entrées, beer, and wine. I think our server was Kyle. Our room was beautiful and super clean, with fresh, comfortable bedding. The wood floors throughout the building are spectacular. We’d have liked a mini-fridge and another club chair so we could sit together with a drink, but that wouldn’t put us off returning. We’ll absolutely be back for a longer visit. Thanks for such a perfect, wonderful stay.

We were unsure at first because reception seemed pretty uninterested, and there was a dog barking in the next room. I think it may have belonged to someone working at the restaurant. The barking was only a problem while its owner was away. After that, things were a pleasant surprise: a nice bed, new bathrooms, a quiet stay, free parking, and a decent cafe downstairs. The ice coolers were a nice touch too. I’d recommend it at the right price.

The dining and the people at the front desk were the highlights for us. The staff were genuinely warm, helpful, and welcoming, and the restaurant served some of the best food we’ve had in years. We’re from Toronto and travel a lot, so that’s high praise. Aside from Tacofino, it was the best food we had in Tofino. Compliments to the chefs. The lobby had a great feel, and we had a fantastic view from our room. The location was another big plus. The room itself was fairly standard. There’s very little space to set things down, and the narrow bathroom shelf couldn’t hold even one or two toiletry bags. There weren’t many hangers, and no hooks on the back of the door for coats. The wooden bed frame kept catching our shins, and the bathroom tap was loose. Water pressure was excellent and there was plenty of hot water, though. Not having a mini-fridge was a hassle, especially for medication. They offered a camping cooler instead, but there was no ice, which made for a strange workaround. The internet was spotty but okay. GET STARLINK! There’s no elevator, so carrying our two big bags to the room was difficult, and no one offered to help. Bring your own hairdryer, because theirs barely worked and looked like a toy. We had a great stay thanks to the food and service, though the room could use some thought on design and everyday usefulness.