Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, BC, Named Best North American Eco-Resort in CondE Nast Johansens 2011 Awards of Excellence.

January 18, 2011

(Tofino, BC) January 18, 2010 - The Wickaninnish Inn, set on Tofino’s idyllic Chesterman Beach by towering old-growth forest, has been honoured as the Most Excellent Eco-Resort in North America by Condé Nast Johansens, the international luxury travel guides from the most trusted name in travel publishing, Condé Nast Publications Ltd., in its 2011 Awards for Excellence.

Constructed of local wood, stained grey to assimilate into the surrounding forest of weathered cedar, the Wickaninnish Inn has been on “the journey to sustainability” says Managing Director, Charles McDiarmid, since its planning , leading up to a 1996 opening.  He tells the story of moving the placement of the Inn’s original Pointe building to protect the root mat of a particularly beautiful Cedar.  The early decision to refer guests to independent outfitters for adventures such as fishing and surfing lessons, rather than providing these in-house, continues to stimulate the local economy.  Guests and patrons of The Pointe Restaurant benefit from the Inn’s tradition of sourcing a variety of Vancouver Island ingredients (in addition to Tofino’s magnificent seafood), while local water is offered in bedside filtration carafes.  The Inn’s composting unit, The Organic Temple of Transition, is open for visits.  Members of the Inn’s Green Team monitor its transformation of kitchen waste into organic matter, replanted on Inn property.

The Inn offers the ecologically-inspired Tread Lightly vacation package, featuring two nights accommodation, a two-hour guided nature safari and keepsake of David Suzuki’s Green Guide.  All guests with a Canadian driver’s license are invited for a test drive of the 2011 Lexus hybrid 450h.

In 2010 and 2008, the Inn was honoured by Condé Nast Johansens as its Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway.

About the Wickaninnish Inn:  
The Wickaninnish Inn, perched on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island near Tofino, is a year-round destination exemplifying "rustic elegance on nature's edge".  A Relais & Châteaux member property since 1997, the Inn is owned and managed by the McDiarmid family of Tofino, and is exclusively located on beautiful Chesterman Beach. Each of the 75 oceanfront guest rooms and suites welcomes guests with a gas fireplace, soaker tub, local art, an individual balcony and a beach or ocean viewscape.  Awarded four key status by the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating Program, the Wickaninnish Inn is home to The Pointe Restaurant, boasting 240º Pacific Ocean views and an innovative culinary program, and the award-winning Ancient Cedars Spa. Contact the Inn’s on-property reservations team 24 hours a day by calling 1.800.333.4604 or visiting www.wickinn.com.