Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa

We came here in November and stayed from Friday to Monday. It is beautiful here. Really nice suites (we stayed in a villa suite I believe) and every room has a view of the water and the inlet. You can see the ferries come and go. One of the nicest thing about the villa is that there is a private jacuzzi tub out back so you can soak in the jacuzzi and enjoy the view of the ocean. We went for dinner at the restaurant and they had a country night — it was super fun. During dinner they had professional dancers and opened up the dance floor to the guests. It was lots of fun and we had a great time dancing. It is a gorgeous getaway even in the winter. We definitely plan to come in the summer as well!

We stayed here over the weekend of our wedding. We’re practically locals on the island, having family and friends living on Galiano and so we’d never seen the need to stay at the hotel before. It’s an expensive option, and at roughly $ 350 a night one might expect a little more. One of the windows in our room was broken and wouldn’t close. We had a room service tray that wasn’t removed and the service was above average without being particularly spectacular.
But the location, just next to Sturdies bay ferry dock, and the lack of viable alternatives makes it one of the few options for accommodation if you’re getting married.
So on reflection the stay was average.

We stayed at the Galiano Inn midweek, so I can’t speak for he weekend experience. The rooms were fantastic, with loads of amenities (in suite laundry, full kitchen, outdoor soaker tub, view of the harbour, and on and on) but there were a few unfortunate hiccups. There was no one on the front desk in the morning when we woke up, and when we finally got ahold of someone, we found out that they don’t serve breakfast. We were directed to the local cafés and diners (which are excellent), so it worked out in the end. We ordered room service from the restaurant, which was amazing, but had problems getting through when they opened at 6pm.
All in all, I would recommend the hotel and restaurant, just come prepared.

This review is for the Madrona Del Mar Spa.
Quite disappointed in this spa. I left irritated, the opposite of what I expected (and paid for).
The positive: clean place, and the massage by Eric was magnificent. Highly, highly recommend him.
The negative: The half hour steam treatment involved getting in and starting the steam room from room temperature. It took half an hour just to get it steamy then had to leave because the treatment was ½ hour. Also to add the stone seating was icy cold, though after I finished shivering, I found that as a benefit once it started getting warm in the room. The *Anti-​relaxing float tank (for me anyway). Paying full price for said hour of anti-​relaxing (my head did not float and thus my neck really started to hurt and salt oozed its way to my eyes… no position helped the relaxing. I spent some time flailing around until realizing that it wasn’t going to work). The mega hot dressing room because of no ventilation. Putting fresh clothes on while sweating? Ew.
Constructive feedback: Q-​tips in the bathroom to get all the water and salt out of the ears, a cooling fan in the change room, and have the steam room ready for the guest so that they actually get something out of it. Maybe an instruction book on what to do in case your body doesn’t float like everyone else? Or at least someone nearby who can help. And maybe not fully charge/​offer something else to those who don’t enjoy any/​all of their service. Side note: I was offered a steam room treatment as a token but I already had it…

By far the best place we dined at in the Gulf Islands! First the dining room, it is bright and light, with lots of windows, old burnt wood flooring, wrought iron «gates», a huge stone fireplace, and a round room similar to the Wickanninnish, overlooking the lawns and the bay. Modern chairs and crisp white table cloths. It gives you a feeling of new and fresh combined with old and classic… sort of like the food and beverage offerings.
We arrived early evening and got a window table (all tables are good: the upper level ones actually have a better view). We appreciated their totally British Columbia focused wine list. The server that evening was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about local wines and had lots of suggestions to offer us. We each chose a glass of white to accompany our first courses: I had the steamed seafood bowl, which was a ‘main’ in itself. My husband had the langostino saffron risotto which he said was so good he should have had it as his main. Our main courses were outstanding. It was the best halibut I have ever had: cooked perfectly, sweet, light, not dry or overdone, just slightly underdone. It was letter perfect. It came with an orzo salad and a generous crab topping. My husband also said his was fantastic: the best steak he has ever had, done perfectly, melt-​in-​your-​mouth perfect. The chef would not come out to accept applause and thanks from the guests (apparently he never does, shies away from the limelight).
I could go on and on about the food, and the view, but I think you should try it for yourself.