Hastings House is the most romantic place to stay in the Gulf Islands: a Relais & Châteaux country house hotel on a 22-acre oceanfront estate overlooking Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island. There are just 18 suites and cottages, scattered between a manor house, a farmhouse, a converted barn and the hillside above the water. Gardens, a greenhouse and a working farm supply the kitchen.
Every rate includes a full, made-to-order hot breakfast, muffins delivered to your door each morning and fresh flowers in the room. Dinner in the manor dining room is the evening ritual, with the harbor going pink beyond the windows. A cedar-clad barn houses the Wellspring Spa.
It suits couples who want a slower, grown-up honeymoon of walks, long dinners, local wine and cheese and a few lazy kayak paddles. Ganges village, with its galleries and Saturday Market, is a short shuttle ride away. The hotel is seasonal, closing from early November until mid-March, so plan for spring, summer or early fall. Couples who want a beach resort with pools and nightlife should look elsewhere.
Highlights at a glance
- Just 18 suites and cottages on a 22-acre oceanfront estate
- Relais & Châteaux dining over Ganges Harbour
- Made-to-order breakfast included
- Wellspring Spa in a cedar barn
- Floatplane access from Vancouver
Why Couples Love Hastings House
It feels like staying at a friend's very good country house. The estate slopes down to the harbor through lawns, orchards and flower beds. There is room to wander without meeting anyone. The working farm and greenhouse add to the storybook feel.
The small size is the key. With only 18 rooms, service is personal and the dining room never feels crowded. Guests often mention small touches: the muffin basket at the door each morning, flowers picked from the garden and a free shuttle into Ganges so neither of you has to drive after dinner.
Salt Spring itself is part of the appeal. The island is known for artists, farm stands, cheesemakers and small wineries, all reached on quiet roads. You can fill days with gentle discoveries, then come home to a fire and a good bottle of BC wine.
Suites and Cottages to Book
Rooms are spread across several buildings, each with its own character.
- Farmhouse Signature Suites (Farm East and Farm West): the top choice for a honeymoon, with more space and privacy.
- Somerset, the Hillside Signature Suite: elevated with harbor views.
- Manor House rooms (Manor East and Manor West): in the main house, close to the dining room and full of period charm.
- Hillside Suites such as Essex and Willow: a good balance of views and value.
- Post Cottage: a small standalone cottage, lovely for couples who want their own front door.
- Barn rooms such as Hayloft and Sealoft: the entry category, cozy and rustic.
Churchill Cottage is designed for families. Some Barn and Meadow rooms allow pets, so ask for a pet-free room if allergies are a concern.
Dining and the Wellspring Spa
Dinner is the centerpiece of a stay. Manor Dining looks over Ganges Harbour. Executive Chef Marcel Kauer builds seasonal menus around produce from the estate's gardens, greenhouse and farm, plus island lamb, cheese and seafood. Expect a polished, multi-course evening rather than a quick meal. Book your dinner times when you reserve the room, especially in summer.
Breakfast is included and cooked to order, so there is no buffet line. Muffins arrive at your door each morning, which makes an early coffee on your terrace easy.
The Wellspring Spa occupies a cedar-clad barn on the grounds and offers massages and facials. It is small, so book treatments ahead. A couples massage after a day of kayaking or hiking on Mount Maxwell is an excellent way to spend an afternoon.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do on Salt Spring Island
Start with Ganges, the island's village, a short shuttle ride away. The Saturday Market runs from spring to fall and is the island's social event, full of local cheese, bread, pottery and produce. Galleries and cafés line the waterfront the rest of the week.
Drive up Mount Maxwell for one of the best views in the Gulf Islands, over farmland and water to Vancouver Island. Ruckle Provincial Park in the southeast has easy coastal trails and rocky points for picnics.
Rent kayaks in Ganges and paddle the sheltered harbor, keeping an eye out for seals and eagles. Salt Spring also has small wineries, a cidery and cheesemakers that welcome visitors for tastings. Ask the hotel for a studio tour map; dozens of artists open their workshops. Bring layers for both of you, since evenings can be cool even in summer.
Getting There
Salt Spring Island is reached by ferry or floatplane. Fly into Vancouver International (YVR) or Victoria International (YYJ). BC Ferries sails from Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, to Long Harbour, close to the hotel. Ferries also run from Swartz Bay near Victoria to Fulford Harbour on the south of the island. Crossings take about 35 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the route and stops.
The most romantic arrival is by floatplane. Scheduled seaplanes fly from Vancouver Harbour and Vancouver airport to Ganges Harbour in roughly 35 minutes, landing within minutes of the hotel.
You can manage without a car thanks to the hotel shuttle and island taxis, but renting one gives you freedom to explore farms, parks and wineries. Reserve ferry space for your car in summer and on holiday weekends.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who value food, quiet and genuine hospitality, yes. Published rates start around CAD 660 a night for a Standard Room in low season, roughly US$480, rising to about CAD 915 for a Signature Suite in summer (approximate). Breakfast, the shuttle and daily service are included; dinner and spa treatments are extra.
That is expensive for the Gulf Islands, where cottages and B&Bs cost far less. The difference is the estate, the cooking and the Relais & Châteaux service, which together make it feel like an occasion.
Pick elsewhere if you want a pool, a beach or lots of evening life; Salt Spring goes to bed early. Couples on a budget may prefer a waterfront cabin with a hot tub. Remember the season too: the hotel closes from November 1 until mid-March, so winter honeymooners need another option.
Insider tips
- Book a Farmhouse Signature Suite for the most space and privacy.
- Arrive by floatplane into Ganges Harbour for the best first view.
- Plan your stay around a Saturday for the Ganges market.
- Reserve dinner and spa times when you book your room.
