Strathcona Park Lodge

Three adults for four nights. Room was simple but nice and they kindly upgraded us to a fantastic water view. Lots of comments on the food in other reviews. While some may find it a bit limited in selection and timing (6:00 to 7:00), we quite enjoyed our meals and each had a different favourite. Day 1. BBQ chicken, rice, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, fried tofu. Dessert - Carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Day 2. Roast beef with 2 types mashed potatoes. Roast carrots, peas, buns, gravy. Vegan sausage. Lemon square dessert. Day 3. Roast pork (later replace by turkey), skewered chicken. Pita, rice, sweet potatoes with eggplant/broccoli, buns, soy feta curls. Dessert was peach tarts and ginger cookies. All three meals had three salads with at least one more substantial (ie pasta, potato, not just a leafy salad). Two nights had two substantial salads. We had one breakfast which had granola, fried eggs, hash browns, buns, oatmeal, granola toppings, Greek yogurt, vegan yogurt, toast, chickpeas scrambled eggs, tea, coffee, hot and cold berry toppings. Overall a very positive stay and we would all return.

+ unbeatable location right by the lake and immediately at the park entrance (as far as we could see, all cabins have a direct view of the lake and the surrounding area). - The catering is at a youth hostel level and logistically somewhat chaotic. That would not be a problem in itself if the prices were reasonable. However, the prices are outrageous, and one cannot shake the impression that the location shamelessly exploits its position with no alternatives within 40 km to the west and east. - The staff all seem to lack experience in the hospitality industry in general or in this lodge in particular - at least we did not receive reliable information whenever we had questions. - Our cabin (Cabin 5) is in a regrettable condition. A renovation would have been appropriate many, many years ago. The toilet plunger is there for a reason, but I will leave the further description to the reader's imagination. All in all, we do not believe that the location advantage justifies accepting the negative points. Instead, we would prefer to stay in a reasonable accommodation in Campbell River and endure the nearly hour-long drive to the park.

Do not go here - The staff were rude, and everything was very overpriced, especially the food. Beautiful location, but when I asked for basic toiletries it was a huge deal. I stayed here for one weekend and the food gave me the worst indigestion and upset stomach, and tasted horrible. They claim it's local and healthy but clearly it's cheap and frozen.