Frequently Asked Questions

A deposit of the first night plus applicable tax is required to secure the reservation. If we are unable to process the credit card on file within 72 hours of the booking, we will cancel the reservation. If the reservation is less than 7 days away, we will honor the booking for 24 hours, after which we will cancel the reservation if attempts to process the deposit remain unsuccessful. 

Remaining balance is taken upon check in.

Free cancellation if cancelled more than 7 days prior to arrival. Full refund of the one night deposit will be provided. If cancelled less than 7 days prior to arrival, the deposit is forfeited. In certain cases, we are able to transfer your deposit into a Gift Certificate which can be used towards a future stay.

Third party bookings may be subject to different policies, and we are not able to waive cancellation fees for these bookings.

No refunds will be offered for early check outs.

We do not offer daily housekeeping. Extra towels and amenities are provided on request.

Our property is non-smoking; a fee of $250 will be applied if evidence of smoking is found outside of the designated smoking areas. Our no-smoking policy includes vaping and marijuana.

Our Standard rooms at the West Coast Trail Lodge do not have kitchenettes, and we are not able to provide extra dishes or small appliances for these rooms.

Crab is not allowed to be cooked inside the rooms and cottages.

The fridges and freezers should not have fresh catch stored in them. We ask that fishermen/women use the styrofoam coolers provided at fish processing facilities. 

Dogs are not allowed to be left unsupervised in rooms.

Our no-smoking policy includes vaping and marijuana.

We are a dog friendly establishment! All of our Lodge Suites, our Forest View Domes, and all of our Seaside Cottages except our Viewpoint studios are open to your four-legged friend. We do charge a pet fee.

We’re sorry but at this time we don’t allow cats or birds and again our Viewpoint Studios and Forest View Studio are not pet friendly.

In wilderness areas, you will want to keep your pets under control for their safety and to minimize damage to fragile ecosystems. Always respect posted signage.

It is best to leave pets at home when heading into backcountry areas — especially bear and cougar habitat — to avoid wildlife interactions.

Here, we are more landline than app, more 3-D nature than 3-D printer. Reliable cell service is not completely available in Port Renfrew yet, but cell service is now available for Rogers networks and will be expanding soon.

Wi-Fi is offered to all of our guests in room and by many local lodgings and businesses.

You’ll also find 5 free Wi-fi hotspots in town

1. Visitor Information Centre, 2. Government Dock/ Renfrew Pub area, 3. Beach Camp area (by the kid’s park) 4. Pacheedaht North Campsite, 5. Bridgeman’s.

We are firm believers that time out from tech means more time to relax and gear down.

It’s true we only have a few options here but we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the fresh food in Port Renfrew. The Renfrew Pub is consistently opened every day, all year long, you can find their up-to-date (and holiday) hours on our “Know Before You Go” page. Here you can also check out Coastal Kitchen Cafe, Tomi’s, Bridgeman’s and Pie-Ro – their hours and opening days change often so double check on their pages to avoid disappointment.

The San Juan Market is the place to pick up basic groceries, ice, beer, wine, and bait. If you are planning to stay a while, a grocery store visit in Sooke or Lake Cowichan on route is recommend for more variety.

Seaside 2 bedroom Cottages & Viewpoint Penthouse are our only units with cooking facilities. They have a stove top (no oven and no dishwasher). These cottages are equipped with a full size fridge & freezer, dishes and cutlery to suit the maximum occupancy of the unit (6 people) as well as pots, pans, dishrack, dish soap, and dish towels.

Seaside Wharfside Studios & Viewpoint Studios are not equipped with cooking facilities – the kitchenettes includes a microwave, mini fridge, toaster, coffee machine, electric kettle and kitchen sink. Dishes and cutlery to suit the maximum occupancy of the unit (2 people) as well as a dishrack, dish soap, and dish towels.

WCTL Superior Rooms are not equipped with cooking facilities – the kitchenette includes a microwave, mini fridge, toaster, coffee machine, electric kettle and kitchen sink. Dishes and cutlery to suit the maximum occupancy of the unit (2 people) as well as a dishrack, dish soap, and dish towels.

WCTL Standard Rooms include a mini fridge, coffee machine, and electric kettle as well as cups and mugs. There is no kitchen sink, and no dishes or cutlery are provided.

Kitchen Cleaning Service Charge: Kitchen cleaning is NOT included in your cottage rate. There will be a $75 cleaning fee should our housekeeping staff need to wash dishes, utensils, or pots/pans.

Note: We do not have hot plates or extra cooking equipment for guests, if there is something special you require it is always wise to pack it with you when available.

Only our Viewpoint Penthouse has a bbq. We do not have a public barbecue available. Please be mindful of this when booking your cottage to ensure you are booking the unit that has the amenities you require.

At this moment, only our Viewpoint Penthouse and Viewpoint Studios have private hot tubs. We do not have public hot tubs available. Please be mindful of this when booking your cottage to ensure you are booking the unit that has the amenities you require.

Power outages are common in our rural area, we do our best to make all of our guest comfortable during these moments. We do not provide refunds or waive early check out fees due to power outages.

Seaside Cottages is powered by a generator
WCTL has a generator that powers everything but heat & hot water.
Wifi quality is often affected by power outages
We are not a 24-hr resort so if the power goes out in the middle of the night, our maintenance team will power up the generators first thing the next morning.

The Renfrew Pub and Coastal Kitchen Cafe both have ATMs which at times, run out of cash, it is always best to bring what you need. Rest assured; major bank and credit cards are widely accepted — we’re not that far off the grid.

A car is sufficient for getting around in most areas near town. If you are venturing further afield (say, via logging roads) a more robust 4×4 vehicle is recommended. Check for the latest conditions and keep an emergency kit handy.

Renfrew has a gas station for the first time in over 30 years! The Pacheedaht First Nation opened a brand new facility in November of 2017. It offers visitors full service regular gas, diesel, and propane and has on-site public bathrooms and a small convenience store. Gas Station hours are not consistent. Likely 8am-5pm in the off season, but
they can close at 4pm. We suggest contacting them directly and being prepared regarding gas when you visit this region.

Outside of town, you will not find another option until Sooke or Lake Cowichan, so keep an eye on your gauge.

Please note that Wild Renfrew does not offer electric vehicle charging on site. Electric vehicle charging in Port Renfrew is extremely limited and you should check with the Port Renfrew Public Library prior to arrival as their charging station is currently out of order.

The village is home to a post office, a pub, cafés and eateries, an elementary school, a library, a general store, and a new gas station. A range of lodgings, services, and outfitters help visitors get into the great outdoors.

There is nowhere in Port Renfrew to rent equipment such as surfboards, kayaks, canoes, fishing rods, etc. Please rent or purchase your sporting equipment prior to your arrival in Port Renfrew.

Port Renfrew is a wilderness wonder for whale-watchers, birders, and budding naturalists. The biggies are all here: orcas, grey whales, humpbacks, otters, seals, salmon, sea lions, wolves, cougars, bald eagles, black bears, elk, and deer. Glimpse them from the trail or kayak, or take advantage of a charter or eco-excursion. Nature on this scale demands respect. Be mindful not to disturb fragile habitat and take precautions to limit undesired human-wildlife interactions. Leave no trace applies.

Please note, Wild Renfrew does not offer moorage services.

The new Pacific Gateway Marina is next door to the Wild Coast Cottages. The Port Renfrew Marina and RV Park is in an estuary of the San Juan River near active fishing grounds. Both seasonal marinas offer moorage and fuel. The Pacheedaht First Nation also operates a marina and boat launch.

Additional moorage is now available at the public wharf next to the pier and The Renfrew Pub.

We feel the tug of the past, but this is not a museum. We are proud of our origins, our resource legacy, and our deep connection with the natural world.

Vancouver Island has been an ancestral homeland to indigenous peoples for thousands of years. With traditional territory spanning the southwest corner of the Island, the Pacheedaht First Nation has long called the Port Renfrew area home.

The Spanish and English first explored these coastal waters in the late 18th century. Forestry and fishing have been the drivers for settlement and economic development for well over 100 years. These days, it is the incredible natural wonders — wild forests, primordial trails, and stormy coastline — that inspire visitors.
With new ways to get here, Port Renfrew is gaining recognition as an authentically West Coast town on the doorstep of a unique and spectacular wilderness.

Port Renfrew (“Renny”) is a small town — home to tall trees, deep roots, and families here for generations. This is a lived-in community with a lumberjack soul.

Renfrew is also home to the Pacheedaht First Nation (“People of the Sea Foam”), part of what makes this place so special.

A forestry and fishing village first, it is a burgeoning outdoor recreation and eco-tourism destination with new options to eat, drink, and stay in style. What has not changed is the small-town experience and ready access to a big, wild, natural world.