54suzannef
Google
I am a frequent traveler foodie professional from Roswell, GA. I came at the recommendation of a trusted friend with lots of trepidation. There were 4 women in our party: 34-65. This was probably the best week of my life: I flew in on Delta as I'm Diamond, but in retrospect, Westjet flies direct to Vancouver and codeshares miles on Delta, so fly First on Westjet; it's a 5 hour flight. Get the Arrive Canada app, sign up, set a reminder to do the input within 72h of your flight taking off; customs was super easy. There is a nice Fairmont hotel attached to the airport with friendly staff, a nice bar, gym, and nicely apportioned rooms, plus its lobby is steps from the Delta check in counter. We stayed in the Fairmont (note: there are multiple) Pacific Rim and took in a day in Vancouver with a bicycle rental from the hotel that was fantastic. The corner accessible room on the 6th floor at the Fairmont pac rim (617) was gorgeous and I didn't want to leave. We shopped at Fluvog and Latest Scoop in Gassomething- don't miss the steam clock- delightful. We flew out on a float plane w Peter for Nimmo Bay- get the front seat if you can as the views are breathtaking. Note: no bathroom, so limit liquids at lunch and go just before take off. Also note: you can only bring 35# pack on board, so pack light- see below. Smooth flight, fun landing on water. Delightful pilot. We landed in Nimmo Bay about 45 minutes later and the amazing staff greeted us at the dock White Lotus style (but MUCH better) with warm towels and refreshments. Our bags were sent to our cabin ahead of us and we were allowed to get acclimated. The main dock shares space with the Little River Restaurant. You pass the 4 helipads (an option from Vancouver to Nimmo Bay or for excursions), the gift shop, the gorgeous waterfall and hot tubs, spa treatment rooms, laundry, guest lounge, boot room and dry room before coming to your cabin. I loved Cabin #6, the last before the 2nd treatment room and the woods, but still in the little row of cabins you see on the website. It's very quiet at night. There were a king room downstairs and queen room/loft up with a shared bathroom downstairs. A small living room in the downstairs bedroom with a tiny galley kitchen contained kettle, French press, stocked mini fridge, coffee, whatever cream you want, teas, sparkling waters... the bathroom comes with hairdryer w diffuser (it's humid CurlyGirls), soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion unique to Nimmo, so lovely you'll want to take them home with you. Soaking tub, glassed in shower, open toilet, lovely, luscious towels. Dressers and hooks upstairs and down. Our back patio with tow Adirondack chairs overlooked the bay and the morning sun. Note: it's light from 4:30 to 10:30 this time of year so bring a sleep mask. They provide hiking boots, wet suits, snorkel and mask, backpacks, rubber pants, windbreakers, aqua socks, blankets, food and drink and snacks for every event, yoga equipment, binoculars, water bottle, (bathing suits and coats are available for purchase). Bring: Tevas or similar, wool socks for hiking, bathing suit, tank tops, long sleeved t shirts, track jackets, sleeping clothes, hiking pants, sunscreen!!, a sunhat, yoga clothes, multiple underwear, mascara and lip balm/gloss, "easy hair" accessories, sunglasses, toothbrush, necessary meds. Breakfast and dinner are included and served in the restaurant. Do not miss this unique and delicious culinary experience. The front house staff, sommelier, bartender, and cooking staff make this a sensuous journey for the senses. They were VERY accommodating and creative for our dietary restrictions in our group. Coffee, even espresso available at 6am. The WiFi is spotty unless you're in the restaurant and thank goodness because isn't that why we go on a wilderness retreat?!? I got two massages- ask for Bianca or Silkie! I went to yoga every morning at 7 as I'm on East Coast time. Gentle yin. Book the full day helicopter with Riley. DO NOT MISS; #worthit. One of the only not included excursions, but we toured all around and landed by a mountain top snow-capped twin lakes and then on a glacier to have lunch, then at the base of Seymour Falls which is where the salmon spawn in September. Beautiful no matter when. Ice cold glacial run off. Otherwise we did snorkeling, kayaking, forest bathing, boat safari, we saw eagles, harbor seals, enormous starfish, magenta sea cucumber, puffin relatives, ravens, barn swallows, banana slugs, a deer, a raccoon, a mom and baby humpback whales... wow! Beyond. We saw First Nations hieroglyphics. We stayed up one night for the music played by the talented staff and a guest named Ashleigh Ball who was an amazing surprise! They sometimes have an artist in residence, but was not there that week, however many of the staff are super talented artists. My massages were divine. They should call it the Goddess Massage! Both were uniquely gifted in healing and the setting in a room suspended above the waterfall was Divine. The waterfall is easy to get into with aqua socks and sits right beside the hot tubs to warm you up after the glacial run off. There is an outdoor shower there and a stocked mini fridge. So much more. Amazing, attentive and detail oriented staff They knew my name, my shoe and clothing sizes for excursions, they knew my drink and food preferences. On your last day bags need to be packed by 8am, but flight can be 1:30ish, so time for one last excursion. Lots of hiking around I did not get to do on this trip. Fishing also an option with helicopter, boat or river waders. Can take a float plane back or a Goose to Port Hardy, then a prop plane back to YVR. Again, stay at the Fairmont airport saves you time and Westjet direct to ATL. Magical, unreal experience, Ladies, a MUST do with or without him.
