Union Steamship Marine Resort

This is a unique place with great history. Centrally located, it would be easy to visit by ferry without a vehicle. Cabins are comfortable and quiet, offering the ability to prepare meals in the kitchens. Easy to walk to shops, restaurants and trails. It’s a great getaway.

We booked two cottages for a family trip and a spot in the marina. The site has a lovely setting and on the whole I would recommend it but one of rooms was The Garden Suite. When we opened the door it smelled of damp and old dog. The carpets were dirty and the kitchen in serious need of an upgrade. The kettle should have been condemned. It was dark, like being in a cave, with few windows and those there are lead to the garden that was overgrown and made it even darker. We spent as little time as possible in this room. The other cottage, number 2, was a complete contrast, light and airy and I would recommend it. We had one helpful member of staff, I think Joanna, and one woman who was a total jobs worth and made no effort to help us.

Changed the price for all of our reservations like 2 weeks prior increasing the price by 20%. Shady business practices. Don’t recommend.

Location is great, the units are also very private for been between a store and a pub. The bigger unit needs new carpet for sure, otherwise is nice and comfortable. This is the reason why I lowered my rating. The bathtub are also good. I enjoyed the private balcony very much. Walking distance to all your needs including trails. The beach is not good for swimming, but nice to walk.

While the site itself is beautiful, the rooms are outdated and stuffy. No screens on windows or doors so if you leave open to get some air in, you'll get a bunch of bees and wasps coming in. We ran into a few issues, from booking to a couple other issues during our stay, miscommunication from different staff members. Carpet in the summer house is extremely stained, should be switched. Overall won't be returning. I belive a vacation should be relaxing, which due to all the issues we encountered it was anything but that.

Spent another delightful weekend on Bowen Island. This time we rented The Loft. A tiny, well kept, beautiful little cottage. Oh man it was spotless. Couldn't have asked for better accommodations. I would thoroughly recommend this place for a weekend getaway. Gorgeous large upstairs bedroom in the loft. Kingsize, very comfortable bed with lovely duvet and sky lights in the roof. Delightful.

Nothing would have prepared us for the week we had booked to spend in this delightful little house. From beginning to end it met our expectations. It is beyond delightful. A little spartan with the kitchen utensils etc. but we were well aware of that due to Covid. The view from our kitchen window, front lounge window and also the bedroom door that opened was glorious. The staff members are just unbelievably friendly and we love this place. We have been visiting Bowen Island for years but this is the first time we have stayed at this particular cottage. Just LOVED it beginning to end. We were sad to leave this morning. Thanks for everything. We will be back. June and Nelson

This is an awesome little spot to stop before heading back into Vancouver. The Marina is well kept, with amazing facilities ($1 for 10 minutes). The town has the normal offerings...restaurants, real estate, refreshments and a nice little organic store/cafe/bakery all rolled together. Great little trails to walk nearby. Top marks all around.

We've stayed here a few times in October. Low season is great because we can stay the night without reserving ahead. The lounge is great. Very generous hot clean showers at 5minutes/$1. Urinal with porthole out to the Marina. Big tv and a couch and friendly locals watching sports. Marina is it's own community. Bowen sees a lot of flashy tourists and has many vacation houses for the wealthy - not really our thing - but this marina makes Bowen reasonable for a quick visit for a bike/hike and a shower.

We have stayed here numerous times over the years. It is relaxed, helpful and high standard moorage. They accommodate our starboard tie and outside float requests. This past time, we were headed out for a new sailor's first overnight cruise so they put us in a spot with easy docking, close to the showers & bathrooms. The floats are high enough to allow for easy disembarking, clean, uncluttered and friendly. Most people passing stop to say high, chat with our dog and show us their pooch. The resort office offers all the bits and bobs for repairs at sea and sometimes a few extra treats like lamps and cookware. Their shop on shore has quality ice cream - a cone has often been our first stop, after a pee break for the patient dog, after we land. The shop offers local artisans' work at reasonable prices plus toiletries you may have forgotten before you cast off from home. The large, smooth lawn at the Union Steamship Company hearkens back to the days of grand resorts with large white lawn chairs for anyone who wants to rest, games like bean bag toss for those who want to play and a lawn to run around on for those who need to wear off some energy before bed. The whole atmosphere is relaxed and safe. The town of Bowen Island offers all the amenities you might need and more. Be sure to take in the Farmers' Market up the hill at the school Saturday mornings until noon. And, when you leave, the resort staff may even magically appear to help you cast off for the next stage of your adventure. Highly recommend. Reasonable price for full service marina. For those who want to sleep on land, they offer adorable cabins with front porches and views of the bay. (Photo courtesy marinas.com)

What a great place. The staff are extremely helpful, there is a small village associated with marina with lots of fun shops, and even a distillery. The food at Doc Morgan's was excellent, we ate there twice in one day. Highly recommend.

It's customary to be placed on a waiting list when trying to find optimal moorage in the Lower Mainland, and paying a deposit for the privilege of being on the list is small price to pay. However, in this instance, the order of the names kept on this marina's particular list is very fluid, and inclined to be revised depending on the preferences of the Company. Imagine my surprise to pay $100 to be placed on the list, and then discover that the slip I had been waiting patiently for is now being advertised on Craigslist almost a year after I gave them my deposit. I suggest not paying the deposit, but being a major suckhole to the schmucks running this place if you'd like to jump the queue; much quicker that way.

I expect a chandlery shop to price essentials high; it's the penalty you pay when you set sail and forget items. But $16 for 1lb canister of propane is BRUTAL. Time for me to setup a new business.

This is a review for the Union Steamship, Marina section. We stayed here over the long weekend booking their transient moorage. They met us on dock with our shore power lines and even grabbed our bow line to help us dock. Staff are all so friendly and helpful! Low and behold, upon docking our water pump bites the dust. We're we ever happy to see their wash room facilities! Showers, laundry, a seating area with TV and books. Perfect walk to all of the fun places in the harbour. We picked up a few cute nick nacks in the Union Steamship store. Great place!

If you're not doing a bed and breakfast thing then this is the place to stay on Bowen. It's right near the ferry so it's super handy. The union steamship company has cabins for rent. These are the old original cabins from the 1920's (some are in rougher shape than others but they've been kept up pretty well), from when Bowen was the resort getaway for the wealthy. The staff is really friendly and helpfull. I recommed staying in the cabins in the back as they are much quieter than staying right on the boardwalk. The garden suite is really nice exept your on the bottom floor of a house,(and right on the boardwalk), and you can hear everything so for this reason I dont recommed it. I'm guessing the cabins are about 700 square feet so for $150.00 per night they're a real deal.