Home-grown luxury boutique accommodation brand, Baillie Lodges, has ventured into the Northern Hemisphere for the first time, announcing the addition of Clayoquot Wilderness Resort on Vancouver Island to its portfolio.
The property features 25 luxury glamping-style tents positioned on the edge of Clayoquot Sound, with guests able to take advantage of experiences including horse riding, canyoning, scenic helicopter flights and wildlife spotting, with whales and bears a regular sight when in season. Guests can also enjoy yoga classes and spa treatments, with a range of new wildlife experiences soon to be introduced.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is open seasonally during the warmer North American months and will run its 2021 season from May 13 to September 30. Prior to next season, the tents will undergo a significant refurbishment with new king beds, linens and bespoke furnishings, while the main Cookhouse Restaurant will also be refurbished with a new bar and diner facilities.
Baillie Lodges Founder, James Baillie, said the addition of Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge marks a major step in the company’s evolution to become an international collection of luxury lodges and is emblematic of the positive influence provided by its investment partner, KSL Capital Partners.
“One of the strengths of Baillie Lodges has always been the feeling of being an extended family, with each of its remotely located lodges remaining close in both team relationships and in a dedication to the Baillie ethos of delivering extraordinary experiences for our guests,” he said.
“It’s a very natural fit for Clayoquot to be part of the Baillie Lodges family and will be the most remote and wild addition to the collection to date.”
Under the Baillie Lodges tie-up, the property will be renamed as Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge to align with Baillie’s existing portfolio, which includes Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Longitude 131° at Uluru- Kata Tjuta and Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest. In addition, a new logo, website and guest collateral have also now rolled out.
Two of Baillie Lodges’ long-serving staff members will join Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in time for its 2021 opening, with Executive Chef, Asher Blackford, and Assistant General Manager, Kate Hollick, both opting to take up roles at the company’s new addition. They will work under Clayoquot General Manager, Sarah Cruse, who returns to the operation with her loyal and returning troupe of Canadian staff members.
The news is a bittersweet moment for the company, which tragically saw its flagship property – Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island – destroyed during last summer’s devastating bushfires. The company is currently planning its rebuild.