A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Cozy Accommodations

In Janice Waugh’s “The Solo Traveler’s Handbook,” she recounts an experience in Havana, Cuba, where she disembarked from her cab into a deserted street, unable to locate her hotel. 

After finding her way, she gets checked into a windowless room.  Her initial dismay prompted her to request a room with a view and even consider switching to an all-inclusive resort. But her efforts to reach her travel agent were unsuccessful and she remained in the same hotel. Ultimately, her curiosity and patience allowed her to embrace the city’s charm despite the initial setbacks. 

Waugh imparted her readers a lesson from that trip– one of patience and understanding during a moment of panic. Solo travelling, after all, is not just about exploring the outside world but also discovering oneself amid challenges. But if there’s one thing to add to the solo travellers’ collective wisdom, it’s that comfortable accommodations can lessen unnecessary stress and anxiety. Rested travellers are better equipped to fully immerse themselves in new experiences, be they adventurous or serene. British Columbia offers that range of adventure with cozy accommodations to boot.

 

An artist’s retreat in Haida Gwaii

Consider Copper Beech House in Haida Gwaii for a writer’s retreat. The house offers solitude for reflection or creative pursuits, surrounded by an inspiring landscape and a rich artistic legacy. Built in 1914 by a Swedish carpenter, it has had many incarnations and was even transported through the waters to where it now stands by Masset’s docks. It has witnessed many artists pass through its doors from David Suzuki to Margaret Atwood.

 

Each room has its brand of coziness, the Retreat room being the smallest with the best view of the marina, and the Garden View has a guest’s private entrance and shelves filled with books that guests can take. This bed and breakfast gives off a feeling of an artist in residence. Beyond an artistic retreat is an adventure into the Haida Nation’s ancestral territory, with its rich heritage, dramatic landscape and abundant wildlife. 

Where: Copper Beech House, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia

Rates: Rooms range from $160-$180/night

 

Experience Canada’s last frontier at Chilcotin

For the outdoor enthusiast, The Chilko Experience is a family-run luxury lodge that thoughtfully caters to solo travellers. Whether it’s mountain hiking, kayaking, grizzly bear viewing, or fishing, they offer bespoke experiences with the solo traveller in mind. Chilcotin is referred to as British Columbia’s wild west frontier and after a day of adventure out into these vast lands, you can settle into one of their cozy log cabins.

 

Among them, is a cabin surrounded by trees and wildflowers. Imagine a night, drinking tea and drifting off to sleep dreaming of the adventurers who came before you. 

Where: The Chilko Experience, Chilcotin, British Columbia

Rates: Contact Chilko Experience for a customized quote

 

Rustic living  by the beach in Sooke

In Sooke, rustic living meets modern comforts in a cabin steps away from Juan de Fuca Strait. The cabin’s dark wood frames match the landscape, giving you a feeling of being out in raw nature while still enjoying the best and coziest of amenities.

But being alone doesn’t mean there’s little to do and one can do so much just by staying in this little cabin by the sea.  Located inside an 80-acre property, guests can visit farm animals or take a stroll in a private forest. 

Inside, there’s a fully equipped kitchen for the gourmand, with a porch to enjoy the view as you partake in your meals. At night, enjoy a barbecue for one or simply unwind with a good book by the fire.

Where: Sooke, British Columbia

Rates: $350/night

 

Mountain views on a tree-top cabin in Kaslo

For those who prefer the mountains, this tree-top cabin offers a calming retreat. This stylish tiny home has a warm and cozy ambience with a beautiful view of the Kootenay Lake. The loft bed also has a look-out view, behind it is a narrow horizontal window that frames the trees in such a picturesque way! The property is close to a waterfall, and there are many trails inside this 5-acre property.

Ideal for solo travellers seeking to connect with nature, the place provides a warm sanctuary after days of mountain exploration. After immersing in nature, you can opt to venture out into town. While only populated with a thousand residents, Kaslo is home to many heritage sites.

Where: Kaslo, British Columbia

Rates: $139/night

 

Tiny home living  in Robert’s Creek

Somewhere between Gibsons and Sechelt is a snug haven in the artist community of Robert’s Creek. Here you’ll find this micro-cabin that’s perfect for the solo traveller. Being alone can be daunting especially when things go bump in the night. A cozier space can be more comforting rather than staring across a bigger room while our imaginations run wild. This tiny home is for the solo traveller looking to optimize life outdoors

The cabin is inside a heritage homestead surrounded by lush gardens. It has a loft and an electric cooktop. It’s an ideal place to make small meals, have a picnic and journal. If you start to feel a little stuffy, there are many hikes you can go in the surrounding area along with private art galleries, and breweries. The ocean is two minutes away and as a bonus, there’s a hobbit village that’s also two minutes away! 

Where: Robert’s Creek, Sunshine Coast, British Columbia

Rates: $110/night

Regardless of your background, age, or reasons, take that leap, embark on your solo trip and book a cozy home that complements your adventure.