Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 10:24 pm
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This article will go over my review of Tigh Na Mara Resort in Parksville, BC.
Last summer, I had the chance to stay at Tigh Na Mara Seaside Spa Resort for the first time. Overall, I loved my time there! I’ve put together this Tigh Na Mara review to help you plan your own trip!
Accomodation
There are a few different choices of accommodation available at Tigh Na Mara. I stayed in an ocean view room and it was lovely! The room itself was nice, though nothing particularly special in my opinion. It was clean, comfortable, and had a cute west coast vibe. I wouldn’t say it was particularly luxurious though- the vibe is more-so rustic and cozy. And the real appeal of the ocean view rooms is, of course, the view! The balcony looking over the stunning beach is hard to beat.
There are also cabins available for rent. They are more spacious, and have room to house a whole family. However, they are a bit further back from the beach, in a forested area, and along the road that goes through the resort.
Location
The Location on Tigh Na Mara is amazing, especially if you’re hoping to spend time at the beach. There is a very short trail from the resort down to the beach. The resort is about a 5 minute drive from ‘downtown’ Parksville, where you will find some shops and restaurants to enjoy. The resort itself feels fairly secluded. It is nestled in the forest, a bit removed from the town and the highway- the perfect place for a getaway.
Amenities
Tigh Na Mara has some nice amenities to offer outside of the rooms. There is an indoor pool and hot tub, that are available to hotel guests. Be careful though, if you’ve seen photos of the Tigh Na Mara pool online, it was likely the pool at the Grotto, Tigh Na Mara’s spa. While that pool is absolutely stunning, you can only access if you are having a spa treatment. The hotel pool, while clean, is much less luxurious. It is perfect for children and families.
There is also a restaurant on site. I had breakfast and lunch there. Both were tasty, and there plenty of options on the menu. It was definitely more of a family restaurant though- if you are looking for a luxury dining experience, you may want to leave the resort. It is also worth noting that there was no room service available.
In terms of in-room amenities, the room had everything I needed! Air conditioning, robes, slippers, a fridge, wifi, and a coffee maker. And patio furniture to enjoy the beautiful view from the balcony!
Tigh Na Mara Value
So- is Tigh Na Mara good value for its cost? In my opinion, yes. One of the cheapest rooms in the off-season costs about $300/night. Well this is a bit on the pricy side, for Southern Vancouver Island, it’s not far off average. And the location right next to the beach makes it hard to beat, regardless of the season.
However, it is honestly not as luxurious as I imagined. I loved the cozy, rustic, forested feel, but for some reason, I had always got the impression that Tigh Na Mara is more luxurious than it really is. I think the spa might be where it really shines in that regard. That being said, the hotel itself was clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly and helpful, and I really enjoyed my view of/access to the ocean!
I hope this Tigh Na Mara review helps you plan your own visit to Parksville BC. Happy travelling!
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