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Hotel Zed Tofino: The Retro Surfer-Style Hotel Welcoming LGBTQ Travellers to Rekindle Their Wanderlust

by | Sep 24, 2022

Tofino is a treasured gem on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. Located in the Clayoquot Sound, the oceanside village is a beloved travel destination, best known for surfing, kayaking, whale and wildlife watching, old-growth rain forests, art and First Nations galleries, and its serene surroundings. 

The coastline off Tofino, British Columbia.

Hotel Zed Tofino

Tofino is a magical piece of Canadian west coast paradise, and the best way to enjoy it is staying at the Hotel Zed Tofino. It’s located at the entrance of Tofino, adjacent to Chesterman Beach, one of the three popular white-sand beaches the area offers. 

People surfing at Chesterman Beach in Tofino, BC.

The Hotel Zed Tofino is a retro surfer-style hotel. It’s quickly becoming one of the most popular destination properties in Tofino, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a fantastic one-stop accommodation shop – blending nature, creativity, vintage vibe, and casual fun, all wrapped up in stylish sophistication. It all just, works! 

The colorful exterior of the Hotel Zed Tofino.

The property is bursting with charm and personality. From the bright colors perfectly offsetting the natural color palette, to the quaint touches that make things pop, it easily brings a fun sense of joy. 

The Hotel Zed Tofino.

Escape the everyday and step out of the cookie cutter, and rekindle your wanderlust, at the Hotel Zed Tofino. 

The Hotel Zed sign made out of driftwood.

Rooms For the Adventurous Traveller

Hotel Zed Tofino’s rooms are like a breath of fresh air. This isn’t your standard hotel room. Here, you’ll find rooms with retro personality, comfort, and casual convenience. It’s perfect for getting a great night sleep after a busy day of adventures in Tofino. 

A guest room at the Hotel Zed Tofino.

Room types range from king beds and double queens to family suites and king kitchenettes. Each room is unique and individually styled and decorated. 

Retro appliances and accessories at the Hotel Zed Tofino.

Rooms have the signature Hotel Zed rotary phone, free WiFi, flat screen TV, mini fridge, fragrant toiletries, piles of clean towels, and a comfortable bed with fresh, crisp, sheets. 

A rotary phone next two a queen size bed at the Hotel Zed in Tofino, BC.

Amenities

The Hotel Zed Tofino has an incredible array of amenities that will make your stay at this coastal paradise unforgettable. There are so many memorable moments waiting to you to discover, and for epic selfies that will command likes and comments from your friends and followers. 

Sunken Living Room

The sunken living room in the lobby is the perfect place to hang out and meet new friends. 

A vintage fireplace in the lobby of the Hotel Zed Tofino.

Retro Office 

There is a retro office where you can get some work done and host the most epic Zoom meetings. 

A retro office workspace in the lobby of the Hotel Zed Tofino.

Psychic’s Den

Find your way through future challenges in the Psychic’s Den. 

A psychic den in the Hotel Zed Tofino.

The Hidden Arcade Room

There is a hidden room with classic arcade games, including Mrs. Pacman. Hint: There’s a red Hotel Zed book on the shelf in the small living room off the lobby. 

A hidden arcade room at the Hotel Zed Tofino.

The Sanctuary 

Soothe your soul and be at peace with nature in under 60 seconds by taking a stroll to the serene bird sanctuary, just steps outside the backdoor. Follow the path and wooden boardwalk to find deck chairs waiting for you to enjoy the Tofino inlet, from sunrise to sunset. 

A wooden boardwalk leads to deck chairs at a quiet sanctuary area behind the Hotel Zed Tofino.

Rebel Playground

It’s all fun and outdoor games at the Rebel Playground from shuffleboard and pirate ship to the spring-loaded surfboard and bocci ball. 

The outdoor Rebel Playground at the Hotel Zed Tofino.

The Volkswagen Vans

Driftwood is a popular art medium on the west coast, and at the Hotel Zed Tofino you can get epic shots of their custom-built driftwood Volkswagen bus. 

A vintage Volkswagen van made out of driftwood at the Hotel Zed in Tofino, BC.

Up your selfie game with the 1969 Chevrolet Kindswood Estate Station Wagon that is parked out front every day – you can’t miss this hot pink perfection! 

A 1969 Chevrolet Kindswood Estate Station Wagon at the Hotel Zed Tofino.

Dance at the Mini Discotheque 

Get your groove on at the mini disco, complete with music, lights, and sequin wall. Hint: This is a great spot for capturing cool social content. 

A sequin wall in the mini discotheque at the Hotel Zed Tofino.

Shower Power

Have a shower outside – at the surfboard shower. Wash off the sand from the beach with warm water, then follow the path directly into the hotel.

An outdoor shower made from a surfboard at the Hotel Zed Tofino.

The Craziest Bike Path

The bike path runs right through the hotel! Seriously. Tofino has a bike path that parallels the highway, and there’s a path that branches off, into the Hotel Zed, and then back out to the bike path. The automatic doors mean you can ride on in. And if you don’t have a bike, you can borrow one from the Hotel Zed! 

A colorful bike path running through the Hotel Zed Tofino.

ROAR Restaurant 

Of all the dining options in Tofino, ROAR, located in the lobby of the Hotel Zed Tofino is without a doubt the most awesome restaurant experience in Tofino. 

The outdoor patio at ROAR Restaurant located at the Hotel Zed Tofino.

With indoor, outdoor, bar, and chef’s table seating, there are plenty of options to enjoy the perfect dinner. 

A glass of red wine and a menu at ROAR Restaurant at the Hotel Zed Tofino.

To start, there are hand crafted cocktails, BC wine, and local craft beer options. 

Locally sourced ingredients for dishes at the ROAR Restaurant in Tofino.

From small plates and starters to incredible entrées, the entire menu is mouth-watering. The Chef has incorporated fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which means that the menu is seafood forward – including oysters and fish.

A flame-grilled hamburger from ROAR Restaurant in Tofino, BC.

The steak dinner for two is an impressive feast with fresh fire grilled vegetables, mushroom risotto, and mixed greens. For a more casual dinner, there’s always their twist on a fresh, flame-grilled chuck hamburger.  There are even great options for vegans and special dietary requirements. 

A steak dinner for two at the ROAR Restaurant in Tofino, BC.

But the signature of ROAR is the incredible wood fire grill. Almost every entre is made to perfection on this incredible beast. It’s a site to watch the team prepare meals. 

The wood fire grill at ROAR Restaurant in Tofino, BC.

Wrap up your evening with a decadent dessert and aperitif. 

Chocolate fudge cake at ROAR Restaurant in Tofino, BC.

The Hotel Zed Tofino Welcomes the LGBTQ Community 

Hotel Zed Tofino is a LGBTQ+-friendly hotel. Right on the front door there is a progressive Pride flag, welcoming queer guests. The staff respect your privacy and understand the sensitivities that gay travellers face, and you’ll never feel awkward or uncomfortable. 

Delicate flowers blooming in a rainforest in Tofino, British Columbia.

Whether you are checking in at the registration desk, having a drink on the patio, or borrowing a Hotel Zed bike, LGBTQ guests will be treated with respect and dignity, and receive the signature warm and friendly hospitality that the Hotel Zed prides itself on. 

The entrance of the Hotel Zed Tofino.

Make Your Reservation Today

Tofino is an incredibly special west coast destination. The entire community of Tofino has open arms for the queer community. While there are plenty of accommodation choices, you’ll make the best choice by staying at the Hotel Zed Tofino. It really is an all-in-one resort-style property that is as fun and as quirky as you are.

A row of chairs overlooking an inlet at the Hotel Zed Tofino in Tofino, BC.

Make your reservation at the Hotel Zed Tofino today! www.hotelzed.com

The Hotel Zed Tofino welcome sign.

An Exceptional West Coast Experience Aboard BC Ferries

A BC Ferry sailing towards Nanaimo, British Columbia.

For 60 years, BC Ferries has provided safe and efficient travel to their customers. BC Ferries operates 39 ferries moving more than 22 million passengers and 8 million vehicles each year. Connecting coastal communities, BC Ferries is one of the most spectacular ways to experience travel to Vancouver Island from the BC mainland.

A cruise ship sailing away from Vancouver, British Columbia.

From Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), the crossing takes approximately two hours, and offers spectacular views of greater Vancouver during the crossing of the Salish Sea, and up-close, picture-perfect views of the Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast. You might be lucky enough to even catch an Orca or humpback whale!

A whale tail spotted near Nanaimo, BC, during a sailing on a BC Ferry.

The fleet of ferries servicing Vancouver – Nanaimo crossing offer on-board restaurants, a gift shop, and open-air deck space. Reservations are recommended.

A BC Ferry sailing across the Strait of Georgia.

Learn more and book your reservation on BC Ferries today. www.bcferries.com

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Brian Webb

Brian Webb

Author

Brian Webb is the founder and editor-in-chief of HomoCulture, a celebrated content creator, and winner of the prestigious Mr. Gay Canada – People’s Choice award. An avid traveler, Brian attends Pride events, festivals, street fairs, and LGBTQ friendly destinations through the HomoCulture Tour. He has developed a passion for discovering and sharing authentic lived experiences, educating about the LGBTQ community, and using both his photography and storytelling to produce inspiring content. Originally from the beautiful Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, Brian now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. His personal interests include travel, photography, physical fitness, mixology, drag shows.

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