Swept Away Inn in Port Alberni
1-5505 Argyle St, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1T6, Canada
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Where to start. There was a foot gap between the dock and the edge of the boat. Really bad for anyone with poor balance. ||There was no flexibility in checking in early. The reason given was that they had to clean the rooms of 14 people. We sat at a restaurant beside the tug and saw only one person on the boat and she was cooking. There was no movement or presence of cleaning staff. ||Once we got on, we thought we could sit in the lounge and relax but the owner sat in the room with us. Creepy. ||The washrooms were so small I had to sit sideways. The toilet paper was on the floor instead of a holder. I didn’t bother looking in the shower. There were dirty towels in the shared bathroom. There was a paper towel dispenser which would have been more hygienic but it wasn’t being used. ||The room had two hard bunk beds. The dimensions were 7’x5’x7’. We had a tiny sink. There was one outlet on the wall opposite the beds so we had to have our cords dangling via the ceiling to get to the beds. To go to the bathroom (outside the room) I felt like I was walking through spider webs. There were 2 portholes that looked directly onto the dock, and no coverings for them (no privacy at all). I attempted to drape our only towels over them to give privacy and block the morning light but they kept falling. There was no way to lock the door on the room. I felt extremely unsafe. ||It was noisy much past my bedtime. I wore high quality earplugs and had a sleep mask with speakers and quiet music on top of them. I could still hear people talking, laughing and not caring. I could hear the surrounding rooms snoring. The next room had a dog that kept whimpering. ||We stayed there because of the close location to the bamfield boat. But catching the boat at 0745 meant we couldn’t enjoy the breakfast. There was no flexibility in getting a discount because we were missing breakfast. However, we were charged for the beer and juice that we bought when we got on the boat. ||And lastly, the cook was starting to cook breakfast at 0600. Right outside our room. It was noisy. ||I cannot recommend staying here.
If I could I would give foe the service more stars. The couple who operates and owns the boat does an amazing job. They love what they do and it shows. We stayed only one night but it was amazing. The breakfast was phenomenal. It is a must to try when you are in Port Alberni. They opened a restaurant recently where you can try the great Moroccon cuisine. Thank you for your hospitality!
We had dinner on the boat and it was a wonderful experience. You sit at a large communal table and get to meet and chat with people from all over the world. that is what made it so fun. the dinner on this night was a paella and it was delicious! My only advice would be to confirm the cost of the meal and drinks before you make the booking. We were surprised at how expensive the meal turned out to be. Also the owner did not give us an itemized bill, instead just the grand total. I would ask for the detailed bill to make sure there are no errors and that the price agrees with what you were quoted before you booked. Also call the day before to confirm your reservation. but overall it is a great experience.
Wonderful, unique adventure!!! Incredible food and tugboat was well maintained. Loved everything about it, except the " custom bill" with lump sum for accommodation, dinner, taxes and surprisingly high service charges upon check out next morning. Bill not itemized and I suggest you should ask for it. We were wrongly billed for 4 wines. We only had 3 beers, no wine. Great experience but DO ask for exact dinner, liquor prices, their gratuities, service fees, etc. before booking to avoid big surprises!
My girlfriend and I stumbled upon this gem in September - we called it the “botel” and decided we couldn’t pass this opportunity for a new experience. ||||While the cabins may be small (and charming), they are very clean and come with a view of the marina. The owners prepared an amazing Moroccan style breakfast every morning; a different morning, a different flavor. Dan is the nicest of hosts, he knows very well the area around and suggested great spots. Overall this was a great experience - highly recommended for a short period.
This B&B was so unique. It’s really an experience unlike any other. We wanted to visit Tofino but the hotels were just way to expensive. So instead we booked 2 nights at The Swept Away Inn. As seen from other reviewers, the rooms are definitely on the small side, but hey it’s a tugboat after all! We had bunk beds to sleep in, and they were very comfortable. Daniel and Bouchra are wonderful hosts. When we came on the boat we already saw other guests talking almost like they all knew each other. You really get to know all of the guests well, and they were all so friendly. In the evening, Daniel took out his guitar and we sang along to a few songs together. The Moroccan breakfasts made by Bouchra were truly unique and scrumptious. They also put a curfew at 11:00 which is much appreciated. Other guests were from the area and also told us about different places to visit during the day which made it just that much more special. If you want a non-regular type of stay, I would absolutely recommend the Swept Away Inn!!
What a wonderful experience meeting Bouchra and Daniel onboard their 100' tug/B&B! I stayed for two nights with a friend joining for the second night. We got a summer rainstorm and decided to cozy up on the covered deck for the evening and play cards and enjoy the gentle sway of the boat and the warm ambiance from the deck lights. ||The breakfasts were AMAZING! I enjoyed both a sweet and a savoury breakfast over the two mornings and I can honestly say I have never had such a delicious breakfast.||Unfortunately, there weren't enough guests for them to be able to offer a dinner reservation so while we did not get that experience, we did follow-up on their recommendation of a local restaurant, Brie & Barrel, which blew us out of the water with their delicious food. We will just have to make our way back for another visit to try dinner!||This was a great idea for a girls weekend away and I would do it again in a heartbeat! Dan and Bouchra were very kind and hospitable and have created a wonderful space.
Great experience! We had an amazing stay in this old military mine sweeper/tug turned B&B. The rooms are small (it is a tugboat after all) but clean and cozy. The boat is docked on a public wharf and we had amazing views of the water, mountains and boat coming in and out. Make sure you take advantage of the views from the top deck. The hosts are extremely friendly and welcoming. We were treated like family. After a delicious gourmet burger meal, we ended up staying up with the host (along with another guest) drinking and chatting. Can’t recommend this place enough! Pro-tip: if you’re trying to book a room on booking websites and it shows that they are full, call them directly, you might be able to snag a room that way.
Amazing get away spot. Check it out
Amazing hosts. Moroccan dinner and gourmet breakfast was delicious.
Great atmosphere, food and service! Highly recommend!
This Moroccon feast was beyond amazing. The lamb, cauliflower, eggplant, couscous, and bread. All handmade, all complicated taste sensations. My brothers wedding reception was a complete success due to this incredible culinary delight. Thank you
So disappointing!!! I would suggest not booking here due to management. Because the fires and ROAD CLOSURE, myself and guests were unable to stay. emailed in advance they said they would not refund but would rebook (which was upsetting as I had guests traveling from Ontario) I asked when I could rebook TWICE and now they wont answer emails or return my calls. Shady shady shady
What a wonderful adventure in Port Alberni. The boat is beautiful and such a piece of history. We arrived on a rainy night and felt very cozy inside. Dinner is not to be missed! Incredible food by and wonderful hosts. Rooms are exactly as you d expect on a boat. They are nicely appointed and beds are very comfortable. It was so quiet we slept to the gentle rocking of the boat. When I say boat, it is a big boat with seven rooms and two large decks, two lounges, a galley and eating area. Don t miss this. It is by far my favourite stop in Port Alberni and the best view of the inlet.
Individual overnight accommodation on a ship - full of character
It is a highlight to stay here. Super nice hosts, warm atmosphere. And this is lived and includes the other guests who want it. The cabin was superbly furnished. It is a ship with atmosphere and not a cruise giant. The highlight is definitely cooking on the ship in the evening. We were here on a Monday evening when, understandably, the boat restaurant was closed. The hosts great tip was a restaurant a 3-minute walk away, where we ate together with some of the other guests. Afterwards we all had a drink on the boat and had a good chat. A highlight was the great breakfast that was served to us. If youre looking for a special experience in the heart of Vancouver Island, this is the place for you! Again any time!
Beautifull place, warm welcoming, delicious food, confortable beds, great expérience to sleep in a boat, perfectly clean. Beers and drinks can be expensive, ask for the price before.
Would have been a great stay but ended up leaving in tears. What I thought was going to be a $200 night turned into half my pay check. If you re expecting an affordable night stay because that s the price you booked at, don t be fooled. Dinner for 2- $150 (even if you barely eat anything) 2 rum/coke, 3 beers- $75 Tip pre added by host None of this information was disclosed to us upon arrival or on any booking site. Please stop taking advantage of young travellers.
Our hosts took the time to make us feel welcome and comfortable. The Swept Away Inn is so different from any ordinary hotel or B & B and that s what we liked. Had a great sleep and were treated to the most excellent breakfast. We will be back! Jeff and Annikka
Nice location
Not so friendly owner, rude and drunk. Very bad experience.
We had a great time on the boat. Such wonderful stories. Provided great advice on what to do. Awesome company. Comfy beds. Hidden gem. Maybe I shouldnt be posting this.
Best place you can stay in the area. Great rooms, amazing cuisine and even better company if you want to socialize!
A unique experience but overpriced.
Very nice experience, the hosts are really nice and we slept very well. What can I say about the delicious meals... I recommend 100% Thank you for welcoming us so well Married
Absolutely marvelous. Best meal I have had in a long long time.
Worst experience of life. We had to stay outside the hotel for an hour and the owner stated that s her hotel she will open the front door when ever she like.We booked through Expedia and were pretty excited for our trip. We had an early morning ferry so we had to wait a while to check in. We been waiting pretty much all day and we re exhausted. We asked the owners if we can check in early they said you can come back at 3 which we did. And when we got there no one was there. So when we saw them we told them we were waiting but no one was there. And we asked that we could have checked in at 3 there like you can only check in at 4 while we talked to them we can come by 3. One of the owners the lady got pretty angry and aggressive then started shouting at us. All we wanted to do was get a room. But they made this experience worse. She basically told us to get out of her hotel while we had a reservation and was treated disrespectfully. Avoid staying here, I would just recommend any other hotel. Never have I ever experienced bad customer service like this. We just booked at best western and the rest of the stay turned out pretty good.
My stay here was very much what I was looking for. The experience was great from the start. The warm and inviting welcome from hosts, the cleanliness and freedom of space to use and the beautiful location where the boat is docked to my departure sent off with an amazing breakfast. It was very magical. My new place to stay over and over.
Upon researching this place and reading reviews on multiple platforms, I must say I have NEVER seen such unprofessional responses from owners of a business. Its extreme enough that for the first time, I am compelled to write a review on a business I havent even visited. Unable to take criticism it seems. Lost my business before I even arrived in town which is unfortunate because I love the unique business idea. The amount of business youve lost without realizing its because of your petulant online bickering with your customers... youll never know. But I can guarantee theres been plenty of couples who read your responses and want nothing to do with you due to your loutish argumentative persona. Gotta talk the talk, not just walk the walk.
Definitely a cool experience
Costs a fortune. They lead you to think you have a choice on their website (menu options ranging from $30-50.00 per person) but when you get there, you are given whatever they make, at whatever cost they decide! and of course it is 50.00. Then they tack on a 20% tip thats hidden in your price, so you dont have the option to decide. So for 4 people, a meal, with 2 drinks each, (two of them were pop) costed us $354.00! We were totally shocked!
Highly recommended! Our stay at the Swept Away Inn was a nautical, culinary, and cultural voyage ! Full review: We are a blended (Canadian-Mediterranean) couple who were intrigued by the combination of a taste of nautical life, authentic Moroccan cuisine, and bed-and-breakfast personal interactions that the Swept Away Inn has to offer. Our hosts, a cultural blend like us, have created a completely unique little world, which we thoroughly enjoyed having the chance to visit and experience, together with a number of other guests who represented equally remarkable blends. Dinner and breakfast are served in the galley/dining room, where all the guests share one or two large tables. It is not the typical b&b style, so it helps to be gregarious (like my wife, the Mediterranean), but even a quiet type (like me, the Canuck) can have a great time, enjoying the delicious Moroccan food, some nice wine, and the stories of the other guests. Our group included folks from a number of countries and cultural backgrounds, which made for great discussions and a fun time. The boat is a refurbished former tug and minesweeper, so the experience is a little like you might imagine having as a crew member on a working vessel. We had a bunk bed (I insisted on the top bunk), and as spartan as it looked, it was actually very comfortable, and we slept well. It isn t the Chateau Laurier, but that s part of the charm of this little floating inn. Not to be missed! Heartfelt thanks to the good ship and crew !
Stayed with my son for one night; beautiful location; very nice hosts; a must on the way to pacific coast.
We booked the night before our trip with Lady Rose Marine Services. We had a great evening visiting with Dan and Bourchra. They did a wonderful job restoring the tug and made us feel so welcome. A truly unique experience.
Thanks Daniel!
Very unique bnb on a 100 ft renovated tugboat. Run by a lovely and interesting couple who are great hosts and fabulous cooks. You can join them for an amazing Moroccan-style dinner by reservation also.
Amazing!! Unique experience. Friendly hosts, incredible food. One of the best sleeps of our lives. Why stay in a hotel ever again, when these types of experiences are available?
A very unique experience and a highlight of my trip up island exploring BC. The location is wonderful and the ambiance on the boat is great. We had a nice evening sitting on the aft of the boat chatting with other guests and our hosts. And breakfast was delicious.
A truly unique experience! Great hospitality, amazing food and an interesting selection of local craft and Belgian beers.
Charming B&B on the water. Be ready for a cramped space, after all, you are on a boat. The hosts make sure to make you feel welcome. When booking online on a third-party site, read all the fine prints, you might have to pay a clean up fee not included in the advertised price.
Dan and Bouchra are the best. This dream they are following makes me jealous. Wish I couldve stayed longer. If you book this place, expect something quaint. Youre staying on a boat after all. But its the best kind of quaint.
Very warm owners and a very special location. The cabins have been converted and furnished in a spartan manner, but you sleep well and the location is of course great. I felt very comfortable...
What a piece of history! This vintage tug boat, the MV Songhee, was built in 1943 in California & served in WWII. Thought the highlight was staying on the boat, in the original cabins, but it was just one of as our hosts put on an incredible Moroccan dinner. Fourteen strangers began the night, intimately squeezed around the captains table, 4 hours later many friendships emerged. All the food was outstanding, but the lamb & cheesecake need a special mention. This was the experience to take away. Then, this mornings breakfast was scrumptious. Highly recommended.
For a unique experience factor its great. Staterooms are tiny but I expected that. There is only two bathrooms however on main deck and only one shower for five rooms so queueing for bathroom is not cool. If there are 5 bathrooms we werent told where rest are so when there are 10 guests on main deck thats a little ....annoying. Hosts are nice but thats expected. It was more or less comfortable since I brought my own coffee, wine and tea. Food smelled good but I didnt try it so cant comment on it. I would not stay again tho..stayed here so my travel companion would enjoy it and he did so mission accomplished.
Exceptional hospitality and extraordinary food and drink. Everything fresh. A clean and comfy room/bath in an unconventional setting. Marvelous meals with fellow travelers from around the globe sharing stories...a wonderful experience
For anyone who has traveled and wish to reexperiance ethic food or simple amazing food you should check this out. Small and personal with great service. And a great way to meet new people. Its a small table of 12 where you share and eat communial. Will come back for this!!!
My first tug boat adventure but not the last...the food was amazing (Moroccan dishes for dinner and breaky all prepared on board in the galley kitchen), nice selection of wine, sampled some Belgian beers that I never tried before, and the staterooms are very cozy. Thank you to our hosts Dan and Bouchra for the experience.
What a fantastic unique adventure to stay aboard this tug boat B&B. We booked the whole boat for a team building event and WOW it was so much fun. To say the food was truly amazing is an understatement - our hosts Dan & Bouchra really went out of their way and everything was fantastic. I highly recommend this venue for a group event or even just to stay as your passing through beautiful Port Alberni in your travels. I cant wait to go back!
