Poets Cove Resort & Spa

We had a a terrible experience last weekend. This resort is completely rundown the owners own Harrison Hot Springs resort as well. They have let it fall apart. Services is terrible as they can’t get workers. The two bedroom cottage and hot tub we stayed in was completely filthy. There were urine stains on the carpets as well as filthy sofa couch with Springs popping out of it. The laundry machine in the unit wouldn’t drain. I asked for it to be repaired. No one showed up. They provided three towels for five people staying in the room. I sent an email out to the manager Greg Waters. I was told his name was with no response. Front desk reception even advised me not to come back as it’s terrible. Their fine dining restaurants upstairs is absolutely not fine, dining. There is old carpet in the room with one server and two chefs that don’t wear hair nets. We ordered the halibut which came out so dry. We couldn’t even eat it. Again, the server agreed how bad it was. We travel around the world. This resort is such a gem of a place to be located, unfortunately it’s losing all its potential. When your pain over $900 a night you would expect a different quality see photos. There are no ice trays in the freezer, there were no bowls to make a salad, there was 1 dull knife, no extra garbage bags. No room service, clean, make beds etc didnt even remove garbage we had to place outside.

A few issues; restaurant open 12-8 only. No sit down for breakfast. Water flowing to main entrance due to lake overflow. One pool was extremely hot - had to go in Hot Tub to cool off! Construction closes road from 10-2 daily except Sundays. Which means you need to plan. Lodge rooms are not air conditioned so July & August might be too hot! Otherwise it’s a beautiful setting.

They are the same owners of Harrison Hot Springs and they went off their property to destroy a close-by natural (free) hot springs that locals had looked after for years. They don't want the people going to the free hot springs and pay for their gross trashy resort.

Late September, off season, not crowded. We had business on the island, tried for a Friday ferry, 100% full. On Sunday the available ferry space was at 65% so we went....but didn't reserve a room at poets cove. We arrived at 4:00 and my wife tried to order a room that she saw on their website. The guy at the front desk was clueless about their website and had only his canned program to book rooms. My wife tried to explain what she saw on the website but it fell on deaf ears so she settled on a room with 2 double beds, $420.00 a night. We were told at that time that they would need to get housekeeping to go over the room first, so we went to the restaurant for an appetizer and a drink. We returned to the front desk to get our room keys and were told they wouldn't give us the room for one night, we would have to book for two nights. I suppose they figured that since we were on the island, and nowhere else to go, they had us by the short hairs. We were looking forward to an evening (as advertised) looking out on the bay watching the sunset with a glass of wine. Based on the customer service at the front desk, we chose to race to the next ferry off the island. Based on the reviews I've read on tripadvisor.ca, we should have read them first. We will NEVER go to Pender Island again.

Disappointed 😔 Chose this resort for a family celebration but found the resort to be dated and smelly. Room had a foul smell that we reported to the front desk and were told nobody was available to deal with it. The next day, we reported the same thing and were told someone would check it out but never heard anything further. Worried that the smell was potentially dangerous so slept with the windows open all night. We were told that switching rooms was not permitted either. Restaurant (only on on site) does not take reservations…perhaps the front desk could share this information at check in. Food was good. Two pools- one cold and one green with algae. Two hot tubs- one out of service, one filled with non paying customers who come in from the marina and joke about it. The views are beautiful but there are many other places to visit who appreciate travellers and offer superb service. Do not recommend 🙃

The 2 bedroom villas were very run down, the spa did not have the steam caves and it was also closed for most of the days we were there. The restaurant did not have much for fish on the menu and the better restaurant was closed. There were many people in the pool area from their boats and they said they did not pay to be there. It was expensive to stay there so we were not impressed that the pools were open to all. The location is beautiful but we were also not told about the road closure on Pender Island and that meant we couldn’t go to the other side of the island. I wouldn’t go back unless they renovated.

We recently moored our boat the the marina for two nights. The bathrooms were DISGUSTING...both the bathrooms at the lower pool and upper pool. The laundry room was also so very sub par. We experienced this same scenario in the summer of '22 and were hopeful management would have improved but nothing has changed. We have stayed in many marinas over the years and this is by far the most unkept facility. Will not be returning and warn other boaters to consider another option.

Dirty, furniture needs replacing and management unresponsive. At over $2500 for 3 nights please go elsewhere. It’s a pretty cove but the rooms need some serious attention and cleaning. Next time, I’d stay somewhere else but come for a drink and live music. Needs to be downgraded to a 2 star resort.

Do not stay at Poets Cove Resort, Spa & Marina, Managers are rude and completely unhelpful and honestly seem to just not care at all. After sending countless emails to management about the cleanliness of our room as well as an incident with staff coming in after being asked to come back, none of which were replied to followed by trying to follow up with a head manager via phone (who ended up having absolutely no interest in trying to make things right, he told us to not to come back to the hotel again) We spent the last three days in a filthy hotel room, there was mildew/dirt in the shower, food under the couch and under the cushions on the outdoor patio furniture, fan and furniture was covered in dust. There is a French fry that has been outside our room since we checked in. This was a free stay to compensate my last stays mishap (I got food poisoning from eating at the restaurant, so I would avoid their restaurant too; Syrens Bistro) the cleaning staff also pushed into our room when I was in the shower insisting to clean, which was super uncomfortable. Would definitely not recommend this hotel. This stay has been less than ideal and the hotel is a complete joke. This hotel is part of the Aldesta hotel chain which also runs Harrison Hots Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs resorts.