Wessex Inn By The Sea

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Wessex Inn By The Sea

Beach/ocean view
 Two Queen, kitchenette
Exterior
Exterior
1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View map
1846 Cowichan Bay Rd., Cowichan Bay, BC, V0R 1N0
  • Place, Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyard
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Maple Bay Marina
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Airport, Victoria, BC (YYJ-Victoria Intl.)
    ‪65 min drive‬

Room options

One Queen, kitchenette

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(54 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Partial ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(41 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Partial sea view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Two Queen, kitchenette

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(6 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Partial ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Deluxe Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Cowichan Bay

With a stay at Wessex Inn By The Sea in Cowichan Bay, you'll be by the ocean, just a 1-minute walk from Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre and 6 minutes by foot from Cowichan Wooden Boat Society. .This hotel is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre and 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Arthur Vickers Gallery.

What's nearby

  • Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyard - 5 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Vancouver Island University-Cowichan Campus - 10 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Maple Bay Marina - 21 min drive - 19.5 km

Getting around

  • Victoria Intl. Airport (YYJ) - 64 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Small Block Brewery - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Cobblestone Pub - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪White Spot - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬4 min drive

About this property

Wessex Inn By The Sea

Hotel in Cowichan Bay with free parking
Wessex Inn By The Sea offers 29 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Rooms open to balconies. Flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and microwaves. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Housekeeping is offered on request and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 29 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Rooms have private balconies. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.
This hotel has 2 floors in 1 building and offers designated smoking areas. Recreational activities include boat tours nearby, hiking/biking trails nearby, and kayaking nearby.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Designated smoking areas (fines apply)

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Freezer
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Full payment must be made by credit card prior to closing to arrange after-hours check-in. If payment cannot be processed for any reason, after-hours check-ins will not be permitted. Guests arriving after hours must come to front desk the next day, regardless of length of stay, to complete registration.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of CAD 20 per pet, per night
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
1 child, up to the age of 11 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: CAD 20 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
Alcohol is not served at this property

Property is also known as

Wessex Inn
Wessex Inn Sea
Wessex Inn Sea Cowichan Bay
Wessex Sea
Wessex Sea Cowichan Bay
Wessex Inn By The Sea Hotel
Wessex Inn By The Sea Cowichan Bay
Wessex Inn By The Sea Hotel Cowichan Bay

Reviews

Wessex Inn By The Sea Reviews

8.6

Excellent

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 506 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 327 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 103 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 40 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 1000 reviews

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Wendy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Having paid almost $300/night expecting a “quaint” seaside accommodation not 5 star luxury we were greeted by Michael (for which all comments in prior reviews is accurate on his warm welcome). We were not prepared for what we saw the moment we opened the door. The room was beyond “tired” .. duct tape holding the flooring down, stained linens and pillows, dirty walls with holes, door frames coming off and stained carpets. It was disgusting. We arrived late and after spending 40 minutes on line searching for another accommodation, went to our car where we luckily had towels and pillows we could use. Seriously had “Bates Motel” vibe complete with tourism books dating back to 2020 Needless to say, first thing in the morning.. went to desk where Michael apologized - there is no way on earth that staff here don’t know the terrible condition of the space. Michael advised that they had 4 “renovated” rooms however would have to call ownership for approval. I suggested I would gladly call “ownership” if we weren’t moved. This property is a “buyer beware” with the “non-renovated” rooms condemned. The renovated rooms have new flooring, paint, bathrooms and mattresses however all the old beat up hard furnishings remain The ONLY reason this place is likely still in business is Michael the Manager is clearly doing all he can to make the best out of a terrible property
Door frame falling off
Duct tape flooring
Was something trying to get in or out?
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ivy

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a wonderful experience at Wessex Inn. The room was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, with everything we needed for a pleasant stay. The location is perfect — close to local attractions and with beautiful surroundings. A special thank you to Michael at the front desk, who was incredibly helpful and provided outstanding service throughout our stay. His friendly attitude and willingness to assist made us feel truly welcome. Highly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting the area!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

April

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Felt clean, quiet and comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laila

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very kind manager, clean room, water view!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely stay in Cowichan

Nice little motel, beautiful view and newly renovated rooms, everything you need for a nights stay or longer. Owner was extremely pleasant and couldn’t do enough for us. Nice pubs in Cowichan Bay serving good beer and reasonably priced pub fare.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

andrew

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

tom

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Gorgeous location. Amazing staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

scott

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The facility is older but the staff really care about making sure your stay is exceptional
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hong

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The reception staff are very friendly and helpful!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Al and Mo

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammara

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Not the most up to date hotel. But wow we weren’t disappointed. Quick check in. Told there were beverages in the refrigerator there to help ourselves. Checked in with our small dog with ease. Then went for a walk. The sights were amazing, lots of shops to go in and places to eat just a short walk down the road. We only stayed one night. But will definitely stay again. 1 note. Parking lot is tight for larger vehicles but you can park across the street.
View from pub where we had dinner
Morning coffee with the dog.
Short walk to the water
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

randall

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excell5

We had a room which had been recently renovated. Looks like they are in the process of renovating the entire hotel. Front desk staff was very helpful and offered free pop and water which was greatly appreciated. Room had a view of the water and location is perfect, right across road from fantastic ocean views. Thank you. Highly recommend
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had a wonderful stay at Wissex Inn. We were surprised to see that the room had been recently renovated. The location was also great, with a beautiful ocean view. We highly recommend this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Deborah, Kamloops

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is located steps from the water. A short drive or lovely walk from town. The check in was easy and the room was recently renovated. Water, juice and pop is provided in the lobby for free. The front desk staff greeted us and was very thorough and offerred assistance. I would definitely stay at this motel again and recommend it to others.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joanie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Convenient to cook by ourselves. Pretty view around the bay.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

jen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent stay

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Donald

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Older property but clean and well kept. Bit noisy when folks upstairs were stomping around.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Amanda

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location for visiting Cowichan Bay or Duncan. Quiet, clean, well stocked kitchenette, friendly manager, nice view of the bay from the room and small balcony. We come every year for the Islands Folk Festival.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sujit Kumar

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I recently had the pleasure of staying at Wessex Inn By The Sea in Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. From the moment I arrived, the hospitality was outstanding. The staff, particularly Sahil and Michael, were incredibly welcoming and helpful. I was pleasantly surprised when they upgraded my room to a suite at no additional cost, making my stay even more enjoyable. A special mention goes to the housekeeping lady, a newcomer to Canada from Afghanistan, who went above and beyond in ensuring my comfort during my stay. The level of service at this hotel really stood out when I realized, on my way home, that I had forgotten my wallet in the room. I immediately contacted the hotel, and they confirmed they had found it. Not only did they take the effort to send it back to me via Canada Post, but they also only charged me once I had received it – a gesture of trust and reliability that truly impressed me. Overall, my stay was very pleasant, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the warmth and professionalism shown by the staff. I highly recommend Wessex Inn By The Sea for anyone visiting Cowichan Bay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Reema

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved our stay! We wish we were staying longer! All the rooms have sea views, amd are breathtaking views. Walkable to the sea, and harbour area. Michael checked us in, and took very good care if us. We would stay here again and again! Loved it so much, and so did our teens!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tatiana

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

One night stay for a family trip

It was a nice relaxing stay. Very clean room. Apprecite having a kitchenette. All family enjoyed it! Awesome little ocean park right across the road. Short drive to Duncan with many businesses.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher, Edmonton

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is older, but very clean and well kept, and the location is great. Staff were very attentive and there to help, not just man the front desk. Highly recommended, would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Charles

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025