Every hotel stay has a carbon footprint.  Carbon dioxide emissions from using lights, appliances, heating, and air conditioning all contribute to climate change.  By supporting projects that reduce carbon emissions we can ‘balance’ the carbon emitted during your stay at the resort.

By contributing to carbon management projects through Ecostay we have been able to minimize the carbon footprint of Black Rock Oceanfront Resort!  Click here to read more about the projects we’ve contributed to through Ecostay!

Next time you stay at Black Rock you can rest at ease knowing the carbon footprint of your stay is offset and neutralized!

All Ecostay carbon offsets are purchased from Livclean Carbon Offsets and meet the following standards and criteria:

Canadian Project Standards
All participating Canadian Hotels purchase Canadian Projects listed below, which meet these standards.

• ISO 14064‐2 Compliant
• Independently verified to ISO 14064‐3
• Registered on CSA GHG CleanProjects Registry
• Serialized by CSA to avoid double counting
• Realized emission‐reduction
  (i.e. they are Ex‐Poste, NOT Ex‐ante)

Adventure seekers zip up their head-to-toe rain gear and push their way through the winds and rain to get a better view of this tremendous display of nature along the Wild Pacific Trail.  Conveniently located outside of Black Rock Oceanfront Resort’s doorstep, this trail winds along the western shoreline of the Ucluth Peninsula and can take you to the best storm watching perches on this side of Vancouver Island!

Imagine this:  through the downpour of rain (and the west coast gets about 4 metres of precipitation a year, mostly during the winter months), and standing tall against the winds (which can range between 70-100km an hour during a storm), you see the swell coming in towards the shore like a monster, stalking the rocky beaches.

It rolls in and turns into a 10 foot wave before smashing into the rugged shore with a BOOM!  You’ll feel the base of this beauty right through the soles of your rubber boots!  As a result of the collision, what’s left of the wave shoots high into the air creating a fireworks display of white water and sea spray.  Feel free to cheer at this point…oh, and take pictures with your water proof camera.

Don`t worry, you don`t have to be this hardcore to join in the storm watching fun.  Black Rock Oceanfront Resort has many cozy, indoor hideaways to watch the ferocity of this winter weather.  Perched right on the edge of the ocean, the resort has floor to ceiling windows in all of their ocean view rooms, in the Float Lounge, Fetch Restaurant, Drift Spa, and even in the foyer.

In fact, I`m pretty sure you can get a pretty good view of the water from the hot tub.  Warning:  you will still get wet when viewing waves from the hot tub (with or without rain).

You`ll feel warm and cozy with your coffee or cocktail, snuggled up next to a warm fire watching the ocean put on a show from luxury front row seats.  Black Rock Oceanfront Resort truly is planted in the middle of the best west coast wilderness and is your destination for storm watching…or storm warming.

Storm Watching (Warming) Package

Rates starting from $197 per person

Our unique Storm Watching Package includes:

• Minimum two night`s accommodation in a Studio, One Bedroom, or Two Bedroom Suite
• Black Rock umbrella, to help you weather the storm
• Back-by-popular-demand Black Rock travel mugs
• $75 food & beverage credit

BOOK NOW

For more information or to make a reservation directly, please contact us at:

Phone: 1-877-762-5011
Email: reservations@blackrockresort.com

Stay for 4 nights in a comfortable studio, one bedroom or two bedroom suite during the Pacific Rim Whale Festival (March 16-26, 2012) and only pay for 3 nights!

Package Includes:

• Four nights in a suite of your choice- studio, one bedroom or two bedroom (available only from March 16-26, 2012)
• Kids under 18 and pets stay for free!
• Complimentary resort parking
• Pacific Rim Whale Festival event schedule at check in

Rates starting at $507 for 4 nights

 BOOK NOW

For more information or to make a reservation directly, please contact us at:

Phone: 1-877-762-5011
Email: reservations@blackrockresort.com

-  Add ancient forests made up of giant trees and a thousand shades of green, webbed with trails for walking hand in hand.

-  Include gourmet west coast cuisine shared in candle light and paired flawlessly with fine wine and the loveliest of company.

-  Finish it off with the glow of flickering flames from the fireplace in a luxury suite and the sound of the ocean’s waves just outside the window.

Wrap it all together at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, add the love of your life, and you have the most memorable Valentine’s Day retreat of both your lives.

Valentine’s Day:  Love Affair Package

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort has a deluxe Valentine’s package that will make your Valentine’s Day truly unique and incredibly special.  (It definitely helps that Black Rock is located in some of the most stunning natural beauty in Canada!)

Upon arrival enjoy sparkling wine and a customized chocolate plate in your suite while you settle into your luxury, oceanfront suite.  Take your time to enjoy the view and relax before heading down for your romantic dinner for two.

You and your loved one will then marvel over the culinary wonders on the “Sweetheart” menu in Fetch restaurant for dinner on February 11th.  This special menu will feature the best west coast cuisine, with every plate being a culinary work of art from the first course to the last.

Following dinner, you will be escorted to the Wine Cellar for a unique and romantic Chocolate Addiction Wine Cellar Dessert.   This event features a chef-in-action chocolate station and a variety of chocolate desserts for a heavenly end to your dining experience.

The next day, enjoy the comfort of your suite and each other with a gourmet continental breakfast in bed, delivered to your room at the time of your request.

Package includes:

• 1 Night Accommodation in a comfortable Lodge Suite
• Dinner for 2 –Sweetheart 5 course Fetch Restaurant Dinner: Feb 11^th only*
•    2 Tickets to Chocolate Addiction Wine Cellar Dessert Event: Feb 11^th only
•   Customized Chocolate Plate in room upon arrival- Max 50 charters (i.e I love you  Lisa, love Graham)
•   Sparkling Wine in room upon arrival
•   Continental Breakfast in-Bed – Sunday, Feb 12^th only

Starting at $196 pp

Book additional nights at $99 for Studio Lodge Suites and $119 for One Bedroom Lodge Suites! 

*Taxes and gratuities are not included*

When you get the Black Rock Resort Booking you’ll also be alerted of current news and events at the resort and in Ucluelet and special giveaways.  Check it out!

More about SocialBooker Facebook Booking App

According to Appnostic CEO Brian Dass, “SocialBooker is a Facebook app that delivers a completely integrated booking solution, from room availability through payment transaction, all from within the Facebook environment. Furthermore, hotels can customize their unique booking paths to deliver a fully branded, immersive, and socially connected room-booking experience,” he explained.

It’s true that over 500 million people are on Facebook and use apps or other social plug ins.  It’s becoming a must-have marketing platform for any business.  Black Rock Oceanfront Resort has already dived right into the social media scene, with our Facebook and Twitter page growing every day, offering deals and giveaways and an opportunity for people to connect with their west coast community.

Here’s what it looks like.  Click the image to be redirected to the App page on Facebook.

Don’t forget that our Facebook Contest is still well underway.  Join our Facebook Page, help us reach landmark membership goals, and you AND your referral friend can win night stays, gift certificates, vacation packages and more from Black Rock Oceanfront Resort.  The prizes get bigger as our Facebook population increases.  The next draw will be at 3000 members!

Happy App-ing

Amy Hancock

LET’S CELEBRATE!

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is celebrating its third year in Ucluelet by throwing Local’s Appreciation Night anniversary party at the Float Lounge on January 28^th.  Everyone is invited to join us for drink and lounge menu specials, enter the draw for a night’s stay at the resort, and other great prizes.  Ucluelet’s local performing artists, Left at the Junction, will be playing at 9:00pm with no cover charge!

Although I’d heard of them prior, I didn’t get my first real taste of their rich folk roots flavour until I heard Left at the Junction play at the Ucluelet Salmon Festival in 2010.  The band has been playing together for about 5 years and is made up of Ucluelet residents Rob Thoms, Bill Morrison and Dave Hurwitz. Performing their own material, this trio can get any party started with their blue grass/country/deep roots feel.  They’re known locally for their stand-up bass, mandolin, and guitar combination and have become a west coast favourite.  They just released their first album in December 2011 called Dark Rainy Night.

Get a sneak preview from this live performance on Long Beach Radio Jan 2011:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a43g23H_ZPc

The Local’s Appreciation doesn’t end on Saturday night!  Black Rock is extending their heart felt gratitude for all your support by extending the Local Appreciation celebrations!  Join us this Sunday for Local’s Appreciation Brunch.  Come into Fetch Restaurant on Sunday, January 29^th, served from 8:00am-1:00pm.  Enjoy a gourmet spread of your favourite breakfast foods and the finest of west coast cuisine before a gorgeous ocean view.

The special brunch price for this Sunday is $20 per adult, $10 for kids 12 and under, and kids under 5 eat free.  Don’t forget to take off the 15% local’s discount!

A birthday celebration isn’t complete without birthday cake.  Make sure you visit the lobby at noon for FREE birthday cake, coffee, and tea.  There will also be a draw for a night stay and Lunch for Two at Fetch Restaurant using your receipt purchases from brunch so make sure you hang onto them.

The staff and management at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort would like to sincerely thank you for your continued support.  We feel fortunate to be a part of such an enthusiastic and welcoming community, and part of this amazing west coast culture.  Thanks again and we can’t wait to see you this weekend!

Until next time,

Amy Hancock

Before that day I had never been in a kayak, sea kayak or otherwise, and I will admit to being a little bit nervous.  I walked into the office at Majestic Ocean Kayaking stoked about my kayaking tour of the Ucluelet Harbour, which is available year round.

The smiling staff quickly made sure I had everything I needed for the trip.  Life jacket, spray skirt, paddle jacket, and even lent a quick dry top to wear.  “Cotton is rotten!” they told me, as it absorbs water and doesn’t dry, giving you a chill that can put a damper on the experience.

They kayaks were all lined up along the shoreline at Majestic’s launching beach right in the harbour.  Our guide gave us the ‘how to get into these things’ instructions.

“Okay, straddle the kayak with one leg on each side.  Lower your hips down into the kayak and put your bum in the seat first, then put your legs in one at a time.”  He said.  After a few lessons on paddling techniques, how to steer with the foot pedals, and safety procedures we were on our way to discover the natural beauty that is in Ucluelet’s inlet.

The water inside the inlet is sheltered from the waves and choppy waters of the open Pacific Ocean.  The water rippled gently as we moved quietly along the shoreline in the still morning, enjoying the fresh ocean air under sunny skies.  My paddle cut through the water effortlessly and I was getting the hang of steering with the foot pedals.  Sitting up straight, I took a deep breath of satisfaction, and of relief…it’s easier than I thought!

Photo care of Majestic Ocean Kayaking

There are so many amazing things to see just inside of the harbour.  As we paddled past the fish plants, with massive steel commercial fishing boats unloading their catch and sea lions barking and swimming anxiously around the docks looking for someone to accidentally drop them some lunch, our guide explained a little bit about Ucluelet’s fishing industry.  An old wooden salmon troller went by and its skipper waved at us.  I wonder what stories he could tell from decades spent out at sea!

A few curious sea lions left the dock area and swam over towards us.  One popped his head out, twitched his wet whiskers, and took a good long look at our kayaking group before diving back down into the water and swimming out of site.  Sorry bud, no fish here!

We crossed the harbour and kayaked along the other shoreline.  The rocks along the shore were rugged, beaten weather and sheltered by ancient forests.  We saw a massive eagle’s nest high in the trees.  The eagle was spotted soaring far away towards the inside of the inlet, but it slowly made its way back to its nest.  Finally, it was right above us, flapping its huge wings just a couple of times before letting the wind catch him, soaring above our group in high circles.

We paddled up towards Thornton Creek and since the tide was high, we were able to travel up the creek to the beautiful waterfall that is near the Thornton Creek Hatchery.  Ferns and moss grew up the banks on both sides of the creek and the sun poked through the canopy the trees made above.  From there we crossed the harbour again and headed back towards Majestic’s launching beach.

Majestic Ocean Kayaking offers tours of the Ucluelet Harbour during the winter months, weather depending of course, and is definitely something you should add to your holiday to Ucluelet.  Black Rock Oceanfront Resort can help you put together and accommodation and activity package and help you maximize your west coast experience while you’re visiting.

For more information, or to make a reservation, call Black Rock Oceanfront Resort at 250-726-4800 or check out their reservations and availability on the Home Page.

Until next time,

Amy Hancock

Christmas Day has come and gone and you might be feeling the ‘after Christmas blues’.  Well, fear not because at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort they are just getting the holiday party started!  Determined to bring in the New Year with more than just style, these guys have put together some amazing packages that include fine ocean view dining, live entertainment, fireworks, and an overflow of the bubbly.

Start out with a gourmet 4-course New Years Eve dinner at Fetch Restaurant, prepared by Black Rock’s own Chef Morne VanAntwerp and his culinary team.  Dine to the sweet sounds of Paul O’Brien, playing live in the dining room.

Paul O’Brien is a singer, song-writer, instrumentalist with a gift for taking his listeners into the story of his heart-felt lyrics and releasing a creative and  forgettable energy at every performance.  People have referred to his performances as “musical story telling”, with melodies and poetry that captivates the audience from start to finish.

But wait!  There is more!

After your New Years Eve feast head into the Float Lounge for more live music!  The Roland Barrett Band will take the party into the night.  Roland’s musical influences are many and his style ranges from 1970′s rock, modern alternative, to even Motown and soul classics.  His powerful vocals and toe tapping band will have you raising your glass and dancing all the way to the countdown (and afterwards too!)

After the 3…2…1…, and your New Years kiss, enjoy fireworks and champagne.  This is a New Years Eve party you will always remember and the perfect way to welcome the year 2012.

But wait!  It gets better!

Imagine waking up on the first day of the New Year to the sounds of the Pacific Ocean crashing into the rocky shores below your bedroom window.  The fireplace is on, the illumination from the flickering flames create a glow in the low lights of morning.  Welcome to 2012.  You sip your coffee, watch the ocean, and then get ready for the day.

Black Rock’s annual New Years Day brunch is on at Fetch Restaurant until 3PM.  Enjoy the best of west coast cuisine, heart breakfast foods, seafood, and decadent treats all enjoyed while watching the ocean.  Maybe you’ll go for a walk on the Wild Pacific Trail (with access right beside the resort) or maybe you’ll head back to your room and relax in front of the fire.

For more information on your all-inclusive New Years package Click Here.

May the New Year bring your joy and prosperity, from the staff and management at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ucluelet, BC.

Until next time,

Amy Hancock

Wake Up to Waves

An article was written about Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in the DailyXY, an online magazine for men with the tag line “guy stuff”.  It’s a very descriptive article that explains the details of our luxury resort.  If you haven’t been to visit us yet this will give you a good idea of what you are in for.  Although, you will have to come visit us to get the true experience of waking up in a ‘room with a view’…the best view, I think, in Ucluelet.

Don’t forget you can WIN your stay, packages, and more by joining our Facebook Page.

The author, Cassandra Anderton, did a very nice job.  Thanks a lot!

Remember to keep us in mind for New Years.  Entertainment, food, fireworks, and champagne bubbling over all wrapped up in an all-inclusive New Years package! Read more.

Until next time,

Amy Hancock

Image courtesy of John Biehler.

A Room with a View

The coast with the most, including rooms with an oceanview

Written by:  Cassandra Anderton in the Daily XY

“I feel like I have just walked into a Christmas card,” I said to the man at the front desk.

And this was not a card you’d pick from the 200 cheap cards that came in the $3.99 box from the dollar store. This one was carefully designed, sealed and delivered, signed: Happy Holidays from Black Rock Oceanfront Resort!

I am writing metaphorically, of course it wasn’t actually a card – it was the front lobby at the resort.

Clusters of decorated Christmas trees filled the space with the spirit of the season. The room was decorated with white and red poinsettias, wreaths, and garland. Beside the floor to two-story-high ceiling window was a ginger bread house village, complete with general store, church, toy train, and a red and white lighthouse. I stood for a moment in front of the fireplace in the lobby, memorized by the licking flames, breathing in the smells of pine, gingerbread, and fresh coffee being served in Float Lounge.

I love this time of year!

With much to do in Ucluelet and limited hours of daylight to do it in, I left Black Rock’s holiday wonderland and started my day. With only two weeks until Christmas I had to get some shopping done. Ucluelet has a lot of galleries and artisan-style gift shops. I was able to find hand crafted jewellery, locally made pottery and home decor, floral arrangements, and decadent treats for those on my list.

Lunch was seafood chowder at Fetch Restaurant back at Black Rock. Pacific coho salmon and halibut smoked right there in-house, with clams, roasted corn, fennel, potato; my mouth is watering remembering it. I watched the Pacific Ocean make its way to the rocky shoreline right outside the restaurant window. Feeling inspired after my visit to chowder heaven, I changed my plans for the afternoon and decided to go for a walk on the Wild Pacific Trail.

The Wild Pacific Trail runs right passed Black Rock. I headed north up the Brown’s Beach section because I wanted to hike on the Artist Loops that were just added to the trail earlier this year. These newer loops take walkers even closer to the ocean, with benches and artist perches put in some of the most inspirational places on the coast!

I sat on a cliff-top bench watching the sea surge into the dramatic shoreline. The afternoon air was fresh and salty and it made my cheeks rosy. A jogger ran by on the trail behind me. I thought about how fortunate we were, the jogger and I, to experience nature so intimately on this beautiful December afternoon in Ucluelet.

Start a tradition and visit Black Rock Oceanfront Resort for the holidays. It’s not too late to book your Christmas and New Years vacation in Ucluelet, British Columbia.  Here’s what they have in store:

Follow our blog for more west coast experiences, special events, and vacation packages with Black Rock Oceanfront Resort.

Until next time,

Amy Hancock