Cedar Beach Resort
Hotel Banja Termale Shtëpizë Vend Kampingu 1136 North End Rd, Ishulli I Pranverës Së Kripës, British Columbia, V8K 1M1, Kanadaja
21 Photos
About Cedar Beach Resort
Cedar Beach Resort is located on beautiful St. Mary Lake on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. At our 5 acre resort, we have 17 cabins as well as 23 fully serviced RV and camping sites. We have our own private, sandy beach right on the lake. The adjoining Beach House offers indoor and outdoor recreation space for our guests' enjoyment and is also suited for group gatherings. An outdoor barbecue, bonfire and lakefront picnic tables are very popular features. The Resort offers an exceptional venue for family reunions, friends gatherings, and small group weddings. All of our cabins and suites are fully furnished, with cooking facilities. Some units offer such up to date amenities as televisions with cable or DVD players and propane BBQ's while others retain the feel of a rustic cabin in the forest without all the urban elements. We have a men's and a ladies' washrooms in the RV / campground area with complimentary hot showers.
Amenities
- Dhoma Të Arritshme: Yes
- Vetëm Të Rriturit: Yes
- Transport Aeroporti: Yes
- Bar / Sallë Pritjeje: Yes
- Objektet Bbq: Yes
- Plazh: Yes
- Libra, Dvd, Muzikë Për Fëmijë: Yes
- Qendra E Biznesit Me Qasje Në Internet: Yes
- Canoeing: Yes
- Kazino & Kumar: Yes
- Aktivitete Për Fëmijë (Fëmijë / Familjar Miqësor): Yes
- Mëngjes Kompliment: Yes
- Peshkimi: Yes
- Palestër Qendrore Me Palestër / Dhomë Stërvitje: Yes
- Internet Falas: Yes
- Dhomë Për Lojëra: Yes
- Kurs Golfi: Yes
- Pishinë E Ndezur: Yes
- Pishinë Shtëpie: Yes
- Internet: Yes
- Pajisjet E Lojërave Në Natyrë Për Fëmijë: Yes
- Shërbimi I Lavanderisë: Yes
- Dhoma Takimesh: Yes
- Kafshët Shtëpiake Të Lejuara (Qen / Kafshë Shtëpiake): Yes
- Zonë Pikniku: Yes
- Public Wifi: Yes
- Restaurant: Yes
- Lavanderi: Yes
- Shërbimi I Autobusit Të Anijes: Yes
- Ski-In / Skive-Out: Yes
- Banak: Yes
- Pingpong: Yes
- Fushë Tenisi: Yes
- Wifi: Yes
Features
- Ajër I Kondicionuar: Yes
- Wifi Falas: Yes
- Kërcim Me Rrota Të Arritshme: Yes
Room Features
- TV Me Ekran Të Sheshtë: Yes
- Aneks Kuzhine: Yes
- Mikrovalë: Yes
- Mini: Yes
- Plazh Privat: Yes
- Frigorifer: Yes
- Shërbim Në Dhomë: Yes
Contact & Hours
1136 North End Rd, British Columbia V8K 1M1 Canada
info@saltspring-accommodations.com
http://www.saltspring-accommodations.com
Opening Hours
- Monday: 09:00-21:00
- Tuesday: 09:00-21:00
- Wednesday: 09:00-21:00
- Thursday: 09:00-21:00
- Friday: 09:00-21:00
- Saturday: 09:00-21:00
- Sunday: 09:00-21:00
Nearby Attractions
Reviews (202)
Great resort great staff!!
Awesome new dock! The water was so warm! We spent the day in the water chasing minnows and leaping off the dock. So much fun and so many great people. Can't wait to do it all again soon! Wouldn't hesitate recommending. The cabins are cute - each one is different, and the RV sites are clean and big.
Vacation
Loved our beautiful stay at Cedar Beach Resort & Campground! Gorgeous setting in the woods. Very private, peaceful and relaxing! So lovely! Stayed in RV # 23 it was very clean and well stocked with everything you can think of. Lake was stunning with beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Beach area has fire pits, lawn games and clubhouse. Free use of canoes, kayaks and paddle boards. Great place for kids... grand-daughter loved it!!! The hosts go way and beyond making your stay most memorable! Highly recommend staying here! Thank-you so much!
Terrible stay, would not advise for camping
I have to start off saying that I really hate to leave a bad review but I feel compelled to put the information of our experience public so that people can make an informed decision if they should stay here or not. I booked two camping spots in the upper area 6 months in advance for my friend and our kids thinking it would be an awesome spot for a much needed vacation. We're both single parents and these trips are really important to our families. A few days before arrival Cedar Beach phoned me and told me there would be a wedding on the beach on the Saturday (we were arriving on Friday) and the beach would not be accessible during the ceremony. The beach was the main reason we were going there so I wasn't happy but at that point it was too late to book something else so we decided to go anyway and just spend the day at a beach offsite. When we arrived on Friday the front desk told us that actually the rehearsal dinner was happening on Friday evening, the wedding would be all day Saturday and then the wedding dinner would be until late Saturday evening and we were to stay away from the beach area for that entire time. So basically $60 each a night to set up our tents on a dusty RV pad with no separation or privacy and no beach access at all. At this point it was too late to turn back so we set up and tried to make the best of it. This is when we started to notice that most of the sites were set up as long term RV sites, and while some of them look really nice most were really run down and strewn with garbage. My own site was covered in cigarette butts and garbage and that leads me to the next observation which is that most of the long term RV's smoke so if you are not a smoker be aware that you'll be having cig smoke wafting through your site day and night. We were in tents so could hear people coughing and hacking all night (and day). The night of the wedding the party (with a live band) went until 3am, when it ended the guests ripped up through the campsite in their cars with music blaring so basically none of us got any sleep. Sunday we finally planned to go down to use the guest house with the pool tables and access the beach. Sadly there were bottles, clothing, broken glass and cig butts covering the beach that as of Sunday evening still hadn't been cleaned up. We couldn't access the guest house as it was still full of wedding stuff and there were people walking around and sitting on the beach drinking, smoking, & smoking pot so not super family friendly. I was told that only three campsites were booked to people outside the wedding and the entire rest of the resort was booked by people who were involved with the wedding who were mostly owners of the resort. While I'm happy the wedding was such a success the resort should not have booked out sites to us during that weekend. When I looked at my invoice it showed in addition to the $50 a night per site a $10 per night covid cleaning fee which was ridiculous b / c my site wasn't clean when we arrived and the bathrooms were not cleaned once during the three nights we stayed and the paper towel dispenser in the bathroom ran out after the first day we were there. As noted there was bottles / glass / garbage all over the beach on the one day we were allowed to go there (Sunday). When I brought my concerns up with the person in the office I was told there was nothing he could do and I should call the manager. When I spoke with the manager she said she would have to request a refund from the " board " which I guess is made up of all the cabin owners. The did give me one night refund and allowed me to leave early without penalty, but in my opinion we should not have been charged at all because it was truly the worst hospitably experience I've ever had. I requested an additional refund of the rest of our stay and as on now (5 weeks later) have not received a reply despite emailing to check up. Be aware that if you have an issue with your stay the staff and management have no authority to fix the issue, they need to bring the issue to the board which is made up of all the owners and in my case it just wasn't resolved at all. As noted in other reviews, the entire resort is fairly run down, which wouldn't have bothered me too much if we could have used the beach. We booked it out of there on the Monday morning and got an amazing spot at Ruckle park which was only $20 a night and oceanfront. Next time I will go straight there and I would suggest you should too...
Disappointing
On the positive side, this resort has a lovely beach area and is great for children; although the water is quite weedy. The people are nice, and there is a golf course nearby with great food. However, the resort and most cabins are desperately in need of updating and maintenance. Many photos are outdated. We would not go back... I guess that says it all?
Not the best place to camp / RV
Lots of full timers there and sites are open. The hook ups for our RV site were on opposite sides of the camp site. You better bring a long water hose and power cable to get connected. The only saving grace is the nice beach area.
They cancelled my long weekend reservation at the last minute, no help finding alternatives
I had reserved a 2 bedroom cabin at Cedar Beach Cottage over a month ago to host my fathers birthday party on the Family Day long weekend. With family coming from Crofton, Victoria, and Vancouver, Saltspring Island seemed like a good middle ground. Today, two days before we were supposed to check in, I got an email from them that hey were cancelling our reservation because there is too much snow. While I understand that weather can cause issues (all of the people planning to attend are living on the coast and experienced the same snowstorm), I found it unacceptable that they did not offer us any help in finding an alternative place to stay, or even a discount on a future date given that at least $140 in ferry fares from Vancouver were already paid to make sure we could get there for the long weekend. Given the size of the resort and the size of Salt Spring island I would imagine they know which other places could potentially accommodate a group our size, but no such help was offered. The email they sent was barely even apologetic, and ended with " Hope to see you next time! " I attempted to contact them through both Facebook and email for suggestions of where we might be able to stay, or a way we could reschedule (it took 2 months for me to find a date that everyone could make it) with no response. There will definitely not be a next time, or even a first time for me at Cedar Beach, and now we've had to cancel the entire party. So much for island hospitality!
Still the best family resort!
Second time we've stayed here. Cabins are individually owned. Everything you need inside. Resort owners are awesome. Paddleboards to rent, but row boats & canoes are free for your use. Rec Hall available for games, wifi is okay - but you're on vacation, spend time with your family! Stayed in Cabin 7 this year. Plenty of room for a family of 4. TV was capable of videos (office had plenty to rent). Ramp or stairs (great for the mobility challenged). BBQ, patio chairs, huge windows, great lake view & screens on the bedroom windows! Went again to view the Perseid Meteor Shower, booked time during the peak. Best place to go. My kids love the Coke Balls available from the coin machines in the office. Must've spent upwards of $10 ($1 per time) between the two kids... lol
Beautiful setting
Another lovely stay with all the comforts of home! The fishing was great, amazing weather, and the community deck has full sun from the early afternoon onwards. Best part might be Tigger, the camp kitty, who is super cuddly.
Cabin 1 is awsome
What a great place to stay! Will definitely be back. Family had a great time. Cabin was very clean and well stocked. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. Pool near by and lake is almost at your door.
Such a family friendly resort! You won't be disappointed!!
Our family tradition is to find a location where we can view the Persied Meteor Shower as we have avid astronomers in the family. This year, our kids decided they wanted to go to Salt Spring Island. Thanks to Trip Advisor, we discovered Cedar Beach Resort. The only Cabin available was # 15. Tight squeeze for the four of us, and the hide-a-bed was different from the photos on their website, but we made it work. It was a nice cozy apartment. The Queen Bed was really comfortable, the kids enjoyed the TV, we'd come prepared with an air matress as the boys weren't too thrilled about sleeping together... lol There is a steep staircase by the Beach House to get up to the apartment (knew about it prior to our arrival), but as long as I only went up & down it a couple of times a day (mobility issues), it was workable. The pool was cooler than the lake, but we used both. My husband borrowed a row boat and went fishing with the kids. It was the second time the kids had ever been in a lake. Wow, they loved it! Such an enjoyable place! The staff were so friendly and nice. Our first time there, and won't be our last. We've already booked in for 2018 - and my parents are looking at booking too. By the way, it was the best location for the Perseid Meteor Shower! Thanks Cedar Beach for making our 2017 Family Vacation so awesome!
Wonderful family campground
We were not disappointed in trying Cedar Beach Resort for our Salt Spring getaway. The management was very friendly and helpful (even was offered use of their personal tent, when our friends realized they forgot tent poles!). We really appreciated the free use of their lake crafts, i. e. row boats and paddle boats. This property and St Mary's Lake are beautiful and so relaxing. Word of warning to campers. If you have an RV, bring extensions for your utilities. Our site had water and power on the wrong side, so I was happy to have extra hose and 30A extension. Bring enough leveling blocks, as the sites aren't quite flat. And leave the kids' bikes at home, unless they like steep hills. All considered, I would still highly recommend Cedar Beach.
Great Family experience
Enjoyed a couple of days at Cedar Beach! Our 2 bdrm cabin was well stocked for the 4 " chefs " in the family! We had a reunion of brothers, sister, mom and niece.. Who brought her SO. all of us love to cook. 3 of the group stayed at campsites, perfectly settled amongst huge pines, within a minute from the cabin. The Cabin 6 was perfectly appointed, thanks to very conscientious owners. So lovely, comfortable and a beautiful setting. The amenities of the resort were great, however I did not use pool or hot tub, but I did play a mean game of ping-pong and took a peaceful canoe trip through the gorgeous Lake Mary. Cloudy cool weather so did not lay by the beach, but next time!! I highly recommend Cedar Beach for either a quiet restful stay in the off months or a great family resort with lots to do for everyone. Thanks folks! Your humor and kindness made our stay even better! See you again! Sylvie from Minnesota!
Worth it for us
Price: 210 CAD / night for cabin 1 Pros: cabin 1 had everything we needed, and was looking straight at the lake. The place was beautiful and calm. There were lots of people around, but it didn't feel crowded. staff were very friendly Cons: a few dishes were left dirty in the cupboard that we had to wash. Our cabin was close to the garbage area and we got a waft every time we left / came back. Bottom line: reccomended.
Nice multipurpose RV park and campground
I've stayed at Cedar Beach Resort a couple of times, once in 2013 and again in 2016, and I'd gladly do so again. I was traveling by bicycle through the Southern Gulf Islands and wanted a place to pitch my tent and be able to easily bike to Ganges and other locations for food and sightseeing. Cedar Beach Resort has several RV / camping spots that have electricity, water, and that can be reserved ahead of time. While I've never used them, the Resort also has several cabins of different sizes for people who'd prefer that situation. The Resort slopes down from the road to the shores of St. Mary Lake (the photo is the view from the clubhouse on the lake shore), where there's a playground and both a swimming pool and hot tub, and also beach access for swimming in the lake. The bathrooms are adequate and showers are free. From the Resort it's a quick three mile bike ride down to Ganges, and it's only about 6 or 7 miles from either the Long Harbor or Vesuvius Ferries. It made a great base for my camping / biking trip, and I really enjoyed talking with the friendly, helpful staff.
Most recommended place to go on salt spring island
People were nice all the cabins were fully equipped with tools they even have boats. I also really enjoy the campfire part since I was really nice to just sit with friends being cozy around the fire and watch the significant view. It was just gorgeous. Would definitely recommend people that simply want to relax.
Always a great stay!
Situated on beautiful and tranquil St. Mary's Lake, Cedar Beach Resort is a great place to relax, unwind and experience the magical energy of Salt Spring Island. Some of the cabins are rustic so as long as you're not expecting a " Hilton " experience you'll be fine. It's great to chill in the hot tub while the kids play on the beach. We come here often and will be back!
サイトは狭く、端っこだけレイクビュー
BC州立キャンプ場とは違い、サイトはかなり狭めで、トレーラーはぎりぎりで、テントでも窮屈感ありです。日本のキャンプサイトより少し大きい程度。コテージは水辺に近いですが、キャンプサイトからは、端っこを除いて、湖は全く見えません。トイレは水洗、シャワーもあり。カヌーなどの貸し出しはあまり充実していません。自前で持ってきている人が多いですが、湖まで運ぶのは少し大変そう。キャンプサイトから湖までは急な道路を下ります。「水辺のブランコ」は最高ですが、芝生広場は広くはないです。キャンプサイトに長時間いるところではなく、昼間はどこかに出かけた方がいいかも。オフィスでは薪だけでなく、飲み物やお菓子、釣り道具なども売っています(価格は良心的)。無料Wi-Fiがあり、通常の使用はOKですが、動画通信までは無理でした。犬を連れた人もいます。ここでは薪は貴重なそうで、バンクーバーよりも高めです。さすが田舎で、野生の鹿がいました。公共交通機関はないので、車が必須。道路ではヒッチハイクしている人を結構見かけます。
Spacious Cabin
This year we stayed at Cabin 18, it has a lot of room, the two bedrooms are great. Bathroom was very clean, and the water pressure from the shower was great. Although it's not as close as the other cabins to the lake, it still had some good views, it's a short walk down, and actually makes getting out easier with the vehicle. The kitchen is really good, and the cabin itself is more modern than the others, similar style to Cabin # 3. The staff were very friendly, we had a great time while we were at Photo Fest, I would recommended it to anyone.
Weekend Retreat - Success
Stayed in Cabin 8, and it was small but had everything you could want or need. View was grand, and the beach area was fabulous. So relaxing. This is my second time staying at the resort, and so many great fixes have made the place so cute. I loved the fairy doors.. that was just perfect. Looking forward to another stay perhaps in the fall for a birthday get away.
A Peaceful little getaway
Our room number was 15, located above the pool. With only having stayed just a few days, you can really unwind, and any stress you may have bottled up will quickly to melt away. It was simply perfect, the cabin comes with a fully equipped kitchen, and it has a lovely view of St Mary's Lake. Our second day in, we were able to take out one of the canoes for a glide around the lake for a few hours (by the way this activity is included in your rate). This was definitely a highlight of our stay. The room rates are very reasonable. With all this being said, we went on off season. It's probably not as quiet during peak season, but if your looking to bring your family with the kids during the summer, I could only imagine this would be a pretty fun place to hang out and make new friends. Salt Spring is an amazing island, with the most wonderful people you will ever meet !
Awesome place!!
I brought my kids to this resort and we stayed in Cabin 8. It was everything we had hoped. The cabin was well maintained and fully equipped but rustic enough that we could feel like we were camping just without the tents. We stayed in October and although the weather held up, i can't imagine how fun this would be in the Summer!!! The staff was very helpful and the ammenities kept us all busy. Thanks so much for such a great time!!
Weekend Getaway.
We had a wonderful time. We had enough room for our RV and and staff were very friendly. Good location the rec room was great for the rainy times. Great for kids. Only feedback would be that the washroom facilities aren't brilliant. The walls need washing where the door to outside gets left open. However, this would not prevent us from visiting again.
Would reccomend!
Overall a great place to stay! Friendly staff and lovely location. You're allowed to use a boat or canoe for no extra cost, which was pretty cool. We stayed in cabin 9, which had an amazing view of the lake. The cabins are very well stocked, don't worry about bringing any bedding or cooking utensils. The resort is only 6 minute drive away from town.
Summer vacation on Salt Spring Island
Cedar Beach Resort is a great place to stay with kids. There are many fun things to do there - swimming in the lake or pool, playing pool or ping pong and other games in the beach house. We rented Cabin 14 which had a great view but that is all it had going for it. Pull out couch was unusable due to a metal bar that ran down the middle of it and the queen bed in the one bedroom was also uncomfortable. The fridge froze our food and the coffee maker was unclean so I did'nt even use it. When booking check out the other cabins because there are some that have been upgraded and are far superior then Cabin 14. I recommend the resort but not the cabin we stayed in. To the owner you need to do some work on your rental to bring it up to the same standard as the rest of cabins at the resort.
A great stay and fun for the kids
I wouldn't recommend the camp sites as it doesn't really feel like camping however, the cabins, specifically number 7 is great especially if you have kids because you can see them at the lake or playground right from your front window. The cabin is rustic but it worked out great for our two day stay. The pool wasn't heated but the hot tub was nice. (They need to fix the railing used to enter and exit the hot tub because it's lose and the next heavy person to use it might very well pull it right out and start a law suit. That would be sad.) The management is quite strict about dogs. It would be nice if there was a dog run close by so that the dogs were allowed to play, run and socialize. Over all, I would definitely recommend this Resort!
Most relaxing place
Along with the well equipped and cozy cabins, the friendliest hosts, the heated pool and jacuzzi, the fully equipped games room, the quietest pay of St Mary lake, the perfect place to watch a sunset from the lakeside, and the kids loved all the fun things to do including the pedal boats. I'll be returning to this wonderful place again.
great for the kids
We had a great stay at Cedar Beach Resort. Gregor and his wife were friendly and accommodating. We stayed in cabin 2 and it was super cute and clean. The lake is beautiful. We had fun renting paddle boats and canoes and checking out the local area. This is a great place to bring your kids!
Great for Family Fun
I have been visiting this resort for 30 years and love it. Cedar Beach has a low key, relaxed family atmosphere and the hosts are fabulous. There are great kid-friendly amenities like a pool, hot tub and games room. The lake is great for summer swimming too. Amazing sunsets!
Celebrated 30 Years coming to cedar beach with the family !!
I could write an entire book about how amazing this place is but simply put, as a family of 24 (soon to be 25) and a few close friends we have just celebrated returning for 30 years. Gregor and Shona are passionate about the people and the place, the location and lake are magical and the memories are priceless. By next year we will have a 5 th generation joining us. Nothing is perfect and that's the best part. Do yourself a favour and experience this little piece of paradise.
We loved it!
My grandkids and I stayed at Cedar Beach Resort for three nights. It was our first visit to Cedar Beach but not our last! We had a great time! We stayed in Room 16 located above the swimming pool. We had a beautiful view of the lake. Our room was really cute and very clean - the kitchen has a full stove and fridge and all the cooking utensils you will need. We spent a lot of time in the pool and hot tub but there is also Ping Pong and other games in the Beach House, horseshoes, playground and small boats we could sign out. The pool and beach were very clean and well maintained. Friendly staff that made us feel welcome and comfortable. Great place for a family holiday but also peaceful enough for couples.
Great Family Holiday
The staff were super friendly and helpful. The camp site was great and the entire area was clean and tidy. Facilities were kept clean and tidy. The beach was great and the kids loved playing in the sand. We all enjoyed the pool and hot tub. Thanks so much for a great family holiday... see you next year!
Everything a family needs
Picture this: comfy cabins with beautiful views of the setting sun, a beach that invites children to play and families to meet, a lake that beckons you in with its warm waters, canoeing and paddle board adventures, a pool to play, delicious fresh cinnamon buns waiting for you in the morning time, dinners on the deck, air hockey competitions with your littles, friendly management and so much more.... I have just left and want to be back RIGHT NOW!!!!
Everything we were looking for and needed
Gregor, Shona and the amazing staff are what made our stay amazing. they sincerely care about there guests and will do everything in there power to help meet your needs. We had out fifth wheel with us on our very first visit to this beautiful island and had three wonderful days of stress relief. Looking forward to our next visit
A great location for a wedding!
Spent last weekend at the resort for my daughter's wedding. We had a fabulous event and I have to thank Gregor, Shona and the rest of their staff for making the wedding weekend such a great time. They worked extremely hard to make sure all of our needs were met and still gave us the room to enjoy ourselves. We had booked all the cabins and camping for three nights and filled the space with our guests. We had a Mexican fiesta rehearsal dinner with 90 guests the first night and, on Saturday, the wedding on the beach and a pig roast with picnic accompaniments for the reception of over 100. The resort was beautiful and, with the sunny weather, nothing could have been better.
Improved facilities but somewhat annoying guest fee
I am reviewing this a second time. We visited here in summer 2013 and elected to try it again. On the plus side I can say the facilities have improved and we really liked our big cabin (# 17). What was annoying was the insistence that our guests pay a $7 day fee. We traveled to primarily visit family and friends, and after dropping $1582 for a week renting the place this seems chintzy. I can understand charging for guests that use the swimming and boating facilities (like the brother willingly did), but to charge $7 for older folks to rent a chair to sit on seems like a cash grab. I'd revise my rating up if they reconsidered this policy.
very economical family resort
The fully furnished two bedroom cottage we had was clean, well maintained and came with a partial lake view. The whole resort is close to the beach area with swimming, a dock for row boats and a great low slope beach suitable for toddlers. Our cabin had some private deck area as well. A very relaxing family resort, great for small kids.
Well managed campground and resort
I stayed 2 weeks in my RV and the resort and I found it to be an excellent experience. It is a family oriented resort with lots of children but not noisy at all. Everybody seems to go to bed around 9 and I didn't hear anything till about 9 in the morning. Had great sleeps there!! The couple who manage it are very friendly, checking to make sure the place is clean and helping out when necessary. The washrooms are clean, no line up ever to take a shower. The beach and pool area were also clean and well kept. I would highly recommend this place and will return there myself in a few months.
Great place for the family
We had a 2 bedroom cottage with all the amenities a family needs for a relaxing comfortable vacation. Beautiful, clean kitchen. Comfortable beds. Friendly staff. We felt at " home " even though we were thousands of miles away. The lake was right in front of our cabin and the bald eagles were visible from our front deck! We highly recommend this place for families, couples, or friends who want a vacation to relax and unwind.
Electric boat fishing
Had a fantastic afternoon on a quite electric boat, different kinds of fish to catch. The owners were very nice helpful overall it was a great experience. I would recommend this place make sure you book in advance as it gets full very fast in the summer. O try the hot tub then it's just a hop skip and a jump to the lake.
Great Vacation Spot
My husband and I stayed at the resort this weekend, and we have nothing but good things to say! It is an excellent family resort, with lots of entertainment for kids but still enough space and privacy for couples who are there without children. The services are excellent, the campsites are huge, the cabins are awesome, and the beach is beautiful. The pool and hottub are excellent alternatives to the lake, especially in the evening when it gets cooler outside. Thank you Cedar Beach Resort for treating us so well- we will definitely be back, and we will bring our kids too.
attentive staff
very firendly, greg and shona make sure cabins are in good conditions. We took a group of people that need a few more minutes to check out and staff were understanding. If you want to relax in SSI this is the place.
Fabulous, friendly and relaxing!!
We loved our stay at Cedar Lake Resort. We camped in our 1963 VW bus and the site was perfect for us. Greg and Shona that run the resort are awesome and fun to chat with. We have already booked a week long trip in August with the whole family! Can't wait to go back. Beach and view is amazing!
Salt Spring Getaway
We ventured to Salt Spring for the 1st time and stayed at Cedar Beach Resort, Cabin 1. The cabin and the resort is run well and a great little spot to explore the island from. Waterfront nd lake views, we saw turtles laying eggs on the beach, had a baby robin nest on the crook of the tree on our deck and spent time in the pool and hot tub. It could be a few degrees warmer but other than that it was a great place to stay. Really friendly people run the place and are great to talk to. Gregor is a wealt of info and a joy to talk to.
Wow
We had a amazing stay at ceader beach resort!!!! Cabin 3 what a great little cabin, it had every thing we needed and more with a great view of the lake!!!!! The fishing was awesome! Some big trout and some scrappy bass! And if you get luck you can even cath that ghost fish, if you know your fish you'll know what I'm talking about!!! The best part was the management, Greg and his wife were so good to us! They made our trip incredible special thanks to you guys! Keep up all the great work!!! I highly recommend this place!!!!
Always relaxing!
I have stayed at various cabins at Cedar Beach Resort over the last 5 years. The overall resort is a beautiful location facing St. Mary's Lake. Quiet and tranquil, with onsite managers who ensure your visit is exactly what you wanted! Rustic with wi-fi, fireplaces, pool, hot tub and full kitchens. Will always return when I want a few days or a few weeks of R & R. Some cabins are pet friendly so the whole family can come.
16, even better this year!
We stayed in cabin # 16 at Cedar Beach Resort last year and enjoyed it so much we decided to go there again for May long weekend. We loved it last year and it was even better this year! They have put in a brand new kitchen and bathroom, and it made our stay even more comfortable. The best part of this cabin, is that it's right beside the pool and the beach, so I could be cooking and still see my two 8 years olds right outside. The view is spectacular, the hot dog roast was fun, the swimming was non stop, lake - hot tub - pool - repeat for 4 days.... It was very relaxing for me:) I highly recommend it! As far as swimming spots go on SSI, this really is the best spot. Most of the other lakes have very small beaches and the ocean is COLD! I think the best descriptive word is " glamping " I will no longer sleep in a tent, this is the next best thing!
After 10 minutes, I was planning my next visit!
The cottages are adorable with everything you coud need from cheese gratters to cribbage with lots of patio furniture and a bbq. The campsite is on a lake and they supply canoes, paddle boats, a horseshoe pit, as well as apool and hot tub. The owners for Cedar Beach are so welcoming and just plain fun!! Very thankful for our weekend away and will be returning soon!
Perfect Weekend Getaway
Not only is the location amazingly beautiful, the cabins are cozy, and the staff is enthusiastic and truly want you to have a great stay. We were pleasantly surprised that there were canoes, rowboats, and a 'Beach House' common room type place for everyone's use free of charge. We came after the long weekend and unfortunately the hot tub was turned off. In the winter, we were some of the only ones there, and I can imagine how busy it gets in the summer season. And for good reason!!
Cedar Beach for New Year's
Spent an amazing, quiet week with my boys. Cozy room, awesome hot tub, cold lake to jump into, sweet games room, Netflix ready bluRay machine; nice atmosphere very serene. We all had a blast. I will definitely come back here.
Little House on the Cedar Beach
You could almost imagine life as a pioneer in this little cabin on the beach. Our family of two adults and two children made many great memories this past long weekend at this splendid resort. We thought we were nuts for going on a fishing trip in almost mid-November, but it turned out to be a wonderful introduction to lake fishing for our kids. Units are individually owned, so each cabin is unique. Our cabin # 8 consists of five tiny rooms: A living area with a loveseat and two chairs, wood burning fireplace and tiny high coffee table, TV. A basic kitchen with small microwave, nice clean Kenmore range, single sink, pantry, and fridge, and eat in table for three. A nice sized bathroom with a bathtub / shower one piece, a toilet facing the wrong way (back faces the bathtub) and a one sink small vanity and generous number of towels. Bring your own shampoo, but soap is provided. A tiny double bedroom with built in shelves and clock radio, and top of the wall open to the living room. A tiny bunk bed room with shelves and chest. We loved the Saran wrap and tin foil and spices in the surprisingly well equipped kitchen. These made up for us forgetting ours. We wish though that we had brought a washing sponge and paper towels, and we were happy that we brought our own sharp knife. Especially when I tried to cut off the heads of the perch! The supplied knives were too dull to cut the trout properly, but great for scaling them. There were other surprising items provided: pie plate, cookie sheets, vegetable peeler... The cabin is well set up for entertaining, supplying us with a selection of books, games, and DVDs along with the TV that the girls couldn't get enough of, since they do not have TV at home. We did not try out the wood burning stove. The staff turned on the small portable electric heater for us, and it took about one day for the cabin to heat up to a temperature where we did not have to wear our coats indoors. I'd suggest using the wood burning stove if you like it toasty in November. When we got home, we started laughing when we found the 68 degrees F in our house to be downright sauna-like! The cold temperatures did add to the little house on the prairie pioneer feeling, and we enjoyed seeing our breath in front of our face in the bathroom and the steam rising from the bathtub. We were, however, plenty warm at night with the extra blankets supplied. In the morning our windows were covered with condensation. We brought a carbon monoxide detector but not to worry... it was drafty enough to provide adequate airflow. We are campers / backpackers, so we did not mind the temperatures and considered the cabin a luxury. There was an endless supply of instant hot water that was very impressive! The double bed was comfortable but a bit saggy in the middle and tight for two. We could clearly hear my kids in the bunk bed room, even whispering, but we liked that since it contributed to the pioneer feeling. So the walls between bedrooms are great for visual privacy but not for soundproofing. The resort, on the other hand, was wonderfully peaceful and quiet. We were never awoken by outside sounds. Overall, we really felt at home in our pioneer cabin. It was a great atmosphere for family bonding and we always enjoyed returning to our cabin at the end of each day. We brought our kids' violins so they could practise after dinner, and it really added to the pioneer feeling as well... The staff at the resort was very helpful and accommodating, especially Gregor, the manager. He gave us fishing tips and knew we would be out fishing so he had our row boat ready when we arrived. Unfortunately, the office is open from 10-4 so we could not rent outside these hours when we arrived on Saturday, and missed fishing on Saturday night and Sunday morning before 10 am, which was quite disappointing. Because it was not busy, Gregor allowed us to keep the boat overnight so we got in some morning fishing on Monday and Tuesday morning. We were able to rent our boat for free, along with life jackets and oars for the row boat. It was windy 2 out of 3 days and we did not have an electric motor, so fishing was challenging. It took us one hour to travel 1 / 4 the length of the lake, so we were late coming back to the dock fighting the wind on our final day. Luckily my husband is very fit and he was able to row for 3-4 hours at a time!!! We caught from 1-7 trout and 2-3 perch per day (3-4 hours) of fishing. In a row boat powered by one skinny man! Trolling! Incredible! This lake is incredibly productive and provided a fantastic first time fishing trip experience for my children. We were there for fishing only, so we did not try out the hot tub (the pool closes in October) or the games room. We were more than content just fishing and enjoying the view from the cabin. The resort has some fishing supplies, but buy your worms from the hardware store in town before heading out to the resort. We loved the proximity of the resort to Ganges, where we dined at night and went shopping. Thrifty's Grocery was a regular stop, and we had ice cream at Glad's. Friendly town, lovely people. We definitely want to return. We hope your visit will be as enjoyable as ours!
Fantastic place for a romantic getaway
Hello. My wife and I recently stayed at the Cedar Beach Resort, and it was great! We were in cabin 1 (absolutely beautiful cabin) for three days. (It was our one year wedding anniversary.) We couldn't have been happier with our location. Rain wasn't the greatest, but what can you do when you live on the " wet " coast. We made the best of it, and toured all around Saltspring Isle, taking in all the sights and sounds. The resort manager Gregor was first rate. He totally made us feel right at home, and he is a very warm, gracious host. All in all, we highly recommend this place.
Good place to relax
Loved my stay at the cabins was the most relaxed Iv bin in years only wish I had have stayed longer was so nice friendly people management was great I will return but for a much longer stay next time Im going to catch that huge bass I know is in that lake
Excellent
We stayed in cabin # 3 for the second time this year, we love the location and the overall finish of the cabin. Would highly recommend staying at this cabin at cedar beach resort. The resort itself is nice, easy to get to by car, especially if you need to get into Ganges. The cabin has everything you need for cooking your own meals, perfect size for two people.
Great Getaway
Rustic and cozy cabins -comfy bed - It was mid- October and SaltSpring Island was in full fall colour! Our cabin # 15 was newly renovated and had a wood stove a bathtub / shower and great kichenette and flat-screen TV with movies and DVD. Great spot for romance at that time of year! Management and staff were very friendly, helpful and accommodating. We had a great time....
Lovely Spot on St. Mary's Lake
Rustic and cozy cabins -comfy beds - Our cabin # 9 had a wood fireplace a microwave -bathtub and shower and 2 large tables and seating. Great spot for kids -large swimming pool -hot tub- rec room with ping pong and pool table. Sand and Lake -boats-fishing. Management and staff were very friendly, helpful and accommodating. We had a great time. Will be back next year. Kelly and family. Port McNeill, Victoria and Ladner.
Great for kids
We took our two kids for a few nights here, they had a blast with being on the lake as well as the pool. We had a issue after we booked our stay with what cabin we booked, they went out of they're way to accommodate us as it was a computer glitch.
15 years later
The last time I was at this site I was a teenager with my friends and I loved it. 15 yrs later my husband and I brought our boys for a week and we had the time of our lives! We tented both times. We brought our own boat for fishing which was nice since there seemed to be a little bit of a wait for the resort boats but it was the last long weekend so it wasnt surprising. The fishing was awesome! The lake was warm. The kids loved the pool and my husband and I loved the hot showers. Gregor and Shawna were amazing! Friendly and accommodating. Full of advice for fishing and local places. The other staff were all friendly and respectful. We look forward to going back next summer and hope that we will make it an annual family vacation at Cedar Beach. My husband and I are hoping to get back this fall to stay in a cabin without the kids.
Don't rent cabin # 17
This resort seemed to have some nice rental cabins but # 17 is a disgrace and certainly lowered my opinion of this resort. The furniture was shabby and uncomfortable, the fridge leaked all over the floor, froze our vegetables and didn't even have a handle. When using the oven we had to guess the temperature as it was obviously not working properly. Beds were okay but one room had bunks beds squeezed in so tight you had to crawl to the bottom of the bed to get out. Closets were non existent as the beds covered the doors. There was no bar b que as I saw on other cabin decks. For $200.00 / night it was an insult! The lake was very scenic once you hiked down the hill to the beach. Swimming pool was cold and filthy, hot tub was full of small children trying to get warm after being in the cold pool. Some of our family camped. Sites were narrow and side by side with absolutely no privacy. I found the camping situation to be rather funny... sort of like camping in parking lanes. Use of the boats was a positive as was the clubhouse. The resort fit our needs as far as being able to camp and cabin but I would NEVER stay in cabin 17 again. I believe the cabins are all individually owned. This cabin should be taken out of their rental pool.
just what we were looking for
came with a group of friends for a birthday getaway, and our cabin had everything we needed (kitchen, open living room space, large table for home-cooked meals and board games), plus unexpected bonuses such as free boat rentals, swimming pool and hot tub, games room, and a lovely lake! staff were very friendly and helpful. 5 minute drive to ganges. would love to come back!
Great Place to Stay on Saltspring!
Had the pleasure of staying at the Cedar Beach Resort. Place is right on the water and gives guests access to lots of boats and equipment to use while you're there. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. Would recommend to anyone.
Beautiful setting on the lake with lovely cabins
We had a beautiful cabin, slightly rustic but all the conveniences you require, with a deck overlooking the beach and the lake. Immediately upon arriving on a very warm afternoon, we put on our bathing suits and went swimming in the lake. What a treat. There are paddle boats, canoes for guest use. We went to the Salt Spring Island market to pick us some fresh food for our dinner - a barbecue is available for guest use - and sat on our deck overlooking the lake while we dined. Priceless. The grounds are beautiful. The cabin was very comfortable, so much so, I could've easily stayed a week. Next time. The owners are most helpful. There is so much to see and do on Salt Spring Island. I'll be back.
Over all, run down and disappointing do not rent cabin # 14
This place has great potential but is sadly run down and in need of some serious maintenance and upgrades. Cabin 14 is located right over the pool and is noisy, lacks privacy and is run down. While the kitchen was nicely stocked with new dishes and plenty of utensils, etc the bed was very uncomfortable and the pull out couch was old and disgusting - broken springs, a mattress with springs poking through it and very dirty feeling. Also dingy and poorly lit at night. More disappointing was the run down state of the dock, the malfunctioning paddle boat, the two ancient canoes in need of repairs, and the broken ladder on the float. When we mentioned these things to the manager, we were told that the person " in charge of the float " wouldn't replace it with something more solid. This has become a coop and there seems to be very little over sight to maintain standards. The managers, while friendly, seemed more interested in having us sign waivers and leave promptly than in anything else. The final disappointment was not being welcome to remain on the grounds (after check out) to kill a couple of hours before catching our ferry scheduled for later that afternoon - we weren't expecting to use the room, just the public rest room and be able to have one last swim on the beach. My husband visited this resort about 10 years ago and loved it. We will not be back for cabin 14 or any other cabin.
for kids
This 'resort' (cabins and campsites on a narrow long property leading to a quiet beach on gorgeous St. Mary Lake. Hosts are not overly welcoming - seemed more concerned with enforcing rules than satisfying customers. Facilities include boat rental, an unheated pool, and a hot tub. Tall trees provide shade but no trees between sites so no privacy for tenters. Long-term trailer parking intermixed with weekend campers so you are stepping over sewer lines and electrical cords. A nice thing is every site has a water tap. Ground is rocky and hard and uneven so pitching your tent is a real job. # 16 is beside the bathroom security lights and banging doors while # 12 is so short you have to pitch your tent in the fire pit! Bathroom facilities are awful. Needs a whole renovation - real negative to this whole property. Picnic tables need replacing. Roosters next door are relentless!! Lots of highway noise all night long. Long hill from camp sites to beach so pack a bag and stay down there for the day. Beach has some sand for the kids and a bit of shallow sand in the water but it quickly turns to reeds and weeds so swimming is not pleasant. Dock is in bad shape with lots of nails to snag your bare feet. No boat launch. Nice gazebo and tables near beach and a small playground. Near the pool there is an activity room with couches, a TV, pool table, and pingpong. Nice touch. The kids will love the water and won't care that it looks rather derelict.
Great family vacation!
Our family had a great time at cedar beqch resort! We rented cabin number 1 which was spacious and tastefully renovated with a great view of the lake, and a huge deck where we spent a lot of time relaxing. We were there with our two children who had a blast playing in the pool and at the beach and in the common area. The pedalboats and canoe were fun and management was helpful and friendly. We'd love to come back and use it as our base for exploring the island.
Do Not Rent Cabin # 17 !
The property location and amenities are very nice and great for kids. Cabin # 17 is a disgrace, filthy 50's cabinets with dirty non fitting doors, frig with handles ripped off, water damaged floors, doors with holes kicked in them, a very outdated bathroom in need of major repair, abused old furnishings, no bbq. Compared to the other units this unit should not be rented at all without some basic maintenance and upgrade. It is an insult to charge $200 a night for this cabin. Do Not Rent # 17.
Wonderful holiday destination for families
I highly recommend this resort for families and couples. It has all you need for a perfect holiday including a pool, hot tub, and great amenities for children. Whether you would like to camp or rent a cabin, this place would not leave you unsatisfied.
The Absolute Perfect Family Get Away
We are in love with Saltspring Island and have been going back every year for the last 7 years. We have stayed at many different places and have tried out our options. Cedar Beach Resort was our choice of this year and BINGO. This is the end for research and try outs. Ladies and gentlemen we have an absolute WINNER. This place has it all for a safe, fun and memorable family getaway. The cabin was fully renovated, clean, cozy organized and beautiful with a stunning view of the lake. The lake and the beach were divine: Sandy private beach, wooden dock with all sorts of boats to use, a very clean pool with hot tub beside the public beach house with a lot of amenities inside. The common barbecue, gazebo, children toys... just the setting of the public spaces... so well designed and so well taken care of... one couldn't wish for better. Our group consisted of few families that some chose to camp and some chose to get cabins. Our children, 7 in total loved the whole experience: the play, the buying candy from the office, the visit each other camp site, the water and the sand. I am relieved to announce that we have found our family summer retreat for many years to come.
The PERFECT spot!
Cedar Beach Resort proved to be the perfect wedding spot even in the pouring rain. We first came to the resort in early march to meet with Mark and Mary and we were totally sold on the beauty of the area and the helpfulness of the staff. Mark answered all my questions and was extremely accommodating. He even hooked us up with Matt and Courtney of FAT BABY FOODS who ended up catering our event. Their food is a must while on the island, especially their gluten free perogies! Our guests were able to fill all the cabins and we had full run of the resort. It was a great spot for all ages and everyone was comfortable and content in their own space. Some of the cabins were a little more posh than other but the older ones offered a rustic and cozy atmosphere. We were also encouraged to use the canoe and boats that were at the dock. We did take them out once but the rain made outdoor activities a little scarce. Regardless, we weren't phased by the rain and instead took in the beauty of the vibrant greenery, fog tipped mountains and glistening lake. It was like a magical paradise where rainbows and sunshine randomly shone from behind the clouds. Originally we wanted the wedding outside so we could have the beautiful backdrop but then we changed to the beach house in front of the old stone fireplace. We lined the mantle with candles and family photos and it ended up looking perfect. The sun even made an appearance after the ceremony making the dock and beach great photo spots. We were able to fit all our guests inside the beach house comfortably but i wouldn't suggest a wedding bigger than 60 guests. Overall we couldn't not have been happier with everything at Cedar Beach Resort and we plan on coming back year after year. A very special thanks to Mark and Mary and their wonderful staff for making our dream wedding come true!
Creepy Cedar Beach Resort
The Managment cast a dark shadow over our weekend by doing things such as : creeping around our cabin at 3am in the morning, standing at the top of the hill watching us, threateneing to charge us more when we dropped off the key at 11:05 (check out was at 11am) They also mention on the website that they are pet friendly yet they were constantly survaliancing our dog. They did not mention that the main ammentie (the lake) was completely off limits when we booked (which was the reason we were staying there) When they informed us of this when we checked-in, i assumed they would offer at least free use of the boats because of this. The office is also very far from where the cabins are. You have to walk throught the campsite, so having to walk there to rent a paddle for the boats was made into a more of a deal than it should have been. All in all they were unprofessional, condesending and accused us of stealing firewood in the day light! Beware of this place. Bring your wallets because they charge you for absolutely everything... down to a coffee filter! No firewood, no bbq, no boat use.
Very Disappointing
That was disappointing! I had high hopes for this place and was really looking forward to going away with friends. The management staff are real pieces of work. They fail to mention on the website that use of the rowboats and firewood are not included in the price of your stay. You're expected to pay for the firewood in the communal fire pit as well! Our cabin was nice, but on the website, it said that the Master room (which was no different in size from the other room) had an en-suite bathroom? Lets be honest guys... it was a toilet... a closet with a toilet. Overall, i wouldn't go back UNLESS they got new staff. Its amazing how service can spoil an experience. If i was one of the owners of the cabin i would look into whats going on there. It seems like there are a few people having the same experience. Please... Call me when there's a change in Management... i will come back!... but until then, there are other way better places to stay on Salt Spring - Long Harbour Bed and Breakfast and Cusheon Lake Resort. Both with extremely friendly staff that ensure your staff is everything you wanted it to be!
Talk about walking into your own horror film!!
My dearest friends and I thought it would be a great idea taking my 2 sons and Mother to Salt Spring for my eldest son's 14th birthday. My Mother hadn't been to Salt Spring in over 25 years and I hoped that she would be taken away by it;s beauty and how it has evolved over the years. I surprised her by renting a cabin for myself and shared it with another friend of mine and their children. When we arrived at the cabin, we had to walk through blackberry bushes to get to the porch. My Mother who has a " Green Thumb " bigger than the Green Giant took it upon herself to start weeding the front porch area so the other children would not get injured by the thorns. We entered the cabin and it was " tidy " but not what I would call clean. Upon arrival to the cabin we were told that the lake was off limits due to an algae attack on the lake (this was not mentioned on the web site). When reserving the cabin we asked the limit of people in each cabin (keep in mind, that I'm a single parent with 2 children and my Mother and the person who I shared the cabin with was also a single parent with 2 children), and Mark, the manager said " the more the merrier, there's lots of room ". We were so excited... Not at all... When we paid for the cabin Mark was shocked to see how many people were staying in one cabin. The cabin we stayed in slept 7 comfortably... my son loves sleeping on the floor with the door open... so the sleeping arrangements worked for all of us. We decided to relax the day we arrived as we arrived shortly after 7:00 pm. We notice the paddle boats and the canoes, the communal fire pit and the pool. All of which was mentioned on their website. What the website failed to mention was that the boats, canoes and wood for the communal fire pit had to be purchased. For $10.00 we received a banana box with a few sheets of newspaper, a handful of kindling, and 6 logs. The paddle boats were $10.00 for an hour and a half. The pool closed at 9:00 pm daily and the main office also closed at 7:00 pm daily. Keep in mind, its still daylight so the thought of a campfire really isn't on our minds during those times. Did I mention the BBQ's that are mentioned on the website located at every cabin? NO BBQ at my cabin, my friends cabin had a BBQ, as well as the communal area…with NO propane tanks. That was an additional cost. B. Y. O. P. (bring your own propane). What about the so called " Beach House "... if you consider a woodstove, a few wicker chairs, a ping pong table an uneven pool table with incorrect pool balls, cue and no chalk a place to kick back and enjoy, think again. The one thing that really bothered my children, my Mother and friends, was the fact that the managers were continuously patrolling the grounds at all hours of the day, not to mention roaming around our cabin in the early hours of the morning. I understand managers are responsible for the upkeep and continued care of the campgrounds. However, when it came to other campers who obviously were making a lot of noise until wee hours of the night were not told to quiet down, it made our stay uncomfortable and gave us a feeling of unfairness. From the start of our stay until the end of our stay we were treated unkindly, right until check-out when the managers accused us of breaking into his wood shed with an ax to steal wood. We came with suitcases of clothes and coolers. Why would we bring an axe if we're staying in a cabin? I have stayed on Salt Spring before, at another resort, and to compare the two, I would say Cusheon Lake Resort is 10 out of 10 for hospitality, friendliness, cleanliness and most of all honesty! I felt like I walked into my own horror film. I was so embarrassed and I didn't know how to explain this behaviour to my poor Mother. She sees Salt Spring as a total disappointment. Especially Cedar Beach Resort.
Thank you - Response from Board of Directors
I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors. We appreciate all of the feedback although we prefer if it is provided to our managers or Board members while our guests are still at our Resort. That way we can resolve any misunderstandings and make our guests' vacations as enjoyable as possible. My phone number and the phone number of another director are posted at the office. If there is something about your stay at our beloved Cedar Beach that is not meeting your expectations, please talk with our managers but if you are not happy with the response, please call us. (By the way, I was not wanting to fill in the rating blanks but I couldn't submit my review without doing so. However, I do frequently stay at Cedar Beach with my family. There are still things we are working to improve but my wife and children and I love coming to Cedar Beach.) Here are our responses to recent posts. You will see that we are now providing free propane in response to some of your comments. 1. We have hired new managers, Mark and Mary, who have come to us with extensive hospitality experience and they are doing a great job. Our managers do not conduct 'surveillance' on guests. However, we do require our manager to be ambassadors and to walk around the Resort at various points during the day and in the evening to ensure that all our guests can enjoy themselves at our safe and family-oriented resort. 2. Some of the information about boats and firewood in the recent posts is not accurate. We only charge $5 for pedal boats and nothing for canoes. The $5 pedal boat fee is to recoup the costs or purchasing the new pedal boats last year. We are also considering buying some kayaks. We do everything we can to add to the fun and options for our guests to enjoy their stay. All we ask for with canoes is that guests sign a waiver and pick up their paddles and life jackets from the office and return them when they are finished. 3. Regarding firewood, we only charge $5 for a whole box of firewood which also includes paper and kindling. This is an attempt at cost recovery although we usually have to subsidize the firewood because it is expensive to buy dry firewood on Saltspring. When possible, we have asked our managers to provide some free firewood for the community fire pit. 4. With respect to propane, we accept the comments that guests should not be expected to bring their own propane. We have discussed this with our managers and have arranged to provide propane at no charge to our guests. 5. St. Mary Lake is now open for swimming and fishing. We are fortunate that we have a beautiful heated swimming pool that guests could use while the lake was closed for swimming and can still use as an alternative to swimming in the lake. We did all we could to notify guests and potential guests of the notices from Vancouver Island Health Authority regarding the lake. The information was also posted on our web-site. We have members on the St. Mary Lake Stewardship Committee and we are proactively pursuing all possible options for preventing future algae blooms in our precious lake. Cedar Beach Resort has first class sewage treatment and water treatment plants and we are committed to high standards of environmental stewardship. We are trying to work with other property owners around the lake to put in place similar systems. We are committed to making Cedar Beach a great place to come for a retreat, an adventure, or a great family holiday and we would appreciate any further feedback or suggestions. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments. Murray, on behalf of the board of Directors
dont come to fish or swim
we have been taking our family here for the past 2 years. Rick and Linelle were keeping our family very happy during our stay. Now they are gone and the place has went down-hill just like the quality of water in lake. Do not come to fish or swim here anymore because of mud puddle colored water.
Lovely location, MILITANT RULES
Don't waste your time or money. The campsite is in a lovely location with many amenities and could be a fabulous location under proper management. As it stands the place is full of absurd rules not listed on their website and the management is militant about them. Here's what you should know, but wont find on their website: Campfires are only permitted between the hours of 7pm-11pm (4 hours). Management comes around right at 11pm to douse them. Bedtime is 12pm... yes you read that correctly they have a bedtime. Management comes back around at about 11:50pm to tell you it's time to go to bed. Hairnets must be worn in the swimming pool. 2 bedroom cabins have lattice work for the top 2 feet of wall... so don't plan on sharing a cabin if you want any privacy. Our group was given trouble for walking up to the bathrooms past 'bedtime', told we were " too far from our sites " and it was time for us to go to bed. On the second night 2 adults in our group were told to go inside and go to bed at midnight for having a quiet conversation on one of our cabin patios.
Creepy
After arriving to the island later then planned, we booked a campsite over the phone after seeing a local brochure featuring this " resort ". We arrived late, but management greeted us politely and helped us to switch our originally booked campsite (that was abut two feet away from a huge party of campers- and to the road) to a more " secluded' campsite with a little fence around it and a wooden platform for us to set up our tent on. The place looked nice enough, but not ideal for us considering we'd left our son with his grandmother to have a romantic weekend away, and this resort is packed with small children- but that was fine. The problem arose at 2 am when my husband had recently returned from the washroom and was just falling asleep when we were awoken by footsteps RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR TENT! We could hear footsteps circling our tent as it was on a wooden platform and were pretty sure somebody was going to open our tent door. I wasn't sure if it was an animal at first, but it became clear quickly it was a person. We couldn't sleep for a long time after the person walked away because we were too creeped out that somebody had come out of their way to come onto our platform and come into our personal space like that. After reading other reviews we are kind of assuming it was management coming to see if we were talking in our tent, as they may have seen my husband coming from the washroom, but we will never know. All we know is it was very creepy. In the morning, we complained to management and were told it was probably just deer, but we know it was a person, we could see the shadow from inside the tent. To top it off we asked for a late checkout since we had arrived so late and got no sleep, and that was granted, but when we tried to use the pool we were told we couldn't use it because they were about to " douse it with chemicals and scrub it ", even though you'd think they'd have done that in the hours before the pool opened, (it doesn't open until 11 am). Then we asked to use a boat and were told all the boats were taken (when there were six boats sitting on the shore, unused). We just got a feeling that we were no longer wanted there and the fact he told us we only had 10 minutes until it was check-out time after denying us use of all amenities pretty much confirmed that. Overall, we were not satisfied that we dished out fifty dollars to pitch a tent, get creeped out and not get to use any of the amenities that made the place worth staying at in the first place. This place might be great for families with kids, but if you want privacy, forget about it.
What Happened? Change of Management again!!!!
We read the below comments on tripadvisor and decided that we really needed to comment. Our family enjoyed an exceptional summer vacation at Cedar Beach Resort last year - summer 2011. The management at the time - Rick & Linelle - were excellent. Their friendly accommodating attitude carried through with all of the staff that we encountered. The Resort was clean and well cared for, firewood was provided for the start of every communal fire, and the Beach House was an inviting addtion to the Resort. The management made a point of walking the grounds on a regular basis to ensure all of the guests were well looked after - definitely not what we would consider " policing the grounds! " The golf cart was something that the used or was only used to deliver boxes of firewood in the evenings. We planned on booking a larger group family reunion for next year - but NOT after reading the comments that are listed below. If you follow the trail of tripadvisor comments - it looks like things went from bad to great and now back to bad again! So sad- as this is an awesome place, the lake, the beach house, the cabins - EVERYTHING WAS AWESOME!!!!!!
Lacklustre to say the least..
I have a feeling that the first page of reviews were not by actual campers because I agree with the page two campers the most. This place was terrible. No privacy what so ever. It was like a permanent RV park - we were sandwiched between two BC Ferry Workers who left at 4:30 am each morning. The bathrooms were filthy, and I could barely breathe in there - smelled like old paint. The campsites were littered with small garbage as to say they were never cleaned after use. We didn't have a problem with management, except when they came around and has up put out our tealight candle. You, no matter how much you fluff up a review, CANNOT call this place paradise. Far from. I am sure kids would love it - pools, lake, playground but I don't think many adults could get over the uncleanliness, cramped & privacy lacking environment. Save your money - camp elsewhere. PS: Then there was the Rooster.... this thing was across the fence and loud from 5 am to dark. It was almost unbearable.
Hu-m-m-m...... not so forgiving
We recently were guests at the resort for 4 days with our visiting family of 6 from Wales, Mom, Dad and four children ages 10 thru 16. In the eyes of the children, it was a happy time. the lake swimming, the small but sandy beach, the canoe, rowboat and the two paddleboats, the hot tub and pool, the ping pong and pool table provided hours of good entertainment as did the horseshoe pitch. The location is well treed, lets in filtered sunlight and for the most part is quite pretty, bug free and animal free. It was very quiet at night with everyone respecting the after 11pm quiet time. In the eyes of the parents and ourselves, there were some things that were okay and some that were not so good. We rented the duplex cabins # 17 and # 18. We all agreed that cabin # 18 was by far the best of the two. Recently remodeled, it had a new, well equipped kitchen with a dishwasher.... a nice thing to have with our group of 8, large new bathroom, a large side porch. large windows in each room that flooded them with light; the master bedroom was large with a door leading to the side patio. That said, the outdoor deck furniture on both front and side decks had seen better days...... and the BBQ hadn't been cleaned in what appeared to be eons. The patio was strewn with leaves and cob webs as was it's match at cabin # 17. Simply taking a broom to pre-occupation clean would suffice and not give the appearance of not caring. In the words of the visiting father, who occupied cabin # 17, the cabin was " grotty ". It was very old in it's décor, definitely steps down from # 18old kitchen with 1940-1950's style cabinetry... no dishwasher, old furniture, small bedrooms with no room to navigate the master bedroom with it's king size bed, it was dark for the most part, small windows and wood paneled walls lead to the darkness. There was no BBQ. Both parents felt it was " okay " for a few days, as long as the sun shone but we all agreed that any longer would not be very satisfactory... and if it rained??.. definitely not a good place to stay indoors. We were surprised to find that the duplex cabins back right onto the camping site; not a problem when we were there but certainly something to be aware of for anyone booking these cabins. It may be a small thing to mention, but neither of the fridges in either cabin had a door handle. While the children were totally happy with their surroundings, the adults noted the poor condition of the equipment...... that said, there were ample chairs at the lakeside but most were in desperate need of an upgrade. The " club house " had a pool table and ping pong table, however the playing equipment was ready for the junk heap.... pool cue with no tip and ping pong bats were good for kindling. There were several seating areas and a selection of board games but the room itself was hot and airless...... there was a note to keep the " door closed ". The big screen TV never did work. The rowboat was a heavy old beast, the canoe quite satisfactory. There was a huge patio table at the lake that could seat we were sure, up to 20 people, which was a nice addition. There were two fire pits but they were unusable during our visit due to the outdoor fire ban. It is worth noting that it was fortunate that we, at ages 71 and 76, are quite fit. Otherwise the long, steep hill down to the lakeside would have been impossible for us to navigate. For those not so fit, it would have meant being driven down the road. Having travelled extensively we were a bit disappointed to bring our family to Cedar Beach Resort, only as we were not too pleased with our accommodations, but taking heart with the fact that our grandkids were happy makes it all a bit better. TLC desperately needed overall to make it a much better spot overall!
Ridiculous Rules! Campsites Are Terrible! Bathrooms Filthy! Save Yourself, Don't Go!
Don't waste your time or money on this campground. My husband and I just returned from what felt like a weekend in prison. First of all, the place has only one road that goes through the campground (there are no loops for campsites) so it's a major thoroughfare for all foot, bike, pet, car, truck, golf cart traffic. It felt like camping on a highway.. they do not publish the pictures of the campsites on the website. All of the campsites are crammed together at the top of the hill with no view of the lake. The cabins and the pool are at the bottom of the hill near the lake. If you pay for a cabin, you'll have a great view but that's about it. Our friends rented this horrific teeny cabin for $140 / night and it was no bigger than my bedroom at home with this rundown furniture and teeny kitchenette with a hotplate and microwave. Certainly not worth the rental even with a view. The public bathrooms were a joke -- two tiny showers, sinks and toilets for a campground that accommodate 200 people and they were filthy. I saw the same used Q-Tip on the bench in the shower 3 days in a row! And now for the ridiculous rules... that they do not publish on their webiste.. dogs are not allowed down the hill near the cabins, in the cabins, on the lake in the canoes you can use, near the pool area or on the beach. They are only allowed up at the top in the campsites or in this little field. You can only have campfires from 7PM to 11PM. At 11PM, they walk around and have you douse your fire with water even if it's just two people sitting by the fire being quite. You have to be silent by midnight in your camper, tent or trailer or they tell you to go to bed. They close the hot tub at 7PM (when the millions of kids finally get out and adults can use it!). And for two people working there, they seem to be everywhere strictly enforcing these rules. It just seems to me that there are militant rules for the sake of having rules. They make no sense and we are adults in our forties with an 8 lb dog who are not rowdy or loud. I've been to many a private campground all over North America and this is one of the worst! Save yourself and don't go.
great time!
Ok I have read the recent reviews on Cedar Beach Resort, and to be fair I have never stayed in a cabin there, but my family and I have camped in the campground on the August long weekend for the last 5 years, this year included. We had an amazing time, again this year, we caught and released a few fish from the dock, spent tons of time at the beach and in the water. We took advantage of all of their free services, including the canoes you can sign out for free and the free BBQ with propane at the gazebo. I did not see the management staff patrolling in a heavy handed manner or anything like that, they appeared very friendly and helpful to me, they even have free hotdog sticks you can borrow from the office!! Anyway, I didn't see any of the problems that other people have written about, maybe it is different staying in the cabins or maybe they just had different expectations, but as far as " camping " goes this is very easy with free hot showers, a swimming pool, a hottub and even free wifi!!! We will return next year!
Great place for a family reunion
Thirty-two of us from toddlers to grandparents rented cabins, used the beach house to eat, play, sit by the fire and relax, used the canoes and row boats, had a campfire, enjoyed the hot tub, and four even dipped in the frigid March lake! We're a noisy bunch -- love music, singing, storytelling -- but the beach house is separated enough from the cabins that kids and old folks who wanted sleep could easily get peace while the young people kept the party going late. Most of us were in newly renovated, nicely appointed cabins. (The boats and one dock could use the same updating.) Even the dogs enjoyed the visit though they were not allowed in the cabins. Staff was great and very good at keeping us in firewood. We'd all like a return visit, especially one boy who's angling for his tenth birthday celebration there.
Beautiful locale, great services, rustic lodgings
The location of these wooden cabins on St. Mary's lake is spectacular for sure. The amenities here are also plentiful, including free boat rental, pool and hot tub and the lovely warm lake itself. The lodging we had (cabin 12) was rustic at best, and somewhat dirty at worst. We did note that several other cabins appeared newer and bigger and we will try them out next time.
Do not stay in a tent here
Camped here for 4 days. Did not stay in the cabins (some looked nice and new, some looked old). Did not go inside. Positives 1. Salt Spring Island is fantastic. 2. Plenty of open spots as it was mainly empty while we were there for 5 days. 3. Hot showers - free 4. Pool / hot tub. 5. St. Mary Lake is nice and there were two bald eagles we saw on a frequent basis. 6. Great cycling around the island. Negatives 1. Water is not drinkable. Something about mold in the water being hepatotoxic. Their website advertises " Full hook-up (water, hydro, and sewer) ". Camping here without fresh water is not acceptable. They need to put this on their website. 2. Can't swim in the lake. Same as above. A local told me development around the lake has caused significant pollution problems in the lake. Again, something that should be on the website. 3. Club house needs renovation. Was probably nice when it was built, but doesn't appear to have been renovated since. The club house has a musty / mold smell to it. 4. Sewer problems. A toilet in the main bathroom backed up on the second day we were there and waste covered the bathroom floor for 3 days without being cleaned. About 1 / 2 of the sinks don't drain properly, so I'm guessing this is a sewer problem. Summary - They do not appear invest much of their profit into maintaining their facilities. Do not camp here. Go over the San Juan island to Lakedale resort to see how a camping facility should be run, besides it's 25% cheaper.
had a good time
we went there for a family reunion in aug and the water in the lake was wonderful, the campsite for our trailer was adequately spaced and the bathroom was clean and so was the shower. I had absolutely no problems with the management, they were helpful, friendly and had a great sense of humor. We did have to pay for the kayaks and paddle boats but brought our own firewood. The cabin that one of the family members stayed at was not comfortable for them but the other cabins were wonderful. suggestions are to have a ladder on the raft in the lake, couldnt climb up that thing to save my life and some rope for climbing into the paddle boat not easy to do if youre in the middle of the lake. other than that, the kids loved the lake house, (need more ping pong balls and paddles) and we loved the group campfire. thanks for a great weekend.
Great Spot for Family Vacation or Getaway - Needs Some TLC
Do you remember the TV commercial where the man says, " I liked the product so much that I bought the company. " We stayed at Cedar Beach Resort for two nights during the summer of 2011, followed by two more days in November. We liked liked it so much that a month later we bought the cabin that we stayed in. During 2012 we slept at the cabin 75 nights. We are tracking at 80 nights this year. I guess we think pretty highly of this place. Sure it's rustic, Sure it needs some TLC. But, if you want a lovely spot by St. Mary Lake on Salt Spring Island, including a safe, sandy beach, with free use of paddle boats, canoes, and row boats, come to Cedar Beach Resort (CBR). CBR is one of the few family oriented resorts with a sandy beach access (reserved for registered guests only). I believe it is the only resort on the lake with a swimming pool and a hot tub (everyone likes that). It also offers use of a Beach House with a large deck, overlooking the lake (often with beautiful sunsets). Did I mention rustic? If you are looking for a five star hotel, don't bother. If you are looking for a family oriented, fun in the sun vacation by the lake, here it is. If you do not like rustic, spend few dollars more and rent one of the new or renovated cabins (that's what we did). Salt Spring Island has just about everything you will need or ever want (no IKEA, no Costco) (lots of things to do and see, fresh food and great eats galore). Hey, you will have to Google it to find out how great this island is. Oh well, there goes the secret. I almost forgot to mention that the office also doubles as a little shop. Licorice, marshmallows, bottled water, soft drinks and juices, coffee and even lattes for the older folks. Wood. Fresh made muffins and cookies, etc. By the way, there is nothing in it for me to write this for the TRIP ADVISOR. We come here too often to rent ours out. I just wanted you to know how much this guy and his wife like this place. Because we are here so often, we have observed, first hand, how much goes in to managing a resort like this. The managers, Mark and Mary, and their staff do everything they can to make your time here as enjoyable as possible. And their dog Roscoe, will welcome you too. One last time, if you are looking for a pleasant time at a family oriented resort, come to Cedar Beach Resort. With all due respect, if you are looking to make a lot of noise, partying well into the night, please go somewhere else. Well, it's time for my afternoon siesta. P. S. If you like lots of peace and quiet, come in the off season, that's our favourite time. The beautiful lake and trees are still here, and almost all of the cabins have wood burning fire places or boxes. Hey, and the rates are reduced.
Revisiting for 29+ years
Our family (consisting of 25 people) has been going to this resort every summer for 29 years! There is a reason why we haven't strayed from this resort for so many years, even through all the changes. I don't have anything bad to say about this resort as it is close to my heart. I learned to swim in the pool here (at age 5) and conquered my fear of jumping into a big body of water (St. Mary's Lake). I loved walking up to the office to buy candy after dinner and making friends with all the kids next door to us. I always felt safe as the speed limit is 8kms / hr in the resort and the staff is constantly checking up on the pool and asking if everyone is having fun. The cabins are awesome to stay in. A mini rustic house that you can call home. Now that each one is different (private owners), there are different pros to each one. Some are more modern than others as they have been renovated, but they all have the same cozy vibe. The manager, Gregor, did everything he could to have an early check in for us this year as we arrived from an early ferry (couldn't wait any longer!). The cabin (cabin 12) was clean, organized, and cozy. He made sure that the hot tub was the right temperature, and cleaned the pool twice a day. There are canoes, paddle boats, a horseshoe game, and more to keep you occupied if you are one to be restless on vacation. You are only 10 minutes from the " city " for your groceries, souvenirs, and ice cream. There is a goat cheese factory, a brewery, the Saturday market, and more on the Island too! I would recommend this resort to anyone who is looking to relax in a home away from home, have tons of things to do, constantly swim, and to make memories. See you next year Cedar Beach! (maybe I will have a child of my own next year that I can show this wonderful spot to and start another 30 year tradition!) Sincerely, The B. A. D's
We (finally) found our August place!
We like to camp close to our home in Victoria for the last week in August before school starts and have had so many unsatisfactory camping experiences for this week over the years. Until now. Cedar Beach Resort is an absolutely awesome place to camp for families. Yes families. There are kids everywhere (exactly what we've been looking for). We camped with 2 other friends and a total of 4 kids. There is so much for the kids to do and everything is in close proximity to the campsite. The resort is not fancy but clean and really well thought out. Down at the beach there are lots of chairs and tables so you don't have to lug your entire campsite with you to spend a day there. There is an on-the-lake patio attached to the beach house complete with tables and chairs - perfect place to feed the kids lunch. The beach, pool, hot tub, dock, and boats provided our kids with an endless array of things to do. We met a lot of other families who were there for the first time as well and we are all coming back next year. A bunch of us are aiming to book the same week so it should be a big reunion. The staff was absolutely amazing. Judy, Mark, and Mary made us feel so welcome (even though one of our group changed her reservation and campsite about 12 times). They were so friendly and helpful and always around if we needed anything. Unlike in other reviews, I liked that they were around in their golf carts. In no way did we find that they were militantly enforcing rules. Our kids roamed freely - laughing and playing without anyone chastising them for being too noisy. And they were noisy. Kids are. Especially when they're excited. The pool was a gong show - cannonballs, swan dives, races, snacks, hot tub warm-ups. And not one person told them to simmer down. They were free to play and they loved every minute of it. As for the fire - I made a fire every morning around 7:30 and every night. Not once was I asked to extinguish it - even on the night that one of our friends arrived late and the adults were up late. By the time you get through the marshmallows, s'mores, popcorn, songs and teeth brushing it is always at least 10pm, after which the adults need a couple of hours to themselves. And we always had that time to ourselves without anyone bothering us. On the nights that we went to bed early and others didn't - no big deal. Nothing wrong with the sound of campfire conversation and laughter. I would recommend Cedar Beach to any family. The kids made friends fast and were safe and happy. We had a fabulous time and will be back next August and every August after. A giant shoutout to the staff - they really made our stay memorable and are a huge part of the reason why we'll be back next year.
Excellent island getaway!
Our family stayed here in August 2011 and had an amazing time. Our two boys are 8 & 12 and they brought along a friend as well. There was LOTS for them to do - swimming (pool & lake), ping ping, pool table, horseshoes, paddle boats etc. Needless to say we did not hear " I'm bored ". We rented one of the smaller cabins (# 2) and while it was a tight fit, we were outside most of the time anyways so it didn't much matter. The managment was great - very accomodating and friendly but also gave everyone their privacy which is nice also. We will likely be back this summer and are planning a family reunion there in August of 2013. Can't wait!
Well-preserved secret place, with nice facilities and friendly staff
This summer we have stay three times at the Cedar Beach Resort. The first time, my wife and I, for few days in the campground section, we had the chance to enjoy the pool, the Hot Tub and the canoe on the lake. The second time, with some of our family members, for one night in one of there renting cabins, we were all impress about the cleanliness and the set-up of this beautiful cabin, we really appreciate having diner together on the balcony after our afternoon canoe expedition. The third time, my wife and I, for a week in the campground section, this time, just for relaxing and enjoying the place. We think this a well-preserved secret place, with nice facilities and friendly staff.
Watch out!
We were there for 3 nights (Aug 5-Aug 8th 2008) in 2 cabins. The cabins were not what we expected for the rate they charged. There are self imposed, absurb rules that they did not list on their web site. Canoes or row boats are signed out for 2 Hrs only and they arrogantly enforce their rule. Just to get used to a row boat took us 1 hr. We took the boat out at 7pm and returned at 8:30pm and the next day we were refused when asked for a boat because we did not return them at exactly 8pm. Above all, the trip did not worth the effort, there are much better places in vancouver island. Buyers beware!