Queen Charlotte Hotel: Premier Creek Lodge

I closed the door to my miniscule bedroom – with a window over the sound of the creek below – and fell asleep like I was in the womb. I woke up after 8:30 am, the perfect sleep in for me.

Queen Charlotte Hotels
I have never been to Queen Charlotte in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands in northern British Columbia) before, so I chose a hotel a bit randomly. Lenore at the Premier Creek Lodge could fit me in on fairly short notice, having one room available at the best price (which doesn’t always mean it’ll be comfortable).

Options at the hotel, the oldest house in Queen Charlotte (built in 1910), are plenty: there are single sleeping rooms for $35 up to suites with kitchenettes for $95. In the back is a hostel, beds being $25 per night (and integrated into the “chicken hostel,” where the chickens hang out).

Other than the suites, the washrooms are shared and, just like group living, are down the hall for everyone to use. You’re on your own for meals, although they sometimes offer an early breakfast if you book the night before.

I had my meals from the organic grocery store nearby (about a 2 minute walk, beside the tourist info centre), and cooked them in my kitchenette, as well as the equally nearby Queen B’s Cafe (#5-3208 Wharf St., 559-4463), a funky little café with down home food and appetizing prices.

Budget Travel
As I didn’t have a car, Premier Creek’s prime location on the main road, with views over Bearskin Bay, had everything in town within walking distance. Just don’t expect fancy: this is a small town in Haida Gwaii (although one of the major centres of the islands). Premier Creek Lodge is simple, clean and incredibly hospitable. I definitely recommend it for budget travellers.

Read more posts about Haida Gwaii here.

Tags: Bearskin bay, British Columbia, Budget Travel, Haida Gwaii, hostel, Premier Creek Lodge, Queen Charlotte Hotel, Queen Charlotte Islands, Sleeping Room