Accommodations on the Sunshine Coast are as creative as the people who live here. Below, we've put together a list of unusual places to stay, ranging from vintage Airstream trailers to a former courthouse from the 1930s.
Old Courthouse Inn, Powell River
Feel like hanging your hat in a sheriff's office? How about kicking your shoes off in the judge's chambers? The Old Courthouse Inn is quite literally just that: an old courthouse! Located in the Historic Townsite of Powell River, this 1939 tudor-style building was once a former courthouse and police station that has since been converted into a boutique inn. Here, you can choose to hang your hat in one of eight cozy rooms (each of them one of the former rooms of the courthouse) that are furnished with an eclectic mix of antiques and collectables. Downstairs, you can enjoy a hot breakfast at Edie Rae's Cafe and down the street, a cold beer at Townsite Brewing.
Tin Can Ranch, Gibsons
If you've ever coveted sleeping in a sleek vintage Airstream trailer, here's your chance. Tin Can Ranch is a ranch-style property that features not one, but two renovated 1970s Airstream trailers, complete with outdoor showers, a spacious sauna, hot tub, cowboy-style cold plunge, and patio and picnic zones perfect for lounging. With its central location in Gibsons, you can walk to local breweries and restaurants, although with vibes this good—plus the on-site kitchen and firepit—you might just find it hard to leave.
Pointhouse Suites' Studio ISO, Halfmoon Bay
Pointhouse Suites' Studio ISO is partially made from two 8 x 20 shipping containers, although you wouldn't know it from this cedar-wrapped, West Coast-style studio, tucked away in the forest in Sargeant Bay. The property's many windows bring the outdoors (and the light) in while the tastefully decorated interior has cozy furniture and rugs scattered throughout. Bring the yoga mat and stretch out on the stone-clad patio or find relaxation in the hot tub as you gaze out into the forest. If the locale and views don't inspire you, their commitment to sustainability will: Pointhouse Suites focuses on green initiatives, such as passive solar features, efficient waste and grey water treatment, and other conservation-focused initiatives.
Rocky Valley Tiny Homes and Glamping Resort, Texada Island
Ever tried sleeping in a suspended tent, a few feet off the forest floor? Now you can at Rocky Valley, a glamping resort that features both two- and three-person tensile tents and tiny A-frame cabins, all tucked away on beautiful Texada Island. Better known as "tree tents," tensiles are like a cross between a secure hammock and a small wilderness tent. Settle in for a night under the stars as you sway ever-so-gently between the trees. Prefer more solid ground? The tiny A-frame cabins come equipped with queen-sized beds. The nearby picnic tables, BBQ area, and modern restrooms provide basic comforts, while the outdoor movie theatre adds a fun touch.
Bed & Beachcomber, Gibsons
Coffee and a view? You'll find both at Bed & Beachcomber, an industrial loft studio overlooking Gibsons Harbour and located directly above Beachcomber Coffee, making your commute to caffeine mere steps away. (In fact, you'll find multiple ways to brew a cup directly in the suite.) This compact apartment doesn't have a kitchen but its central Gibsons locale means you're a short stroll from delicious eats and drinks (Pink House Bistro, Gibsons Tapworks, Buono Osteria, Lunitas Mexican Eatery, and more are located within a block of the B&B).
Finn Bay Farm Retreat, Lund
Yurts are great for when you feel like camping but want to leave the gear at home. At Finn Bay Farm Retreat in Lund, you'll find a traditional Mongolian-style yurt located on an idyllic 13-acre property. Finn Bay features a separate cottage that includes a main living area for lounging and cooking, plus a full bathroom, and the yurt itself, which functions as a large cozy bedroom with a queen-sized bed and bunk beds. Half of Finn Bay's charm is its location at the southern approach to Desolation Sound, a short distance from some of BC's most spectacular kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling.
Up The Creek Backpacker's Lodge, Roberts Creek
Cabins and cottages are practically synonymous with the Sunshine Coast, but did you know there's also a backpackers' lodge? Think hostel, only done the Sunshine Coast way. Situated an easy 10-minute walk from the heart of "the Creek," this family-run operation hosts backpackers, students, solo travellers, and remote workers at a cedar-clad lodge nestled amongst the trees. There are free loaner bikes so you can ride to nearby beaches and cafes (the popular Gumboot Cafe is located a minute away), hammocks for lounging, an herb garden where you can pick garnishes for meals cooked on-site at the communal BBQ or kitchen, a wood-fired sauna, and more. It's no wonder people find it hard to leave, and with Up the Creek’s "work and stay" program, you can find reasons not to.
Stay Wilder, Coast Gravity Park, Sechelt
If you've ever dreamed of tent-to-trail access at a world-renowned mountain bike park, then you're in luck. Stay Wilder offers low-footprint glamping pods within pedal-powered access to some of the best gravity-fed trails in BC. These off-grid domes offer an immersive stay in nature and are powered by renewable energy. Every mountain biker knows a riding trip is as good as its post-trail amenities, and at Stay Wilder, you can light up the Ooni pizza oven for crispy wood-fired pizza within seconds or the BBQ for a tailgate party that requires no commute. A Yeti hard cooler can keep cans cold for happy hour at the firepit and a Nespresso coffee machine is on hand to fuel you up for the day's ride. All six domes feature queen beds, private outdoor decks, and panoramic windows and skylights.
Three Chicken Farm, Powell River
This part B&B, part animal sanctuary started with—you guessed it—chickens. You can share this two-and-a-half-acre hobby farm with these feathered friends, along with a donkey, ponies, KuneKune pigs, goats, sheep, a llama, and a goose named Sketch. You'll stay on-site at Three Chicken Farm in one of two spots, either a modern suite or a private cabin, which comes with access to a wood-fired hot tub and BBQ. Both accommodations back onto the extensive Duck Lake Trail system, popular with mountain bikers. The other benefit of staying on a farm—besides the interactions with animals, privacy, and surrounding scenery—is the access to farm-fresh food, including a stocked kitchen with eggs from the resident chickens.
Lund Harbour House, Lund
Lund plays host to some spectacular sunsets, but there are a few things that make it even sweeter—like being able to watch one from your own private deck right on the Lund Harbour. Aptly-named, Lund Harbour House is quite literally situated right on the water, so you know you're in for a quiet and peaceful retreat. The interior is decorated with handcrafted woodwork, salvaged metal ship doors, portholes, and other nautical-themed finishes. Outside, the wrap-around deck connects to an elevated boardwalk that takes you directly into Lund harbour itself. Whether it's the galley kitchen, the comfy "cabin" (aka living room), or the lounge chairs outside, you're sure to find the ideal spot to drop anchor.
More Accommodations
Looking for more ideas? Browse through more one-of-a-kind places to stay on the Sunshine Coast (and use the listing filters to find the perfect spot).