For larger groups, the Explorer's Retreat can be rented with the bunkhouse (sleeps an additional 2 people). Book the configuration that best suits your needs.
* Please note this cottage has an additional bunkhouse offer at additional cost should you choose to add it. (It will not be rented to a different party, but only offer as an add on)
The Explorer’s Retreat is one of our cottages at Handsome Dan’s and is Pet Friendly. It has a beautiful private sauna, Starlink high speed internet and can accommodate 2 comfortably, or a family of 4 with the use of the sofa bed.
This charming cottage is located in Port Renfrew, British Columbia, and evokes a sense of rustic charm while also featuring a number of modern upgrades and amenities. There is an open living and kitchen area with everything guests need for a comfortable stay. Guests can cook up a feast in the fully-equipped kitchen that includes a stove and oven, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a coffeemaker. There is also a small dining table, a cozy couch, and gas fire place. The stylish queen-sized bedroom has a flat-screen TV, Apple TV, and Netflix. The living area also has a flat-screen TV, Apple TV and Netflix, as well, a double-sized pull-out sofa bed for additional sleeping. The bathroom has a combination shower and tub, and Wi-Fi is installed throughout the cabin. Beautiful nature photographs also adorn the walls, captured by local photographer TJ Watt.
Outside, you will find a large south facing front deck with a sitting area that is great for enjoying a morning coffee or relaxing with a glass of wine in the evening. A fantastic private Sauna allows you the opportunity to rest and luxuriate as the heat soaks your cares away. Guests can also enjoy scenic barbecues with the propane barbecue, as well as roast marshmallows around the fire pit. Perfect after a day of exploring Port Renfrew!
Amenities
No SmokingPet FriendlyOcean ViewOceanfrontHypoallergenicNo PetWifiTVCable TVNetflixDVD PlayerDVD MoviesPhoneFridge with freezer
Bar FridgeMicrowaveMicrowave/Convection OvenGas Cooking Stove + OvenElectric Stove & Oven2 Burner Induction Hot Plate4 Burner Hot plateDishwasherWasher/ DryerGas FireplaceElectric FireplaceWood FireplaceFull Bathroom1/2 bath (sink & toilet)
Bluetooth speakeriPod DockiPod and DockCD Player with CD’sBoard GamesBookBBQFire PitOutdoor Propane HeaterOutdoor Propane Crab CookerOutdoor Electric Crab CookerHot Tub
Rates
All dates are based on 2023 Canadian stat holiday dates and may be adjusted year to year accordingly.
Low Season: *Nov 15, 2022 - Feb 16 2023 / November 12 - Dec 21, 2023 From $180/night + fees and taxes (2 nights minimum)
*High Season rates apply between Dec 23, 2022 - Jan 2, 2023
Mid Season: Feb 17 - May 18 and Oct 9 - Nov 11 From $195/night + fees and taxes(2 nights minimum)
High Season: May 19 - Oct 8 From $245/night + fees and taxes (2 nights minimum)
Cancelation Policy: Guest must cancel or modify booking 48 hr before check-in time (4PM). Any cancellation or reduced stay made less than 48 hr Prior check in will be charge in full.
* Exit cleaning fee of $153 per reservation will apply
Which Cottage have you stayed?:Explorer's Retreat with Bunkhouse
Very clean, perfect size for our group of 5 and a great location. The sauna was a lovely touch, especially as BC had a campfire ban during our stay. Wonderful place to stay for a few days before we started the West Coast Trail.
Claire
Aug 20, 2022
by Claire
Canada
Which Cottage have you stayed?:#86
Wonderful clean, comfy & cozy cabin to return to after a few days of area hikes. Great communication with management. Cabin was warm & well appointed..... the only thing we were missing was a teapot! Will definitely return👍
We ended our trip around the island here and it was perfect. The vibe was so cozy and private. There was a campfire ban during our stay but we still enjoyed the hanging out on the deck amongst the trees, it was so peaceful. The sauna was such a welcome treat after a chilly evening. I would stay here again in a heartbeat!
Which Cottage have you stayed?:86 The Explorer’s Retreat
Our family spent three nights and fours days in the area and thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. So peaceful and relaxing and the cottage was immaculate! We took advantage of the deck and fire pit every night and spent the days exploring the surrounding trails. The only recommendation would be to add an outdoor shower near the sauna so as not to have to walk through the cabin to shower after every steam.
Really enjoyed our stay. My fishing buddy and I booked the cottage and bunkhouse for 5 days. With my Birthday mid-week, my wife and daughter joined us for two nice days of exploring and fishing. Cottages were clean and versatile. Communications with Handsome Dan’s - excellent. My only recommendation would be some more matching dishes and cutlery. They were a bit worn and mix and match - otherwise - great.
thanks so much for the review so glad you had a great stay!
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Must Know
As of June 01, 2020 and due to the health and safety concerns brought on by the corona event, please be aware of these changes we have made to our cottages:
SUNDRY ITEMS: All condiments and staples have been removed from the cottage. This means sundry items like coffee, tea, sugar, salt and pepper (and their shakers), cooking oils and other handy things that help round-off a nice meal have had to be removed. Be sure to include these kinds of items in your list of things to bring to the cottage. Most of these are available at the San Juan Market (in Port Renfrew), but we never know if the supply will keep up with the demand under the new rules. And please, take home with you all the condiments you brought;
LINENS: Of course, ALL bed linens, duvet covers, bath and hand towels, shower curtains and kitchen towels and dish rags are professionally laundered between each Guest’s visit. But we have had to remove all the extra blankets that each cottage had earlier provided. Please pack your own favourite blankets from home to increase the cozy factor during your stay at Handsome Dan’s;
DISHES Although the cottage remains fully equipped with all serving dishes and plates, glasses, cups, cooking pots and pans and utensils you will need to prepare a fine meal, REMEMBER that these items will all have been used, cleaned and stored away in their respective location by the previous Guest. With this mind, be sure to re-clean each re-useable piece of kitchen equipment before your personal use (there is plenty of dish soap and clean dish rags in the cottage)
GUEST INFORMATION BOOK: All the information for the cottage, including where things are, and how things work are in the welcome binder in your cottage. Please review the binder and email us when you arrive to confirm your arrival.
Wi-Fi: There is not cell service in Port Renfrew, but all cottages are equipped with Wi-Fi. So you will have access to internet and emails. You will find the wifi login and password in the Welcome book binder in the cottage, and below here:
INTERNET SERVICE IN PORT RENFREW: It is important to know that, in the summer months or very busy weekends, when many people are visiting Port Renfrew, streaming services like Netflix, Crave etc.. may be slow to watch due to the high demand on the available bandwidth of internet service that serves Port Renfrew.
NO CELL SERVICE IN PORT RENFREW This means you will not be able to make and receive phone calls, as there is no cell reception. You will be able to make phone calls if you go to your settings, and enable “Wifi calling” if your phone plan and phone provider support this feature, Remember you will only be able to make and receive phone calls as long as you are in proximity of wifi. Wifi is provided in all cottages, so you will be able to have access to your email and internet. Update May 2023: If you are on the Rogers or Fido network there is cell service.
NO GROCERY STORE IN PORT RENFREW: Port Renfrew only has a General Store, open daily (11AM to 7PM). Although it is a very well equipped little store, you will not find fresh meat, and only a small variety of fruit and vegis. You can expect a good variety of dry goods, coffee, spice, along with bread, milk, eggs, bacon and other sealed pre-packed meats and liquor, wine and beer. You may also visit the grocery stores in Sooke or Lake Cowichan, depending from which way you will be travelling.
SHEETS AND TOWELS: There will be 1 set of sheets for every bed including the sofa bed, and 4 towels as per maximum occupancy of the cottage. More towel can be available at additional cost ($5/each) or you may bring some form home if you judge you will need additional ones. Linens are not to be taken outside the cottage for use.
COFFEE MACHINE: The coffee machine is a regular 12 cup drip coffee maker. Please bring you own coffee.
DISHES: All dishes in the cupboards are used and cleaned by guests. To be considerate of the guests following your visit, please ensure to clean your dishes properly.
PARKING:
- There is parking for 2 vehicles in the cottage driveway. Additional parking is available in extra parking area. Parking is limited. Carpooling is suggested.
- Boat and trailer may be parked at the marina for a small fee. Please call (250) 412-5509 for reservation.
- RV's and camping are not permitted anywhere in cottage community.
WOOD BURNING OUTDOOR FIRE PIT: There is a wood burning fire pit for guest enjoyment, that can be use only when no fire bans are in effect. It is suggested to bring with your: paper, fire starter, kindling and wood. Some cottage owner may provide some firewood, if so, it is kept outside and may be damp. There is a couple locals that sell firewood by the bundles, or the Gas Station and General Store also sell some.
POWER OUTAGES: Port Renfrew and the south coast of Vancouver Island are subject to powerful windstorms that can cause extended power outages. The Guest is advised that neither Handsome Dan’s nor the Owner will be liable and no partial or full refund of the price of rental will be offered for power outages, however caused. This cottage is equipped with a gas fireplace, in the event of a power outage, you will be able to keep warm and use the BBQ to cook.
NOISE: EXCESSIVE NOISE AND DISTURBANCE OF OTHER COTTAGE OWNERS AND RENTERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. ANY GUEST CREATING A DISTURBANCE IN THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY WITH NO REFUND. IF A FORMAL COMPLAINT IS FILED WITH THE PROPERTY MANAGER AND A FINE IS LEVIED AGAINST THE COTTAGE OWNER, THE OFFENDING GUEST WILL REIMBURSE THE COTTAGE OWNER THE FULL COST OF THE FINE AND ANY ASSOCIATED EXPENSES. IN ADDITION, THE GUEST’S BOOKING INFORMATION WILL BE FLAGGED, AND HANDSOME DAN’S WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT BOOKINGS FROM THAT GUEST. BOOKING.COM, EXPEDIA AND OTHER BOOKING AGENTS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED, IF APPLICABLE.
** A $300 FINE WILL BE CHARGED TO THE GUEST IF A DISTURBANCE COMPLAINT IS RECEIVED.
CONSTRUCTIONS: Please be aware that you are in a new cottage development, and there are still some cottages being built in our little community. Please refer to the "Cottage site map" above to see the location of the construction. The work is normally scheduled Monday to Thursday and leaving weekends to minimum activity.
NO SMOKING INSIDE: Please enjoy your smoke outside. Smoking is not permitted inside the Cottage and a $300 fine will be applied.
PETS ARE WELCOME IN THIS COTTAGE
⁃ Guests will supply their own bedding for their pets.
⁃ Pets are not permitted anywhere on the furniture, (specially beds and couch.)
⁃ Outside, pets must be kept on a leash on the Cottage property or anywhere in the Cottage Community.
⁃ Guests will ensure that any deposits made by pets on the Cottage or its adjoining structures, property and Community are duly and properly disposed.
⁃ Damage and/or extraordinary soiling to the Cottage or its adjoining structures committed by Guest’s pets will be subject to additional charges to Guest’s credit card in amounts at the discretion of Handsome Dan’s.
⁃ Pets are welcome only in cottages designated as Pet Friendly.
⁃ BEFORE VISITING A FRIEND AT ANOTHER COTTAGE, PLEASE BE SURE TO VERIFY IF THAT COTTAGE IS ALSO PET FRIENDLY. A $300 FINE WILL BE CHARGE FOR BRINGING A PET IN A NON-PET FRIENDLY COTTAGE.
EQUIPMENT: While every attempt will be made to ensure that television, phone, internet, BBQ and any other appliances are in working order for the Guest’s visit, should any breakdown or other situation occur like, but not limited to, power outrage whereby these items are not available for the term of the rental period, Handsome Dan’s is not responsible for replacing or refunding the Guest for the lack of use of these elements.
DON’T LEAVE ANY GARBAGE BAGS ON THE PORCH OR DECK: especially overnight. You’ll attract a variety of critters…raccoons, crows, ravens and bears. Please take your garbage to the waste management compound on Parkinson Road just this side of the General Store (about 1 kilometre from the cottage on the highway back towards Victoria).
CHECK-IN TIME IS 3PM *Check-in and Check-out times are to be adhered to, unless otherwise arranged in advance and confirmed by email. Early arrival and/or late departure may result in additional charges. Late departure may result in additional charges.
CHECK OUT TIME IS 10AM: To be able to ensure that the cottage will be clean and ready to go for our next guest's arrival, it is important that guests respect the 10am check out time. ** If you are going fishing on your check out day and will not be back for 11am check out time, please be sure you pack and bring all your belonging with you in the morning. GUEST WILL BE CHARGE AN EXTRA NIGHT RENTAL FOR ANY LATE CHECK-OUT THAT IS NOT PRE-ARRANGE IN ADVANCE WITH HANDSOME DAN’S.
ON YOUR DEPARTURE:
Please be sure to wash your dirty dishes, and put dishes away
If you used the BBQ, please ensure the BBQ is clean, valve or tank is turned off, and the cover is back in place.
Take all your belongings
Please take your garbage, recycling and refundable bottles to the Waste Management compound on Parkinson Road just this side of the General Store (about 600 meters from the cottage on the highway back towards Victoria, located on the right hand side of the road).
