GET 25% OFF – LIMITED OFFER
GET 25% OFF – LIMITED OFFER
Welcome to The Explorer’s Retreat, your perfect getaway in Port Renfrew, British Columbia! This charming, pet-friendly cottage blends rustic charm with modern comforts, offering an inviting retreat for couples or families. With Starlink high-speed internet and the ability to accommodate up to 6 guests with a bunkhouse and using the sofa bed, it’s ideal for a cozy escape.
Step inside to find an open living and kitchen area designed for relaxation and convenience. Whip up delicious meals in the fully-equipped kitchen, complete with a stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, and coffeemaker. Enjoy your meals at the small dining table, unwind on the cozy couch, or gather around the gas fireplace for a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The stylish queen-sized bedroom features a flat-screen TV with Apple TV and Netflix, ensuring you can unwind in comfort. The living area also boasts a flat-screen TV with Apple TV and Netflix, along with a double-sized pull-out sofa bed for additional sleeping space. The bathroom includes a combination shower and tub, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the cabin. You’ll also appreciate the beautiful nature photographs by local photographer TJ Watt adorning the walls.
Outside, enjoy the large south-facing front deck, perfect for sipping your morning coffee or relaxing with a glass of wine in the evening. Indulge in the private sauna, where you can unwind and let the soothing heat melt away your cares. BBQ or roast marshmallows around the fire pit (please bring your own firewood and starters) —an ideal way to cap off a day of exploring Port Renfrew.
The Explorer’s Retreat offers a delightful blend of comfort, convenience, and natural beauty, making it the perfect spot for your next adventure!
Explore the exceptional Pacific Northwest rainforest, go hiking, enjoy beach sightseeing, or surf nearby. Don’t miss storm watching at Botanical Beach, world-class salmon and halibut fishing in season (May-October), and the stunning Avatar Grove—a photographer’s dream.
Just a ten-minute walk from the cottages brings you to the Pacific Gateway Marina and the spectacular ocean-view restaurant, Bridgemans. Tomi’s Home Cooking is a short walk away, and The Coastal Kitchen Café and The Renfrew Pub are also just a 10-minute walk away if you want a change from cooking.
For groceries, it’s a good idea to stock up on your way to Port Renfrew in Sooke or Cowichan Lake. The General Store on Parkinson Road offers a small selection of groceries, including beer, wine, and liquor (open daily from 11am-7pm). Credit cards, debit cards, and cash are all accepted.
Sleeping Arrangements
Main Cottage: – 1 Queen Bed in the bedroom / Living room: Sofa Bed
Bunkhouse: – 1 Double bed
Amenities
CANCELLATION POLICY: We have one of the most flexible cancellation policies on the island! You have until 48hrs prior to check in time to make any changes or cancel. Before that time we don’t take any deposits. Please note that all cancellations need to be sent via email request to info@handsomedans.ca. If you think you will need to cancel within that 48hrs, for any reason, we encourage you to purchase trip cancellation insurance from your local insurance provider as we cannot process cancellations within 48hrs of check in.
Dishes: We do not require guests to strip the beds but we do ask guests to ensure that all dishes are cleaned and put away on departure. This helps keep the price down.
PARKING: Boat and trailer can be park at the marina for a small fee. Please call (250) 412-5509 for reservation.
RV’s and camping are not permitted at Handsome Dan cottages.
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.
NOISE: Excessive Noise and disturbance of other cottage owners and renters will not be tolerated. Any guest creating a disturbance will be asked to leave immediately with no refund. If a formal noise complaint is filed the offending guest will be charged $300 to cover the cost of the fine to the cottage owner. These are rare but we ask our guests to be mindful of others in the area.
NO SMOKING INSIDE: Please enjoy your smoke outside. Smoking is not permitted inside the Cottage and a minimum $300 fine will be applied if there is evidence of smoking inside the cottage. This includes marijuana, e-cigarettes, traditional cigarettes, vaping, etc.
PETS: If your cottage is listed as non-pet friendly please do not bring a pet. A minimum $300 fine will be issued if there is any evidence of pets inside a non-pet friendly cottage.
If your cottage is Pet Friendly please follow the below.
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 or off the Cottage property.
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.
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.
GARBAGE: To keep prices as low as possible we ask our guests to please remove your garbage to the waste transfer station just down the street from the General store on Parkinson Rd. Please do not leave garbage on your deck or outside your cottage as it attracts wildlife.
CHECK IN AND CHECKOUT TIMES: Please check your cottage number, and name for the check in and out times. We stagger our check in and out times to facilitate cleaning.
Cottage #s 1-199 in Wild Coast Cottages on Baird Road: Check In 3pm | Check Out 10am Cottage #s 200 + in Wild Coast Cottages on Baird Road: Check in 4pm | Check Out 11 am
Beach Camp/Beachview Rise Cottages (The Point/The Peak): Check in 5pm | Check out 12pm
Guests may be charged an extra night rental for any late checkout that is not prearranged with Handsome Dan’s.
SUNDRY ITEMS: While we provide Salt, Pepper, and Cooking Oil, as best we can, other items like condiments and spices are not supplied. 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. 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.
Feel free to 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 your 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 can be limited 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 door code email.
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 unless you are in a cottage with high speed internet.
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 find a limited selection of fresh meat, and only a small variety of fruit and veggies. 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.
ON YOUR DEPARTURE:
Please be sure to wash your dirty dishes, and put them 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 to the Waste Management compound on Parkinson Road near the San Juan market.
And lock all doors in the respective matter.
