Rodmay Heritage Hotel

Rodmay Heritage Hotel – Colonial Character on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast

The Rodmay Heritage Hotel is a storied 23-room property situated in the heart of Powell River’s Historic Townsite, a designated National Historic District of Canada. Standing directly across from the gates of the renowned paper mill that shaped the community, the Rodmay is considered the crown jewel among the fine heritage buildings of this remarkably intact Garden City — one of the best-preserved planned communities in the country.

Location

Located on Ash Street in Powell River’s Historic Townsite on British Columbia’s upper Sunshine Coast, the Rodmay sits within easy walking distance of Victoria Park, the historic Patricia Theatre, and the terminus of the Powell Forest Canoe Route. Powell River is accessible from Vancouver by a scenic five-hour journey involving two BC Ferries sailings through Howe Sound and across Jervis Inlet, or by a 30-minute flight via Pacific Coastal Airlines from Vancouver’s South Terminal. Travellers arriving from Vancouver Island can sail directly from the Little River Terminal near Courtenay across Georgia Strait to the Westview Ferry Terminal in Powell River. A complimentary airport shuttle is available from Powell River Airport.

The Rooms

The Rodmay offers 23 rooms suited to individuals, couples, and groups, with block bookings available. All rooms include three-piece baths, double or queen-size beds, three-tier cable television, and high-speed WiFi. Many rooms enjoy ocean views, and all are noted for their bright, sunny character. Rooms are accessed exclusively by stairway, making the property unsuitable for guests with mobility limitations. The hotel is entirely non-smoking throughout, and pets are welcome for an additional fee. Deluxe front rooms offer the convenience of a small refrigerator.

Note: Rooms feature the charmingly slanted floors and compact proportions authentic to a building of this age. Guests seeking modern luxury or air conditioning will need to look elsewhere — this is a heritage experience, not a contemporary one.

The Executive Suite

For special occasions, the Rodmay’s Executive Suite offers a step up in comfort and atmosphere. The suite features a queen-size bed, three-tier cable television, and high-speed WiFi, alongside a partial kitchenette equipped with refrigerator, microwave, toaster, and coffee maker. A comfortable lounge with writing desk and cozy fireplace creates a refined retreat, while the four-piece bath with large walk-in shower rounds out the amenities.

Facilities & Services

On-site amenities include McKinney’s Pub and Eatery (reopening soon), the Rodmay Café (reopening soon), the Heritage Liquor Store, Madcaps Beauty Spot hair salon, the Ash Street Art Studio, and the Rainbow Banquet and Meeting Room for events and gatherings. The grand lobby with its celebrated double staircase serves as the social heart of the property and showcases the building’s architectural heritage. Antique phones, typewriters, and radios throughout the corridors add to the museum-like atmosphere.

Dining

The hotel’s on-site dining is currently in revival, with McKinney’s Pub and Eatery and the Rodmay Café both scheduled to reopen. In the meantime, the Historic Townsite and broader Powell River community offer dining options within walking or short driving distance, including the well-regarded Grenada restaurant.

Historic Significance

Construction on the original building began in 1910, with the hotel opening its doors in the spring of 1911. Expansions in the 1920s and 1930s brought the property to its present form, and today the building retains its heritage architecture and ambiance with fidelity — including the grand lobby and sweeping double staircase that greet every arriving guest. Located within a National Historic District, the Rodmay is part of a remarkable collection of intact Edwardian-era civic and commercial architecture that has made Powell River’s Townsite a destination for heritage enthusiasts. Under new ownership, the hotel is currently undergoing thoughtful renovations to revive its full hospitality offerings while preserving its historic character.

Pros and Cons

Pros:
✔ Designated National Historic District setting
✔ Authentic heritage architecture including grand lobby and double staircase
✔ Many rooms with ocean views
✔ Bright, characterful rooms with genuine period atmosphere
✔ Complimentary airport shuttle service
✔ Executive Suite with fireplace and kitchenette
✔ Pets welcome
✔ Exceptional value for a heritage property
✔ Accommodating, hands-on ownership
✔ Antique-filled corridors with genuine historic charm
✔ Banquet and meeting facilities

Cons:
✘ Rooms accessible by stairway only — no elevator
✘ Pub, café, and banquet facilities currently being revived (not fully operational)
✘ No air conditioning
✘ Slanted floors and dated fittings throughout
✘ Check-in can require advance coordination
✘ Hot water takes time to arrive
✘ Service presence can be limited at quieter hours

Overall

The Rodmay Heritage Hotel is the right choice for travellers who understand — and genuinely want — what a heritage hotel offers: atmosphere over amenities, authenticity over polish, and a building that tells a real story. Under new ownership with renovations underway, the Rodmay is in the midst of reclaiming its full potential as Powell River’s premier hospitality destination. For now, guests who arrive with a spirit of adventure and appreciation for history will find a memorable, affordable, and utterly singular place to rest — one where the character of an entire community’s past is present in every creaking floorboard and every antique in the hall.