Is This BC’s Most Romantic Spa Retreat—Or Its Most Exciting Culinary Destination Right Now?

The oceanfront Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa has long been considered one of British Columbia’s most romantic escapes. But with a recent top culinary honour now under its belt, we flew in for a weekend to experience firsthand what’s quietly—and quickly—shifting here.

A direct flight with Pacific Coastal Airlines from Kelowna to Comox gets you there in just over an hour, making it an easy, low-lift getaway that still feels like a true escape. By lunchtime on Friday, we were standing seaside, watching the tide roll in.

At Kingfisher, the property is the itinerary. Everything you’ll want to experience—from dining and nature to the iconic spa offerings, including the Healing Caves—is seamlessly contained on-site. We checked into the Sunrise Suite, the resort’s presidential suite, which, as the name promises, delivers an uninterrupted view of the morning light rising over the water. We slipped into our branded, cloud-soft robes and, quite honestly, wore them everywhere—including brunch.

Dining here unfolds across two distinct experiences. The Aqua Bistro & Wine Bar offers a more relaxed, though still elevated, menu (and yes, arriving in your robe post-massage is entirely acceptable—we tested this). Then there’s Ocean7, where executive chef Danai Hongwanishkul is redefining what resort dining can look like. This April, he was awarded the Culinary Excellence Award at the BC Hotel Association Summit—one of the province’s most respected recognitions, honouring chefs who are actively shaping how visitors experience BC through food. It’s a moment that moves Kingfisher beyond “great hotel dining” into true destination territory.

Chef Hongwanishkul’s perspective is as layered as his menus. Born in Bangkok and raised in Toronto, his culinary path has included leadership roles at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and mentorship under globally renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson. The result is a style that draws from Thai, French, Japanese, and Southern influences, all anchored by a commitment to exceptional, locally sourced ingredients.

While the spa—particularly the Pacific Mist Hydropath—has historically been the main draw, it now shares the spotlight with a deeply considered culinary program. The Ocean7 menu leans into the best of the West Coast: pristine seafood, seasonal produce, and thoughtful, restrained compositions rooted in hyper-localism. The setting elevates it all. Whether you’re seated inside the refined dining room or outside on the sweeping patio overlooking the Strait of Georgia, the experience is as much about place as it is about plate. If you’re lucky, you may even spot whales passing through. In cooler months, the resort’s dome dining experience offers a more intimate way to enjoy it all.

What makes Kingfisher feel particularly special right now is this duality—the seamless pairing of restorative, world-class spa experiences with a culinary program that’s earning serious recognition. Together, they’re positioning the resort not just as a romantic retreat, but as a standout on the national—and increasingly international—hospitality stage. —Juliana Loewen