Sweet Salal Guest House - Bowen Island, British Columbia

Dominique C.

We had an incredible stay at the Sweet Salal House, where my mum hosted my bridal shower.

The property is spacious, secluded, and wonderfully peaceful. At the top of the grounds, there’s a charming forest trail with stacked firewood and plans for an outdoor fireplace—perfect for future visits. As you descend the steps and enter the house, it truly feels like stepping into a Nancy Meyers film. The home is clean, beautifully styled in an elevated rustic farmhouse aesthetic, and feels sophisticated.

We lit a small wood fire that added a cozy touch to our stay. The kitchen had everything we needed, and Monica went above and beyond in preparing for our arrival: charcuterie boards, local ciders and sparkling waters, and individual servings of chia seed pudding with fresh berry compote.

For the bridal shower, she thoughtfully arranged all the florals—even placing rose bouquets by our bedsides. The catered meal was fresh and delicious, featuring vibrant salads, sablefish, and ahi tuna. The lemon white chocolate tiramisu she made for dessert was a huge hit with all our guests.

We had also requested a flower workshop, which Monica mentioned she had not done before but you would never have known because she held a perfect lesson for us! She had planned out a pink and purple palette and it was the most perfect activity. All the girls got to take home a small bouquet.

What impressed me most was how effortlessly Monica managed the entire event. She thought through every detail of the flow and logistics so we could truly relax and enjoy hosting.

I’m incredibly grateful to have celebrated such a special moment here. Sweet Salal House is the perfect setting for birthdays, bridal and baby showers, micro weddings, elopements—any occasion that deserves something beautiful and memorable.

Sally W.

Talk about a hidden gem! Sweet Salal Guest House is tucked away in a heavenly, peaceful and quiet spot. It was a thrill to walk the grounds and look at all the garden beds and luscious trees. Truly a gardener's paradise. There are several decks to hang out, with wonderfully comfortable outdoor furniture.

The interior of the home is spacious and cozy, with a turn-of-the-century Arts & Crafts feel. The rooms are tastefully decorated and ooze comfort and charm. The large kitchen was well equipped, and we were provided luxuries such as overnight puddings and home made berry compote!

I also had Monica cater a party for us, and she outdid herself. Monica's multi talents shone through. She cooked up the most delicious meal, complete with so many side dishes. The guests raved about the meal. Monica also provided the most glorious floral arrangements, adding that elegant, finishing touch.

Thank you Monica, for all you did for us. We really appreciated all the small touches, and your hard work and willingness to go the extra mile.

I would highly recommend Sweet Salal Guest House.

Danielle M.

The place was absolutely serene and an ultimate west coast retreat!! Talk about unwinding and feeling relaxed!! The wood fireplace made for the coziest of restful afternoons and the wonderful amenities allowed for great meals; prepped in a gorgeous kitchen and a lovely dining room with room for the whole family.
The gardens and landscaping were gorgeous and meticulously curated. Morning coffees on the balcony looking at the blooms was heaven. The beds are extremely high quality and made for fantastic sleeps. Can not wait to visit again. With several hiking paths moments away we had a lots to do to keep us occupied, and plenty of time to relax. 10/10 stay!!

tim W.

Spent the May long weekend there with my extended family and had a wonderfully relaxing time. The large property provided plenty of room for the kids to run around, play games, go on treasure hunts without ever needing to leave. The large fireplace was great for the cold evenings making the place very cozy. It feels a million miles away despite being so close to the city. I would definitely return. Thank you.

Laura R.

Sweet Salal catered by 50th birthday party and did the flowers. The food was incredible - delicious and beautifully presented. Everyone was raving. Monica is the best! The flowers she did for the event were perfect. She made the evening so special!

Linda D.

We booked through AirBnB and looked forward to enjoying the beautiful quiet space with the advertised "kitchen for professional cooks."

We let them know when we booked that we were very much looking forward to enjoying the space as we love getting together with our adult kids and enjoy cooking together.

We messaged in advance, "Wondering if there are basic things in the kitchen like olive oil, and salt and pepper or any spices for cooking?"

Their response: "Yes, we have all the basics there for cooking."

Unfortunately when we got there, the kitchen was not set up with even the most rudimentary essentials, such as a vegetable peeler, a beater or whisk, nor a lid for the large pot. All things we needed to cook! No oil. And just a bit of salt.

We made the best of it -- went back to the store and got what we needed, and gave private notes to the host on AirBnB for ways the kitchen could be improved to meet guest expectations to match the way they were marketing.

The caretaker on site was defensive and badmouthing other guests that had stayed there, giving examples of things that had been stolen and broken, as well as excuses why the kitchen was not equipped properly. She said nobody ever cooks there. And I reminded her that we explicitly said we were looking forward to coming there to cook with our adult children. That was the focus of our weekend holiday with our kids.

She did eventually bring up the kitchen supplies from her suite on the lower level, but we had to re-adjust our cooking plans because there wasn’t essential cooking utensils and pots available when we first got there.

We left a gracious review on AirBnB, noting that she was responsive to our requests. And then read their review about us, which was totally fabricated, and obviously written in retaliation to their expecting us to leave them a bad review.

We have had eight years of good AirBnB reviews and this is the first time someone has outright lied about us, and given us a bad review.

Beware.

Tiffany H.

This was the perfect place to relax and recharge. The location is perfect, nestled in a quiet area with lush greenery and stunning views. It felt like a hidden gem. Monica was incredibly hospitable, ensuring everything was ready for our arrival and providing thoughtful touches and recommendations throughout my stay. The house even had fresh bouquets ❤️

The interior is a blend of modern comforts with cozy, rustic charm. The living space and bedrooms are spacious and comfortable, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light and provided breathtaking views of the property
The outdoor space was the selling point for us. The deck was an amazing spot to relax with a book or enjoy a morning coffee while soaking in the tranquility of the surroundings. In the evenings, the fire pit area was perfect for unwinding under the stars.

The Sweet Salal Guest House exceeded our expectations in every way. It was the perfect place to relax and recharge, and we can't wait to return.

Stacey H.

Such a beautiful little place! Owner was very kind. Lots of games to choose from and a lovely fireplace to play by.