I organized a week-long family reunion at the Orcaview Lodge, and the stay exceeded all of my hopes - we were very sad to leave! Heather was prompt and helpful in her communication. The house and surroundings are even more beautiful than I imagined -- it is not totally clear from the photos that each room has a gorgeous view (most of them of the water) -- and I think it is just difficult to capture how stunning the property really is. We saw seals most days, as well as other fauna including bald eagles, ospreys and deer. The kitchen is stocked with every spice, utensil, and cookware item you could ever need, and it was very helpful to have a second fridge for our larger group. The house is very spacious and would sleep 16 comfortably. Pender island has a great deal to offer, and we were not bored for a second of our stay. We would love to return in the future!
A few things that travelers might not be aware of (and should certainly not deter a visit): if you have a large group or are staying more than a few days, I would recommend to bring or purchase extra toilet paper. If you are hoping to get kiddos onto the (very fun) kayaks, I would recommend to bring your own life jackets, as the ones on hand are in need of repair. Also, although there is an outdoor fire pit, there are no outdoor fires permitted for short term visitors, per local by-law. Finally, give some thought as to how you will deal with garbage and recycling, as there is no collection service on the island and not all businesses are open daily on Pender.
We had an absolutely incredible time and will treasure our memories at Orcaview lodge!