The Old Courthouse Inn

Most enjoyable. Comfortable, friendly and laid-​back. Breakfasts to cherish — wish I were there now.

I have just returned from a two night stay at the Old Courthouse Inn and do I ever wish I had stayed longer. This was one of my best «hotel» experiences (maybe even the best) because this place is so much more than a hotel – it is a historical experience to stay there not just because it is one of the most storied buildings in powell river, but because of the amount of personal history reflected in all the work and love the owners have put into the place. And not only does the inn exude historical relevance and charm, it is also tasteful, spotless, extremely comfortable (best bed ever!) and boasts an amazing location. I personally loved my view of the water and the mill while also enjoying a very peaceful and quiet stay. I only got to meet one of the owners, JP, who was genuine, so informative (a fourth gen. Powell Riverian!) and friendly. The staff at the equally awesome onsite café (named in homage to the owner’s mother) were also great. Did I mention that the stellar breakfast is included in the stay? A fantastic place.

Great location in the heart of Powell River. Tracy greeted us on our arrival and promptly led us to our room. Room rates are excellent and to our surprise included free breakfast and Wifi. The Décor is definitely vintage but it adds to the experience!

I enjoyed my stay here. It is a nice hotel.
Good points:
— Friendly staff.
— Good water pressure and ventilation in the bath room (we had room 3).
— Bed was good.
— There is a dvd player on the room, and a collection of dvd’s in the hallway you can use. Haven’t used it, so I don’t know what’s in the collection.
— Historic location: you can do a historic walk. We found a copy of the walk at the former house of Dr. Henderson, which is now a kind of museum. It was in a box next to the front door, so even if the house is closed you can get a copy.
— There was enough parking space in front. The main parking is north from the building, at 49°52’28“N 124°33’08“W.
— Strong and stable wifi, with simple password protection. No login screens and stuff.
— Interesting historic collectables from the thirties in the hallway.
— ATM machine in the hallway.
Less good:
— Not enough sockets on easy reachable places for portable devices. But maybe that’s part of the historic experience… :-)
— Sound of the nearby factory. It’s about the same sound as an air condition, so it didn’t bother me.
— Breakfast was no buffet, but an breakfast meal you can order in Edie Rae’s Café (in the same building). Breakfast was good, but if you are hungry and want more, you have to pay for it.
— Location: not much shops on walking distance, this is the sleepy part of Powell River.
Overall: I would stay here again.

Our stay at the inn was fantastic. Room was very comfortable and décor was authentic. The owners were fantastic. They pay a lot of attention to the details. Our breakfast in the morning was great as well.

Ever thought about traveling back in time and living to tell the tale? The Old Courthouse Inn (in Powell River, B.C.) gives you that very opportunity.
As a historian and an archaeologist, I thought it would be neat to spend the weekend in this establishment. Located in the heart of the Old Townsite, constructed in 1939 in the form of my favourite Tudor-​style architecture and once used as a jail, police station and courthouse, there was no way I’d turn it down.
The building itself is very well kept. Having underwent a few renovations, the charm is still preserved as the original doors, locks, windows, lights, etc. are all intact. There are also several pictures and knick-​knacks donated by the locals that tell the story of Powell River’s pioneer days.
Prices are reasonable and all rooms come with a self-​serve continental breakfast. In addition, each room has its very own television and wireless internet. Not very vintage, you say, but it was a nice luxury to have during the hockey season.
The staff is great, the view of the Sunshine Coast was beautiful and to experience a glimpse of what life was like back in the day was a real treat.
All-​in-​all, I find it very fortunate that Powell River was able to integrate its history with our modern-​day necessities. I am all for the preservation of cultural heritage and I can say that they’ve done an exceptional job with the Old Courthouse Inn.