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Reviews of Swept Away Inn

2.5 out of 5
Swept Away Inn
5505 Argyle Street, Port Alberni, BC

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 61 out of 91 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 91 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 91 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 91 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 91 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Catherine

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a fun and unique option for accommodation in Port Alberni.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anne L

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

2/10 Terrible

Gregory A

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Dan on 2023/10/25
Unfair review. It's not our fault you didn't show up

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

cathy

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

2/10 Terrible

Mario

Traveled with group
Disliked: Room comfort
Very deceiving description!
I felt so uncomfortable being there. Nothing as indicated on hotels.com website is how the property actually was. It was not mentioned that you would have to shower a bathroom and shower with guests in 5 other rooms. The rooms were tiny with no AC and some of the most uncomfortable bunk beds I ever stayed on. The doors have no locks. The hosts ask you to go to your room at 1030 and not make any noise. I had to leave as I felt super uncomfortable especially with half naked people going from shower to rooms and since doors can’t be locked or closed everything was visible. On top of it town closes at 7pm with nothing to do afterwards plus highway is closed for next few years making it impossible to access property. Booked two nights asked owner for a refund of 2nd night and he said I had to discuss with Expedia and then he pulled out his machine to charge me. Extremely disappointed with this property as nothing from website is realistic of property. They offer breakfast so we mentioned we were leaving early just to get on highway before they closed and never offered anything to bring with us.
Tiny room with bunk beds
Window with no screen that is only form of air in room.
Tiny common area.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Dan on 2023/10/25
Unfair review, it's not our fault you planned poorly and couldn't get to Hornby Island, the other side of the island and then 2 ferry rides away and back in the same day. So you didn't want to pay for the second night and then you went out of your way to try and make the experience look bad. You then suggested not giving a bad review in exchange for getting your money back, essentially black mailing us with this poor review. Not sure how you sleep at night.

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Being on a converted minesweeper with moroccan touches
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dayne

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

John

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angela

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Tug boat is such a neat experience to try, with amazing food and cute cabins to stay in. Daniel and Bouchra are outstanding chefs, and very accommodating. If you have any motion sickness, this is not the adventure for you. Even docked, I did not have the sea legs for this lovely boat. My husband and son did very much enjoy the stay!

10/10 Excellent

Jeff

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
We were made to feel right at home form the first time we stepped onboard. Daniel and Bouchra are friendly and gracious hosts. We enjoyed a relaxing evening and a excellent breakfast. A complete experience we strongly recommend to anyone.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Don’t expect luxury, it’s not a cruise ship. was totally fun, the food was amazing, and it’s birthed in the most interesting part of town.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shelley

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent, in every way. Great dining experience. Wonderful hosts.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leigh

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Bouchra and Daniel were amazing hosts. Staying on a tugboat was quite the experience. It was well decorated, clean and welcoming. Breakfast was delicious! We will definitely stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gabriel

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing experience. Fantastic dinner and breakfast. Wonderful hosts. Truly unique and excellent stay.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jillian

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Probably in the top 10 of unique lodgings in western Canada. 2nd visit, this time I brought my 70 yr old mother. She loved it. Leave your 5star hotel comfort and yacht expectations behind for this 100 yr old Tug boat. Rooms are as pictured.. tiny and not a lot of space. Shower and toilets are clean and shared. Breakfast is deliciously local produce and unique. The hosts are gracious, accommodating and eager to make your stay comfortable. I wouldn’t hesitate to come back for a third stay and you shouldn’t hesitate to experience it for yourself. Re: the review from Elaine.. this reads like someone who had unrealistic expectations, constructed a fantasy in her head and failed to review any info of the accommodations. When she discovered her fantasy was not matched with reality, instead of adjusting her expectations she took it out on the hosts. Having stayed numerous times, I find her review ridiculous, petulant and absurd.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

2/10 Terrible

Elaine

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I would not recommend it!! Upon arrival our lady host was full of attitude. The property was poorly kept up. The room itself was very small, no room for our luggage. Beds were were more for children. We were suppose to have dinner, no dinner. Not enough booked, so they canceled n never told us. When asked, she said take it up with her husband. It was very disappointing. We were looking so forward to the whole dinner n drinks n sleeping on the Tug boat. Just a whole disappointment. We stayed at another hotel last minute. We could not get our refund back, cause of that day of cancelation. Which I believe swept Away didn't live up, with what n how they advertise. We should of gotten a refund or half of it back. I would not recommend, this property.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Daniel on 2022/7/17
Wow! You were the one that decided to pay and not stay, Our rooms are kept immaculate as is the entire vessel which all of our reviews over the past 7 years can attest. Dinner has never been guaranteed since Covid has hit, throughout this time we haven't had enough guests to serve dinner to. The majority of our bookings are last minute which makes it impossible to plan a dinner that takes an entire day to prepare. We are notorious for our pre-fix Moroccan/French cuisine and this year have cooked many dinners with tremendous success. Unfortunately, you were the only guests interested in dinner that evening. I communicated with you that dinner was only served if we have a minimum of 10 guests pre-booking. As a matter of fact my wife even showed you the note I wrote down that you wanted dinner SHOULD WE GO AHEAD. You and your sister were so focused on power controlling my wife and trying to prove we were wrong. You also left without communicating that you were not coming back and then contacted Expedia and lied that we didn't have a room available for you which was not the truth.You were not honest about anything and unfortunately have taken it out on us by making up stuff and giving us a bad review. Its ok as we have almost never had a bad review accept in cases like yours. Yours truly, Daniel and Bouchra

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
This was the highlight of our mother-daughter trip to the Island! She’ll always remember the time we slept on a boat. Hosts were lovely - that unique combination of warm/welcoming and yet professional… gave us plenty of space for quiet reflection on the deck. And what a beautiful view of the harbour from there! Other guests were quiet, it’s not a party boat, which suited me fine. The hosts also pull the steps in and lock the gate at night, which made me feel that my teen daughter and I were safe while sleeping. Before our stay I was worried a houseboat would rock too much as I’m prone to motion sickness, but it barely moved. I was also worried that I would barely sleep on a boat bunk, but the bed was so comfortable, I slept like a log. Coffee was ready when I got up, breakfast was home-made and delicious. They even accommodated my need for gluten-free, which was a pleasant surprise. I would absolutely recommend the Swept Away Inn!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Everything was good until it was time to pay, i was charged more than i was supposed to pay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from Daniel on 2022/7/17
Thank you for your review. You were not charged more than you were supposed to pay. There is the $50 room cleaning fee that you agreed to pay. Unfortunately, it does not show up on your itinery but it does at time of booking and when you give your credit card number on the site. Other sites show the full amount on the itinerary. Warm regards, Daniel and Bouchra

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a 100 foot completely renovated tugboat. Absolutely gorgeous! The owners are amazing people and so down to earth. Talking with them is like enjoying speaking with friends you've known for years
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Fun idea to have a B&B on a tug boat. This was my first B&B experience so I do not have much to compare it to. The owners were very nice and welcoming. If you are social and an extrovert this is the place for you. However, the one issue was there is a curfew of 11:00 pm, which I was not aware of upon booking. If I would have been made aware of this I would not have stayed at this B&B, so I felt I was misslead. I haven't had a 11:00pm curfew since 1985.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness
Swept Away
Good experience with charming hosts. We enjoyed a drink in their cozy seating area sharing stories and their insider knowledge of the area. Accommodation was rustic as expected on a tugboat. Booked room with private shower which unfortunately wasn't working. Breakfast was amazing and suitable for vegetarian diet.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Charles

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Fabian

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My stay here was very much what I was looking for. The experience was great from the start. The warm and inviting welcome from hosts, the clean and freedom of space to use and the beautiful location where the boat is docked to my departure sent off with an amazing breakfast. It was very magical. My new place to stay over and over.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Karen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Very diffulct to practice any sort of social distancing. The people were good though.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Lesley

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Unique and funky old boat!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It's a unique bed & breakfast on board a renovated tug boat afloat in the Harbour. The French-Moroccan cooking is delicious, and eating at the shared table with the other guests gets some fun conversations going. Look forward to staying there again next year!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Very happy
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a very unique experience. The hosts are wonderful and the boat is cozy.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Unique experience staying in the boat, which is right at the harbour. Great view around. However, the room is extremely small and be aware the washroom and shower is NOT in the room - they are shared with all hotel guests and whoever dining at the boat. Very nice breakfast included as well as free parking.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is a BOAT! An incredibly relaxing, delicious food filled and good company stay. I just wish we stayed longer.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Beau

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Super cute boat and wonderful hosts
Had a wonderful one night stay on the tug - super cute and well maintained boat. The best part however was the hospitality of the hosts - really friendly and welcoming. Unfortunately we couldn't get dinner on the boat the night we were there but if breakfast was anything to go by it would be worth going bavk for dinner!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Louis

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
e were Swept Away !!
Great People Fun time
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Don

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Price reflected by you did not match that of the property owners! Even though it stated $140.00 per night, I was charged a total of $237.00. The cleaning fee of $30.00 was extra, I had salad for dinner with a shot of Zambuca that cost $20.00 extra, plus taxes totaled $237.00. Customers need to be warned that unlike staying at a hotel and pre-paying for it upfront where there are no other surprises; the property at Swept Away is different! They said that you did not collect the one night’s stay from me and so I had to pay everything the morning I left at 7:30am! We need to know that in the future!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

6/10 Okay

R

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
When we arrived we were told to be quiet as there was a gathering going on in the living/dining area, even though we were paying guests and check in already applied. Sitting areas were crowed, our room was tiny.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from Daniel on 2019/8/11
First of all we would never ever tell our guests to be quiet. Our dinners which are amazing and fun are only in the dining area which is completely seperate from the rooms which you decided not to participate in. You also arrived late as the dinner was ending and you then enjoyed the living room space all to yourselves and enjoyed a couple of drinks and socialized with us saying how thrilled you were with the experience. We are not sure what went wrong for you, perhaps the breakfast which you said you loved or maybe you didn't have enough coffee. As for the rooms, yes they are small, you are on a boat which you were well aware of prior to booking. It leaves us almost lost for words. You obviously stayed at the wrong place and for that we are truly sorry. This is a vintage converted tug boat with a great track record of amazing stays from people around the world who get it and thoroughly enjoy the experience. Its a slap in the face anonymous but we will carry on for the many thousands who truly enjoy what we do. Cheers to you both!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Todd

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly welcome, host and hostess made personal contact with everyone. This shipboard B&B is obviously unique . Communal gourmet dinner truly memorable. .
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Daniel and Bouchra are a unique couple doing something very cool and interesting in Port Alberni. The food was outstanding, the boat is full of character, and the welcome was sincere.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

RK, Everett, WA

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
reeze blowing into the room from Alberni Sound made for a great night's rest. Food was delicious, hosts made us feel like family, and the conversations with travellers from around the world made dinner even better. Yes, the rooms are small but that's part of the charm of sleeping on a converted tugboat/minesweeper built in 1944!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A very unique experience with gracious hosts who made me feel so at home. Excellent breakfasts, and wonderful food available for dinner as well if desired. In terms of facilities, it was perfect for me as a single traveller but might be less perfect if I wanted to travel with friends, as a boat is less spacious than a hotel room if one wishes to share expenses. However on this occasion it was delightful and I would love to return - thanks, Bouchra and Dan, for a very special weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jackie, Bellevue, WA

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Unique experience - one of a kind accommodations with delicious and different food. Comfortable feel.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Response from Daniel on 2019/7/8
Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate it and value you as our guests :)

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very unique & fun place to stay. Service was friendly and breakfast was excellent. We were shocked by the add on of a $30 "cleaning fee" which was not specifically mentioned. We do not see why cleaning would be an add-on as it is always required.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Response from Daniel on 2019/7/8
Thank you for your review. We appreciated hosting you. The $30 room cleaning fee per stay is shown at the bottom of the page at time of booking. We wish Expedia showed this more clearly and included it on the itinerary. We have asked many times and will try again. Best, Daniel and Bouchra