What a charming place. I would love to stay here again and would definitely recommend this location to friends. Stephanie’s place is quiet and peaceful with everything one needs for a weekend or an extended stay, including a full kitchen, washer/dryer and lovely claw-foot tub. The place is on a main road, which makes it easily accessible while being far enough back from the road that traffic does not disturb the pace and quiet. The bed is quite comfortable and the garden is lovely and secluded, with an outdoor fire pit and picnic area. Hummingbirds and butterflies will often greet you during your stay.
The kitchen is complete with a full-sized range and refrigerator, toaster-oven and microwave. Stephanie provides some breakfast basics like coffee, tea and cream as well as fresh eggs from her own hens, so no need for grocery shopping until the day following your arrrival. Salt Spring has great grocery stores in nearby Ganges and if your stay includes a Saturday the Salt Spring Farmer’s Market is a wonderful local experience. Salt Spring may not be the best place for those trying to diet as there are several rather tempting bakeries. The local cheeses are also excellent and a visit to their dairy farm is a quite worthwhile experience (saltspringcheese.com).
Bringing a car to Salt Spring is helpful though not really necessary — Stephanie’s place is within walking distance of Ganges. A car provides convenience but it requires more care in terms of managing the ferry. If going straight to Tsawwassen one can make reservations on the Long Harbor route, but this only runs a few times a day. Going through Swartz Bay (40 min N of Victoria) has the advantage that the ferry runs hourly, but this may require arriving in line early as the Swartz Bay - Fulford Harbor route does not take reservations. Using a bike or motorcycle works very well, especially when the weather is a nice.