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Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage

Photo gallery for Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage

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the massive lower lawn is a great place to spend the whole day
Come on in!
a few days into your stay you'll find yourself saying 'really, another rainbow!'
view from the private beach at low tide

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 123200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Saltspring Island, BC
  • Salt Spring Saturday Market
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Ganges Marina
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Saltspring Marina
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Ganges, BC (YGG-Ganges Harbour Seaplane Base)
    ‪5 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Double Room

1 Double Bed

Kingsize room (or 2 singles)

1 King Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Queen Suite

1 Queen Bed

The Old Nursery

1 Double Futon, 1 Single Bed and 1 Crib

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage

This is the very best of West Coast Canada!

Watch the seaplanes land and sailboats pass by as you relax on your private oceanfront estate. Gorgeous sweeping views of Ganges Harbour are visible from nearly all rooms of this one of a kind heritage retreat.

Built in 1906 by the pioneering Tolson family, this property was the first private school on the Gulf Islands and was later a creamery and then the private retreat of a technology billionaire and his family, during which time the property was greatly restored.

A vast variety of birds and other wildlife make this 4 acre property home. Watch the swans, eagles, hummingbirds, blue heron, quail and other exotic birds from the enormous picture window and expansive veranda. Raccoons, otters, deer and other critters are curious, safe and plentiful.

There is much to do here for all ages. On the property, there is plenty of exploring to do, and the 300 feet of private beach front to enjoy. The main lawn is large enough for a serious soccer game. Pick fruit and berries at several times of the year, then bake them into a pie in the great kitchen that looks into the gorgeous back gardens.

Various flowers are usually blooming all over the park-like gardens and landscaped terraces. Numerous exploration paths weave throughout the property.

Off the property, hiking, kayaking, sailing, golfing, fine dining, casual dining, patio drinking, swimming, shopping, scuba diving, a day at the spa, fishing, yoga, farmers markets, etc... are all close at hand.

The house is set up perfectly for entertaining and relaxing alike. With plenty of space indoors, the adults can enjoy the evening with a roaring fire in the main living room, while the kids use the spacious upper living room or the entertainment room to watch movies on the big screen and play games of all sorts. There are plenty of bedrooms to go around, all beautifully furnished and well appointed. The three full bathrooms mean that no one is waiting for their turn for a shower. The big gourmet kitchen provides the space to cook a grand meal while onlookers enjoy a glass of wine without every getting in the way.

I guarantee you will love your stay here as much as we do!

This house is operated by the Island Heritage Appreciation Club which allows members to use it to cover the costs. Membership is open to all those who appreciate well-maintained heritage properties.

Keywords: Rustic luxury, waterfront, view, views, Saltspring, Ganges, convenient, marina, island, private, landscaped, heritage, Vancouver, Victoria, British Columbia, acreage, farmers market, orchard, garden, family

Property manager

Michael
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Kids love this property, inside and out.
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Events

No events allowed
This property is not suitable for parties/events
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Pets

Pets allowed
Pets must be described/approved at booking.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please smoke outside. Lots of covered areas.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: This property is not suitable for parties/events
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
Property Registration Number H447656870

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ganges

Located in Salt Spring Island, this holiday home is near the airport and on the beach. Artspring Arts Center and Hand of Man Museum are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Salt Spring Saturday Market and Driftwood Centre. Dinner Bay Japanese Garden and The Raptors are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Saltspring Island, BC

What's nearby

  • Salt Spring Saturday Market - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Salt Spring Island Visitor Centre - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Ganges Marina - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Saltspring Marina - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Long Harbour Ferry Terminal - 7 min drive - 6.3 km

Getting around

  • Ganges, BC (YGG-Ganges Harbour Seaplane Base) - 1 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shipyard Restaurant - ‬54 min drive
  • ‪Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Switchboard Cafe - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Oystercatcher Seafood Bar & Grill - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Tree-House Cafe - ‬4 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage located?

Nestled on the beach, this Salt Spring Island holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Artspring Arts Center, Salt Spring Saturday Market and Spa by Lenice. Ganges Marina and Salt Spring Island Visitor Centre are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 88 out of 108 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 108 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 108 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 108 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 108 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous home forba group of friends

This is a beautiful historic house in a great location and beach access. It is always to challenge to find a waterfront home with enough real beds for 5 that is reasonably priced. Highly recommend for families or gŕoups..
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Evan A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great experience

We chose this place for a family reunion and are very glad we did. Lots of space, elegant rooms, comfortable beds and bedding, and well supplied kitchen. Our timing over spring break meant the weather was not ideal, so we didn't enjoy the extensive grounds as much as we might have, but the wonderful views from some of the rooms made up for that. The location was hard to beat: it felt quiet and secluded, but also a very short walk to all that Ganges has to offer. Perhaps it's most special feature is the real heritage feel: generous furnishings gracing large social spaces, with interesting art throughout and bookshelves well filled. Well equipped for kids and cooks, with a sense of quiet grandeur for the oldies.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Location Location

Wonderful stay for our family of 9! The home had so much charm and character and there was plenty of room for our group. The view was amazing. And the proximity to the shops was convenient. We went for walks, played lots of games at the large dining table and enjoyed our family time together. Michael was great to deal with. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jenny N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A magical week

What a wonderful house and location; we couldn’t have asked for better. Our family of 12 were easily accommodated- there was plenty of room to rest and play and cook fantastic meals. We would not hesitate to return!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property in the perfect location

Excellent stay at this amazing property. Beach access and proximity to Ganges are unmatched. Michael was great with communication and the house is well stocked with everything you’ll need. I would gladly stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leigh-Anne F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious and Relaxing

This gem was clean and inviting. You are going to love the peace and quiet… relax on the porch or just gaze through at the ocean from any window. There was plenty of room for all our family (10 of us!) walking distance to all the local shops and restaurants. We enjoyed the weekend market too… so much to see and do. Thank you.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sue M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

80th Birthday!

Absolutely fabulous all around :]]
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

James S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A siblings gathering

Great three day stay, warm, welcoming and comfortable house. Location excellent, loved the architecture, with original windows all around the main floor, awesome fireplace and lots of wood for evening fires. Liked the modern art glass and cozy furniture. Wonderful stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jesse K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

SSI heritage house

Amazing property. Very close to Ganges. Wonderful old house and great surroundings.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

melissa b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

It’s all about

the couch
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim C., Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing location and property

Old heritage home with amazing outdoor property and view. Within walking distance to Ganges. Kitchen well equipped and dining room worked for a large family. Host was very responsive and accommodating. If travelling to Salt Spring again we would not hesitate to stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

margaret G., vancouver canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Saltspring Island getaway

Located in the heart of the very interesting village. Lots to see and do. The house is a lovely old home, but requires two updates in particular . None of the beds were comfortable…a couple were close to okay but most not. Second was the dining room light fixture. Delightful to look at ….if only one could see when trying to play cards and games in the evenings. Overall, my children and grandchildren enjoyed the week.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Nick C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

A real gem in the heart of the Island

This property and home is advertised - it is a stunning estate overlooking the harbour, perfectly positioned in the heart of Salt Spring Island. Our family had a wonderful time here creating new memories and taking in the surroundings. If were to pick one issue, it was that the home wasn't as clean as we had hoped. This could be personal preference for our family, others may not have been as concerned!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shirley P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We loved every minute!!

This property is perfect for a group of friends or a family gathering. The kitchen is very well equipped, lots of bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, ample room to spread out or have a quiet time area. The location couldn’t be better with wonderful outside areas and easy beach access. We are looking forward to a return visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stefan S., Burnaby, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place with better location

Very good place. Big yard to play bocce in. Could use a hot tub 😜 but otherwise perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ceri M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful, comfortable spot

We had such a lovely stay at your home. It was absolutely perfect for our family. We enjoyed cooking in the spacious kitchen, playing bocce in the garden and having coffee on the front porch each morning. It was great being so close to town and yet it felt so private and quiet. We wished we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

Leanna B.

Liked: Location

We love the house but don't love the check out process

It is really beautiful and great for a small gathering, comfortable rooms, beautiful patios and grassy areas. Accessibility is not great, stairs and uneven ground. I don't like that we are expected to do all of the laundry for 5 sets of sheets, towels for two bathrooms and kitchen cloths, all before 11am checkout.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Vic S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Extended Family vacation

Large older heritage home on large property. Easy short walk into Ganges. On site parking. Private yards for kids to play in. Large kitchen with good appliances. Nice dining area with view to harbour.
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bette W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome. Great location.

We had a really great time with our children and grand children. The property was perfect for us. Close enough to all the amenities one might want yet far enough away. Easy to check in, clear rules and everything we could need. Lots of different bedroom configurations
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Chris N.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beuatiful setting and great property

Great place to stay for our family of 13 adults and 4 dogs. Lots of room to set up games and space for the dogs to run around...room for everyone and cooking meals
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dawn M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous house and property

The house was amazing but even more stunning were the grounds with multiple different areas from beach to lawn to flower gardens with a pond, a bridge and creek (with a visiting otter) and gorgeous 100 year old trees. There was only one drawback and that was that a couple of the nights there were groups loudly partying until the wee hours on the beach next to the one on the property. And although you could not see them, you could definitely hear them, one night they even managed to remove the lock from the gate to the property and threw it in the grass, seems to be all they did though and there was no damage. Unfortunately, there is little the owners can do about this. However, the pros far outweighed the one con, it was great to be able to walk to Ganges and all it had to offer (great coffee shops and restaurants, groceries, harbour walk and of course the farmers market 😊) and the sushi place just across the road was also fantastic.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gayle C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

AWESOME!

Everything about our week at this property was awesome. The house was large enough for our family of 7; everyone was able to have their space. The kitchen was very well equipped to suit all of our needs. Would definitely book this property again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Julia B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful & Spacious!

Michael's house is well laid out for a multi generational family! We enjoyed the beach and we were able to walk to town for ice cream, groceries & fresh seafood! Great communication & parking! Thanks so much!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

June 2022

We stayed at the property for a 4 day period in June 2022. Location has a great view of the harbour, is excellent for a quick walk into Ganges and is easily accessible from the Ferry terminals on Saltspring Island.. (thank you for the detailed instructions on how to enter onto the property). The house is as advertised and made for a very pleasant holiday with ample room for 8 adults and 2 dogs. The house has all necessary appliances, dishware, boardgames and a fabulous library. Upon arrival it was noted that there was a slow leak underneath the kitchen sink. A phonecall to the caretaker and the issue was immediately resolved. We made use of the BBQ and noted that the right burner needs to be replaced as the flame/heat is inadequate to cook. Communication from time of booking with Michael was excellent as he was quick to respond to any questions. Overall rating is 4.9 out of 5.0 and would highly recommend this property.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shelley M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Get Away

Our family enjoyed our time on Salt Spring Island. We were a party of 6 adults, 4 children and 2 dogs. The proximity of the property was amazing for everyone to come and go on adventures and return for nap time. There was ample space in the home to find a quiet corner if needing a break from kids and all the excitement in the home. The kitchen was very well stocked. We found everything we needed to even bake cupcakes to celebrate a birthday. Amazing views. The fenced yard down below was wonderful for our dogs to play fetch and burn off some energy. The gardens were just starting to bloom and I can only imagine how pretty it will be later in the summer. As a suggestion to management it would have been nice to have had a high chair or booster seat with a tray for our little one. Having a crib was great. Although we did bring a playpen as well so we could set the baby up in different rooms. (These items are easily found at garage sales and would make it easier for parents) Also being in a beautiful heritage home there is lots of creaking floors and noisy doors so bring something for white noise if you have little ones that nap or go to bed early. Linens on the beds were lovely and lots of pillows could be found. Everyone had different reviews of their assigned beds. This one is hard to please everyone. The king bed that can be split into 2 singles was the least comfortable. Might of been ok for kids but not for 2 adults. Others commented their beds were comfortable. This next comment is really difficult for the owners/property managers to make change on. The beach in front of the property is crown land and anyone can use it. Saying this it was hard to have little kids and our dogs wanting to be on the beach with camps on both sides of property being occupied by individuals in tents and under tarps. The folks living there did not bother us but their dogs were aggressive and not under control. I went down with 3 of my grandchildren to do a scavengerhunt and 2 dogs came charging at us bearing their teeth. So we stayed off the beach which was disappointing. On-site management said if we had any problems to let them know and the police could be called. We choose to stay off the beach as we didn't want the kids to hear the poor language/ uncontrolled dogs/ or come across any needles (not on the scavengerhunt list lol) The one gentleman living in the tent, Phil, did help me look for my dogs ball and we exchanged pleasantries. Thank for the holiday.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

About the host

Hosted by Michael

Host profile image
I'm a city boy from Vancouver, who has always dreamed of enjoying and maintaining an island heritage property (You don't so much 'own' such a property as take your turn looking after it)

Traveling is in my blood, but I love the natural wonders and serenity of the Gulf Islands of British Columbia more than anywhere else I have been privileged enough to visit.

An environmentalist at heart, I am sensitive to keeping this property chemical free and the house as healthy a living space as possible.

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with this late 19th century estate when a friend bought it many years ago. Every opportunity to visit that came up, we made it a priority to get there.

This is one of those properties that changes your life in so many ways, and all of them for the better.

What makes this property unique

Once you arrive at this property, you no longer need your car. Everything you need is within close walking distance. But when you enter and close the gate behind you, you are in a private world all your own and the outside world ceases to exist. It is the very best of all worlds!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests