The official Host City Poster for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ , created by Jamin Zuroski. Where to Stay for FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Vancouver is a question on many fans' minds. With BC Place hosting matches and downtown hotels filling up fast, finding affordable and convenient accommodation may feel impossible. But there is a novel alternative that many visitors haven’t yet considered. Just a short ferry ride from Vancouver, The Grove B&B on Mayne Island offers a calm, scenic b

Instead of building a new house from scratch, we relocated an existing house and shaped it through a simple framework: Reuse–Recycle–Reduce at the Grove. Originally built in South Surrey in 1978 and updated in 2011–12, the house was facing demolition as part of a redevelopment project. Instead of being sent to landfill, it was relocated by Nickel Brothers . We purchased the house and brought it to Mayne Island, where it was renewed and carefully adapted for its new life at Th

"Honouring Figure", a carving by Johnny Aitken, located near Miners Bay, Mayne Island Long before European names appeared on maps, the island we know today as Mayne Island was called SḴŦAḴ in the SENĆOŦEN language of the W̱SÁNEĆ people. Some people pronounced it Sk-THAK , others say Sk-TAK . (Note: pronunciations are offered as a guide for English speakers. As a living language, SENĆOŦEN, pronounced sen-CHOH-sen , may be spoken slightly differently by fluent speakers and acro

A year in Review This month, we celebrate one year of welcoming guests to The Grove B&B on beautiful Mayne Island. Running our Mayne Island bed and breakfast has been an incredible adventure and has surpassed all our expectations! We are delighted to share a few highlights from our first 12 months: 127 bookings 240 room-nights 302 guests hosted Guests from Near and Far From solo cycle tourists to newlyweds, families with kids, groups of friends, and travelers marking life’s

Six Quiet Places to Discover Near the Grove B&B If you’re looking for hidden gems on Mayne Island, you won’t find them on a checklist or behind a tour bus window. They appear at low tide, at sunrise, or on a quiet forest path when the island slows down. These are the places our guests at the Grove B&B on Mayne Island remember most - moments that feel personal, unhurried, and deeply connected to the land and sea. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a nature‑focused esc

Why a Traditional Bed & Breakfast Offers More Value, Comfort, and Warmth Than an Airbnb When planning a getaway to the Southern Gulf Islands, many travellers instinctively open Airbnb. While short-term rentals can be convenient, they often cost more than expected. They rarely match the warmth, comfort, and personalized attention of a traditional bed and breakfast. On Mayne Island, The Grove Bed & Breakfast offers an experience rooted in genuine hospitality, community connecti

For a limited time, guests can enjoy a private exhibition of eleven paintings by acclaimed Mayne Island artist, Terrill Welch. These works are displayed throughout the bed and breakfast to enrich the stay of our visitors. In recent months we've welcomed travelers from South Africa, Germany, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, several US states, Canadian provinces and many regions across British Columbia. Featuring Terrill’s art is our way of offering an experience that refl

Tucked between Vancouver and Vancouver Island, Mayne Island is a tranquil Gulf Island gem offering a blend of natural beauty, vibrant arts, and rich history. Whether you're here for a weekend or an extended stay, here's how to make the most of your visit. First, you might want to check out this handy resource for tips on getting to Mayne Island . Once you’ve planned your arrival, then you can plan your visit by checking out what the island has to offer, from hikes and walks,

Many of our B&B guests are curious about the journey of our home—how it came to rest among the trees on Mayne Island. Some of you have...

When we started thinking about putting a cabin on our lot, we imagined a relatively small, modest structure. However, after receiving a...

With construction nearly completed, we welcomed our first guests at the Grove. In fact, we've hosted a few groups of family and friends over the last 2 months. My friends Peter and Craig both biked to Mayne Island from Victoria on separate occasions. Both were very helpful with some of the finishing work. Visiting Mayne Island by bicycle seemed easy for them and lends credence to Dana's idea that we should target cyclists as a niche market for our B&B. The Grove on Gallagher

It’s hard to believe my last construction blog update was more than three months ago. A lot has been completed in that time frame. As...

Meet Steve and Olly, the new owners of Mayne Island’s Home Hardware store. They purchased the store from Colleen and Brian Dearden five...

It’s been more than two months since my last blog update, so this one is overdue. Construction has continued at the Grove on Mayne...

As I continue my spotlights on members of the Mayne Island community, let’s meet Carol and Michael Barnes, owners of Espresso Equation. A...

I'm happy to report that construction is continuing at the Grove, despite a few cold rainy days and me not being able to spend as much...

As is often the case on the Gulf Islands, winter brings rain. It wasn't the biblical rains we got 2 years ago, but it rained hard - so...

It started off as an innocent idea we called “Adventure Saturdays” when we moved to Vancouver Island in 2016. Every Saturday, we’d hop in the car and explore a new corner of this magnificent region of Canada; even after being frequent visitors and homeowners here for years, there was still so much to explore. For those of you who know Marc, real estate has been a passionate hobby for years. He loves exploring different areas and assessing properties looking for just the right

I'm back on the blog after a 2-month hiatus. Thankfully, contractor Steve and his crew kept working on our project while I was getting...

Well, it took a little longer than planned, but the forms for the footings were completed and the Ready-mix cement was poured. Why are...