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Awards and Accolades

THE TIGH-NA-MARA DIFFERENCE

  Hospitality/Tourism business of the year

 

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre Honored with Hospitality/Tourism Business of the Year Award

PARKSVILLE, BC – February 2, 2024 – Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre is proud to announce that it has been recognized as the Hospitality/Tourism Business of the Year at the prestigious Business of Excellence Awards, hosted by The Business Examiner News Group at the Nanaimo Convention Centre.

Jim Hykaway, the General Manager at Tigh-Na-Mara, graciously accepted the award on behalf of the dedicated team. In his acceptance, he extended an invitation to past and prospective guests to revisit Tigh-Na-Mara, emphasizing the recent enhancements to both accommodations and spa facilities.

The resort and spa have undergone substantial renovations, including updates to oceanview guestrooms and the addition of four cedar barrel saunas on the spa patio, creating a serene sauna garden oasis.

"Our legacy, rooted in 1946, shapes our organizational culture and values. This commitment to excellence is reflected in our longstanding team members and our continuous pursuit of improvement, balancing tradition with innovation. The Grotto Spa, a multiple award-winning facility, recently earned the esteemed title of #1 spa in Canada, marking a significant milestone as we celebrated the spa's 20th Anniversary," commented Hykaway.

As the leading employer in the hospitality sector within the region, Tigh-Na-Mara places significant importance on both the economic contributions from the tourism industry and active community engagement to enhance the well-being of local communities.

"As a responsible hospitality employer, we are committed to delivering unparalleled guest experiences and services on Vancouver Island. We strive to foster positive relationships with our island business partners and our guests alike," added Jim Hykaway, General Manager.

Nestled on 22 acres of forest and waterfront in Parksville BC, Tigh-Na-Mara offers 192 handcrafted log accommodations, two exceptional restaurants, the renowned Grotto Spa, the largest seasonal Resort Recreation Program on the Island, and the most extensive hotel/resort conference facilities north of Victoria.

Media Contact:

Suzy Kirkland 
Marketing Manager

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre
Phone: 1-250-248-1832
1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC
V9P 2E3
suzy.kirkland@tigh-na-mara.com
www.tigh-na-mara.com

  Grotto Spa named #1 Spa in Canada

 

Spas of America, the largest spa and wellness travel website showcasing more than 600 of the best resort, hotel and health spas to consumers around the world has unveiled the Top 100 Spas of 2023 including the Top Spas in Canada. Vancouver Island’s Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara in Parksville takes top honours with the title as the #1 spa in Canada.

“2023 was a strong year for the Canadian spa and wellness industry,” says Spas of America president Craig Oliver.

“North American spa and wellness consumers are continuing to focus on health, exercise and fitness experiences – especially in the outdoors,” says Oliver. “Spa and wellness travel offers people a chance to take a step back, enjoy a slower pace and focus on what is truly important.”

“I am so proud of the team at the Grotto Spa for their dedication, pride and commitment to our guests," says Tigh-Na-Mara’s General Manager, Paul Drummond. "We truly are a destination resort & spa and sincerely appreciate our relationship with Spas of America which has been for nearly a decade.”

The Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara provides the perfect prescription for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation, offering guest experiences that go beyond the expected. Signature and feature treatments focus on West Coast natural ingredients and the unique tapas dining experience is beyond compare. With 20,000 square feet of spa bliss, we give relaxation a whole new meaning. www.grottospa.com

Media Contact:

Suzy Kirkland 
Marketing Manager

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre
Phone: 1-250-248-1832
1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC
V9P 2E3
suzy.kirkland@tigh-na-mara.com
www.tigh-na-mara.com

Tigh-Na-Mara wins Community contribution and impact award - BC THC

This March it was an honour to receive the BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference (BC THC), Community Contribution and Impact Award,  recognizing outstanding community involvement.  

Community Contribution & Impact is especially close to our heart.  When it comes to tourism, Tigh-Na-Mara is synonymous with Parksville.  We’ve been here since 1946 and have had the same, local ownership & management for the past 42 years.  Parksville is a small town, and Tigh-Na-Mara is one of the largest employers in our area with over 300 Team Members and growing!  We are deeply interconnected with our community in so many ways.

Community spirit or volunteerism is built into our DNA.  Our Leadership Team volunteers their time toward a number of local community organizations, charities and boards.
 

  • Our largest community event is the annual Toy Drive & Breakfast held in November in support of our local Society of Organized Services who support families in need all year and especially at Christmas.  We’ve been hosting this event for 14 years, impacting thousands of our residents.  This is part of our culture.
  • Our own Team Members also contribute biweekly payroll deductions toward our Bikes for Tykes program which raised funds for 25 bikes this year
  • We also support dozens of other community events and charities throughout the year including:
  • Adopting animals and providing guest tours with the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
  • Annual Salvation Army Christmas luncheon for the past 30 years, plus weekly soup for their kitchen
  • Variety the Children’s Charity including annual donation plus hosting families who require medical attention in the area
  • Beach clean-up and broom-busting days
     

Tigh-Na-Mara’s 22 acres of forested property along the Salish Sea is a special place.  We recognize we are stewards for this land.  As we continue to renovate our property, we will balance our growth with the needs of our community and the environment.  We have an active Green Team wtih lots of sustainable initiatives and some exciting plans moving forward.

We are proud of our team!

  • 2024 Business Examiner Business Excellence Awards - Hospitality & Tourism Business of the Year
  • 2023 #1 Spa in Canada, Spas of America
  • 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality, Community Contribution & Impact Award
  • 2023 Island Parent Magazine Reader's Choice Award - Best Family Resort
  • 2023 Victoria News - Best Island Resort
  • 2023 Parksville Qualicum Reader's Choice - Best Gift Shop in Oceanside - Pine's Gift Shop
  • 2022 Times Colonist Reader's Choice Award - Best Island Resort
  • 2022 #3 Spa in BC - Spas of America
  • 2021 4 Green Key Designation
  • 2019 4 Green Key Designation
  • 2018 #1 Spa in Canada - Spas of America
  • 2017 #1 Spa in Western Canada - Spas of America
  • 2017 Vancouver Island EcoStar Awards 
  • 2016 Business of the Year Award,  Business Excellence Award - Accommodation category, Vancouver Island Business Examiner
  • 2016 #1 Spa in Canada - Spas of America
  • 2016 #1 Ocean Spa Experience in North America - Spas of America  
  • 2016 Fortis Award - Recognizing businesses that utilize natural gas in their tourism related operations.
  • 2015 #1 Spa in Canada - Spas of America
  • 2015 Business of the Year Award, Parksville & District Business Excellence Award
  • 2014 Power of Partners Award (Resort Drive Community) Tourism Vancouver Island
  • 2014 #1 Spa in British Columbia  – Spas of America
  • 2014 Education Award, Spa Industry Association of Canada
  • 2013 Humanitarian, Hotel Association of Canada Hall of Fame Awards Of Excellence
  • 2013 #1 Spa in Western Canada & #18 in the Americas – Spas of America
  • 2012 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
  • 2012 Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Hotel
  • spAWARD Top 50 Spas in Canada 2013
  • Quality Assurance Approved (QAA) – Leading Spas of Canada 2010 & 2012DaySpa Canada’s Top Employee Award – Adam Shore RMT 2012
  • BC’s Best People’s Choice Award Winner 2012
  • Power of Partners Award, Tourism Vancouver Island, September 2010
  • Tourism Employee of the Year, Tourism Vancouver Island, September 2010
  • Inaugural Quality Assurance Award, Leading Spas of Canada, September 2010
  • Food Fight for Brunch, Variety the Children’s Charity, June 2010
  • Top 1% of Hotels Worldwide, Expedia May 2010
  • Business Excellence Going Green Award, Business Examiner Van. Island April 2010
  • 4 Green Keys, Hotel Association of Canada, March 2010
  • #1 Spa in Western Canada – Spas of America 2008 -2013

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