C5 - Sunday, July 1, 1984 - North Shore News Quality away fro it all AST COLUMN I reported two of the many resort hotels we visited on Vancouver Island — Yellow Point Lodge and Inn of the Sea. I should also point out that we weren’t on a budget-seeking expedition, nor were we looking for sterling silver and lines of lackeys bowing and scraping. We searched for quality ac- commodation, right on the water with resort Facilities — pools, tennis courts, good restaurants and, above all quiet.The sounds we wanted to hear were the birds and the water, with no 18-wheelers changing gear under our win- dows at 3 a.m. Our next destination was the Qualicum-Parksville area and our first stop was the Qualicum College Inn. Several generations of boys were educated at this old English style school until 1973 when it became uneconomical to operate. A lot of time d effort has kept the orignal charm of the building while providing ali the comforts for visitors. Our room had a Queen- size ‘‘four poster’’ bed and a balcony overlooking the back garden and the sea. The two wings added to the ends of the original structure blend into the original but, since it’s atthe rear, the restaurant and pool addition is modern. The restaurant is good — not great Shu wotth @ visit. Prices are in the same range as the Inn of the Sea — our meal again ran about $55, in- cluding a bottle of wine. We ordered prime rib and had we eaten at 7 instead of 8:30 it would’ have been excellent. Our cuts hadn’t improved on standing. After dinner we asked the waiter to move us — and the rest of our wine — into the lounge where a North Shore pianist and jazz singer Eve Smith was entertaining. She's good and it was a pity that the lounge was almost deserted. On a Friday night. If you want a little more action, the downstairs pub is the place — there’s even a couple of billiard tables. Brian was impressed with Qualicum - he liked the looks of the golf course - the Qualicum Public course, just up the road towards the town centre from the highway. The other course, Eaglecrest, is newer and will probably take another couple of years to reach its potential. ~ During the curling season there is a four-sheet rink that’s one of the centres of community activity. We also visited Island Hall in Parksville. It fronts direct- ly on the highway — so close that the noise level at the cof- fee shop is unacceptable for my idea of a resort. The land travel- wise by Barbara McCreadie slopes sharply away from the road forming a natural sound barrier for the rear of the complex. NEwSs photo Barbare McCreadie FORMERLY a boys’ school, Qualicum College Inn now offers accommodation to travellers with its Tudor-styled building. The inn is located on Island Highway, south of Qualicum. Adventures through 5 ‘Floating Resorts’’ i) M2 waa , Huot Complimentary escorted in-port tours of 5 of the finest crulse ships. istand Princ ass Sun Dare ee Hoyat Vib Seti btootlerclarm (steed Prine ess Rew Arete dene Hteryeal Vico Ss beat Touts escorted by Mrytlts | erghtorn (aan Boulter QChane Hedtern duly / husty 0 4 July 149 Jusly .’6, August t) August 14 Aangust He Judy Lilly Pat Thomas CALL NOW FOR TICKETS 925-1212 PRIME TRAVEL ruza Sutte 210 1760 Martine Orive West Var Merits | NETA “TRAVEL” Purse Island Hall was built in 1916 and extentions and an- nexes have been added periodically ever since. I got the feeling that Topsy was the planner and she did her own decorating. The rooms we saw in the annexes to the rear were motel-stye, probably comfortable, but with all the charm of Motel 6. There’s a large indoor poo! with patios for sun bathing and a kiddies’ playground between the lawn and the beach. HOW TO GET THERE: ISLAND HALL: Take the Island Highway north from Nanaimo to Parksville. Skid a couple Of feet off the road and you'll be in the coffee shop. QUALICUM COL- LEGE INN: Visible from the Island Highway, just south of Qualicum. RATES: ISLAND HALL: Main lodge; single $40-46, doubie $46-52. Annexes; single $56-62, double $62-68. Extra adults - $10, kids to 12 - $6. Check on special weekend packages including meals. QUALICUM COLLEGE INN: Twin from $47, double from $43, cots and cribs - $6. Check for various packages, some including fishing trips and other recreational activities. The Qualicum College Inn (604) 980-0321 NEW ZEALAND $1210.00 NEW YORK HAWAII $499.00 $359.00 QUEBEC CITY $456.00 LOS ANGELES $279.00 INTERESTED IN A CRUISE? 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