Hotel Zed banishes boring and rebels against the ordinary. The fun and funky BC-based hotel chain has locations in Kelowna, Tofino, and Victoria. Each Hotel Zed is unique, but they’re all brightly coloured with retro vibes and rooms filled with vintage treasures.
Hotel Zed’s Hospitality History
Mandy Farmer, Hotel Zed’s CEO, grew up in the hospitality business. Her father, Terry Farmer, started Accent Inns in 1986. Now, Accent Inns operates five hotels throughout British Columbia.
In fact, the first Hotel Zed was an old Blue Ridge Inn in Victoria that just didn’t fit the Accent Inns brand. Mandy described it as “an ugly cousin kind of thing,” but she saw its potential. She let the funkiness of the old Blue Ridge Inn inspire her, and Hotel Zed was born.
Farmer wants her properties to impart warm and fuzzy feelings as well as fond memories for her guests. Hotel Zed’s first location opened in Victoria in 2014, and their Kelowna location came next in 2016. Then, the team undertook a new project: building Hotel Zed Tofino from scratch. The Tofino property marked the first time that the company actually broke ground, rather than revitalizing an existing hotel.
Surf Turf
Mandy reflects, “Tofino is magical.”
While she loves the surf town, what she means is the Tofino hotel building and grounds are magical. “We had dialled in the brand at that point,” she shares proudly.
I recently stayed at Hotel Zed Tofino, and it is indeed magical. As soon as you see the striking exterior from the Pacific Rim Highway, as soon as you enter the bike-through-lobby, you feel welcome. Plus, your senses are immediately stimulated.
The lobby features a 70s sunken living room, fireplace, and hidden arcade accessible via secret entrance. Mandy explains, “When you walk into that property, you’re going to be like, ‘What the fuck?’”
Spread Love, It’s the Hotel Zed Way
The funky aesthetics of Hotel Zed are inspiring. Mandy found herself thinking: “I’ve got these amazing properties and I love doing freaking awesome things — I’m going to create a dream workplace.”
Already the philosophical architect of what were her dream spaces, Mandy dared to dream even bigger and envision a dream workplace for herself and her staff.
“This is not just a business,” Mandy explains, “I recognize that I can actually make a difference in this world through this business.”
One of her biggest passions is being an amazing employer. She has been able to create a culture at Hotel Zed where team members truly care about each other. In addition to creating a welcoming space based on love and belonging for staff, Mandy has also succeeded at creating this inclusive atmosphere for guests as well.
Consciously Inclusive
The brightly coloured, retro-styled hotels offer family-friendly accommodations that welcome all guests. In fact, Hotel Zed is the first hospitality chain to have all of its locations Rainbow Registered by Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC). Bathrooms in shared spaces, like on-site restaurants or the lobby, are gender neutral. Pride and Trans flags are proudly displayed. In fact, Hotel Zed Tofino was one of the founders of the Tofino Pride Parade. They also frequently host drag brunches. It is important to Mandy that all Hotel Zeds are safe havens.
“It’s crazy to think,” Mandy reflects, “that a trans person wouldn’t feel welcome, that they would worry about what hotel to stay in.”
Another way that Hotel Zed provides safe spaces is through their support of Good Night Out, which is a BC-based not-for-profit that works to reduce sexual violence in nightlife and hospitality sectors. Good Night Out promotes consent culture and focuses on reducing sexual harassment and violence in nightlife and hospitality sectors.
Love Nest Is First of Its Kind
Celebrating sexual positivity has always been important to the Hotel Zed brand. They offer Valentine’s Day Nooner room rentals at all Hotel Zed properties. Guests can enjoy a mid-day romp, with check-in at 11 am and check-out at 2 pm.
Further upping the ante, Hotel Zed Victoria just unveiled the ground-breaking, first ever, Love Nest. The team asked themselves what a room would look like if it were designed specifically for pleasure. The dream realized is a revolutionary concept space. Gorgeous and lavishly designed, evoking the thrill of a speakeasy, The Love Nest provides guests with a variety of options for exploration and pleasure. And, it can accommodate all relationships and all bodies.
“Sex has always happened in hotel rooms – and I am passionate about creating a place for enhanced intimacy and celebrating sex positivity,” said Mandy.
The Love Nest, like Hotel Zed as a brand, is inclusive, unexpected, and joyful. Whether you’re a randy couple looking for a special getaway or a family planning an adventure in BC, Hotel Zed provides accommodations that are the antidote to boring travel.
