Malahat Chalet/Moonwater Lounge
Moon Water Lodge – our room
Good afternoon, pretty ponies!
Huge soaker tub
A couple of times a year, we like to go on a mini-getaway right here on Vancouver Island. Last week, with Valentine’s Day looming and canoodling on our minds, we decided to make the short trek down the Malahat to scenic Moon Water Lodge. Moon Water Lodge, a casual, chalet style hotel has large rooms boasting dramatic views of Saanich Inlet. Our room came complete with kitchenette and gas fireplace, not too shabby. However, the true piece de resistance was the two person soaker tub. The tub, located by a large picture window, allowed us to ogle the views as we soaked in our private, bubbly oasis.
Malahat Chalet Dining Room
Adjacent to the Lodge, just few steps away, is Malahat Chalet, a bakery/restaurant. The dining room features floor to ceiling windows, allowing panoramic views of the scenery below. If you have friends who have never before visited Vancouver Island, this is THE place to take them. The inlet, with its deep blue water wending through verdant green forested hills, is a stunning example of Vancouver Island’s natural bounty.
As of this writing, have not sampled extensively from the menu at Malahat Chalet, but we can vouch for the salmon and beef burgers and the dip trio, which comes with mini ramekins of spinach artichoke dip, a tangy goat cheese dip, cloves of sweet, roasted elephant garlic, and grilled wedges of naan bread for dunking.
Salmon Burger
Our meal was a pleasant one, the nosh invariably taking sloppy seconds over the jaw-dropping vista below. We were glad we had room for dessert as the strawberry rhubarb pie is a marvel. Bursting with tart rhubarb and chunks of sweet strawberry, this is old-school baking at its finest. We took home slices of blackberry sour cherry pie and a slice of apple strudel for sampling (it is a hard job, Monty has, keeping you readers informed but someone has to do it). Both were uniformly excellent, with flaky tender pastry. It is worth making the trek over the Malahat for the bakery alone. Keep this in mind for your next road trip. If you are tired of elaborate deconstructed desserts, you’ll be singing the praises of this classic bakery.
Burger
Have you been to the Malahat Chalet/Moon Water Lodge? If so, we’d love to hear what you think? Comment here or visit or Facebook or Twitter page and tell Uncle Monty all about it. Or tell us about your favourite island getaway.
Happy trails, pretty ponies. Until next time. Don’t forget to try that pie, big guy!
Love Monty, Pete, and the whole gang at H.A.
Pie!
Malahat View
