guest service agent

nettoyeur

maintenance person

room attendant

sableur

Pacific Sands Beach Resort

I worked in the housekeeping department for a year. I worked with some amazing people, the location is great for anyone who wants to surf or just enjoy the beach each day. Staff accommodation is some of the best you will find in Tofino, no shared rooms but shared cabins.
There are areas in which they need improvement though and are much a part of my reason for leaving. There is constant miscommunication between departments and whether no one was in the wrong, someone else is always to blame. Often felt undervalued and work was unfair as in pulling others weight while being paid the same wage. Wage increases aren’t very significant, no real potential to grow or to be promoted as all supervisor positions and housekeeping management postitions are filled indefinitely by long time employees. Housekeeping management is good though those higher up (office managers) have never cleaned a room before. During the pandemic there was much lack of care about staff safety, while accepting many out of province guests. They care solely about money and profit and expect housekeepers to run like dogs. Raising standards, adding more and more things to the rooms, while decreasing time allowance for cleaning each room. Housekeeping is the base and glue that holds any resort together, and the lack of money put into the department to increase efficiency shows. You don’t really have a voice unless you work at front desk, and aren’t seen in the eyes of those higher managers. I have been spoken to pretentiously, and eyed to feel inferiority.
Benefits only kick in after a year of working there and by that time most people have left. Sneaky. Rent is a bit more pricey than other places, as well as no incentive for any bonus or return on rent once completing your contract like other resorts in town. Always promised full time hours but that only rings true in the summer months 
They will not hesitate to fire anyone.


I am possibly biased in my review, as Pacific Sands is responsible for my career, my friendships, and my relationship. I started at Pac Sands without any experience, and this company is one that is happy to see you grow. I became the front desk manager within a year, and the GM was very helpful in creating a successful environment for me. They have great programs for employee recognition (lunch day, cake day, employee of the month, Christmas parties, end of season parties, management retreat) and (at least in my department) understand the important of work life balance. 

This place is not by any means perfect, and can certainly be improved with better wages, more of a budget for staffing, and offering more things for staff to do in the off season. During my season the rooms were always ready after check in time, as there weren’t enough housekeeping staff to keep up with demands. It was very stressful for the front desk. 

I recommend everyone I meet who is travelling to apply to pacific sands. It’s in a great location for those who love the beach, and the team of long term employees are very loving, friendly individuals (many of whom are lgbt and POC). The staff housing is one of few who will offer your own private accommodation (shared kitchen)— it’s definitely run down but great for those who don’t want to live in bunk beds. I genuinely came out of this place a better person. 

My day was spent working in teams to clean the suites and common areas to a high standard of cleanliness. Great structure, fantastic business. Was rarely super difficult, except when it was crazy busy. Then good time management skills are needed to perform well in this position. Management was mostly fantastic, very understanding and fun to work with. For the most part, couldn't be more happy with this job. However there was obvious favoritism, and there were many days where I went home very upset as there was the odd manager or so who were very difficult to get along with. The coworkers were phenomenal though, felt like a big family as most of the employees also live on the property in the staff accommodation. Communication and benefits were great, as were the "higher-ups". High turnover rate of room attendants as the summer season is quite busy.
Hardest part of the job was the manager and that we were ill-equipped to clean toilets. (Gloves and rags: had to stick your hand in every toilet.) The part I enjoyed the most was the priceless view. From every section of this resort you had a breathtaking view of the beach. I was paid $13/hr and was on contract for full time, although an 8-hour day was rare. Overall I would definitely recommend Pacific Sands!

Housekeeping Department. 
Pros: the staff accomidations is really good you get your own room Vs other places in Tofino you have to share a bedroom. it's affordable and you get a nice bonus at the end of your contract if you stay.  
You also live right on Cox bay! beautiful. The staff are over all adventerous and free spirited mostly everyone wants to have a good time to .. hikes etc.
They do order or make free lunches once a month which either a staff member makes it or it's a food place ordered in town. the OWNERS are great people. 
Front desk has alot of stuff we can purchase and put on our house account! so we don't always have to run to the store! 
they do organize staff bbqs.
Cons:  The management is terrible. the assistant is one of the most understanding compassionate people you'd ever meet. The management are degrading and talk down to you but once you talk back or stand up for your self they use it against you. lots of staff do cry. and their approach is insulting. 

Minimum Wage most places in town will pay more 

Pro and Con. it's far from town! so it's quieter. and easily accessible by bike. and a short drive a way. 
Over all try and find a more positive place to be employed in Tofino where your work is appreciated and you are respected.

Management picks favorites. and it's determined by your ability to suck up to them. 

Your days can be short or long it really depends. everyone helps eachother out. but over all try and find employment elsewhere in town.

I worked in the Housekeeping department, my interview went really well and the HR manager at the time made me feel like Pac Sands was a really cool and "Tofino" place to work at. I was really excited to start but on my first day, I cried at the end. The manager is a sweet lady but she has to keep appearances for the upper management, so anytime there is a little mistake she lashes at us instead of sticking by us. You're expected to know everything about housekeeping in a week and when you make mistakes, I got called stupid by a supervisor...

The team spirit in housekeeping department is really strong though. Also, the location is beautiful, staff accom is a little expensive but still cheaper than anything in town and pretty decent.

When I look back on my experience, I realize I made a difference in helping the team, I was needed as a part of a group for the upper management, but as an individual, upper management couldn't have cared less if I existed or not. When the end of my contract came up, I was told that I would not be needed for the winter cause it was a slower season. I was fine with that explanation until 3 new people got hired in the week before I had to leave. In the end I felt lied to and finally realized that Pac Sands is a corporate resort that doesn't care about it's lower level employees.

Overall I really enjoyed my time at Pac. I felt valued, paid decently and they management team are doing their best, especially through the pandemic. Anyone who says the managers aren't supportive likely have personal challenges beyond the scope of what a company role is in their lives. I had to take time off a few times for health and they were understanding & flexible. And maybe if you finally got fired, they had good reason to let you go? Time to self reflect.  
Staff housing is the best in the area, their always making improvements. They even started a veggie garden area for staff! The only negative is that some peeps don't clean up after themselves in shared kitchen which is beyond frustrating (I have OCD, hence why I'm good at my job). Lunch & treat days & summer BBQs are a really nice perk. And a surf break every day right outside your room --- what more could u ask for ?!! Tho I do wish there was room for more growth and I would have stuck around. Supervisors and managers stay for the long haul so its not easy to get those higher level jobs. But that's a testament to the company if those staff never want to leave! lol

Was a great place to work, Woke up every morning before my shift to walk down and check the waves and enjoy my coffee before a shift.

If you have any issues co-workers close to immediately help you out and teach you and the learning experience was easy and fun!

The culture here is fantastic as well, the people you meet and the activities you get up to at this resort made a impact on my life in a very positive manner. 

The most difficult part of this job was keeping up with managing your tasks at random times but it only made the days go by faster.

Another cool thing about this workplace is the Staff Accommodation for Tofino with a wide selection, right on Cox Bay as well as a couple little restaurants nearby including the Surf Side Grill right on the property.

The content of daily work
morning exercise and housekeeping meeting. you will know which building you are assigned today. 
Cleaning team: usually work with 1-4 teammates depending on room size.  
Stayover team: work with another housekeeper. 

workplace culture:
most people are friendly and willing to support you. when your assigned buildings have a lot of booked rooms other team is willing to support you to clean the room. 

the most enjoyable part of the job:
can work with different housekeepers and not feel bored because you have team mate to talk during work. 

the hardest part of the job: peak season. sometimes you have to work overtime but seldom later than 5:30 pm ( regular work time: 9-5) 

Unfortunately the management was very bad during my time working there. Otherwise I would have wanted to stay and grow within the company. Managers were simply toxic. Talking behind the back of employees to other employees, lying to HR about employees, not communicating between themselves thus giving us mixed instructions, straight up being bad at their jobs, being arrogant etc.
There were multiple complaints to HR about several managers and supervisors and nothing changed. HR and GM don't seem to know what they're doing in terms of managing people or dealing with workplace concerns. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Beers and burgers on Fridays during summer (biweekly)

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Biased management, HR is terrible with nepotism, hours, customers get ripped off, single ply toilet paper is all that’s supplied, over priced and under paid

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Cliques and toxicity, anti LGBTQ, nepotistic 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Over worked and under appreciated, maybe got some cake

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Guest service agent 1 salary reported	$20.00 per hour
Nettoyeur 5 salaries reported	$21.30 per hour
Maintenance person 1 salary reported	$20.00 per hour
Room attendant 1 salary reported	$20.00 per hour
Sableur 2 salaries reported	$21.85 per hour

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