Memories of the South Camp Inn in 2001
For a number of years this was the official website for the South Camp Inn which is situated on Cornwallis Island, near the southern tip of Ellesmere Island, Resolute Bayone of the most northerly settled communities in the world.
Content is from the site's 2001 archived pages.
Go to https://www.atco.com/en-ca/for-business/operational-support-services/camp-services/south-camp-inn.html for the most up to date information about the South Camp Inn and Airport Hotel where you can book reservations for their rooms.
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"....an oasis in the Arctic....great value for money here, superb facilities, super food 24 hours a day, an unobtrusive attention to detail....The best I have experienced yet in my 25 years in the Arctic (and I have seen a lot)..." Euan Mackay
"....logistical support and conference facilities for any major or minor expedition ...will use The South Camp Inn for all my future Arctic Expeditions and needs... found the Inuit culture fascinating and colorful...." Douglas Stoup
We invite you to discover the beauty and history Resolute Bay has to offer. Enjoy an unforgettable High Arctic adventure while receiving excellent hospitality from me and my family at the South Camp Inn, your top class destination on Cornwallis Island. We take pride in catering to all your private and expedition needs and are so certain that you will enjoy staying with us that we guarantee a full refund, if you do not!
........Aleeasuk Idlout & Aziz "Ozzie" Kheraj
Hotel
From arrival to departure, South Camp Inn offers you a hospitable atmosphere and modern conveniences at a price that is guaranteed lower than our competition's.
Service with a smile
Airport pick-up and delivery
Spacious, individually heated rooms (smoking and non-smoking) with comfortable beds and private baths
Executive suites
Bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs
Cable TV, phone and modem for fax hook-up in every room
Complimentary Ethernet/Internet access in every room
Full meal service, including continental cuisine - or try our local specialties
Separate smoking and non-smoking dining rooms
Full Gym and pool table
Conference room with interpreter's booth and a panoramic view of theNorthwest Passage
Comfortable lounges with 10' big screen TV and video games
Separate smoking and non-smoking lounges
24 hour laundry facility
State of the art HF radio station for expeditions
6.8 cfm BAUER SCUBA compressor
Boat and expedition support
Working and preparation area for expeditions
Heated storage
Outfitting
Handicapped access
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Guest Book..
Wendy Elsner, 3.09.01: "Thank you very much for your hospitality on either end of our field work in north Greenland. The friendly, relaxed, comfortable setting, and the good food that Nick & Randy serve, were much appreciated. South Camp Inn is a great place to catch up with oneself in the hectic field work season! "
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LtCol T.C.DuncavageUSMC, 19.08.01: "Aziz, thank you again for the wonderful hospitality you and Alleasuk bestowed upon us last week. The accommodations, personal service and attention was superior in all regards. The food was FANTASTIC! You really made our difficult mission much easier to accomplish. We really enjoyed our stay in Resolute with you, and hope to visit again."
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Ken Hopper "Chopper", 18.08.01: "Ozzie, I want to thank you for the wonderful hospitality bestowed upon my crew during our recent expedition to support NASA. We spend a tremendous amount of time away from home and when we can run across people as wonderful as you, it helps to alleviate the pain of being away from home..."
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Eric Philippouci, 17.08.01: "This inn is simply a great place to spend quality time in the arctic, the people are warm and friendly, the food is tasty and the atmosphere is calm and laid back what else should we want? They even have ATVs at guest's disposal! Keep it up."
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Hans van der Hoeven & Monique Graaf, 07.08.01: "Aziz, we would like to thank you for the lovely time in your hotel while coming back from the Ellesmere expedition in Sverdrup Pass. We were with Bob Howe and Lo Camps and were stuck in Resolute for two extra days because of the weather. We will be back in the near future."
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Allen Winter, 12.08.01: "South Camp Inn was a wonderful place to spend some time. Aziz although the owner of the hotel, was more like a host - concerned and interested ... and offering me assistance and many ideas...I still can taste the delicious cherry cheese cake that the chefs Randy and Nick served up...like being in a friend's house rather than at a hotel...rubbing shoulders with many world class adventurers was an outstanding bonus. I also have to thank Aziz for turning me on to the online source of his fantastic sterling silver rings - where I obtained the engagement ring for the love of my life. This locks in the wonderful memory of our Arctic visit forever!"
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Mary Allton and Liz Thornewill, 26. 04.01: "Wonderful hospitality and great food - nothing was too much trouble for our hosts. We had a comfortable and exiting stay for our trip to meet Mike, Fiona, Catharine and Paul on the polar ice at 84.45 degrees North. We very much want to come back!"
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Col Colin C. Lampard,20.07.01: "....On behalf of all the Marines...a most sincere thank you for your kindness, generosity, hospitality and friendship. We spend a lot of time traveling around the world on various interesting missions...our trip to Resolute clearly ranks among the best..."
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Dr. Kelly Falkner, 07.06. 01: "....My stay at South Camp Inn, following our research program at the North Pole, was delightful. Great food, clean and comfortable accomodations with lots of amenities, great company and good humor. ..."
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Douglas Stoup,02.06. 01: "....logistical support and conference facilities for any major or minor expedition ...will use The South Camp Inn for all my future Arctic Expeditions and needs... found the Inuit culture fascinating and colorful..."
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Marek Vokac,29.05.01: "...from the mountains we were on. It was like standing in the middle of miniature Himalayas. This first time in the Arctic made a large impression on me..."
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Mike & Fiona Thornewill,24.05. 2001: "Thank you for supporting our record breaking trip to the North Pole. You answered our every need and more, ..especially when Fiona discovered the jacuzzi bath! With all thanks, and best regards."
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Winnie Qammaniq,15.05. 01: "Great place to stay, great hospitality, wonderful food, and the accessibility of all facilities is just WONDERFUL ... I'll definitely stay again if I ever come to Resolute again."
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Loretta Koonoo, 15.05. 01: "This is a very good hotel, great rooms and very friendly service. Thank You!"
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Dominick Arduin, 15.05. 01: "After one month on the ice sea, it's fantastic to come back to Resolute and have so nice a hotel to get a rest in. See you next year for the geographic North Pole!"
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Andre Fortin, 01.05. 01: "....I had a great time, great food, clean accommodations, plenty of space for us to spread out our equipment. We'll return on our next trip to the North Pole!..."
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Mary Hartley, 01.05. 01: "....the atmosphere was very exciting.... a big thank you for looking after the North Pole 2001 team so well....I shall remember it all with tremendous pleasure to my dying day..."
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Danny Deshotel, 24.03.01: "....most pleasurable. The comfort, good food, and other amenities are all one could ask for....bear hunt was great too..."
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Swee Chiow Khoo, 23.03.01: "....wonderful hotel....new, clean and lots of space. The 24-hour internet service is a vital link....most delicious meals....knows expedition requirements very well....I will definitely come back to South Camp Inn..."
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Brian Howe, 08.02.01: "....fantastic food with special attention to our specific eating habits, whirlpool tubs, use of a vehicle and the relaxing conversation .....very impressive..."
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Andrew Moore, 15.12.00: "....Ozzie is a perfect host and there's always someone with a fascinating tale to tell passing through. Resolute Bay is unlike anywhere else you've ever been..."
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Euan Mackay, 04.12.00: "...an oasis in the Arctic desert....great value for money here, superb facilities, super food 24 hours a day, an unobtrusive attention to detail....The best I have experienced yet in my 25 years in the Arctic (and I have seen a lot)..."
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Alan Wilkinson Chambers, 02.12.00: "... a fantastic base to launch our expedition and also a high level of continuous support along our 3 month journey.." .
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David Wecker, 07.11.00: ".....a constant stream of fascinating people flowed through the South Camp Inn.....Aziz Kheraj went out of his way to help me.."
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Paul Schurke, 01.11.00 : ".... Among all the inns I stayed at on my travels 'round the globe, none beats yours for hospitality..."
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Teresa Wolfe, 27.10.00: ".... such modern accommodations.... conference room has a view any five-star hotel in the South would kill for!"
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Wes Vining, 26.10.00: "...sent several clients to your hotel....the food is too good.....I love Resolute Bay!"
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Genevieve Montcombroux, 13.10.00: "....very impressed with the hotel......looking for that elusive Northwest passage..."
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Bill Mattman, 12.10.00: "....how hospitable you are.......wonderful accommodations.......miss the solitude and quiet of the Arctic..."
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Expeditions
Over the years we have supported and outfitted many fascinating expeditions. Their members have become friends who keep coming back to the South Camp Inn. Our infrastructure is well suited as "base camp" and for equipping private explorers as well as scientific expeditions. We offer:
Airport pick-up and delivery
24 hour laundry facility
State of the art HF radio station
6.8 cfm BAUER SCUBA compressor
Working and preparation area
Boat and expedition support
"Thank you for supporting our record breaking trip to the North Pole. You answered our every need and more, ...especially when Fiona discovered the jacuzzi bath! With all thanks, and best regards."
Mike & Fiona Thornewill
"Your hospitality and through that all the interesting people we met at your place made a very good end to our 4 week trip! This first time in the Arctic made a large impression on me, and while I several times thought
"On behalf of all the Marines who stayed with you in Resolute...a most sincere thank you for your kindness, generosity, hospitality and friendship. We spend a lot of time traveling around the world on various interesting missions...our trip toResolute clearly ranks among the best for me..." Col Colin D. Lampard
"My stay at South Camp Inn, following our research program at the North Pole, was delightful...I felt well looked after; great food, clean and comfortable rooms with lots of amenities, great company and good humor. I enjoyed to connect with the local community. I hope to pass through again!"
Dr. Kelly Falkner
"South Camp Inn was a wonderful place to spend some time. Aziz was concerned and interested and offering me assistance and many ideas...I still can taste the delicious cherry cheese cake that the chefs Randy and Nick served up......rubbing shoulders with many world class adventurers was an outstanding bonus."
Allen Winter
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Sightseeing
The Northwest Passage
Discover what it took explorers years to find. The waters of Resolute Bay are frozen most of the year, so you can actually walk on the famous Northwest Passage, which passes directly in front of Resolute.
National parks
Enjoy the many National Parks in close proximity to South Camp Inn, including Ellesmere Island National Park. Imagine the beauty of the limestone cliffs at Prince Leopold Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Hiking
Enjoy hiking along an old sea bed rich with fossils dating back 400 million years.
Excursions
From the modern surroundings of South Camp Inn, it's just a short trip to an untamed experience you'll never forget. Enjoy beluga watching and char fishing on Somerset Island. See seals and polar bears, or ride to adventure on a dog sled trip. Thousands of birds also wait to be discovered by you: ivory gulls, arctic terns, snow buntings, red-throated loons and more. Stop and enjoy the flowers: arctic poppies, purple saxifrages, chickweeds and buttercups.
Sporting adventure
Take up the challenge of sport hunting, fishing and diving. We arrange guided tours to suit your interests.
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Resolute
Resolute Bay is located 600 km north of the Arctic circle on the southern shore of Cornwallis Island and is part of Canada's newest territory, Nunavut and the second most northern community in North America. The natural surroundings are truly unique and are home to polar bear, musk ox, arctic fox, arctic hare and many other animals unique to this area. Trips to observe high arctic wolves or the endangered peary caribou are best arranged from Resolute. Narwhal and Beluga whale pods pass by Resolute Bay to summer feeding habitats and can be viewed on boat tours or sometimes even by walking along the beach. Northwest of Ellesmere Island lies Word Hunt Island which is the starting point for most North Pole Expeditions. More details are to be found on our EXPEDITION or PHOTOS pages.
The Resolute Bay area has been settled for the past 4000 years. The remains of four winter villages of the early Inuit lie close by the present community. Their winter houses were built from boulders and turf, the roofs supported by whale bones. These historic sites include some of the earliest evidence of Inuit presence in Arctic Canada. The approximately 230 inhabitants of contemporary Resolute are a blend of traditional Inuit and non-Inuit cultures and form a warm, friendly and welcoming community.
The South Camp Inn offers you many services including guided tours, outfitting and other activities. For more details check our HOTEL and EXPEDITION pages.
Resolute can be reached by plane from Ottawa via Iqaluit or from Edmonton via Yellowknife by First Air. Within Nunavut, Resolute can be reached from Pond Inlet, Nanisivik and Arctic Bay by Kenn Borek Air.
More Background On SouthCampInn.com
SouthCampInn.com historically served as the official website for the South Camp Inn, a unique hospitality and expedition-support property located in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada. More than a simple hotel website, SouthCampInn.com functioned as a digital gateway into one of the world’s most remote inhabited regions, offering travelers, researchers, and explorers insight into life, travel, and logistics in the High Arctic.
At a time when few Arctic accommodations maintained a meaningful online presence, SouthCampInn.com stood out for its depth of information, warmth of tone, and emphasis on human experience. The site documented not only rooms and services, but also guest stories, expedition support capabilities, and the cultural richness of Resolute Bay. Today, the site remains significant as a historical artifact reflecting early Arctic tourism, scientific travel, and northern hospitality at the turn of the 21st century.
Geographic Setting and Location
The South Camp Inn is situated in Resolute Bay, officially known as Qausuittuq, on Cornwallis Island in Nunavut, Canada. Resolute Bay lies more than 600 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is widely recognized as one of the northernmost permanently inhabited communities in the world. The settlement occupies a strategic location within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, close to Ellesmere Island and along historic routes associated with the Northwest Passage.
This geographic positioning makes Resolute Bay a critical logistical hub for Arctic travel. It serves as a gateway for expeditions heading farther north toward Ellesmere Island, the High Arctic islands, and the geographic North Pole. The South Camp Inn’s proximity to the Resolute Bay Airport further enhances its importance, as nearly all access to the community is by air due to the extreme environment and lack of road connections.
Historical Context and Origins
The origins of the South Camp Inn are closely tied to the mid- and late-20th-century development of Resolute Bay itself. The community emerged in the postwar era as a result of military, scientific, and geopolitical interest in the Arctic. Infrastructure originally designed for government, aviation, and defense purposes later evolved to support civilian life and international research.
The building that became the South Camp Inn was repurposed to meet the growing need for dependable accommodations in the High Arctic. As scientific research, military exercises, and private exploration increased, so too did the demand for a facility capable of offering comfort, reliability, and logistical expertise in an unforgiving climate.
SouthCampInn.com chronicled this evolution by presenting the inn as both a welcoming place to stay and a practical base of operations for serious Arctic work.
Ownership and Management Philosophy
Historically, the South Camp Inn was operated as a privately run hospitality business with strong local and personal involvement. The management philosophy emphasized attentive service, adaptability, and personal engagement with guests—an approach frequently highlighted in testimonials and guestbook entries.
Over time, operational responsibility for the property transitioned to a larger institutional framework. The inn is now associated with a broader network of Arctic and remote-service accommodations operated by a major infrastructure and logistics provider specializing in challenging environments. This transition reflects a broader shift across the Arctic, where increasing regulatory, logistical, and economic demands have encouraged consolidation under experienced operators.
Despite this change, the identity established during the SouthCampInn.com era continues to shape the inn’s reputation.
Purpose and Role of SouthCampInn.com
SouthCampInn.com served multiple overlapping purposes:
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Introducing Resolute Bay to an international audience
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Presenting the South Camp Inn as a comfortable and reliable lodging option
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Demonstrating readiness for expedition and scientific support
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Showcasing guest experiences and testimonials
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Educating visitors about Arctic travel and culture
Unlike many hospitality websites of its era, SouthCampInn.com placed heavy emphasis on narrative and firsthand accounts. The site functioned as both marketing tool and informal archive, preserving stories from explorers, scientists, military personnel, and adventurous travelers.
Accommodation and Facilities
The South Camp Inn was designed to provide a level of comfort that contrasted sharply with the harsh Arctic environment outside. According to historical descriptions, rooms were spacious, individually heated, and equipped with private bathrooms. Some accommodations included upgraded features such as jacuzzi tubs and executive-style layouts.
Common areas were equally important. The inn featured lounges, dining rooms, conference facilities, and fitness or recreation spaces. These communal environments played a crucial role in fostering interaction among guests, many of whom were passing through after weeks or months in the field.
Internet access, telecommunications, and other modern conveniences were highlighted as essential services, particularly for researchers and expedition leaders needing to maintain contact with teams, sponsors, or institutions.
Dining and Meal Services
Food played a central role in the South Camp Inn experience. SouthCampInn.com emphasized full meal service available throughout the day, accommodating both conventional tastes and local culinary influences. In a region where food supply chains are complex and costly, the availability of consistent, satisfying meals was repeatedly cited by guests as a defining strength of the inn.
Dining areas were structured to balance comfort and practicality, offering spaces for quiet meals as well as group discussions and planning sessions. The inn’s ability to adapt menus to dietary requirements was especially valued by scientific teams and long-term guests.
Expedition and Scientific Support
One of the South Camp Inn’s most distinctive characteristics was its specialization in expedition and research support. SouthCampInn.com detailed facilities and services tailored specifically to the needs of Arctic operations, including equipment storage, preparation areas, communication systems, and logistical coordination.
The inn functioned as a staging point for expeditions to Ellesmere Island, the High Arctic, and the North Pole. This role placed it at the intersection of tourism, science, and exploration. Few hospitality establishments anywhere in the world occupy such a niche, combining lodging with advanced operational support.
Proximity to Natural and Historic Attractions
Resolute Bay’s surroundings are rich in natural and cultural significance. Guests staying at the South Camp Inn had access to experiences rarely available elsewhere:
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Views and access to areas associated with the Northwest Passage
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Opportunities to observe Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, seals, and migratory birds
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Proximity to fossil-rich landscapes dating back hundreds of millions of years
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Access to ancient Inuit archaeological sites near the modern settlement
SouthCampInn.com presented these attractions not as packaged tourism experiences, but as opportunities for meaningful engagement with one of Earth’s most extreme and historically significant environments.
Audience and Typical Guests
The audience for SouthCampInn.com and the South Camp Inn itself was notably diverse. Typical guests included:
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Arctic researchers and scientists
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Military and government personnel
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Expedition leaders and explorers
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Adventure travelers and photographers
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Journalists and documentary crews
This mix contributed to a dynamic social atmosphere within the inn. Stories shared over meals and in common areas often spanned continents and disciplines, reinforcing the inn’s reputation as a crossroads of global Arctic activity.
Reviews and Reputation
The South Camp Inn has consistently received positive feedback across multiple eras. Historical guestbook entries emphasized hospitality, food quality, and the sense of being welcomed into a close-knit environment despite the remoteness.
More recent reviews across independent travel platforms echo similar themes. Cleanliness, reliability, and staff professionalism are frequently cited, along with recognition that the inn represents the best—and often only—full-service accommodation option in Resolute Bay.
The consistency of these observations across decades speaks to a durable operational culture.
Cultural and Social Significance
Beyond hospitality, the South Camp Inn occupies an important cultural position within Resolute Bay. It has long served as a social interface between local residents and visitors from around the world. This role is particularly significant in a small Arctic community where opportunities for cultural exchange are limited by geography and climate.
Architecturally, the inn represents a repurposing of mid-20th-century Arctic infrastructure, reflecting broader narratives of northern development, adaptation, and sustainability. Its continued use underscores the importance of flexible design in extreme environments.
Press and Media Attention
While not widely featured in mainstream tourism media, the South Camp Inn has appeared in academic, architectural, and Arctic-focused publications. These references often emphasize its role in enabling research and exploration rather than traditional leisure travel.
Documentary crews and journalists traveling through Resolute Bay have also relied on the inn, contributing indirectly to its presence in Arctic storytelling and documentation.
Evolution and Modern Context
Today, the South Camp Inn exists within a more structured and institutional framework than during the early SouthCampInn.com era. Regulatory requirements, operational costs, and the growing complexity of Arctic logistics have reshaped how such facilities are managed.
Nevertheless, the foundational identity established through SouthCampInn.com—hospitality, reliability, and human connection in an extreme environment—remains central to the inn’s reputation.
Lasting Legacy of SouthCampInn.com
SouthCampInn.com endures as a valuable historical record of Arctic hospitality at a pivotal moment in digital and northern history. It captures a time when personal storytelling, guest testimonials, and firsthand experience formed the backbone of online presence.
For researchers, travelers, and historians, the site provides insight into how remote communities and facilities presented themselves to the world during the early internet era. Its emphasis on people, place, and purpose continues to resonate long after its original operational context.
SouthCampInn.com represents far more than a defunct or archived hotel website. It documents the life of a critical Arctic institution, one that has supported exploration, science, and cross-cultural exchange in one of the most challenging environments on Earth.
The South Camp Inn itself stands as a testament to human adaptability, cooperation, and the enduring importance of hospitality—even, and perhaps especially, at the edge of the world.
