The Sooke Harbour House is a luxurious retreat in a natural setting half-an-hour from the Inner Harbour. Originally built in 1929, it has a long history of accommodating guests and has grown over the years from the original five rooms to 28. The owners make a point of decorating with the work of local artists and furnishings of local craftspeople, making each space unique. All the rooms have ocean views, wood-burning fireplaces and sitting areas, with sun decks and Jacuzzis or soaker tubs, as well. Sit back and enjoy your breakfast (which is included in the price) looking out at the ocean. The Inn is located at the end of Whiffen Spit, a long sand spit in Sooke. Its gorgeous location, sumptuous rooms and top-class restaurant have garnered it an international reputation for luxury accommodation.
AOL PICK from our Editors
Like so many things in the city, the majority of the best places to stay in Victoria are in and around the downtown core. That being said, a number of spa resorts and luxurious country inns can be found in the outlying area of Sooke, Saanich and the Malahat. If, like most, you’d rather be central you have lots of options, with seemingly whole areas dedicated to hotels. Because Victoria is a government city and has a healthy tourism industry, you’ll find a nice selection of places to stay, ranging from luxury resort-style boutique hotels, to charming B&B inns, or iconic buildings (like the Empress), and a good selection of mid-range hotels, some offering great value suites. Although finding budget accommodation downtown can be a bit more challenging, there are some good hotels, motels and excellent hostel accommodations. During the summer months when the tourist population spikes, hotel vacancy rates are low, so plan ahead and book your accommodation a couple months in advance. In the off-season, there are far less tourists, and many hotels offer deals. Room rates in general are lower at this time, but you’ll still want to book in advance. Hotel prices gradually creep up beginning in March and peak for the months of July and August, but will gradually drop off again starting in September, reaching the lowest rates by November. Most rooms can be booked through Tourism Victoria (a great resource for your visit) at 800-663-3883 or www.tourismvictoria.com.
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa
Neighborhood: Vic West (Esquimalt) Price Range: Expensive The Delta dominates the north side of the Inner Harbour across the Johnson Street Bridge (blue bridge) from downtown. It’s a bright, modern hotel offering commanding views from many of its rooms of downtown, the Legislature, the Empress Hotel and the harbour itself. The décor is a blend of traditional and contemporary, with spacious bright guest rooms and bathrooms. All guests have access to the large indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, a fully equipped gym and racquetball and tennis courts. Indulge yourself at the in-house spa, voted one of the best spas in Victoria, or eat and enjoy the view of the city at the Delta’s Lure restaurant and lounge. Although the OPR tends to attract a lot of tour groups and conferences, its excellent facilities make it a great place for families, as well.
The Fairmont Empress
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Expensive The renowned Empress hotel, located in the heart of downtown, is certainly the most famous hotel in Victoria. It’s a big, ivy-covered building that has been standing at the head of the Inner Harbour since it first opened its doors in 1908. Many of the 477 rooms, all styled in traditional old-fashioned décor, while elegant tend to be quite small. To get the most out of your money and stay, book one of the larger rooms at the Gold level. They come with a dedicated concierge, breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres, along with the best views. Enjoy a swim in the kid-friendly indoor pool, relax at the acclaimed Willow Stream spa or treat yourself to Afternoon Tea (they boast serving more than 800 people per day in the summer). Even if you don’t stay here it’s worth strolling through just to soak up the ambience.
Inn at Laurel Point
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Expensive If you’re looking for a peaceful downtown oasis, the resort feel of the Inn at Laurel Point may be perfect. Located along the seawall on a promontory near the edge of Victoria’s Inner Harbour, you’ll be close to everything downtown, yet just out of the bustle. The Inn is composed of two wings, with a total of 200 rooms. While the older Laurel Wing has stylish rooms with balconies and ocean views, the freshly renovated south Erickson Wing (designed by noted Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson) is where you’ll want to be. You’ll find that contemporary furnishing is contrasted by traditional Asian artwork, and big marble bathrooms come complete with deep soaker tubs and glassed-in showers. The rooms overlook Japanese garden koi ponds and an ocean backdrop. If you have trouble leaving this urban oasis, their new restaurant, Aura, has already received critical acclaim.
Abigail's Hotel
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Expensive If romance, intimacy and old-English charm are the order of the day, then Abigail’s should be at the top of your list. This 1930s heritage, Tudor-style mansion situated on a residential street three blocks from the Inner Harbour was originally a luxury apartment building. It was converted to a 17-room boutique bed-and-breakfast hotel in the mid-1980s, and the Coach House was built in the late 90s, adding six luxury suites alongside the main house. All Coach House rooms feature luxurious king-size four-poster beds, wet-bars, wood-burning fireplaces and jetted tubs, while the original rooms are beautifully furnished with pedestal sinks and goose-down duvets. Quality and refinement are in everything at this small, personalized hotel, including the three-course gourmet breakfast that you can enjoy in the breakfast room, on the patio or in your room.
Royal Scot Suite Hotel
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Moderate The Royal Scot tends to attract families, groups and seniors. It was originally built as an apartment building and, as a result, the rooms and suites are quite spacious. They have 176 units, which include guest rooms, studio suites, one-bedroom suites and two-bedroom suites. All of the suites have fully-equipped kitchens and pull-out sofas in the sitting areas. The décor is somewhat dated, but the rooms are clean, the hotel is tidy and the staff is friendly and helpful. This hotel is popular with families, whose kids often flock to the billiard and games room, and an indoor pool. There’s also a whirlpool and sauna to unwind after a long day, and even a little grocer for last-minute supplies. It’s an easy jaunt to downtown, but if you’re not feeling up to the walk, the Royal Scot offers a courtesy shuttle to anywhere in downtown Victoria.
Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Moderate The Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites is a 12-story tower in downtown Victoria near the Inner Harbour. It has 196 units, mostly one- and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchenettes, but there are a few standard rooms, too. Rooms are traditional in style, nothing fancy, but they’re clean and neat. Most units have windows that stretch from floor to ceiling and open onto a private balcony. The tower, one of the few tall buildings around, offers great views of the harbor, so be sure to request a room with a view. The addition of a day spa and improved fitness centre with indoor pool in recent years certainly adds to the value of this hotel.
The Oswego Hotel
Neighborhood: James Bay Price Range: Moderate Crisp, clean, modern and stylish, this boutique hotel offers studios and one- and two-bedroom suites, as well as three two-bedroom penthouse suites, all with full-service kitchens (with slate floors and granite countertops), comfortable living spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows. The Murphy beds in the studios are not always conducive to comfortable sleeps, so you might be better off going with one of the larger studios. It’s a convenient base for your time in Victoria as it’s located close to the Inner Harbour (just two blocks away) and the downtown core. Their O Bistro is known for serving tapas and small plates intense in flavour.
James Bay Inn
Neighborhood: James Bay Price Range: Moderate James Bay Inn is the third-oldest hotel in Victoria. It opened in 1911 and has operated as a hotel ever since, except for a short period during the war when it was used as a religious house (the artist Emily Carr died here in 1945). Today it maintains its Edwardian style and is one of the better cheap digs around, especially in the Inner Harbour/James Bay area. The standard rooms in the main building are small and simply furnished. The décor is a little dull, but the building has some charm. The broad upper balconies have nice views of the park and the in-house pub is a decent place for a beer. JBI also has an adjacent two-bedroom cottage and six suites in a 1908 heritage house next door. If you’re a family or small group looking for downtown value, this is it. To top off their value JBI has free parking and Wi-Fi.
The Victoria Regent Hotel
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Moderate The location of this hotel couldn’t get any better for being in the heart of the action: close to shops, museums, star attractions, bars and restaurants. It sits right on the Inner Harbour, with views out over the colourful marinas or back over the downtown core. They offer regular rooms, one- and two-bedroom suites, as well as larger, more luxurious suites. Rooms are clean, large and comfortable, with king-size beds, and all the suites have full kitchens (popular with families). The rooms that face the street can get a bit noisy, so if you’re sensitive to noise you might want to book a harbor-view room.
Paul's Motor Inn
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Budget If all you need is a good motel, then Paul’s is worth a look. It’s inexpensive, well maintained and an easy walk to downtown. The diner-style restaurant, which serves good basic fare (you’ll find it full of business lunchers during the week), has been a Victoria fixture since the late 1950’s.The distinctive copper roof lends a unique style to the place and gives it a bit of character—something sorely lacking in most motor inn franchises. Of the 77 rooms, 14 sit around a courtyard and tend to be a little quieter than the city rooms around the circumference. Wi-Fi is available to guests and, as you might expect from a motor inn, the parking is free. If you are a coffee connoisseur check out the in-house roasted coffee at Discovery Coffee next door.
Ocean Island Backpacker's Inn
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Budget Ocean Island Backpacker’s Inn is not just accommodation; it is Victoria’s gathering place for budget travelers. This funky downtown hostel has 60 private rooms (a few with private bathrooms) and several dorm-style rooms. The Ocean Island Café Lounge, a place to meet, eat and socialize, has a decent vegetarian and vegan menu, and they put on nightly events, too, like live music and open-mic sessions. A clean communal kitchen is well equipped and has gas stoves. The friendly front desk staff is around 24 hours a day and generally seems to go out of its way for guests. Whether you want to know what bus to take to Willow’s Beach or the best club to dance till dawn, they can help.
More Details on
Ocean Island Backpacker's InnStrathcona Hotel
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Budget There aren’t a lot of budget hotels right downtown in Victoria, but The Strath is one. Perhaps best suited to those interested in Victoria’s nightlife, The Strath is home to a number of venues, including a pub, a club, a sports bar, a restaurant and a rooftop bar with beach volleyball. If you get a room overlooking the rooftop bar in summer, plan to join the party or you may not sleep too well.
Craigmyle Bed and Breakfast
Price Range: Budget Craigmyle offers affordable accommodation removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown, but still close by. The four-story manor serving as a guesthouse is only a mile from downtown, so it’s an easy walk or bus ride through the lovely Rockland neighbourhood. It has both suites and single rooms and accommodates single travelers, couples or families. (Note: it doesn’t have an elevator, so if you aren’t good with stairs make sure to reserve a room on the main level). The rooms are comfortable and decorated in an English country-style with floral bedspreads and wallpaper. Each room has a private bath, although in some cases the bath is across a hall. Breakfast is a traditional English breakfast served in the dining room overlooking the garden.
More Details on
Craigmyle Bed and BreakfastHostelling International Victoria
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Budget Hostelling International Victoria is perfectly located right smack in the heart of downtown and is one of the more-affordable options you’ll find in the city centre. It’s housed in a heritage building and has both shared dorms and private rooms. Linen is provided at no extra charge, as is a towel, so if you’re traveling light this is a nice perk. Other extras include a kitchen with a microwave (no conventional ovens), and all the pots, pans and crockery you’ll need. A TV room, games room, small library, laundry facilities, an indoor bicycle lock up, 24-hour security and hot showers complete the deal. If you’re out past 2:30AM you’ll find the doors locked when you get back, but you can make arrangements to get in before going out.
More Details on
Hostelling International VictoriaBest in Victoria Travel
Victoria Travel Guide
More From AOL Travel
Great American Road TripsHop in your car and road trip with us across the country. Our first trip: Driving the American Horse Trail.
HOTELS IN NEARBY CITIES
See All Victoria Hotels »
POPULAR Victoria HOTELS
CITIES NEAR Victoria