May 15, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
I'm sitting in my elegant one bedroom suite at the Victoria Parkside. Its a corner unit with the loveliest of modern yet warm furnishings, a mug of italian coffee in hand having just finished a great work out in the gym and a soak in our gorgeous stand alone soaker tub. If only it would stop raining life would be perfect. Well the Parkside can't do anything about the weather but they seem to have a handle on everything else a guest may want. Location is perfect! A block off Douglas its walking distance to everything in the Inner Harbour. The facilities are first class - from my view in the well equipped gym I could see families enjoying the very large swimming pool and hot tub. The atrium is stunning and probably the nicest surprise, was the coffee shop (not open on my last visit) where I got a latte and 3 home made morning glory muffins for under 10 dollars! If you are looking for a get away in Victoria for family or just to spoil yourself, try the Parkside. You may not want to go back home ... its that nice!
Parkside HelloBCListing.
March 17, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
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I was pleasantly surprised with Ocean Island Inn in Victoria. For a hostel, this place has a lot of options!
We were looking for an inexpensive place to stay near downtown Victoria, as we were planning to visit some of Victoria's famous brewpubs located near the Inner Harbour.
Ocean Island gave us the choice of dorm rooms, semi-private rooms and hotel-style private rooms. We went for the posh option and stayed in a private room with a private bathroom, fridge and TV. Wireless internet was free. The room was small, but it very clean, comfortable and about a 15-minute walk from downtown. It faced the street, so we did hear some car traffic... something to consider if you’re a light sleeper.
It was indeed close to the places we wanted to visit -- we checked out Swans and Canoe brewpubs, and then visited Red Fish Blue Fish for Fanny Bay oyster tacones the next day.
Our one-night stay cost about $80, which included parking. A solid choice for budget-minded travellers.
November 28, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
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Jolly good fun that the fine folks at the Inn at Laurel Point have created this swash-bucklin' treasure map for kids of all ages to roam around and discover the museum-quality art and other fine objects hidden in plain view throughout their Victoria waterfront hotel.
"Inn Search of Treasure" is available for staying pirates... I mean, guests and can be found at the front desk... if ya dare look for it!
October 08, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
I just completed a three night stay at Victoria''s newest hotel, the
Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa. All suites and in a fabulous location right across from St Ann's Academy and steps away from the downtown core, this property is perfect for families and people who love new, modern and are interested in their environment. Green at the Parkside however does not mean lean and the amenties are top notch. I especially loved the heated floor in the bathroom as well as two fireplaces and two flat screen tvs in my one bedroom suite! The restaurant wasn't open yet but having a kitchen provided a good alternative. The near by Browns Social House also does great take out! Check out the Parkside next time you are looking for a great getaway, I think you'll like it.
August 20, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
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I had the opportunity to stay the night at the
Queen Victoria in downtown Victoria. This older property is super convenietly located across the street from the Royal BC Museum and I would definetly recommend it. The room I was in was spacious and had not one, but two, balconies....a bit of a rarity in hotels. The hotel was busy with tour groups, but as a single traveller, I enjoyed the buzz that they brought. Had dinner and breakfast in the hotel's acclaimed Samuel's Restaurant which has been turning out yummy food for over 30 years. Great service, great view, great food. All in all, a very pleasant stay.
July 31, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
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Opting out of a kind post-wedding accommodation offer of pitching a tent on the bride's property, we decided to take advantage of an enticing online special at the
Delta Ocean Pointe. This turned out to be a brilliant move.
Having stayed at all the big name hotels downtown, I have to say - the
Delta takes the cake. Why? Unique little and big things done thoughtfully: provided sunscreen, mouthwash, binoculars, beautiful blue-bouncy tennis courts, being able to see the
ENTIRE harbour from bed. To wit: Houses of Parliament in all it's nighttime radiant glory, merry little ferries,
whale-watching tours, Empress Hotel, mountains, hot seaplane action.
Also notable: ample opportunity to find free parking, relatively small scale without being creepy, pool area on harbour's edge *see photo*, and let's not forget - a timely note from the manager apologizing for the fire alarm in the night.
That was last weekend, and I'm already looking for a reason to go back!
March 13, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
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I love old houses so imagine my delight when I got to stay a night in Victoria's charming Humboldt House B & B, built in 1893. It is located just a few blocks from Victoria's Inner Harbour and Royal BC Museum and next to one of the City's most pleasant green spaces, the grounds in front of the St. Ann's Academy. Each room is themed differently - I stayed in Edward's Room, named for its Edwardian charm but others would appeal too, such as the Oriental Room and the Celebration room. This place would be perfect for a romantic getaway with its large jacuzzi tubs in each room, wood burning fireplaces, cozy furniture and gourmet champagne breakfasts (which are tucked into a basket and delivered to your room in the morning through a cool two-way pantry). Even though I was in Victoria on business, I felt welcomed and completely 'at home' during my short stay. Little extras like the 'help yourself Sherry' and cookies in the library upon my return from a run in the nearby Fairfield neighbourhood, or the relaxed and pleasant demeanour of the host, David. Did I mention the breakfasts? WOW! I chose shrimp and salmon crepes but I could have easily opted for the other mouth watering choices - which I will save for next time, and there will be a next time!