Oak Bay Beach Hotel

This hotel has a well-deserved reputation for fine romantic getaways, so expect to see lots of couples. It’s a peaceful place, where privacy is important and service is at the forefront without being overbearing. The lobby has the feel of an elegant English manor house, with rich wood paneling and striking tile floors framed by oak. Traditional decor includes leather chesterfield sofas, armchairs with blue velvet seats, and damask upholstery. Not all common areas here are as formal -- the classic, British-style Snug Pub has been an institution since 1954, and it's equally popular with guests and locals. 

The hotel has a spectacular setting on a small, rocky beach on Oak Bay. It's a relatively isolated area, with few attractions or restaurants within walking distance, about a 15-minute drive to downtown Victoria. The property is next to Victoria Golf Club (a three-minute walk) and near the Oak Bay Marina (six minutes on foot) where a couple of restaurants are located. The landmark Craigdarroch Castle and the University of Victoria are 10 minutes by car, and Butchart Gardens is about a 35-minute drive. It takes roughly 40 minutes to drive to Victoria International Airport. 

Guest rooms at Oak Bay Beach Hotel are done in elegant, traditional decor, with a regal shade of gold used as an accent color throughout. Drapes, carpeting, damask wallpaper, bed throws, and bolster pillows are all done in the rich hue. Bedding is bright-white, which contrasts nicely with the dark-wood furniture and black leather benches. Original paintings from Canadian artists add character and complete the handsome look. 

Standard rooms, Boutique Suites, and One-Bedroom Suites are spacious and gas fireplaces and private balconies or patios, some of which have partial or full ocean views. Armchairs and small dining tables come in Standard Double-Queen rooms, as do coffeemakers and mini-fridges. Suites include kitchenettes with cooktops, microwaves, and wet bars. The marble-clad bathrooms are the most luxurious feature, with heated floors, roomy walk-in showers, separate soaking tubs, and magnifying mirrors. Flat-screen TVs, robes, safes, nightly turndown, and free Wi-Fi are standard amenities. 

This luxury seaside hotel delivers an impressive lineup of amenities. Among the dining options is The Dining Room, an intimate restaurant with only 34 seats that features seasonal menus of locally sourced cuisine, along with outstanding ocean views. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available daily. The casual Kate’s Café serves up house-made treats and hot drinks for breakfast and lunch, including to-go items, and the Snug Pub offers upscale pub fare. With advance reservations, guests also can experience meals prepared in their rooms by hotel chefs, and room service is available. 

For wellness, The Boathouse Spa and Baths is a full-service spa with four rooms for various body and skin treatments, as well as separate manicure and pedicure rooms. Three heated outdoor mineral baths are next to the lovely heated saltwater pool that overlooks the ocean. The spa also has a Eucalyptus steam room and a fitness center that’s rather small and sparsely equipped. For entertainment, the in-house David Foster Foundation Theatre hosts dinner shows and movie nights for guests. It's a popular venue for weddings and other events, with capacity for up to 300 people.

Private car service is available to Oak Bay Village and to downtown Victoria (fees apply), and the concierge can arrange various tours and outdoor adventures. Self-parking is free, and valet parking is available for a modest fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and pets are welcome with certain restrictions.