Our Thoughts
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel defines luxury, and the service levels are impeccable by any standard.
When Visiting Victoria, we often stay at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel located 15 minutes from Downtown Victoria, rather than one of the many chain hotels in the city.
It is the only hotel in Oak Bay, a suburb of Victoria, and is also the only Canadian establishment to make a list of the best 50 hotels in the world, as voted by Conde Nast Traveler readers for 2021.
Conde Nast highlighted the siting of the current 100-room hotel, with waterfront mineral pools and on occasion, orcas spotted swimming in the adjacent Salish Sea.
“While the property and the surrounding seaside village may evoke the old world, the Boathouse Spa is firmly rooted in the Pacific Northwest thanks to treatments that incorporate seaweed and marine clay,” the site noted.
More than 800,000 registered voters weighed in on the 34th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, weighing in on favourite hotels around the globe.
The original hotel was built in 1927 but a multi-million-dollar refurbishment has kept things positively box-fresh at this elegant traditional Manor House with all mod cons. The juxtaposition of traditional oak-beamed ceilings, exposed-brick fireplaces and chandeliers of the lobby, café and dining room combine with the stylish clean bright lines of the accommodation, allowing the spotlight to shine on that ravishing open sea view which forms the centrepiece of every bedroom. The vibe may be ‘country house’ but it’s bang up-to-date and pleasingly unfussy.
Rooms and Decor
The Boathouse Spa with its eucalyptus steam room, small fitness centre and yoga classes specializes in treatments using local seaweed. The Hotel has a theatre which hosts dinner shows, live performances and regular TV nights such as Downton Abbey season finale parties and and Tuesday movie evenings. The helpful and friendly staff are cheerful with a keen eye for attention to detail.
With just 100 rooms and a dizzying 52 different room types, the Oak Bay Beach is definitely no ‘cookie cutter’ chain hotel. Each room has a cosy ‘Dream’ bed, as well as a fridge, kettle, coffee press, microwave and dishwasher although many have full kitchens and dining room space too. All have spacious soaker tubs with a separate rain shower, electric fireplace and some kind of balcony.
Request a sea-view room for unspoiled breathtaking views over the water to spot whales in season. Glowing mahogany wood detail, and a colour palette of soft gold, beige paisley and smart striped wallpaper give the sense of a modern private club. This is the room Cathy and I usually stay in.
Dining
For dining the hotel has three venues:
Faro, a handcrafted Pizza and tasting room which was recently added to replace Kate’s Kitchen.
The Snug Pub, which is both an icon and an institution in Victoria, with a history dating back to 1954, The Snug Pub is Victoria’s first neighbourhood pub and the perfect place to enjoy good spirits amongst friends. We love it.
The Dining Room, a cozy setting showcasing the very best of the Pacific Northwest. The Dining Room features stunning ocean views.
The Spa
Open daily, the spa features three heated outdoor mineral pools that are situated on the edge of the Salish Sea. Experience the ultimate in relaxation with a visit to the Boathouse Spa and indulge all your senses in a seaside oasis built with one thing in mind – your personal wellness.
Cathy loves to hang out at the pool after the spa.
We highly recommend a stay here and we know you will simply love it.
Contacts
1175 Beach Drive, Victoria, BC V8S 2N2, Canada.
00 1 250 598 4556
Andrew Taylor
For Andrew, travel is so much more than just learning history or taking photos. Rather, the value of travel is witnessing a lifestyle, bonding with locals, and gaining rich cultural experiences. That’s why he founded the Luxury Wanderer; a place to share itineraries, offer advice, swap stories, and foster a like-minded community of curious travellers.
Reader Interactions