Best Western Plus Carlton Plaza Hotel

Originally built in 1912, the Carlton Plaza Hotel is situated in a beige brick building with a flat facade, white accents, and beautiful cornice detailing. As of early 2016, the property was in the midst of an improvement plan, updating and renovating rooms. The spacious lobby is standard but pleasant with dark beige walls, white molding, and mottled beige tiled floors. Sitting areas are cordoned off near large floor-to-ceiling windows. Decor is pleasant and unsurprising: busy navy-and-beige floral carpeting and transitional furniture like navy loveseats, striped armchairs, and wood coffee tables. With its easy access to downtown, this is a hotspot for tourists in the summer and longer-term corporate and business guests during cooler months. 

The Carlton Plaza is the corner building at a bustling intersection in the heart of downtown Victoria, just a two-minute walk from City Hall. Six minutes away on foot is Government Street, a major road lined with restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions. Chinatown is a few minutes' walk west and the Inner Harbor can be reached in under 15 minutes on foot. Victoria Inner Harbour Airport is less than a 10-minute drive, while Victoria International Airport and Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (with BC Ferries from Vancouver) are both about a half hour drive from the hotel. 

Rooms at the Carlton Plaza are tasteful but generic -- clean, contemporary, standard hotel fare with patterned wall-to-wall carpeting, mottled beige walls, and wood-veneer furniture. As of early 2016, rooms were in the process of being renovated, with older rooms showing more signs of wear and tear and updated rooms with extra features like sleek LED desk lamps. Bathrooms are clean and functional, though somewhat dated, with generic beige and white tiling and walls and shower/tub combos. Bathrooms include soap and shampoo dispensers. 

Entry-level Traditional Rooms measure 250 to 300 square feet while upgraded Studio and Family Suites measure up to 550 square feet and may include extras such as full kitchens and sofa beds. Rooms are air-conditioned and have comfortable Serta mattresses, wardrobes stocked with extra pillows and safes, and simple work desks with ergonomic chairs. Rooms also include 37-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers. Wi-Fi is free.

Guests' biggest complaint is noise from either the busy street below or from elevators. Light sleepers should consider rooms higher up that face away from the main drag. The hotel has been upgrading its soundproofing and will continue doing so in 2016.

The on-site, cafe-style London Tube Restaurant (formerly Stone's Throw) is decent, serving up a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There's no continental or buffet breakfast option, and breakfast costs an extra fee. The hotel has a small fitness area -- decor is sparse and a little drab -- but the room includes several modern cardio and weightlifting machines. A hair salon is also on the premises, though it's independently owned. The hotel also has two PCs and a printer available for free guest use in the lobby. For guests with their own devices, Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.

The hotel offers free bike rentals, a 24-hour front desk, concierge service, and free daily newspapers in the lobby. Kids are welcome, with cribs, high chairs, and children's menus available. Valet parking is available but costs an extra fee.