1175 Beach Drive, Victoria, Canada | (937) 315-4602
Traditional luxury hotel set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean
Located in a quiet area, within walking distance of a few restaurants
Elegant guest rooms with marble bathrooms that include soaking tubs
Many units offer ocean views from private balconies or patios
Three dining options, including a gourmet restaurant and landmark pub
Full-service spa with a eucalyptus steam room and fitness center
Oceanfront saltwater pool surrounding by three heated mineral baths
In-house theater that hosts dinner shows and movie nights
Concierge, room service, and car service (for a fee)
Free self-parking and Wi-Fi throughout
Pets are welcome with certain restrictions (a con for some)
Decor may not suit all tastes
Breakfast and valet parking cost extra
The fitness center is small and sparsely equipped
The four-and-a-half-pearl Oak Bay Beach Hotel offers luxurious accommodations and a spectacular oceanfront setting, though some may find its traditional decor dated and a tad stuffy. But there's a lot to like about this hotel, with an impressive lineup of amenities including gourmet dining, a classic British pub, an on-site theater, and a heated outdoor pool and mineral baths. There's also a full-service spa with a steam room and fitness center, but it’s small and sparsely equipped. The hotel's 100 guest rooms are elegant and spacious, and many have panoramic bay views from private balconies or patios. Marble bathrooms are a highlight, with heated floors and separate soaking tubs. Travelers looking for an upscale property that's closer to downtown Victoria can check out Inn at Laurel Point.
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Scene
A romantic luxury hotel with a peaceful oceanfront setting
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.
Location
Overlooking Oak Bay, a 15-minute drive from downtown Victoria
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.
Rooms
Spacious and elegant, with mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and marble bathrooms
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.
Features
Full-service spa, three restaurants, an outdoor pool, and mineral baths, but small gym
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.
