StarwoodGuy: Victoria BC for Christmas

I had an early trip back to Victoria this year to visit my father for Christmas since he was heading to Hawaii with my step-family. Also, one of my best-friends from university was coming into town with her husband so I took the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to Victoria in mid-December to meet up with everyone.

Unfortunately I chose December 12th as my departure date right when a huge storm hit the Pacific Northwest. I was on the 9:00 am Clipper and we were warned of a rough trip so we departed a little early to get ahead of the waves. I have taken the Clipper over 100 times, usually in calm seas, but this was one of the roughest crossings I had sadly. It took a little longer then was typical as the crew made an effort to avoid some of the harshest weather but the 6 foot swells gradually increased to 10 but fortunately we arrived into Victoria before the worst hit.

The first night I was betraying my Starwood loyalty since my friends had booked at the Delta Ocean Pointe which is just over the blue bridge in downtown Victoria. The hotel has just completed a great renovation and I had a good room with a view of the water, very modern and functional, reminiscent of an Aloft to me. That day was spent catching up with friends and with a wonderful meal at 10 Acres downtown, though the heated and covered outdoor patio was buffeted by the winds and rain that night, before we headed inside to the Bard and Banker which is a beautiful pub on Government Street which had an amazing live band playing.

The next day I had an early workout in the good but not too elaborate gym before I checked out and made my way out into the second wind storm. I had lunch with my godfather, father and stepmother at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club where I had sailed as a child and where my father was still a member. They put on a delicious Christmas Buffet. After, it was a walk around Oak Bay Avenue with quaint stores and plenty of Christmas cheer before walking downtown to the Empress Hotel, back to Government Street to buy some books at Munros' bookstore and some Chocolate at the famous Roger's Chocolates, a quick walk around Chinatown and the Christmas square set up with a carousel and another live band at Town Hall, and then a stop in at the Laurel Point Inn too see the Gingerbread houses they had set up. After, I picked up my rental car and headed out to Bear Mountain.

I was given a suite upgrade to my favorite room (other then the massive Penthouse), one of the corner suites with a large kitchen and dining area, a living room, bathroom, balcony, and then a separate bedroom and bathroom. I had a quick workout that night before going to bed early. The next morning I got up for a long workout at the gym, still one of my favorites of any hotel, before then heading into town to get some work done. After, I had time for a quick hike up Mt. Douglas to get some great views over the city and then I rushed back downtown to drop my rental car and meet my father and godfather for a quick trip before jumping back on the Clipper, fortunately on a perfectly calm and sunny day this time.

As always Victoria is great to go home to and it was wonderful to see so many friends and family though I missed many as well. The Westin was one of my favorites as per usual and the heated outdoor pool and hot tub at Christmas give it a very festive feel with the trees lit up and various scheduled visits from Santa at the hotel over the holiday season.