StarwoodGuy: A Quick Weekend in Victoria!

      I just had a quick stop in Victoria for my high school reunion and to visit my family. Getting from Seattle to Victoria is easy with several options including standard flights, seaplanes and the Victoria Clipper, which is the high speed catamaran service. I opted for Clipper service and made it from harbor to harbor in 2 hours and thirty minutes on a beautifully scenic trip. Once I arrived in Victoria I spent the first night with my family before renting a car the next day and heading out to the Westin Bear Mountain.

      On both a plus and a negative side, the Westin is not downtown in Victoria, it is a twenty minute drive (with no traffic) out to the Hotel set next to Mount Finlayson. There is a shuttle service for $15.00 Canadian to transport you into town from the hotel if needed, but otherwise it is a good idea to rent a car if you have not driven to the island via the Coho from Port Angeles or BC Ferries from Vancouver. Five years earlier I had gotten married at this hotel, and while the marriage did not last, the hotel has stayed in wonderful condition. I was given a Corner Suite Upgrade upon check-in. The rooms at the hotel are massive and have a ski resort feel, most with full kitchens. My room had a bathroom and shower off of the kitchen, a large dining area, kitchen bar, living area and patio, and in the master bedroom a large closet space and a bathroom with a shower and separate tub. The views from all sides were impressive out over the forest and the golf course.

      I still choose this hotel when I come to Victoria because it has excellent facilities out in nature. If you are trying to escape the big city, this is the place to come. There is a casual restaurant overlooking the golf course, as well as a more formal dining area. The hotel also boasts a wonderful spa and the gym complex is hard to beat. The two-leveled gym building has a women’s fitness area, a mixed fitness room, a studio for classes, and an impressive outdoor pool with hot tub and large lounging area. In the summer months there is bar and restaurant serving the pool area. The only downside is that the Mountain Athletic Club has memberships open to others in the Bear Mountain Community, so the residents at the houses and condos in the nearby area are often there meaning it can get quite busy, but the day pass use by the pool for anyone can lead to loud groups forming by the pool at times. The hotel needs to work a little harder about tracking who is coming and going in the pool, as many people simply jump the fence from the mountain trail and sneak in.

      One of the best features of the hotel is the golf course. As well, the hotel is already part of the way up Mount Finlayson and there are great hiking trails up and around the mountain which allow for amazing views out over the area. After a workout and and a relaxing hour by the pool I got ready and went to a friend’s house before the reunion. It was a great time seeing old friends and teachers and my old school campus as well. The next morning I had another workout and pool session before heading back into town to meet friends for brunch. I skipped the breakfast at the hotel, opting for points as my Platinum amenity since I was trying to catch up with many people, but from previous experiences the hotel has a wonderful breakfast. It is a great location for a conference or event, with a pub just next door to the fitness facility with outdoor volleyball and a relaxed feel if you want something with more locals and a more casual experience then in the hotel itself. I am not a golfer, but many recommend the course.

      After brunch I had a quick walk around town along the water walkway by the Parliament Buildings, the historic Empress Hotel, down Government Street and Rogers Chocolates. I highly recommend the Tapas Bar in Trounce Alley or their new neighboring location Bodega. I then had a quick walk by Don Mees, my favorite Dim Sum restaurant in the small but charming China Town. After my walk I made the quick walk to the Clipper and headed back to Seattle. Victoria is an amazingly easy getaway from Seattle or Vancouver. It is my home town so I am a little biased. Sleepy and quiet on the one hand, it does offer a great deal of tourist sights. Near to the Westin is the other SPG offering, the Four Points, I have stayed there as well but it is a business hotel without the bells and whistles offered by the Westin. It is usually priced close enough to the Westin that it is much better to choose the Westin. The only large plus at the Four Points is the 24 hour gym which can be helpful for business travelers. I highly recommend the Westin Bear Mountain and of course Victoria.