susie28

I'm in need of some advice about romantic hotels/ inns within about an hour's drive of Victoria. I've heard differing opinions on the Aerie and the Sooke Harbour House, and am wondering if there are any other recommendations out there. The Wickaninnish looks fabulous, but too far away. Thanks so much in advance!

April

Does it have to be outside of Victoria?

Check out the Brentwood Bay Lodge, expensive and so new it might not even be open yet.
http://www.brentwoodbaylodge.com/#

susie28

April- Brentwood sounds incredible, but I don't see any photos on the website. I'll e-mail them to find out more... it looks like they're having their grand opening tomorrow! We just wanted to be away from the busy city, possibly do some hiking and just relax. I was planning on the Aerie, but have heard it's overrated. Thanks so much for your help.

April

They probably don't have photos ready yet.

Shoal Harbour (newer) / The Latch (heritage?) is out in Sidney in what should be a quiet spot. I don't know anyone who has stayed there though.
http://www.shoalharbourinn.com/

Not the wilderness by any means but the Rockland area, not far from downtown Victoria, has some surprisingly country-like lanes and grand mansions, some of which are B&Bs. For example:
http://www.dreemskerry.bc.ca
http://www.priorhouse.com/

Or, in quiet Oak Bay, oceanside:
http://www.oakbaybeachhotel.com

Thinking, thinking...

PegS

I stayed at the Aerie for our honeymoon and loved it. The Aerie has quite a grand view and is just gorgeous. It was also an easy 1/2 hour or so into Victoria when we needed more bustle. We're staying at Sooke Harbour House later this year for our anniversary.

Another place that's usually mentioned in the same breath as the Aerie and SHH is Hastings House on Salt Spring Island. I've never been there but I've heard it's incredible as well.

susie28

Brentwood Bay Lodge isn't answering their phone (it's opening day, after all), and the SSH has rooms 6,11&13 available for the weekend I'm interested in. Any thoughts on those?.

I have heard about Hasting House, but I'm worried about transportation to and from Salt Spring because we have an early morning departure from Victoria.

Peg S- Can you tell me about the room you had at the Aerie? I think I might be leaning towards the Aerie because of its location (quiet but not too far out), but I have heard that there are good and bad rooms (view of the parking lot, etc.). I'd like to be able to make a specific request if I can. Does that sound about right?

Thank you! Thank you!

April

Personally, I think I'd be a little leery about the Brentwood Bay Lodge at this point. If they are open yet, there is probably still construction going on, and you know how brand new places often have a few kinks to work out.

PegS

Susie, we had a Master suite (#10--which had a straight-on view of the fjord from both the tub and the terrace. They didn't have the Penthouse suite yet when we were there, but I don't know if we could have afforded it for a week's stay anyway. What we loved about is was that it was just out the door and down the stairs to the dining room. Very convenient for breakfast and for dashing down to the front desk or dining room if we needed anything! The front desk people are also very helpful so if you call and ask for their room recommendations they should give you an honest answer.

Personally, I would *not* choose a Residence suite. It's in a separate building where the spa is. Convenient if you're planning on going to the spa a lot, but it's a bit of a walk across the parking lot from the main part of the hotel.

I don't know what the more inexpensive rooms are like. Sorry.

I also wrote a longer post last year about the Aerie in response to someone else. If you do a search for "Aerie" you should find it. However, I'm happy to answer more any specific questions you have.

(I also plan on making the trip to the Wick Inn as well, but it's just soooo nice to be close to Victoria!)

Shaenee

I would definitely stay at the MALAHAT MOUNTAIN INN. We live in Victoria and just spent our Anniversary there. This property has just recently been opened and is only a half-hour out of Victoria. Spectacular views from the lovely rooms. The restaurant is very nice too and we had breakfast there on the deck overlooking the ocean and mountains and the hummingbirds were flitting all around us.
Not too many people know about this place yet as it has just opened recently. I have been to the Aerie, Sooke Harbour House and Wickaninnish and they are all stunning properties, you can't go wrong with any of those either (I also like the "Tin Wis" in Tofino), but if you're looking for something a little closer to Victoria with just as nice a view (or even better in some cases), the malahat Mountain Inn is a lovely retreat. We very much enjoyed our stay.

Here's the link:

http://www.malahatmountaininn.com/

PegS

Oooo, Shaenee, the Malahat Mountain Inn looks awfully tempting too! Thanks for the tip.