GailLK

Hello and will be traveling to Victoria for 3 nights next summer and have decided not to stay at the Empress, but would like some up to date recommendations on what would be the next "BEST" hotel to stay in (willing to splurge). Also, would appreciate some recommendations of places for HIGH TEA and great Restaurants? Getting some neg reviews of the Empress (hmmmm....) Thanks!

GaryA

The Magnolia Hotel and Spa, (very centrally located although not great views especially the lower floors), and the Ocean Pointe Hotel and Spa, (not as centrally located but great harbour views), are definately more comfortable places to stay and a better buy than the Empress which trades way too much on it's historic status and central profile. You can easily drink in its ambiance by taking a stroll through its public areas. Except for the high priced suites most of the rooms are small and long walks from the elevators.

The High Tea at the Empress is fine but way overpriced. High Tea is served at much better prices all over the place. I'm sure someone will mention their favorites here.

April

Ok, Gary. For the best afternoon tea in town (in my opinion) go to the White Heather Tea Room on Oak Bay Ave. The "not so wee tea" has a good assortment and is always fresh. Reservations recommended.

A harbour view room at Ocean Pointe would probably be my choice. A harbour ferry can zip you over to the causeway in front of the Empress.

Borealis

I second that recommendation for the White Heather Tea Room for a lovely "not so wee" tea. The tea shoppe is cozy & cute; the owner is Scottish, so the assortment of goodies has a "Scottish" flavour to it.
We had a "late lunch" at the White Heather one day this past August. Reservations are definitely recommended as the place isn't very large and it fills up quickly.

Have you considered staying at a bed and Breakfast (rather than a hotel)??
Victoria is full of some gorgeous B&Bs (spacious, comfortable, beautifully decorated, wonderful views, delicious breakfasts, advice on what to visit and what to avoid etc.)
We rarely stay at hotels in Victoria any more since we've discovered the huge variety of B&Bs available.

Surfergirl

I'd check the rants and raves on Fodors hotel choices for this. We did stay at the Empress for 1 night in a horribly overpriced ($250/night) room that, as my son kept exclaiming, "overlooked the dumpsters". The three of us could hardly move in the room. Granted, the hotel itself is beautiful, and the pool is great, but when the hallways are bigger and have a better view than one's room, one must rethink the situation. Not to mention having to wait in a long line while to get to the front desk. Interestingly, one of the views we had (aside from the dumpsters) was a tall hotel directly behind the Empress. The Europa I think it was called. We ended up there the following 2 nights, and while not high-end, it was virtually one-third of the price for an entire 1 bedroom apartment (full kitchen included) and a killer view of the harbor. Decent hot tub as well.

PLJ

It has been a couple of years but my husband and I very much enjoyed our stay at the Laurel Point Inn in 1996. We stayed in one of their studio suites and it exceeded our expections. The bedroom with adjacent sitting area was quiet, comfortable and spacious. Off of the sitting area was the large balcony (with patio furniture) over looking the harbour - simply breathtaking. The spacious and fully appointed bathroom was quite luxurious. I would stay at the Laurel Point again without hesitation.

www.laurelpoint.com

Meesthare

Another vote for the White Heather, although there is a pleasant alternative: Point Ellice House. They do a lovely afternoon tea on the lawn. It's a historic home; you need to reserve for the tea (which is yummy, by the way, and you could have lavender lemonade instead of tea if you want to) and there's an audio-cassette tour of the house itself which is really interesting. The gardens are beautiful; it's a very nice spot for afternoon tea.

GailLK

Thanks ALL for the great info on hotels/afternoon tea. Does anyone know if the the White Heather has a website and do I need to make a reservation for tea? Thanks!

PLJ

GailLK, this looks like a decent website for The White Heather...

www.dinebc.com/whiteheather

GailLK

Thanks PLJ!

April

Whenever I have popped in between noon and 2:30 at the White Heather I haven't been able to get a seat most times, so it is safer to reserve, especially in the summertime.

Their chicken sconewich is awfully good too, although you'll get a small version of it with the Not So Wee Tea.

Cruiseryyc

Anotehr great place for afternoon tea is Butchart Gardens, however you do have to make a reservation.

joegri

GailK: For a truly beautiful B&B, try Menzies Manor. The Honeymoon Suite (not kichy) is actually an apartment, full well equipped kitchen, dinning area, living room, bedroom and bath. The amenities and furnishings are elegant. A great reakfast is brought to your room from a menu you choose the night before, at an appointed hour of your choice. It goes about $275 Canadian a night and is worth all of that and more. Go to http://www.menziesmanor.com/rooms_n_rates_hm.shtml and look at the pictures of the rooms. Half a block from the water and the jogging/walking path along the Dallas Waterfront. About eight blocks from the Empress and located in a quiet neighborhood of wonderful victorians. We took a differnt walk to town center everyday to see the different victorians.
Empress is still the best for High Tea. Have a great trip.

DB

><
The Hotel Grand Pacific is just around the corner from the Empress, overlooking the harbor:

http://www.hotelgrandpacific.com

and, James Bay tea room is within walking distance:

http://www.goforlunch.com/jbtearoom/

daisyf

Our favorite place to stay is the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. www.oakbaybeachhotel.bc.ca