Any recommendations for nice hotels in downtown or harbour area of Victoria with reasonable rates for late July <BR> <BR>Thanks

It might be difficult getting a room by the end of July. You could try the Admiral Motel at $105-165 for doubles. (www.admiral.bc.ca) Most other harbour establishments will cost more than that. Are you interested in bed & breakfasts as well? <BR> <BR>

Hi April, <BR> <BR>yes, I'm interested in B&B also. Any suggestions ? <BR>Also, if I take the BC ferry from Tsawwassen to Schwarz Bay, what public transportation can I take to go to downtown Victoria ? <BR> <BR>Thanks

Here are some other hotels that either front the Inner Harbour or are near by. I have never stayed at any of these but they appear to be OK from the outside. The prices are quoted from the BC Accommodations Guide. <BR> <BR>Ramada Huntingdon Manor $133-233 <BR>www.bctravel.com/huntingdon <BR> <BR>Embassy Inn $119-145 <BR>www.travel.bc.ca/e/embassy (the picture on the opening page is not taken from the Embassy) <BR> <BR>Days Inn on the Harbour $130-193 <BR>www.daysinnvictoria.com <BR> <BR>Queen Victoria Inn $125-325 <BR>www.queenvictoriainn.com <BR> <BR>Royal Scot Suite Hotel $139-329 <BR> <BR>Best Western Inner Harbour $139-189 <BR> <BR>I know people who have stayed at the Royal Scot and Queen Victoria and were happy with both. <BR> <BR>A little further into town is the <BR>Bedford Regency Hotel $99-185 <BR>www.victoriabc.com/accom/bedford.html <BR>and the Green Gables Inn $129-159 <BR> <BR>Or not too far from the harbour, behind the museum and close to Beacon Hill Park is the older and cheaper Helm's Inn $99-125 <BR> <BR>You can catch the bus right on the ferry (they have a booth onboard which you would want to visit early in the trip). You can also take it right out of Vancouver. The bus depot in Victoria is beside the Convention Centre behind the Empress Hotel, so you could walk to most of the hotels without too much effort. There should be information at: http://www.pacificcoach.com/ <BR> <BR>About Bed & Breakfasts in a moment. <BR>

Bed & Breakfasts <BR> <BR>B&B's in James Bay are within walking distance of the Inner Harbour (but you might want to catch a cab with your luggage for some). Sorry, I don't know whether any of these places are good or bad. (I've always been intrigued with the outside of the Holland House but that's just me.) <BR> <BR>Here are just some James Bay B&B's: <BR>Berry House $70-80 <BR>Birdcage Walk Guest House $100-150 <BR>Edwardian Inn $75-105 <BR>The Inn on St. Andrews $85-100 <BR>Medana $110-125 <BR>Laird House (oops forgot prices - they'll be on the net) <BR>Holland House $145-250 <BR>Ryan's B&B $145-165 <BR> <BR>You may find more information on these places as well as some others at: <BR>http://www.victoriabc.com/accomstart.html <BR>http://victoriabc.com/hosts/downtownbb/ <BR>http://www.bctravel.com/bedbreak.html <BR> <BR>Another area you might want to consider is the beautiful Rockland neighbourhood. You would probably need to take a bus into town but it's a short trip. <BR> <BR>One nice looking B&B is the Dreemskerry Heritage Mansion $95-135 <BR>http://www.victoriabc.com/hosts/dreemskerry/ <BR>The Cape Cod style (I think) house looks well cared for and sits on lovely grounds near Craigdarroch Castle and the Lieutenant Governor's grounds which has the most wonderful rose garden I've ever smelled. <BR> <BR>There is also the Prior House B&B Inn $140-270 <BR>The Leaf B&B $95-130 <BR>http://leafbb.com/ <BR>and the interesting looking Craigmyle House $80-85 right behind Craigdarroch Castle <BR>http://www.vacationsbc.com/craigmyle.html <BR>to name just a few more. <BR> <BR>I hope this is of some help. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Thanks for the reply ! <BR>BTW, what do you think about the Strathcona hotel in downtown (behind Empress Hotel) ? I think it's pretty cheap and has a very good location. I just don't know what the rooms are like. Have you heard anything about this hotel ? <BR> <BR>Thanks

I always thought of it as a noisy nightclub kind of place. However, it was renovated in recent years and looks a little more upscale. Location is good in that it close to the sites, but being downtown it probably would get traffic and other night noises (mind you, it's not always that peaceful by The Empress either). It might be OK. If I stayed there, I would try to get a room away from the club entrances, and not facing the street if possible. I don't know what the rooms are like. Old opinions die hard I guess, so I'd be concerned about the noise/rowdiness factor. I'm speaking from my perspective - I don't like to stay in places with nightclubs in them. <BR>