Salt Spring Island hotels
May 31st, 2002, 04:20 PM
#1
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Salt Spring Island hotels
My 3 girlfriends and I are thinking about going to Saltspring for a weekend and would like to know any information on a reasonably priced hotel/motel within walking distance to shops and restaurants. A view would be nice too. Any help would be appreciated.
Jun 1st, 2002, 05:27 AM
#2
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There are a few nice hotels on Saltspring. However, there are far more B&B's, and you might find a wider choice if you look there. Is there any particular reason you want a place within walking distance of shops and restaurants? I'm just thinking that you'll need a car to get from the ferry dock to wherever you're going. Most of the shops and restaurants are in Ganges and there are lots of places to stay near there - sorry, I can't recommend any particular hotel; we always rent a cottage.
Jun 3rd, 2002, 03:03 PM
#4
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It's a small, quiet island without a lot to do so be forewarned. It's cute for a weekend. No hotels that I saw - mostly B&Bs. And sheep everywhere. We went Friday to Sunday. It takes less than an hour to drive around the island, no public transportation, not a lot of shopping or other things if you need entertaining. It was quiet and cute and we enjoyed ourselves but I wouldn't go again.
Jun 3rd, 2002, 04:24 PM
#5
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Well, I have a slightly different take on it - I go there every year!
There are 3 places where the ferry docks. One is Long Harbour, if you're coming from Vancouver. This is about a 10-minute drive from Ganges, which is the biggest town. There is no public transit, but there are a couple of taxis in town; you might have to arrange beforehand if you want somebody to pick you up at a particular ferry, but then you'd still really need a car to get around. The ferry from the other Gulf Islands and from Victoria docks at Fulford Harbour. That dock is pretty much in the centre of town, but the town is very tiny and there isn't a lot to do there. The third dock is at Vesuvius Bay; that's where the ferry crosses from Crofton, a bit up-island from Victoria. There's a general store there but not much else other than a beach and some nice cottages andB&Bs. For me, the real charm of the island has to do with the scenery and the people. There is quite an active cultural life during the summer; they have a music festival, some theatre, some readings by various authors, and quite a few galleries to explore. You could stay at one of the inns right in Ganges and spend your time walking around there, but I think you'd be missing a lot. I'd strongly recommend the Saturday market, which starts early and goes on all day right in the centre of Ganges. There's food, crafts, music - all kinds of things to do. Then you'd want to drive around the island. There's a wonderful view from the top of Mount Maxwell. You can also get a map that shows you where the various artists' studios are. It is a quiet place, I suppose, but very vital and alive; the people are politically savvy and interesting to talk to.
In the summer you might have trouble finding a place to stay at for just one night, but you could try. We've always rented a cottage for a week or two, so I'm sorry I can't offer specific suggestions about accommodation; I think the various Saltspring Island websites can offer you some good information about accommodation. In terms of restaurants, we like the inn at Vesuvius Bay for lunch; they have amazing french fries; I don't know what they do to them, but they're wonderful! Generally we've avoided the upscale restaurants and stuck to cheap 'n cheerful, and have rarely gone wrong there.
Hope this gives you something to go on. I'm counting the days until we head out there ourselves (35 more sleeps!)
There are 3 places where the ferry docks. One is Long Harbour, if you're coming from Vancouver. This is about a 10-minute drive from Ganges, which is the biggest town. There is no public transit, but there are a couple of taxis in town; you might have to arrange beforehand if you want somebody to pick you up at a particular ferry, but then you'd still really need a car to get around. The ferry from the other Gulf Islands and from Victoria docks at Fulford Harbour. That dock is pretty much in the centre of town, but the town is very tiny and there isn't a lot to do there. The third dock is at Vesuvius Bay; that's where the ferry crosses from Crofton, a bit up-island from Victoria. There's a general store there but not much else other than a beach and some nice cottages andB&Bs. For me, the real charm of the island has to do with the scenery and the people. There is quite an active cultural life during the summer; they have a music festival, some theatre, some readings by various authors, and quite a few galleries to explore. You could stay at one of the inns right in Ganges and spend your time walking around there, but I think you'd be missing a lot. I'd strongly recommend the Saturday market, which starts early and goes on all day right in the centre of Ganges. There's food, crafts, music - all kinds of things to do. Then you'd want to drive around the island. There's a wonderful view from the top of Mount Maxwell. You can also get a map that shows you where the various artists' studios are. It is a quiet place, I suppose, but very vital and alive; the people are politically savvy and interesting to talk to.
In the summer you might have trouble finding a place to stay at for just one night, but you could try. We've always rented a cottage for a week or two, so I'm sorry I can't offer specific suggestions about accommodation; I think the various Saltspring Island websites can offer you some good information about accommodation. In terms of restaurants, we like the inn at Vesuvius Bay for lunch; they have amazing french fries; I don't know what they do to them, but they're wonderful! Generally we've avoided the upscale restaurants and stuck to cheap 'n cheerful, and have rarely gone wrong there.
Hope this gives you something to go on. I'm counting the days until we head out there ourselves (35 more sleeps!)
Jun 4th, 2002, 08:14 PM
#7
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As I mentioned in an earlier post, we really like the pub at the Vesuvius Bay Inn for lunch. Their salads are wonderful - full of all kinds of yummy healthy stuff - and for a nice (unhealthy) contrast they have fabulous french fries. We also like the Treehouse Restaurant, just beside Mouat's in the middle of the shopping area where the Thrifty's store is. The Bouzouki Greek Cafe is good, and so is a place called the Boardwalk, outdoors near the dock. Last year we discovered the cafe at Alfresco's. We haven't tried the upstairs restaurant (a bit pricy for us) but the cafe on the ground floor has wonderful soups and sandwiches. We also like Barb's Buns. You'll notice that these are all pretty much lunch-type places, although many of them are open for dinner too. We mostly (although not always) do our dining-out at lunch time and cook dinner at the cottage. It just seems to fit in with the way we plan our days. On the negative side, we weren't wild about the pizza place in Ganges, and I think - I don't want to be too certain of this, lest I unfairly accuse - that I got food poisoning last year at the cafe in Fulford right by the ferry dock. I had a veggie burger that tasted distinctly strange, and had been cooked on the same grill as the regular burgers, and it was a very hot day. A friend of mine was with me and she also got sick, although not as sick as I did. Maybe it had nothing to do with the restaurant, but I don't think I'd want to go back.
Jun 7th, 2002, 06:13 PM
#8
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My husband & I have been to Salt Spring twice & enjoyed it a lot! Would be happy to share some ideas, but can't right now, have to run to an appt.
Please check back next week, as I'll post. I think it's a wonderful spot for escape & being in an artists' community & its natural beauty. I agree w/a lot of what Cindy shares here, regarding recommendations. Will share more soon!
Please check back next week, as I'll post. I think it's a wonderful spot for escape & being in an artists' community & its natural beauty. I agree w/a lot of what Cindy shares here, regarding recommendations. Will share more soon!
Jun 12th, 2002, 10:34 AM
#9
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Thanks for the restaurant suggestions, I'm taking note of them. Rosemary, you mentioned that you also have Salt Spring stuff to share. I'd love to hear from you as well. Dh and I and our son (will be 8 mos old then) are heading there for 3 days in Sept. We only spent a few hours on the island last time, and are looking forward to further exploring.
Email is valid.
Email is valid.
Jun 16th, 2002, 05:00 AM
#10
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I have read with interest all the replies you received from your mail.I am visiting Salt Springs myself with my husband and 8 year old son in October, we are renting a cottage.I would be grateful if you could let me know what you think of it once you have been.
Thanks
Christine
Thanks
Christine
Jun 16th, 2002, 07:10 AM
#12
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Hi, Chris - yes, I am indeed reading this! I love Salt Spring and am jumping up and down with glee that we'll be there in less than 3 weeks. I hope the Saturday Market in Ganges will still be running when you're there; as far as I know, it runs through October. You'll find the people very friendly and welcoming. Have a wonderful trip.
