Planning to hike the West Coast Trail in August (presuming that we get the permit), my friend and I would like to spend a couple of nights in Victoria prior to the trek.

Since we are planning to tromp through mud for a week, luxury is not a priority! Cleanliness, relative quiet, and good location for city sightseeing do count.

Any recommendations on a centrally located hotel that comes in at, say, $125-ish? Does such a thing exist?

Thanks!

You might try looking on hotels.com.

A couple of years ago I found a great deal on suites at Chateau Victoria. They were quite nice and I don't think we paid more than $125 per night. Unfortunately, I must have deleted the emails about them, and I can't remember the exact price.

But right now it looks like there are a number of hotels on the site that have prices less than $125 and favorable reviews. (CV is more expensive than that right now, though, at least for the dates I put in to check.)

I looked at hotels.com for you to see what the motels were that cranachin saw for a lot less. I see that Helm's Inn says an average rate of $120. That hotel/motel is in an excellent location right across from Beacon Hill Park and behind the Royal BC Museum. It is very well run and is clean and comfortable. If the price is OK for you I would book it.

Friends have stayed here for extended stay for yoga training:

http://oceanisland.com/


for gorgeous sea vistas check out surfmotel.net


public transit is pretty good in Victoria so for a real budget choice you could stay at UVIC

http://housing.uvic.ca/visitor/visitoraccom.php

Thanks guys. I will check out hotels.com for sure. I had already found the Helm's Inn on tripadvisor and that looks very promising.

rivet, the three options you mention also look great. I do a lot of yoga and will need some after the hike, so funny you mentioned that.

We won't want to stay in the dorms at UVIC (definitely prefer private bath) but I'll hold on to the link as the Craigdarroch house is a possibility.

I can't book until we have our WCT dates settled. When we apply for the permit in June we'll give Parks Canada a range of starting dates to maximize our chances. Then I can start booking flights (probably Seattle), hotel, and reservations on the trailhead shuttle.

Thanks again!

Save your money stay at the HI Hostel: http://www.hihostels.ca/westerncanad...ictoria.hostel
Never stayed at this one but have stayed at both HI Hostels in Vancouver and one in Jasper. Like them all.

Thanks tomfuller! Will look into it. Glad to see there are various options.

To follow up we got an August 3 start date for the West Coast Trail and I was able to get a basic double room (two queen beds) at the Helm's Inn for $115 plus taxes.

We will stay there before and after the hike. Should be perfect for us.

Thanks for the info Fodorites!

Glad you got Helm's Inn. You won't be disappointed. Great location and very comfortable. Enjoy your visit.

Hi, traveller69! We'll be in Victoria in latter September for a day or two - staying at the Worldmark.

Hi Sludick - sounds good. Do you still have my email? I should be around then so hopefully we can get together!!

Yep, I'll drop you a note as the date gets closer.

That great talk to you then.