Trying to decide whether to book the Ocean Point Resort & Spa in Victoria. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced the hotel first hand i the last few years, or can suggest another equivelant hotel nearby. We do want air-conditioning which seems to be a rarity in Victoria. Thanks for any input... Sandy

Here on the 'Wet Coast' air con is considered a frivolity and is completely unnecessary.

Blunt words but they reflect the reality of our climate-the energy sapping humidity/overpowering heat characteristic of eastern North America in summer is totally absent here.

Actually Sam that's not true. There are at least 30-45 days every year in Vancouver where A/C is a huge releif and this last year there was twice that many. In Vancouver virtually all hotels and motels built since 1965 have A/C and they'ld have a lot of complaints in the summer if they didn't.

Victoria Harbour however has maybe 30 days a year where A/C would be required, at least overnight. Agasin virtually all hotels built since the 70's have installed A/C because it's relatively inexpensive if it's installed during construction.

The Ocean Pointe is very nice but they have a few lousy rooms. When we were there they first checked us into a room with a huge balcony and a good view of the harbour but very little interior space. We were then moved to a room with lots of space but no balcony and not much of a view. Since this was winter we were ok with no balcony. It's a short walk over the bridge to the touristy part of downtown Victoria so the location is quiet but convenient. The spa is quite good.

GaryS... thanks for coming to our defense re: air conditioning.
SamS... the reason we mentioned air conditioning is because we spent a few days in Victoria a few years ago during a heat wave. True it was only 3 days but without air conditioning, we were terribly uncomfortable. Hence, we won't book a hotel without it!

That would be the three days of Victoria summer you hit.