My wife and I are planning a trip to Victoria in August and would like some feedback on our Itinerary. We will be arriving in Seattle around noon on the 7th. We plan to take a ferry to Victoria that day. Spend the 8th and 9th in Victoria. Return to Seattle on the 10th for some light sight-seeing and leave the morning of the 11th. Possible diversion to Friday Harbor (if this forum suggests it - where to stay is the question) for the night of the 9th, still retuning to Seattle on the 10th.

Also has anyone stayed at the following hotels and have any feedback - The Dominion, Gatsby, Delta Ocean Pointe or Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

Thanks for any help provided.

For the better deal, always compare

http://www.hotelgrandpacific.com/

to

http://www.deltahotels.com/resorts/r...amp;hotelid=51

and check

http://www.tourismvictoria.com/

for stuff.


http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....screen_name=DB

Hi MoJo,
Although we haven't stayed at any of these hotels, we vacationed a month on the island in Oak Bay. While there, DH and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at the Ocean Pointe Hotel with a wonderful dinner overlooking the harbor. One day ate lunch at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. We loved both hotels, both quite different in contrast. The Ocean Pointe is overlooking the Inner Harbor and is closer to all the "buzz" around whereby the Oak Bay Beach Hotel is much older, is located in a much quieter, beautiful neighborhood near the water. This hotel seems to cater to the older crowd if that is not a problem with you. We enjoyed dinner there also in Bentley's dining room.
Francie

The Dominion isn't in the same realm as the other three. It wouldn't be in my top 100.

If you're without a car, Ocean Pointe or the Gatsby would be more convenient than the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, although Oak Bay is a nice area for walking.

If you are going to take the Victoria Clipper passenger ferry (www.victoriaclipper.com) from Seattle to Victoria on the 7th, you will have to catch the 3:15pm sailing, which is the last one of the day. That is the only ferry going directly from Seattle to Victoria.

I would recommend against the diversion Friday Harbour. I think it may be a lot of trouble getting there and you wouldn't have much time to spend there. If your trip was longer then going there would be an okay idea.

If you want to do some sightseeing in Seattle, then you have two options:
1) Catch the 11:30am Victoria Clipper to Seattle on the 10th, arriving in Seattle at 2:15pm. That doesn't give you alot of time for sightseeing that afternoon.
2) Catch the 7pm Victoria Clipper to Seattle on the 9th, arriving in Seattle at 9:45pm. That gives you all day on the 10th to do sightseeing in Seattle.

If you don't like those two options, then I would recommend staying in Victoria a bit longer, and catching the 7pm Victoria Clipper to Seattle the evening of the 10th. That would give you at least 4 to 5 more sightseeing hours in Victoria.

If you want to research your visit to Victoria ahead of time, you can visit my personal tourism web site at:
http://www.funlinks.com/funlinks/victoria/index.html

Be sure to check out the "Accommodations" category for links to Victoria Hotel web sites.

While in Victoria, be sure to visit:
-Butchart Gardens
-Royal BC Museum

Either the Ocean Pointe or Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Not the Dominion. I don't know the Gatsby so can't comment on it. Have a great trip.

Thanks to everyone for their input, but at the risk of sounding cheap (I prefer budget minded), what seems to be the problem with the Dominion. It appears to have been well renovated and is within only a few blocks of shopping, dining etc. Can anyone comment more directly. Thanks again for the help.

The problem is largely due to its location. Yes, it is close to stores as well as movie theatres and clubs. It's not unusual to see police activity in the area. I would be prepared for drunks, yelling and general rowdiness which may not make for a very good sleep.

To April,
You have such good knowledge/input of Victoria and its surrounds, I may ask some questions of you in the near future for our return trip. Sounds like you live in the area? BTW, what date this year will the Symphony Splash be held in Inner Harbor? That's always a treat to see. Thanks.
Francie

Sunday, August 3rd.