Despite the city’s small size, with over 260 hotels it’s no easy chore finding the best hotels in Victoria BC.
That’s why I’ve looked high and low through dozens of opulent resorts, charming bed and breakfasts, and budget Victoria hotels to curate this list.
Let’s find you a place to stay in Victoria that meets your needs and keeps you well within budget.
The 12 Best Hotels in Victoria BC
Fairmont Empress Victoria
☆☆☆☆ | Area: Inner Harbour | 721 Government St. | Recommended For: Best Overall Experience
The spectacular Fairmont Empress Hotel is the most iconic building in Victoria. You could argue that the remainder of the city’s downtown was built around the Empress.
Most of the top things to do in Victoria are within a 10-minute walk of its ivy-covered walls. If that isn’t enough, this historic Canadian railway hotel has been updated with all of the luxuries and amenities one would associate with the Fairmont brand.
Victoria’s castle on the sea boasts 464 well-anointed rooms that effortlessly blend classical opulence with modern style and comfort. Its Willow Stream Spa is consistently ranked amongst the top 100 in the America’s. And the hotel’s afternoon tea and Sunday roast have been Victoria staples for well over a century.
This classic property is thus our recommendation as the best overall hotel in Victoria.
Top amenities: Willow Stream Spa, Q at the Empress (Pacific-Northwest Cuisine), Veranda (Cocktail Lounge), afternoon tea, Fairmont Empress Health Club, pool, BMW cruiser bike rentals.
Related: Best Victoria Whale Watching Tours
Abbeymoore Manor
☆☆☆1/2 | Area: Rockland | 1470 Rockland Ave. | Recommended For: Victoria’s Best Bed and Breakfast
Still looking for accommodation that reflects Victoria’s colonial charm? But maybe you’d like to avoid a 500-room mega hotel that’s owned by an international conglomerate. Enter Abbeymoore Manor, our nomination as Victoria’s best bed and breakfast.
This award-winning heritage B&B is located just 5 minutes from Downtown in a stately Edwardian mansion. The manor is situated amongst the castles, gardens and tree-lined streets of Old Victoria.
But most importantly, innkeepers Jeff and Yoko’s invaluable local tips and sumptuous breakfasts simply offer “a better way to stay”. This has resulted in the property twice receiving TripAdvisor’s Top 25 B&B’s in the World travellers’ choice award.
Top amenities: Free Parking, full English/Irish breakfast, free wifi, concierge services, private kitchens (select units), and snack bar.
Related: Victoria Hop on Hop Off Sightseeing Bus
James Bay Inn Hotel, Suites and Cottage
☆☆☆ | Area: James Bay | 270 Government St. | Recommended For: Victoria’s Best value Hotel
This quaint Edwardian hotel is situated right on the fringes of Downtown in the hip neighbourhood of James Bay. This places you just a 10-minute walk from the tourist hub of the Inner Harbour on one hand. But also just blocks from all of the beauty and tranquillity of Beacon Hill Park and Dallas Road on the other.
The property’s 40 rooms are augmented by a spacious cottage and a number of refurbished suites. The James Bay Inn definitely stands out in a world of generic indistinguishable chains.
And with rooms starting at around $100 USD, the property’s distinctive character and fabulous location come at a reasonable cost making it Victoria’s best-value hotel.
Top amenities: free parking, free wifi & cable tv, onsite pub and restaurant, kitchenettes & balconies (select rooms), pool, darts and keno.
Related: Getting from Vancouver to Victoria
Strathcona Hotel
☆☆1/2 | Area: Downtown| 919 Douglas St. | Recommended For: Young Travellers/Partiers
Victoria is a high-octane college town with an incredible craft beer scene and sneaky great nightlife. If you’re looking to stay up late and have fun then choose the legendary Strathcona Hotel, which in our estimation is Victoria’s best hotel for young visitors and nightlife.
Hell, there are 4 different nightlife options available right on the premises! The legendary Sticky Wicket is a traditional British-style pub situated below the stunning Rooftop Patio, which contains its own beach volleyball court! The basement contains the Distrikt Nightclub. While Big Bad John’s is available for those who prefer dive bars.
Furthermore, the hotel’s fabulous central location assures that your car keys can stay back in the room.
Top amenities: Distrikt Nightclub, Big Bad Johns, The Stick Wicket Pub. The Rooftop Patio, Games Room (billiards & darts), dining options, free wifi, Cable TV
Magnolia Hotel
☆☆☆☆1/2 | Area: Downtown | 623 Courtenay St.| Recommended For: Luxury Vacations
Classic railway hotels and Edwardian architecture look fantastic on Instagram, but nothing can take away their age.
If you’re one for modern luxury and refinement then you should book the Magnolia Hotel, Victoria’s best boutique hotel. The property is located just two blocks from the Inner Harbour, Royal BC Museum and Legislature.
The hotel’s attention to detail is noted in its superior, personalized service and cleanliness. While the elegantly furnished rooms contain floor-to-ceiling windows, opulent baths and premium toiletries. Then factor in the elevated dining experience, fitness centre and full-service spa and you can’t miss.
Top amenities: Valet parking, free wifi, fitness centre, pool, hair salon, full-service spa, bar and restaurant, gourmet coffee/tea, complimentary chocolates, water and apples, Dyson hair dryers, Aveda toiletries.
Related: Best Victoria BC Tours
The Inn at Laurel Point
☆☆☆☆ | Area: Inner Harbour | 680 Montreal St. | Recommended For: Business Travellers
This stunning waterfront property is located on Laurel Point, which marks the entrance to Victoria’s Inner Harbour. It’s close enough to walk to Victoria’s top attractions but far enough from the tourist hordes for you to still get a little work done.
This luxurious waterfront sanctuary contains all of the amenities you’d expect from Victoria’s best business hotel. With meeting and banquet facilities, a top-notch business centre and fast, free wifi.
While the fabulous Aura Waterfront Restaurant and Patio and well-anointed rooms will guarantee your comfort once you finally close your laptop for the night.
Bonus? It’s also one of the best pet friendly hotels in Victoria.
Top amenities: Business Centre, concierge service, fitness centre, pool, Aveda & L’Occitane en Provence amenities, private balconies, pet friendly.
Book the Inn at Laurel Point Now
Related: Visit Butchart Gardens Victoria: the World’s Most Beautiful Garden
Ocean Island Backpackers Suites
☆☆ | Area: Downtown | 791 Pandora Ave. | Recommended for: Backpackers/Budget Travellers
I know full well that all kinds of travellers come to BC’s capital city – and they all deserve safe, clean, and comfortable places to stay without paying four-star prices.
The Ocean Island Backpackers Suites has a wide array of rooms to suit every budget and lifestyle. From comfortable hostel-style dorm beds to budget private rooms they’ve got it all.
The property is situated just a short walk from Market Square, Chinatown and Bastion Square. You’ll have a myriad of dining and nightlife options abound.
Top amenities: Free wifi, complimentary lockers, free breakfast, dinner & drink, free 24-hour hot drinks, fully licensed lounge, onsite laundry ($5), and secure bag storage.
Related: Best Cheap Hotels in Victoria
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
☆☆☆☆1/2 | Area: Oak Bay | 1175 Beach Dr. | Recommended For: Romantic Getaways
The aptly named Oak Bay Beach Hotel is nestled along the shores of the Juan de Fuca Strait. Although Victoria’s City Centre is just a 15-minute drive away, I assure you you’ll feel transported to a different world.
This boutique property is renowned for its luxurious full-service Boatside Spa. This stunning oceanside facility provides its guests with a whole host of holistic treatments and therapies.
Still not quite indulgent enough? Then try relaxing outside in the seaside mineral baths as you breathe in that fresh Salish Sea air.
Dining options include a Neapolitan pizzeria, fine dining restaurant and lounge that features a stunning waterfront terrace. And the well-appointed rooms more than satisfy the facility’s 4.5-star designation.
This is the best hotel in Victoria for a romantic getaway.
Top amenities: seaside mineral baths, pool, sauna, fitness centre, Boatside Kitchen, Snug Pub, kitchenette, electric fireplaces, large bathtubs, free wifi, ocean views.
Book the Oak Bay Beach Hotel Now
Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
☆☆☆☆ | Area: West Victoria | 100 Harbour Rd. | Recommended For: Oceanside Views
The waterfront Ocean Point Resort occupies prime real estate alongside Victoria’s scenic Inner Harbour.
It has a unique position across the water from Downtown in West Victoria. This provides you with postcard-perfect views of the Empress Hotel, BC Legislature and Wharf St. Marina.
The hotel is also home to its own “pickle boat” station, Victoria’s quaint harbour ferries which stop throughout the area. It’s also right by the Galloping Goose Trail and the Songhees Walkway, similar to Vancouver’s Seawall.
Top amenities: LURE Restaurant and Bar, concierge service, swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis/racquet courts, business centre, meeting/banquet facilities, designer toiletries/hair dryers.
Book the Ocean Pointe Resort Now
Abigail’s Hotel
☆☆☆☆ | Area: Harris Green | 906 McClure St. | Recommended For: Overall Customer Satisfaction
Sick of staying in soulless corporate hotels that offer all the charm of checking into an airport? Abigail’s Hotel offers a standout experience that blurs the line between a hotel and a heritage bed and breakfast.
This is a small adult-only (16+) facility. It’s housed in a romantic 1930s Tudor mansion a few short blocks from Victoria’s Downtown core. Expect scrumptious three-course breakfasts from a world-class chef and a mix of historical romance with modern comfort and convenience.
Abigail’s Hotel is hands down the best hotel in Victoria for overall customer satisfaction: they’ve got a 9.9 rating for both customer service and cleanliness.
Top amenities: evening appetizer plates (not included), flat screen TV, concierge, 24-hour front desk, antique furniture, Italian marble, spa bath.
Related: How to Take the Ferry from Vancouver to Victoria
Turtle Hostel
☆ | Area: Downtown | 1608 Quadra St. | Recommended For: Cheapest Beds in Town
It’s easy to get blinded by endless amenities, spas, and Egyptian linens but let’s shift gears here.
I present to you Victoria’s cheapest accommodation: Turtle Hostel. Located in an old Victorian house just outside Downtown, this funky economical hostel offers dorm beds starting at around $30.
Want something a little more private? Singles come in at around $40, while doubles rise into the low $60’s. And if you stay for a week, they’ll even give you a night free!
Is it fancy? of course not. But the newly renovated Turtle Hostel offers safe, clean, and affordable accommodation within 15 minutes’ walking distance from most of the best sights in town.
Top amenities: Dorm rooms, private rooms (with TV), free wifi, fully equipped kitchen, parking, bike lockup, sun deck, 24-hour security, luggage storage lockers, bike rental.
Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa
☆☆☆☆ | Area: Langford | 1999 Country Club Way | Recommended For: Golf Getaways
Victoria’s pleasant climate and beautiful scenery make the area a true Canadian golfer’s paradise – so why not test your skills while staying in an ultra-luxurious resort?
The Westin Bear Mountain Resort is located about 30 min North of Downtown Victoria, near the suburb of Langford. It features an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Surrounded by rugged mountains, the resort also features spectacular views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and Victoria below.
I love their dining options, where you can choose from a contemporary West Coast menu, sushi or pub fare. There’s also the highly-rated Amatista Spa.
Top amenities: Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, Amatista Spa, pool, fitness centre, kitchenettes, private balconies, signature heavenly beds, free wifi, and airport shuttle.
Best Places to Stay in Victoria Map
Best Victoria BC Hotels FAQ
How far are most Victoria hotels from the BC Ferry Terminal?
Most of the Victoria accommodations on our list are located in the city’s downtown core. As a result, travellers entering via the Vancouver ferry can expect a 35-50 minute drive.
How far are Victoria hotels from Victoria International Airport?
The trip from Victoria International Airport (YYJ) to the main hotel area of Victoria will take about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
What is the best area to stay in Victoria?
Most of Victoria’s most popular attractions are located within walking distance of the downtown core and the Inner Harbour, so we recommend doing your best to snag a room as close as possible to this area. Hotels here include Fairmont Empress, Magnolia Hotel, Strathcona Hotel and the Inn at Laurel Point.
What’s the best hotel to stay in Victoria?
To receive the most prototypical Victoria experience we recommend staying at the Fairmont Empress. After all, this legendary hotel is Victoria’s most iconic building. It offers the perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort – and its Willow Stream Spa services take pampering to a whole new level.
What is Victoria’s most luxurious hotel?
The Fairmont Empress Hotel blends classic elegance with modern luxury. However, the Magnolia Hotel and Oak Bay Hotel are also luxurious Victoria hotels with 4.5-star designations.
The Magnolia is for discerning, urbane visitors looking to be near the action. The Oak Bay Hotel is more suited for a romantic getaway.
What are Victoria’s best bed and breakfasts?
Victoria is home to a plethora of inns and bed and breakfasts that cater to visitors looking for a more relaxed and personalized experience. We feel that Abigail’s Hotel and the Abbeymoore Hotel are easily the best of the bunch.
Both provide a fabulous breakfast, a homey atmosphere and extraordinary customer service. And all set within postcard-perfect Edwardian mansions that are perfectly representative of Victoria’s colonial beginnings.
What is the best budget hotel in Victoria?
You can’t go wrong with the James Bay Inn if you’re looking for a reasonably priced bed just a 5-minute stroll from the Inner Harbour. Also, the Ocean Island Inn Backpackers is Victoria’s best hostel, offering reasonably priced dorm beds and private rooms for students, solo travellers and backpackers.
Still ooking for the Best Hotels in Victoria BC?
I’ve listed all of the best Victoria hotels at every price point, and for every traveller – but let’s keep the dialogue rolling!
If you’ve got any questions about visiting Victoria, Vancouver or anywhere else in BC, I’m here to help. Whether it’s responding to private messages on the Vancouver Planner Facebook page or in the comments below.
Enjoy the Garden City 🙂
Leave a reply