Best Place to Stay Near Victoria, BC, Canada

Charming Sooke Harbour House, located on the water, is the best place to stay near Victoria.

It’s the best place to stay near Victoria and one of the first gracious country inns that helped me define Authentic Luxury Travel. In fact, the Sooke Harbour House experience is a perfect example of this style of travel.

Tourist vs. traveler

Ask the first-time visitor to Victoria on Vancouver Island what they are going to do and the answer is nearly always “have tea at The Empress.” The grand old hotel has become a Mecca for the uninitiated, who apparently don’t mind waiting in line and paying dearly for a pretty unimpressive ho-hum experience.

I have to confess that I had afternoon tea at The Empress the first time I went to Victoria, but nowadays I waste no time in heading 45 minutes down the road to the little waterfront town of Sooke.

Best place to stay near Victoria

Here, Sooke Harbour House, a white clapboard country inn, awaits with charming quarters. Each offers an ocean view, a balcony or terrace, private bath, wet bar, and comfortable sitting area in front of a wood-burning fireplace.

As appealing as the rooms are, it’s the food and wine that draw guests from all over the world. Under the watchful eye of Sinclair and Frederique Philip, the menu changes on a daily basis, but always reflects their food philosophy. Much like Alice Waters in California, Sinclair was the first in Canada to focus on fresh local produce.

“About 95 percent of what we serve comes from the immediate vicinity of the inn,” Sinclair explains, “so we know it’s fresh. Fresh food tastes better and has a higher nutrient value.”

The wine cellar, overseen by Sinclair, has been the recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award since 2000. In addition, Sooke Harbour House was voted one of the top three hotels in Canada by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

In addition to the scenic location, innovative food, and great wine, this country inn has added the Sea-renity Spa, where fresh herbs and natural seaweed are included in the treatments.

Sooke Harbour House is a prime example of authentic luxury travel and a spot I enjoy returning to as often as possible.

If you go, will you share your experience with other readers by posting a comment?

Bon appetit,

Tags: authentic luxury travel, BC, British Columbia, Canada, country inn, destination wedding, gourmet, honeymoons, luxurious, organic food, restaurant, romance, romantic, romantic destination, Sinclair and Frederique Philip, slow food, Sooke Harbour House, travel information, Vancouver Island, Victoria, Wine Spectator

Category: British Columbia, Canada, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Hotels