Vancouver Island Weekend Escape to Chateau Victoria
In the early 1840s, James Douglas, known as the Father of British Columbia, described his first visit to Victoria, “The place itself appears a perfect ‘Eden,’ in the midst of the dreary wilderness of the North West Coast…one might be pardoned for supposing it had dropped from the clouds into its present position.”
Douglas would have noticed the rich soil and the gentle topography. He would have likely been warmed by the sun-filled days that grace the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Along the shoreline, he would have found gentle inlets that lead to freshwater streams.
All of this, the perfect ‘Eden,’ the ethos of Victoria’s romantic elegance. Plus, getting to Victoria is just a quick 45-minute scenic flight from Lake Washington or Lake Union — leaving more time for exploring the city!
Victoria Trip Planning Day 1
Local Accommodations + Hot Tub Boats + Dinner with a View
The first day usually means you’ve flown to Victoria’s Inner Harbour on a scenic flight from Kenmore’s Lake Washington terminal. It also is likely that, to have the whole day for exploring, you woke up early for your 7:15 a.m. international check-in time. When you’ve put forth that kind of effort, sometimes the best thing to do is float away the early morning craziness with a hot soak and fortifying lunch.
Hot Tub Boat Victoria, located on the north side of the Johnson Street Bridge, is just a 12-minute walk from Victoria’s Harbour Airport. But save your walking shoes for later in the day. Call Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites’ concierge and they’ll send their complimentary shuttle. The locally-owned and operated hotel offers a prime downtown location, without the pomp and circumstance you’ll find at some of the other popular lodging establishments. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel at home, thanks to the incredibly friendly staff who clearly love where they work. (More than one of the staffers has been with the hotel for more than 15 years, including Glenn Waddingham who built a realistic replica of the hotel out of 62,000 Lego pieces!)
If your room’s not quite ready, they’ll happily store your bags and give you a ride to the Hot Tub Boat’s dock. Before your safety briefing, pop into CRAFT Beer Market, positioned just above the waterfront. Not only is this a good place to use the restrooms (Hot Tub Boat Victoria has changing rooms, but no bathrooms), it’s also a fabulous place to grab some food to-go.
Soak while you float, listening to music and enjoying lunch. Take your hot tub experience up a notch with a luxurious bath bomb, available for sale with your rental. If you get too hot (which is quite a possibility when you consider the ride time is two hours in a hot tub!) simply jump overboard for a cool dip.
Round out your romantic day one with dinner at Vista 18, Victoria’s only elevated restaurant. Located on the top floor of Chateau Victoria, the views nearly steal the show. Time your dinner right and you’ll be able to watch the sunset behind the Olympic Mountains, turning the Strait of Juan de Fuca into a riot of colors and illuminating Victoria’s downtown core with brilliant golden light.
Start dinner slow, the locally-focused menu is worthy of making this an event. Have a cocktail and an appetizer. We highly recommend the crispy squid with lemongrass garlic yogurt. Crisp breading, tender squid, and a bright curry make this starter a great conversation piece.
The menu leans toward seafood, as one would expect with its proximity to the water. The blackened steelhead with street corn cotija hash is a favorite. So too is the seared sablefish. But don’t overlook the chef’s Market Selection, which can change daily. The ribeye with dirty rice and local asparagus hit just right.
Do yourself a favor and make sure you have room for dessert. The Dark Rum Chocolate Tart tapped with a freshly charred marshmallow is the grown-up s’more of your dreams.
Victoria Trip Planning Day 2
Breakfast with a View + Floating Spa + Craft Cocktails
Mornings in Victoria take on an ethereal sense — a light mist often coats the gardens while the city wakes slowly. Here, egg-filled menus reign supreme — especially eggs Benedict (or as the locals call them, ‘Bennys’). Those who are early risers can watch the tailend of sunrise at Vista 18. It’s the perfect setting for indulging in a Benny and watching the city stir.
A post-breakfast stroll will take you back to the Inner Harbour’s core where HAVN floats a stone’s throw from the Victoria Harbor Airport. The 1943 two-story vessel was originally used in World War II. Completely retrofitted, the million-pound barge opened as a park-like hydrotherapy sanctuary in 2023.
Also known as “contrast therapy” — HAVN is designed based on a three-stage approach to self-care: Heat + Cold + Rest + Repeat. A variety of warm options are available including hot tubs that look out upon the harbor. And in the saunas, you’ll find steamy window feature views of the city’s historic buildings.
Your cold stage could include a cold dipping in freezing water or a shower. And your rest, any number of the leisurely chairs found throughout the deck, the relaxation cabin (which offers more protection from the elements) or the lounge space on the first deck. Be sure to pour yourself a cup of the complimentary tea available on the top deck — a custom blend of spearmint, lemongrass, lemon balm, oat straw, and lavender.
Don’t be surprised if your body is on a bit of a delirious high following your hydrotherapy bout. Be sure to hydrate and refuel. One of the closest places to grab a bite is Red Fish Blue Fish. Operated out of a converted shipping container on the north side of the airport, the window-service eatery offers deck seating and arguably the best fish and chips in the capital. (Bonus points for their use of sustainably sourced seafood.)
After lunch, let yourself meander a bit. Victoria’s a walkable city, with historic pedestrian alleys, quaint shops, and delectable eateries. Just be sure not to ruin your appetite. Cocktails and dinner at Clive’s Classic Lounge is a must.
This swanky little enclave is tucked just off Chateau Victoria’s lobby. The entrance is ‘barred’ by a plush rope that’s opened for you upon arrival. It’s a little bit of flare that can make one feel like coming to Clive’s is to truly arrive. And for all intents and purposes, you have.
If you’d like some privacy, the tables offer a more intimate dine and sip affair. But if you’re up for some fun, we strongly recommend sliding your way onto a bar stool. There’s no better vantage point for watching art in action. And that’s exactly what the masterminds at Clive’s are shaking and stirring up — sipable art.
The cocktail menu is a bit like a roulette treasure wheel, filled with obscure spirits and imaginative drinks. If you find navigating the tantalizing libations an overwhelming task, the highly educated bar staff are reliable tour guides. Share your likes and dislikes. They can easily steer your course.
And have no doubt, it’s a course you want to take. Clive’s is Victoria’s longest operating cocktail lounge, earning 10 nominations for “Canada’s Best International Hotel Bar” at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, awarded Best Cocktail Lounge 2023 by YAM Magazine, and named among the World’s 50 Best Bars by 50 Best Discovery. The cocktail menu changes every six months, an impressive feat for the complexity of these cocktails. One of the drinks (Stay Sheltered) took Shawn Soole, Lounge Manager and Cocktail Master, more than six weeks to perfect.
And don’t forget the food. The cheeseboard is a tried-and-true favorite. The grilled prawns were bright and vibrant. The truffled fancy fries were every bit of fried goodness one would want. But the star of the shareables are the beef carpaccio lettuce wraps — a unique twist on a leafy app loaded with bright acidity from the pickled onions and a touch of heat from the chimichurri.
For a main course? You can’t go wrong with the chef’s personal favorite — the grilled pork chop. Featuring pork from Berryman Brothers Farm in Victoria, this sweet and succulent piece of meat pairs perfectly with Fairest of Them All. A cheery wood smoked showstopper, this mezcal drink has a bit of sweetness that complements the pork beautifully.
Victoria Trip Planning Day 3
House-Made Hot Sauce + Bike Ride Excursions
As the name would suggest, Fuego Old Town Eatery can bring the heat. Their house-made hot sauce made with habanero peppers, is a bright orange pop of heat. (It’s best tested in small doses.)
In keeping with Victoria’s Benny persuasion, the menu features an entire eggs Benedict section. Don’t miss the El Porco Benny, which features Fuego’s slow roasted pork and a smokey chipotle hollandaise. Looking for something hollandaise-free? The Conquistador is a consistent crowd pleaser with a mix of savory chorizo, fresh arugula, and hearty potato pancakes.
Also not to be overlooked is the spicy Caesar and the house-made skillet cornbread. In fact, if you go for nothing else, go for a Caesar and the cornbread. You won’t be disappointed.
Post-breakfast, duck back into Chateau Victoria to check out. The concierge will store your bags, so you can explore unencumbered. This is a major perk, as it allows you to grab an electric bike from Cycle BC Rentals and Tours for some more city exploring, located just a two- minute walk from the hotel. Some fresh air in the face and stunning seaside views along Dallas Road make for a perfect end to this magical island getaway. And to cap it all off, a quick and stunning scenic flight home.
Victoria, you were indeed a little slice of Eden.
