OverviewLocated within a 13 minute walk from the popular Inner Harbour, this 196-room,100% non-smoking property offers a number of amenities on site, including a fitness centre, a hot tub, a dry sauna, a heated indoor pool and a business centre.
Guests can choose between standard rooms or more spacious suites with kitchenettes. Some have separate bedrooms with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Mountain Range or the Inner Harbour. Some suites are also handicap accessible, and have enlarged safety features, raised counters, grab bars and lowered shelves. All rooms include free Wi Fi, voicemail, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, coffeemaker and windows that open.
Vic’s Steakhouse & Bar is the on-site dining option, which promotes itself as a 'passionately Canadian steakhouse". Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily (restaurant open Sunday-Thursday 7:00am-9:00pm; Friday-Saturday 7:00am-10:00pm. Bar open Sunday-Thursday 11:00am-10:00pm; Friday-Saturday 11:00am -11:00pm). Room service is available Sunday-Thursday 7:00am-10:00pm; Friday-Saturday 7:00am-11:00pm.
Underground parking is available on site for $15/night. Pets are welcome for $20/night.
This hotel is located within a reasonable walking distance to a number of popular Victoria tourist attractions. The Royal British Colombia Musueum is only a few blocks away on Belleville St., or about a 9 minute walk. Victoria's Inner Harbour and BC Whale Tours are a a little farther down Belleville St., or about a 13-15 minute walk. Finally, the Maritime Museum of BC is about a 16 minute walk.
The area of downtown Victoria is still within walking distance, but is a little farther away. Expect around a 20 minute walk or about a 7 minute drive. There are several other points of interest located within driving distance, like Beacon Hill Park, which is 2.1km, or about a 6 minute drive away and Butchart Gardens, which is 8.9km away, or approximately a 15 minute drive. For travellers arriving by air, Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is 27.9 km north of the hotel, or about a 30 minute drive (distances and driving time estimates: Google Maps).
Check-in is at 4:00pm, while check-out is at 11:00am.
Confirmed with a front desk agent: Wi Fi, parking, restaurant hours and no A/C in rooms (Call date: April 26, 2012)
The GoodGuests generally had a good experience at this hotel, and commented frequently on things like good value for price paid, on centrality of location in relation to several of Victoria's major tourist attractions and on clean, comfortable accomodations that the hotel provided.
Comments like "get a lot for your dollar", "price is right" and "good value" were reflective of the general impression that most guests had.
There were other elements present that enhanced the stay for many guests. Service from staff received top marks from several guests, who frequently used words like "helpful". The rooms were also well-equipped and spacious. Those who had rooms with a view said that the view was impressive.
There were a handful of other comments from guests who enjoyed their stay; one guest said that they felt very secure leaving their car in the on-site parking lot; another commented on the promptness of room service.
The Bad
While the impressions were generally good for guests staying at
Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites, there were a few common threads among guest complaints, including issues with some items in the rooms, the decor and the on-site restaurant.
While many had indicated that rooms were clean and spacious, a few guests had problems with their rooms not being well-maintained. One guest said that the carpet in their room was stained, and that there was a hole in the wall in the shower. Several guests felt that the decor in general in the rooms needed upgrading, and used words like "tired".
A few guests had problems with their beds; a number of guests claimed that the beds were too firm. One guest had a bed frame that didn't fit the mattress. Additionally, there were several guests that had problems with hot water in the shower.
There were a handful of other problems in the rooms. Several guests felt that the rooms were hot and stuffy, and a few objected to not having A/C.
Some of the other complaints centred around the on-site restaurant, with some guests saying that the food was expensive, service slow and at times unfriendly.
There were also handful of other, less common complaints. A few guests said the elevators were slow, while some guests were disappointed that the pool was closed for maintenance during their stay.
Confirmed with a front desk agent: Wi Fi, parking, restaurant hours and no A/C in rooms (Call date: April 26, 2012)
TripAdvisor.com guest reviewers ranked this hotel
#35 of 69 hotels in Victoria, based on 279 reviews.
Expedia.ca guest reviewers rated this hotel 4.1 out of 5, based on 254 reviews. 87% of guests would recommend this hotel.
Hotels.com guest reviewers rated this hotel 4.1 out of 5, based on 232 reviews.
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Analyzed by Heather W.
Driven by the sense that every person, place or thing has a story to tell and a skill for being in the wrong place at the right time, Heather is a well-traveled writer.
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