OverviewSituated approximately a 2 minute drive to the downtown Victoria area, on Douglas St., this 100 room hotel is popular with guests that have a vehicle, and that prefer to stay slightly outside the downtown core. On-site amenities include a heated-indoor pool, a jacuzzi and a gym.
Guests can choose from Standard rooms, or more spacious Studios which have kitchenettes. In all rooms, guests can expect free WI FI, a hairdryer, an iron and an ironing board, a coffee maker and voicemail. Free parking is available on site and pets are allowed at a charge of $20/day.
There are restaurants located within walking distance of the hotel, but guests can choose to dine on site at the Shark Club Bar and Grill for lunch and dinner, open Monday-Thursday 11:00am-1:00am, Friday-Saturday 11:00am-2:00am and Sunday 11:00am-12:00am.
Located within walking distance of the hotel is the Mayfair Shopping Centre, about a 9 minute walk. Other attractions require a vehicle, including the Inner Harbour, BC Whale Tours and the BC Maritime Museum, all of which are less than a 5 minute drive away. Butchart Gardens is about a 26 minute drive away. Guests travelling by air should budget about half an hour to travel the 25.5km between the hotel and Victoria International Airport (YYJ) (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, pet policy (call date: June 14, 2012).
The GoodOf the guest reviews used in this analysis that illustrated a positive experience, many of the comments were directed towards staff and the convenience of the location.
Guests said they received good service from staff and used words like "friendly" and "helpful" to describe their impressions. Several guests commented specifically on service received at check-in.
Location was also mentioned favourably a number of times. Guests liked being slightly outside of the downtown core, but still within a short drive from several attractions. A few guests felt that they were "removed from the noise of the downtown area". Guests still had a few options available within walking distance, including the Mayfair Shopping Centre.
Several guests also indicated that the rooms were comfortable, saying that they were fairly large and well-configured.
There were some peripheral comments, mostly centring on things like the quality of the food at the on-site restaurant and the added value of free parking.
The Bad
While there were many positive comments, there were a few common threads among the complaints in the reviews used for this analysis. These complaints included disturbance from noise and some issues in the rooms themselves.
According to a number of guests, noise was a factor. A few guests indicated that the walls were thin, and that they were disturbed by noise from guests in neighbouring rooms. Some guests said that the A/C units in the rooms were very noisy, and that they disrupted sleep.
While several guests indicated that the rooms were comfortable, some had issues with the thoroughness of cleaning, making specific mention of cutlery and plates in the kitchenettes, the bathroom floors and the carpets. Some other guests felt that the decor in the rooms was ageing, and needed to be updated
There were a few comments made about the indoor heated pool. Some guests felt that it was inconveniently located in the basement level of the hotel. A few other guests said that the water temperature was cold.
There were some peripheral comments, centring on things like hard beds, lack of towels in the rooms and shortage of hot water.
Confirmed with a front desk agent: WI FI, parking, pet policy (call date: June 14, 2012).
TripAdvisor.com guest reviewers ranked this hotel #51 out of 69 hotels, based on 38 reviews.
Orbitz.com guest reviewers rated this hotel 3.7 out of 5, based on 7 reviews. 71% of guests would recommend this hotel.
Expedia.ca guest reviewers rated this hotel 3.6 out of 5, based on 37 reviews. 68% of guests would recommend this hotel.
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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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