Chateau Victoria Hotel Suites

I just returned from a 2 night stay at the Chateau Victoria (May 20-22, 2005). We really enjoyed this hotel so here are the pros, cons, and some tips to make your stay more enjoyable:

Pros:

- Very affordable

- Roof-top restaurant with higher-quality food and awesome view

- Great location close to most of the tourist venues and restaurants

- Modern styling decor in rooms

- Free concierge service

Cons:

- Not overly large rooms and bathroom is a bit small

- Restaurant food is a bit more expensive due to higher quality

Tips:

- Take advantage of the concierge services to discover Victoria's best restaurants and tourist attractions

- We booked with a CAA room rate but never had to provide CAA member verification (Note: we overheard a walk-in getting this same low rate as if it was a standard room rate!)

- There are lots of affordable breakfast places around the hotel if you want to save some money

- Eat at near-by Cafe Briole $$$$ and Paggliaci's $$ (not sure of spelling!)

I stayed here for two nights in April. The staff is wonderful. We had a 2 bedroom suite which was very spacious and nicely appointed. We had a great view of the water. One drawback is that there is construction going on across the street so we could hear blasting and work being done during the day. It was a bit of a pain because you we had to have the windows and patio door open for air. There was no a/c in the room. Other rooms may have a/c. I would ask if you are considering a stay during the summer.

All in all a great stay. And the rooftop restaurant, though pricey, has good food and amazing views.

Spent 3 nights at this hotel and came away with mixed feelings about the quality expectations. The room was on the 9th floor and all during the time when most people are trying to sleep a loud party was taking place someplace outside the hotel, complained to desk and was told that there were pubs nearby and they had no control over the noise level.

This room was a suite and although it was a nice room it was cold, with the bed right under an uninsulated window by 3 AM it felt as though you were sleeping outside.

I think the next visit will be at a different hotel.

We spent a night at the Chateau in late October. It is difficult to give this hotel only an average rating, because the staff and room were superb. We had a king size suite on the 7th floor. The suite offered all we could hope for in a room. It was what was OUTSIDE that takes away from the enjoyment of this otherwise classy hotel. The Chateau Victoria is conveniently located near Victoria's inner harbour area. In other words, it's a busy area of town. In addition to fine hotels, the area also features bars where the patrons like to party and be noisy in the streets late at night. As a result, even though the 7th floor allows you a wonderful natural breeze, you can't keep your windows open because of the noise. We were also disappointed to learn we would not be able to dine in the hotel's highly rated dining room. They had a tour group, and they had reserved the entire restaurant for evening meal and breakfast. Fortunately, Victoria has lots of fine restaurants and we were able to enjoy great food elsewhere.

Oct 22-23/04 Thought we were getting a three star hotel, but ended being less than a one. Who says room level isn't important???

Our accommodation was on the second floor, next to the laundry room - Yucky.......the door on the laundry room was missing the trim, the view is not great at all - there is a green area which looks directly into your hotel window - great - couldn't leave the curtains open just in case there way pass byers.....other than that no view....

This was our first vist to this hotel and to say the least our last

Stayed here for 2 separate nights in July 2004. Expected a small family-run hotel, but was surprised to find a large, modern chain-style hotel. Staff very helpful - especially for town sightseeing/eating information. Good pool/gym. Rooms slightly dated, fair size.

Stayed at the Chateau Victoria during our 16th wedding anniversary last July 2004. It was recommended by the Clipper Vacation crew and we couldn't be more happy and satisfied! The hotel staff was friendly, helpful and very efficient. Location was perfect - within walking distance to the Empress, museums, stores, undersea gardens, restaurants! The rooms were spacious, clean, nice decor and we had a stunning view of the Empress! I highly recommend this place! Thank you Chateau Victoria you made our wedding anniversary an enjoyable and memorable one!

We also booked a Victoria Clipper package which had placed us at a different hotel with multiple health & safety problems. Upon request to be moved, this is where we ended up and we couldn't have been more pleased. The hotel was conveniently located, the staff was efficient and friendly, the rooms were clean and adequately sized. We did not have a view, but had not requested one (we were just happy to be there!). The bed was extremely comfortable, the shower was fine, the decor was fine. There was an individual a/c freestanding unit that looked new and rather modern which seemed to work fine, though we hardly used it and left the windows open instead (great weather!). They did come in to replace the filter while we were there. We were only there for one night, so can't comment on too much else about it.

The front desk transferred our luggage for us with a minimum of fuss, there was a huge bowl of apples near the front desk for a quick snack ifyou had too much time to wait until dinner, they were happy to recommend places. Overall, it was just fine. Would happily go back in the future.

This hotel keeps it's promises - we booked as part of the Victoria Clipper package - requesting a view. The location just behind the Empress Hotel is very convenient and if you get a room on the 10th floor or higher you will have some view. Ours was on the 10th and a bit awkward to see the Parliament Building and Inner Harbor because it was only from a corner that you had to stand in to see. Separate bedroom & living room made it nice for the kids to watch TV when we wanted quiet. But the hotel was great - very very accomodating and helpful. Cheerful staff, excellent at handling details of ferry travelers. Pick up at the ferry dock provided as promised, even when their van was overloaded, they put us on a taxi and paid the tab. Nice pool and jacuzzi. Gorgeous view from top floor restaurant - ocean, harbor and beautiful Victoria. Excellent location for all kinds of transportation - double decker buses, taxis, horsedrawn carriages and good old foot-power! Not sure what prices were as it was part of a package. If the Victoria Clipper ferry experience part of the package had been better, it would have been an overall 10.

Wonderful room, perfect location, great restaurants, very close to the Empress Hotel and harbor