Treat yourself with a central stay in one of Canada’s most beautiful cities.
When my son and I arrived at the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites, we were greeted by a smiling face and a warm welcome, so it’s fair to say that our Inner Harbour Victoria holiday started off awesome.
A Suite Holiday at Victoria’s Inner Harbour
The Royal Scot is a familiar hotel for me. In 1997, I worked at the Hotel Grand Pacific, which is across the street (it was called the Clarion Hotel Grand Pacific back then). Although I had worked so close, I had never been inside the Royal Scot before this trip. There’s definitely an old-world feel and charm to the place. It’s classic and unpretentious. I like that in a hotel.
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First impressions
After a seamless check-in at reception, we squeezed into the elevator and headed to our one-bedroom suite on the fourth floor. My eyes widened as we entered the room’s hallway, which led us past the bathroom, the bedroom with two queen beds and into the spacious living room. Around the corner, a dining room and a walk-in kitchen called to me. A basket with tea, coffee and biscuits winked at me as I walked by. I’ve lived in apartments smaller than this holiday accommodation.
Things to love
I did my ritual room inspection. Coffee maker, check. Fluffy pillows, check. Bathtub, check. Nice soaps and shampoos, check. The view from the balcony looks toward the Inner Harbour and over the massive lawn of Victoria’s famous Legislative Building. Autumn leaves in red, yellow and gold freefall from the trees. It’s a splendid time of year to be in Canada.
The Royal Scot Hotel & Suites offers everything a visitor could want in a holiday accommodation: an indoor, heated swimming pool, hot tub, dry sauna, fitness room, restaurant, gift shop, laundry, games room, shuttle service, and ample guest parking. In a location as central as this one though, you don’t need to drive much.
Things to Do on Your Inner Harbour Victoria Holiday
There’s a lot to do in central Victoria – you could easily spend a couple of days exploring this delightful seaside city. With the celebrated Fairmont Empress Hotel as the focal point of the harbour area, there’s much to do on all sides of the glorious castle-like hotel.
1. Whatever floats your boat
It’s a two-minute walk from the Royal Scot Hotel to the Inner Harbour, which is the hub of Victoria. This area is buzzing with activity during the warmer summer months. This is where you’ll find the Victoria Harbour Ferry, which acts as a water taxi for easy access to many ports around the harbour. It’s also a fantastic way to see Victoria from the water. Tours are available. The whale watching boats also depart from the Inner Harbour, as well as the flash V2V (Victoria to Vancouver) ferry, the Coho ferry to Port Angeles, USA and the seaplanes take-off and land here too.
2. Tea time
No trip to Victoria is complete without a trip to Murchie’s on Government Street. Not only can you do a DIY afternoon tea (with cake, of course), you can also take home a souvenir teacup or teapot, bought from their extensive collection in their onsite gift shop.
3. School’s in
Just a hop, skip and a jump from the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites is the educational and awesome Royal BC Museum and IMAX. Spread over three floors, the museum features three galleries: First Peoples, Becoming BC and Natural History, as well as a visiting exhibition on occasion. Allow 2-3 hours to have a good look through each floor, and remember to leave time for the gift shop. If you’re keen to see a short film at the IMAX (and you should), the 25-metre tall, wrap-around screen will surely make you feel like you’re part of the show.
4. Buy Buy Buy
Government Street is one of those city streets that sucks you in and leaves you broke. You’ll find everything from souvenirs, chocolate, maple syrup, tea, clothing and of course, plenty of places to eat and drink too.
There you have it. An awesome place to stay at the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites, and a few ideas to keep you busy during your Inner Harbour holiday in Victoria, BC, Canada.
My son and I stayed for several nights and each night was more comfortable than the last. Even though I got the flu halfway through our stay, we had a fabulous time re-discovering Victoria’s gorgeous Inner Harbour area. The hotel’s sauna and hot tub relieved the body aches and the heated pool kept my son entertained for an hour as I relaxed. I can’t recommend this hotel enough (just hope you don’t get sick in Victoria).
Royal Scot Hotel & Suites
425 Quebec Street, Victoria, BC V8V 1W7
250-388-5463
1800 663 7515
Book your stay here.
I travelled as a hosted guest of Royal Scot Hotel & Suites.
