Cozy Comfort: Victoria Bed & Breakfasts

You never forget a good B&B. The unique rooms, heritage architecture, inviting neighbourhoods, apple cider by the fireplace and a snooze in the garden in the afternoon sun all make for a distinctive and memorable vacation. A stay at a B&B is also more personal than at a hotel. You’ll get to know the homeowner by name and be treated like an individual rather than a booking number.

If you stay in a B&B in Victoria, you’ll enjoy stunning examples of the city’sYoga and spa services are offered at
Amoré by the Sea (David Spence) heritage architecture. Some of the finest B&Bs are found in the prestigious Rockland district, an area renowned for its tree-shaded streets and Victorian and Edwardian mansions.

Lavish breakfasts are another stand-out feature of Victoria’s B&Bs, says Ian MacPhee, who runs Abbeymoore Manor, a stellar inn situated across the street from Government House in Rockland. “Gourmet breakfasts are a big part of the appeal of Victoria B&Bs,” he says. “Most serve multi-course breakfasts and many of the owners have published their own cookbooks.”

Should you choose to book a stay at Abbeymoore, you’ll get to sample delights such as banana praline muffins, roasted red pepper and asparagus frittata and fresh Dungeness crab and goat cheese omelets with pan-seared potatoes. It’s no surprise that guests and guidebooks rave about this popular inn.

Albion Manor’s inviting ambience
welcomes visitors (Don Halton)There’s no shortage of character in any of Victoria’s B&Bs but Albion Manor in the James Bay neighbourhood simply oozes personality. Artists and hosts Fernando Garcia and Don Halton have turned their home, which is a registered historical landmark, into an international treasure trove. The walls are adorned with original artwork and every room boasts carvings, sculptures and antiques from faraway places such as Papua New Guinea, Korea, Morocco and Thailand.

Enjoy a spectacular change of scenery in the English country garden and if you can bear to pull yourself away from your private patio, terrace or balcony, you can reach downtown, the ocean and the Parliament Buildings within minutes.

Lounge in the hot tub and admire the views and the wildlife at Amoré by the Sea, located 20 minutes from downtown on Victoria’s West Shore. This spa-style retreat offers twice daily Hatha yoga sessions and spa services include massage and facials. Rated highly as a romantic getaway in numerous travel surveys, elegant interiors and a relaxed ambience are the hallmarks of this oceanside hideaway.

For those who want to combine the personal touch with the standard of facilities offered by the best hotels, Victoria’s inns will not disappoint, says Ian MacPhee. “The overall quality of B&Bs in Victoria is very high and every year the bar is raised with more and more creature comforts added to rooms.”

The Iris Room at Abbeymoore
Manor (Helen Elizabeth Schnare)Whether you want to stay at a majestic mansion or an intimate family home, you can take the guesswork out of booking a B&B by going to www.bestbnbvictoria.com or www.bcsbestbnbs.com. All properties featured on these websites have been inspected and approved.