A Downtown Victoria Ocean View Bed and Breakfast

We stayed 2 nights at Downtown Victoria Ocean View bed and breakfast. It is conveniently located in the residential area, took us about 15 minutes to walk to downtown. The guest room was clean but very small, especially the TV is tiny. The hostess was friendly, but left us feeling uncomfortable. She watched us eating breakfast and reminded us not to eat too much, because more guests were expected. Otherwise everything else was ok.

Our room was small, but I believe we had one of the smallest rooms. It was very clean. The website advertised tea, coffee, electric kettle, and fridge in room. I was disappointed with the tea selection...there was just some cheap black tea. I would prefer some herbal alternatives. Breakfast was just ok according to my "foodie" standards. The fruit salad was very good, but the bread/English muffins were just cheap products from Costco. The coffee was organic which is a plus, and the view from the owner's suite (where breakfast was served) had a lovely ocean view. However, I heard from the owner that she is turning the place into a guest house with just rooms and no longer serving breakfast. Overall, it was a good value for Victoria.

This isn't really a B&B; it's the first floor of a woman's house, partially in the basement. The rooms are clean and it's a safe place to stay, but not worth the B&B price. It's also not at all walkable to downtown. The owner means well, but can't stop herself from talking--she sat down for breakfast with us and continued talking. Given a lower price, it would have met my expectations, but as is it's a bit of a let down.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Very interesting comments! My prices have always been a lot lower than any hotel in the area! Also wondering which website you were looking at since mine has so many pictures and written descriptions. One mile to downtown is the distance, I also have a map on the website! A true Bed and Breakfast is someone's house to begin with. Yes, this is a two story house perched high up on a rock, no place to dig a basement! All rooms are garden level, some with french doors to a private patio! Yes, I sit with the guests at breakfast in my suite to give tips on places to visit, good restaurants etc. Room prices have been lowered even more now since the prices used to include a full help yourself breakfast in our beautiful ocean and mountain view dining room of fresh fruit salad, yogurt, cereal, milk, cream, egg dish, scones or raisin bread or spouted seed toast or croissants as well as bottomless organic coffee! I've now changed things around whereby the new lowered room prices do not include breakfast so guests can either purchase the breakfast outlined on our web site or go to a restaurant of their choice!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

All in all, a wonderful place to stay. Beautiful surroundings and delicious food and warm hostess. A bravo in my book!

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Thank you for taking the time to write such a great review! It makes all the effort worthwhile to be appreciated!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

Nice location, great view of the Olympics, excellent hostess.

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Thank you for taking the time to write such a great review! It makes the effort to provide guests with a comfortable place to stay at a reasonable price. We'll be changing things next year, we've lowered the prices and are making breakfast "optional" meaning folks can either purchase breakfast here or to go out for some variety!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

Room was clean and comfortable but had a heavy dill scent which was slightly annoying. Area was quiet and not too far from downtown by car. If you're into light breakfasts of flax seed porridge and locks this is the place for you. The host was friendly and the overall experience was alright but nothing special. A little overpriced and would not stay here again.

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Thank you for taking the time to write a review! The garden was in full bloom and the flowers beneath the window had a very strong scent which wafted into the room! Our breakfast consists of bottomless cup of organic coffee or tea, fresh fruit salad, yogurts, cereal and an "extra" which that day was "bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon, restaurant value of at least $15 per person. We also have a page with "pictures" of our breakfast. My rates are way below nearby hotels not including breakfasts !

- Yvette (innkeeper)

We thoroughly enjoyed our two-night stay here in the "Garden Suite". Yvette is a very warm, interesting and helpful host who made great breakfasts. The location is ideally close to the walkway along the water, which will take you right into downtown. Our only regret is that we didn't have time to use the Hot Tub.

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Thank you for taking the time to write a review! It was a pleasure having you here and I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed yourselves!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

Great location. We enjoyed the walk along the bay to the downtown area!

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Thank you for taking the time to write a review! It was a pleasure having you here and I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed yourselves!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

I was more than pleased when I arrived. Bed was more comfortable than mine at home, Breakfast was wonderful and plentiful, Walk along the water was just 2 short blocks away, and the walk along the harbour to downtown was a beautiful 40 minutes. Very pleasant. Good tips on shopping took me to a nice gallery full of local artists. Thank you.

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Thank you for taking the time to write a review! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed yourself and it was a pleasure to have you here!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

We had a fabulous visit and could not have picked a better place to stay!

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Thank you for taking the time to write a review! It is much appreciated. It was a pleasure having you here and I'm so glad to see you enjoyed yourselves!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

Yvette made our stay very special! Her hospitality, outstanding service, creativity and knowledge of the city were very much appreciated! The Hot Tub added a romantic touch! Bella and Edward

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Dear Bella and Edward Thank you for taking the time to write a review! It was a pleasure having you both here! Sorry to see you didn't think what you paid for the Intimate Queen was good value!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

Yummy and healthy food served at 9 AM while dining in innkeeper's private kitchen and private balcony. Good place for the price, however, I would not consider it "downtown" nor having "an ocean view" except when you're at breakfast. I found the name a tad misleading, however, Yvette was extremely helpful with sightseeing, dining, and travel tips. Comfy bed and overall clean, modern appearance.

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Thank you for taking the time to write a review! It was a pleasure having you here. Sorry you felt mislead thinking your room would have an oceanview but all my descriptions state rooms have garden views and the oceanview is from the dining room at breakfast! Please compare my room prices with those of nearby hotels to see "the real value"

- Yvette (innkeeper)

Dining rating average as no dining was experienced. Beautiful walkway near property. Hot tub was great for weary travelers. Yvette was gracious and welcoming.

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We had a $99 no breakfast special where rooms were discounted at a minimum of $36 per night during some slow days in June and beginning of July. Our Intimate Queen Rooms are fully equipped with ensuite bathroom, fridge, kettle, instant coffee, tea bags, tea pot, top of the line beds and high end cotton bedding, so we thought we were offering above average for the special low price!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

A Downtown Bed and Breakfast in Victoria was not what we expected in a b & b. First, it is not in Downtown Victoria--it is in West Victoria. That was the least of our disappointments, however. It is fairly convenient to Downtown, but only by driving or by a lengthy walk. But what sort of b & b doesn't serve breakfast to its guests? There was no one in attendance during our stay; we picked up a note taped to the front door explaining the entrance code and where our room was located. That was fine. But scrawled on the note was the caveat that our room rate did not include breakfast. That had never been stated either on the website or in the confirmation email we received. We could order breakfast at an additional $12.50/person (Canadian). In addition, no one ever straightened our room during our 2-day stay. We were happy to see that they subscribe to the "Don't Throw in the Towel" energy conservation program, so we didn't expect clean towels each of the two days. But we certainly expected someone to straighten the bedding, empty the trash, and leave clean drinking/wine glasses for us. For our experience--our first and maybe only visit to Victoria--the "Downtown Bed and Breakfast in Victoria" was an adequate place to sleep and shower. No hospitality was extended, other than gaining access to our room. A strange way to run a bed and breakfast establishment.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Seems some of the guests who took advantage of our $99 no breakfast specials were expecting a lot more!!! Oh well!! We did note on our website alongside the rooms on special that the $99 special did not include breakfast. These rooms were discounted $36 per night during some slow days in June and beginning of July! We had lots of other choices where guests could book a room including breakfast at a higher cost of course! We also have a written reminder for the guests to please place the "make up room" sign on their door knob to invite us in to clean their room! We respect people's privacy and certainly don't want to walk in uninvited and embarass someone. We assume that if there is no sign up the guests don't want us in the room ... we've been here doing the same thing for 20 years. All our advertising states that we are located 1 mile from Old Town and Chinatown. One of the most beautiful walks along Victoria's famous Inner Harbour or one can walk along the main road .. one mile! We also clearly explain that we have a self check in system for guests convenience since we have six rooms arriving at all different times. I'm here most of the time but I'm very quiet since I don't want to disturb my guests!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

very nice B&B location 30 minute walk to inner harbour --but ferry only 15 minute walk --room was small but functional and very clean the bed very comfortable--breakfast was very good and our host very welcoming and informative --overall an excellent stay

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Thank you for taking the time to give us a review! We're so happy you enjoyed yourselves in our Intimate Queen Room ... that's why we call it intimate since it's "compact" If you're ever back in this corner of the world please try our Deluxe King Garden Patio Room it's much larger and you get your own garden patio with a couple of chairs and a table.

- Yvette (innkeeper)

The driving approach to this B abd B is a little disconcerting, as the neigborhood is in transition. Our hostess is professional and knowledgeable, with 20 years experience here. The view at breakfast is outstanding, overlooking the ocean. The B and B has no common areas indoors to congregate, but otherwise we would strongly recommend it.

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Thank you for taking the time to write a review and the recommendation! Funny you should mention our neighborhood ... since it's a residential/semi commercial pockets along downtown. You would probably be aghast at the real estate prices which range from $500,000.00 and up .. mostly up .. We've compared what we offer for our prices with other Bed and Breakfasts here in Victoria and we've always tried to offer a little more for a little less. We have a couple of areas where folks can get together, which is a beautiful gazebo as well as a large hot tub in the garden! Unfortunately this year the weather hasn't been too warm so it hasn't been ideal to spend time outdoors. Other B & B's have common areas but they are larger properties who also charge quite a bit more for their rooms. We try our best here and work hard to keep the rooms and bathrooms spotlessly clean!

- Yvette (innkeeper)

I visit my daughter in Victoria every year staying in various B&B,s. I first stayed here spring of 2010 and fell in love with the place as well as it's perfect location. Every day after a fantastic breakfast I enjoyed the nice walk along the ocean boardwalk to my daughters. Yvette is full of tips on places to go and things to see, looking forward to my stay again next year.

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Thank you for your kindness in taking the time to write this review it feels so wonderful to be appreciated and of course to know how much you enjoyed staying at An Ocean View Victoria Bed and Breakfast.

- Yvette (Innkeeper)

This is no doubt one of the most enjoyable B&Bs that we have been to. Yvette Craig was extremely helpful and acommodative when we found ourselves somewhat handicapped and in need of a bit more support than is expected. Highly recommended.

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Thank you for writing and posting this kind review on An Ocean View Bed and Breakfast! It's so nice to see appreciation!

- Yvette (Innkeeper)

Everything was outstanding. The room was great, the breakfast was delicious and the host was really nice. Helped make our stay in Victoria unforgettable. You will not regret deciding to stay there. The hot tub is sweet too.

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Thank you for your wonderful review. I'm glad to see I helped a little to make your vacation pleasant!

- Yvette (Innkeeper)

Very nice hostess was a great help in getting around to see the sights, very quiet well maintained and very nice fellow guests

Very well appointed B n' B!! We stayed there 3 nights, July 23-25,2010 incl.We appreciated that each room has its own private bathroom! The Garden Patio room was immaculate, clean, well maintained.The garden area in back along with the large hot tub was a beautiful spot to relax. The breakfasts were delicious each morning and with the wonderful views at breakfast overlooking the ocean harbor, and enjoying the large patio and sun room with other guests at bkfst, we wished we could stay longer!! Our host was wonderful and provided some great "tips" on not only the best things to see and do, but also the best TIME to go! Seeing the Butchart Gardens "lit up" in later evening we would have otherwise missed! Now our friends want to stay there! Thanks for a wonderful stay! We will be back!!

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Wow! Thank you! So many compliments makes me feel good all over! I'm so lucky to have a job like this since I have the good fortune of having happy customers like you!!

- Yvette (Innkeeper)

Dear Yvette Thank you so much for the wonderful experience you created for us. Your Ocean View B & B was the highlight of our trip and the perfect ending to a perfect vacation. I'm sure you've made many people happy over the years. We so enjoyed getting to know you. Best of everything in the future!

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Thank you for posting this review! I'm so happy you enjoyed your stay here and thank you for all the good wishes!

- Yvette (Innkeeper)