Inn at Laurel Point

The Inn at Laurel Point is located on a beautiful property positioned near the entrance to Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The location is ideal for visitors, away from the traffic and noise of downtown but just a short walk to the Royal BC Museum, Government Street, Fisherman’s Wharf the beaches of Dallas Road and the urban oasis of Beacon Hill Park. The original hotel was built in the 1970’s, and though the Erickson Wing was added 25 years ago in 1989, the forward looking design by renowned Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson has imparted it with a very current look and feel.

Click to Enlarge

We chose to pay a little more to stay in the Erickson Wing and we didn’t regret it. Erickson’s design does a remarkable job of connecting the building interior to the outside environment while providing an exceptional sense of space and light. These attributes continue into the rooms which provide excellent privacy through the use of wide halls, deep entry foyers and solid construction.

 While the accommodation easily meets our “triple crown” standing, it is the view from the suite that provides the real magic, even for locals like us. 

Click to Enlarge

Room rates vary from $99 to $219 in the off-season, and $175 to $330 in the peak of summer (our room coming in at $149 in February). The room we stayed in was called a Studio Suite King, which to me suggest an accommodation with a separate bedroom and/or some form of basic kitchen facility. Our room had neither and might have better been  dubbed a Studio King (if you want a true suite with a separate bedroom, a “Bedroom Suite” or “Terrace Bedroom Suite” is what you’re looking for). That being said what we did get was a very spacious hotel room with modern clean lines, European mid-century style furnishings and a massive bathroom with soaker tub and separate glass shower stall. The suite includes high definition cable with optional on demand movies, a coffee/tea maker and a very responsive and efficient heating/air condition system (no noisy “through the wall” AC unit here).

All your pressing needs are accommodated, whether it be the call of nature, a call to your loved ones, or both at once!

The property and the rooms have other notable attributes. The Laurel Point’s restaurant Aura (click here for review) prepares top notch food served in a sophisticated romantic environment with terrific harbour views. There is a small but pleasant indoor swimming pool, though no hot tub or sauna. Wi-Fi service is free but on premise parking will cost you approximately $20 a day extra. The rooms include 2 cozy plush robes and Aveda bathroom products, and the patios include comfortable outdoor furniture and sun shades to control the direct afternoon sunlight, while blackout curtains with proper overlap are provided for night time.

Click to Enlarge

While the accommodation easily meets our “triple crown” standing, it is the view from the suite that provides the real magic, even for locals like us. A comfortable chaise lounge and armchair with ottoman are situated near the massive floor to ceiling windows which provide a stunning view of the Inner Harbour and the Sooke Hills beyond. Even more inviting was the large, private balcony which offers the same jaw dropping outlook while also treating you to a view of the hotel grounds below featuring a calming Japanese style waterfall and pond. Our stay took place on a cold February evening and we still lingered on the balcony for as long as we could.

Monty not impressed with the Pool Rules

There is a public walkway that winds its way around the water’s edge in front of the Laurel Point Inn and it is our favourite spot to stroll on a warm summer evening, or to sit on the adjacent grassy slope overlooking the mouth of the harbour. The sun sets directly across from this spot and as it dips behind the western hills it often paints the sky in a bright pink glow before receding to warm orange as night falls. In the peak season the harbour is alive with a continuous ballet of kayakers, water taxis, seaplanes, yachts and ferries. On the shore locals on foot and wheel linger on the pathways that run from Fisherman’s Wharf all the way to downtown , while gulls, herons and seals scour the shallows for an evening snack.

Click to Worship at the altar of Monty

Our balcony overlooked this exact spot and I can only imagine the pleasure of reclining above on our private patio in the height of summer, sipping a glass of wine and watching this glorious nightly spectacle unfold. We will mention one drawback to sleeping so close to our bustling harbour – the seaplanes begin their departures and arrivals at 7:00 am on weekdays and 8:00 on weekends – a noisy affair  which could be a problem for those recovering from a late night out on the town. Never mind, call up room service and enjoy breakfast on the balcony while the cool morning breeze revitalizes you and gets you ready for another day of Horsing Around in Victoria.