EXPERIENCE THIS HIDDEN GEM IN VICTORIA ON VANCOUVER ISLAND

Victoria BC is a true one-of-a-kind land on the Pacific coast. Surrounded by water and full of adventure, Victoria finds itself nestled between the tranquil waters of the Salish Sea and the mighty rainforests of Vancouver Island. Discover boutique hotels fit for a queen, world-class attractions, and fresh farm-to-table dining that’s measured on a scale of meters, not miles.

PARKSIDE HOTEL & SPA

Centrally located in the heart of downtown, The Parkside Hotel & Spa is one of Victoria’s favorite places to sleep, gather, and play. Whether in town for business, a spa-cation, a leisure stay, or a celebratory retreat, the all-suite Victoria Hotel is ready to take on your travel needs. Parkside Hotel’s location is perfect because guests can easily walk to incredible restaurants, museums, historical buildings, and much more!

Disclaimer: This article is in partnership with Parkside Hotel & Spa, but as always, all opinions and thoughts are my own. This post also features some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your love and support!

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE AT PARKSIDE HOTEL & SPA?

The rooms are absolutely incredible offering guests huge suite-style living in the heart of Victoria. Bring your own groceries because the suites have full kitchens with large refrigerators for plenty of goodies. Watch TV in the spacious living room and then cuddle into bed in a separate bedroom! Let’s not forget about the balconies for enjoying the gorgeous weather with a cup of coffee. Looking to stay in for an evening after a day full of exploring? Be sure to call the front desk and order a pizza you can cook in your suite — it was great!

WHAT ARE THE AMENITIES LIKE AT PARKSIDE HOTEL & SPA?

The amenities at Parkside Hotel are incredible! From high-quality spa treatments and massages which we took advantage of, to a gorgeous art gallery with local art from Canadian artists (found my favorite artist, Jordan Fritz, this way), to an incredible rooftop with firepits for roasting homemade s’mores.

GRAB BREAKFAST AT TRE FANTASTICO

Tre Fantastico which is located on the bottom floor of Parkside Hotel & Spa began by focusing on three (tre) of their favorite beverages: espresso, ale, and wine. Today they have an amazing British Columbia wine list, with a focus on Vancouver Island, a fun and approachable selection of local craft ales, and of course, their coffee remains a staple at any Fantastico table. Their menu reflects an inviting array of beverages featuring thoughtful, locally-driven cooking. We enjoyed their breakfast sandwich, bagel with salmon, iced chai, and an oatmilk latte.

THINGS TO DO AROUND VICTORIA BC

SEE ORCA WHALES FROM A LUXURY BOAT

SpringTide provides whale-watching tours that have captivated adventure seekers & wildlife enthusiasts from around the world for over 28 years.🐳 Family-owned & operated, SpringTide is recommended as Victoria’s best whale-watching tour company. All tours are currently running on a luxury 60-foot Ocean Cruiser. Sit inside, outside, or on the top deck with the Captain – the viewing options are all terrific! What’s especially unique, are side decks running the whole length of the boat – lots of room to move, view, and take that perfect picture.📸

Photos from: victoriawhalewatching.com

EXPERIENCE A VICTORIA HIGH TEA AT FAIRMONT EMPRESS

Steeped in British history, Victoria has been rich in tea culture since the 1840s when the British first introduced the prestigious practice. In true Victorian style, this time-honored tradition is alive and well, with some modern West Coast flair mixed in: Think local honey produced in rooftop apiaries, exotic-infused teas, and Asian-influenced menus. While in Victoria visiting the Fairmont Empress is an absolute must! This famous hotel has served England’s most beloved ritual of afternoon tea to famed royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries alike. Reinvigorated in their timeless, sophisticated lobby lounge, tea at The Empress will continue to be a quintessential Victoria experience.

Photo from: fairmont.com/empress-victoria

THE DINING ROOM AT BUTCHART GARDENS

High tea at Butchart Gardens is an absolute must while on Vancouver Island because of its elegance and the beauty it’s surrounded by being in the center of these famous gardens. This high tea is more affordable than most in the area however, you do have to pay for garden admission to get in but it’s 100% worth it. In addition, it is HIGHLY recommended to make reservations, especially for weekends. Many people will get turned away so making a reservation is pretty much a necessity.

STROLL THROUGH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GARDENS

Enjoy 55 acres of gardens year-round at the beautiful Butchart Gardens – it’s truly an influencer's dream!🌸 In Spring, countless tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths provide an abundance of fragrance and color. In summer, the rose garden, night illuminations, and evening entertainment are perfect for friends, families, and even date nights. Named a National Historic Site of Canada in 2004, The Butchart Gardens have been in bloom for over 100 years and are well worth a visit!

EXPLORE THESE EPIC BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA

Overlooking Victoria's majestic Inner Harbor, the Parliament Buildings and surrounding areas are located in the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people. Visitors are invited to discover the architectural splendor of the Parliament Buildings and learn about British Columbia's Legislative Assembly. The Parliament Buildings are open for free guided tours on weekdays throughout the year and seven days a week during the summer. These buildings are truly something spectacular and very hard to miss while driving around Victoria.

VISIT ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS CHINATOWNS

Victoria‘s Chinatown is a testament to the resiliency of the culture and traditions brought to Canada by Chinese immigrants more than 150 years ago. These days, Chinatown proudly stands out in the downtown landscape of BC’s capital. As one gets closer to the Gate of Harmonious Interest, the ornately decorated arch marking the entrance to Chinatown’s center on Fisgard Street, the neighborhood’s presence is revealed: bold colors of lucky red and gold, distinct architecture, and business names written in Chinese on shop windows. It’s an absolute MUST while in Victoria and some of the best Asian cuisine we’ve ever had!

Photo 1 from: hellobc.com Photo 2 from: namtblog.com

STROLL THROUGH THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM

The Royal BC Museum Corporation is one of Canada’s greatest cultural treasures. The museum was founded in 1886; the archives, in 1894. In 2003, these two organizations joined to become British Columbia’s combined provincial museum and archives, collecting artifacts, documents, and specimens of British Columbia’s natural and human history, safeguarding them for the future, and sharing them with the world. The Royal BC Museum is definitely a place to spend some time as it’s quite large and immersive. It’s definitely a place for the entire family while visiting Victoria and a wonderful place to learn about British Columbia and Canada.

VISIT THIS FAMOUS CASTLE NEAR VICTORIA

Hatley Castle is an absolute must-visit while on Vancouver Island, especially if you’re near Victoria. This castle has been featured in numerous famous films such as X-Men, Arrow, Smallville, UnReal, Supernatural, and more! The nerd in you will definitely be screaming! The castle is open for tours during the spring and summer months and the gardens next to it. If you’re visiting in the fall or winter, no worries because you can still walk around the property and admire it’s beauty.

WHERE TO EAT AROUND VICTORIA

HAVE DINNER INSIDE THIS OLD BANK TURNED RESTAURANT

With a rich history and arguably the most beautiful room in Victoria, Bard & Banker provides the very best in food, drink, and music. The Executive Chef has created a full-service menu that is hardy, fast, locally sourced when possible, and made from scratch. He keeps things fresh and fun by creating new daily specials and features each week. Find the perfect drink to satisfy your thirst with everything from their mimosa towers, 31 craft and import taps, and handcrafted cocktails to their award-winning wine list. Whether it’s brunch, date night with your love, or a late night out, you’re sure to have a wonderful time at Bard & Banker.

EXPLORE THE SHOPS AND VENDORS AT FISHERMAN’S WHARF

Experience the charm of Fisherman's Wharf not too far from Parkside Hotel. It's just a stone's throw away from Victoria's Inner Harbour and a leisurely 10-minute stroll from The Breakwater District at Ogden Point cruise ship terminal. Browse through eclectic stores or embark on eco-tour adventures in the bustling heart of this working harbor. Stroll along the docks while enjoying a local meal, or pick up the freshest seafood right from the boat. Take a gander at luxurious pleasure vessels and charming float homes or watch commercial fishing boats unload their delicious bounty. Whether you're a local, a traveler, or fresh off a cruise ship, you’ll definitely want to explore the world-renowned Victoria Fisherman's Wharf.

GRAB THIS DELICIOUS CANADIAN SNACK

L’Authentique Poutine and Burgers will serve you the best poutine and burgers in Victoria straight from the center of Quebec. Poutine was created in the owner, Sebastian’s hometown of Warwick, Quebec in 1957. Growing up with the true taste of poutine paired with several years of experience working at his local cheese factory and helping his father in the restaurant industry is what led to L’Authentique’s genuine recipes. There is nothing better than fresh local cheese on top of hand-cut crispy potatoes and they have created their very own poutine menu unique to Victoria. This location is right in the heart of downtown and easily walkable from most places to stay in the city!

GRAB A BEER AT THIS INCREDIBLE BREWERY

If you’re a fan of sour beers then look no further than Île Sauvage. Île Sauvage is French for “Wild Island” and is a dual reference to the wilderness of Vancouver Island and their main focus on Belgian-style wild ales and sour beers. they make use of Kveik, Lactobacillus, and Brettanomyces fermentations, as well as secondary fermentations with fruit — which we’re big fans of! The brewery consists of a combination of stainless steel tanks and an assortment of oak-aging vessels which you’ll see when you walk in. Their main goal as a brewery is to release beers that excite them and their palates; therefore, a lot of the beers make use of fermentation-derived flavors, dry-hopping, and local fruit refermentations. If this is your style then be sure to try as many as you can via their beer flights.

GRAB A DRINK AT THIS SPACE-THEMED SPEAKEASY

Riddled with superstition, divination, and charms, the port of Artemis located in outer space is a wicked place for whiskey and cocktails. The power of a magical book will unlock the speakeasy for you to be transported to another planet where you can enjoy numerous whiskey cocktails among other delectable drinks. Somewhere between alchemy, science, and mixology exists the mysterious art of their bartenders they call Taskmasters. This speakeasy is definitely an experience for the imaginative and the drinks are very good!

Photos 1, 4, & 5 from: artemiswhiskey.ca

Overall, from the moment we walked into Parkside Hotel & Spa to the moment we left, we were treated like royalty! The hotel was such a lovely experience and a hotel we’ll absolutely recommend to friends wanting to stay right in the heart of Vancouver.

XOXO