I have seen many Heavy Metal concerts including bands like Judas Priest Slayer and Marilyn Manson…read moreand ZZ Top and I loved it. A perfect concert venue.

We have been to various events here at the save on foods memorial centre. Always has been a clean…read moreand enjoyable experience. The staffing has been super helpful. Great seating wherever you sit in the centre and tons of video screens so you don't miss a beat even if you have to leave your seat.

I first stayed at this stately hotel many years ago, when my youngest kid was a baby (so....24-25…read moreyears ago. Wow!). I remember having to order a crib for our hotel room, and how accommodating the staff were at that time. Our family had a wonderful stay here, so long ago. And since then, whenever I've visited Victoria, it's been impossible NOT to pass this gorgeous hotel by, as it sits on a huge chunk of prime real estate, on Government Street, overlooking the inner harbor and across the street (kitty corner) from the majestic Parliament Building. And the hotel itself is quite majestic, reminiscent of a castle, really. I think it is one of the most famous and most beautiful hotels in all of Canada. The hotel is known for its high tea service on the weekends, and for its posh hospitality and service. Of course, one must expect to pay top dollar for all this, plus this prime location, but to many, it is worth it. I recently returned to this hotel for a wedding and boy, I was impressed. The ceremony was held on the south lawn and it was gorgeous. What a fabulous venue, with a view of the harbor and the Parliament Building, with all the flowers and chairs on the impeccable green grass, surrounded by all the well-kept bushes and trees, with the stunning hotel as our backdrop. After we were all ushered through the gorgeous main floor and by the stunning lobby to a ballroom for cocktails and dinner. The room was large enough to accommodate all the tables for us diners as well as a large dance floor, plus room for the live musicians and the dj too. Yet despite the open and spacious configuration of the space, it felt intimate, thanks to the lighting and lay-out of tables. And the hotel staff were unbelievable. Seriously, if you plan on hosting an important and/or formal event in Victoria, you should definitely consider this venue. There is not one aspect of the event or evening I could find fault with. I thought the washrooms were beautiful. I loved the high end shops on the main floor (bummer that they were closed when I was there. I would have loved to check out some of the kick-ass purses and clutches on display in the windows). I loved the hotel lobby with the stunning organic mesh art installation suspended from the ceiling. I loved the genteel wood-paneled, gentlemen's club-like lounge....I really loved it all.

Didn't stay at the hotel, but paid a visit to the hotel lounge. Beautiful view, historic building…read moreand excellent service (the host went above and beyond to make sure we got the seating we liked in order to watch a sports game. Thank you for the accommodation.!) Two complaints 1) lounge was understaffed. Between services. there were not enough cleaning, and the couch and the table were greasy and dirty. 2) I didn't enjoy the cocktails. Didn't like the gin & yuzu cocktail (too strong and lacked flavor) or the leechy cocktail (too sweet and heavily syrupy). It was a pity that I tried two out of five signature cocktails, and wasn't happy with any of them and they were pricey.

Gorgeous spot! Ocean views, vineyards, gardens, patio, but book in advance! If you can't though,…read morethere's a lovely public seating area outside where you can just buy a bottle to enjoy on your own

This is a unique family owned business in Victoria. We got the non-alcoholic flight of ciders and…read morethe traditional apple cider was our favorite. The service was prompt and efficient. We sat on the back patio which had incredible views, including seeing Mount Baker in the distance that was completely snow covered. We got a short interesting story of their business. We stopped here after a visit to butchart gardens, which is recommended too. Enjoy!

I have been to lots of fairs, but I have to say that this is one of the largest I've been too…read more This is western Canada's oldest continuous agricultural fair. The fair takes about 8 months to organize for 3 days. There are so many things to see: 1) draft horses, mini horses, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, goats and a whole lot of other barnyard animals 2) horse shows, poultry showmanship, and donkey parades 3) fresh fruits and vegetables and pies and cakes to buy at the market 4) lots of roller coasters....... and food what's great is lots of free parking and fun for the whole family !!!

Atmosphere and service were great, but the food itself was just average…read more It's tucked away in a quiet corner near UVic, so it can be a little tricky to find the first time. But that's also what makes it a bit of a hidden gem. There's a courtyard and a pond right inside the restaurant. The vibe feels like a lodge nestled in a scenic spot. The servers were nice and attentive. The menu was pretty varied too, going beyond basic burgers and sandwiches to include tacos, poke bowls, etc. Overall it was a pleasant experience, but the food fell short compared to specialty spots. It wasn't bad, just not quite good enough to call delicious either. That said, the plating was very appetizing. A nice spot to eat surrounded by quiet, green forest scenery. Just don't go in expecting specialty-restaurant-level flavor.

I've been to the University Club a few times now for school functions and I absolutely love the…read morelocation. It's nestled into the trees outside of the University's ring road and sat a little bit lower on the hill, so it truly makes it feel like a destination in and of itself. When you look out the windows at the fountain in the middle of the pond, or out at the trees surrounding the building on all sides, it adds a certain degree of mysticism and fantasy to the location. The appetizers that this location provides for functions are absolutely splendid. I believe the caterers are university employees as the quality has kept up every time that I've been. Last time around, the food that stood out the most to me was the prosciutto wrapped asparagus spears, which I had on a fun plate full of other delicious, relatively upscale tasters. This visit, I also had the time to go and get an $8 flight with some wonderful beers in it. I had the Hoyne Dark Matter, a Blue Buck, Category 12 Critical Point, and a Fat Tug IPA. I hadn't tried the Critical Point before this and I thought it was incredible. Altogether, I thought that my combination for the flight was a great balance of lights and darks, from hoppy beers to heavy beers. Later that night, after food, I also enjoyed a glass of Peller Estates' Merlot, which I always enjoy. The inside of the Club has a lovely wood cabin feel, which fits the aesthetic of the environment perfectly. They still manage to dress this venue up, however, by using a mix of crisp tablecloths and exposed wood, complete with a gorgeous zen garden in the middle of the building, with windows looking out towards it. For this reason, the Club is shaped like a ring, with windows looking inside towards the garden, as well as outside towards the trees. Lovely building design, complete with a breathtaking environment and great decoration. I'm looking forward to getting some awesome photos of the University Club next time I'm there on a beautiful blue day so that I can back up my initial description because, after all, a photo IS worth 1000 words. ;)

Great food, service & perfect ambience! Its location in these Japanese gardens is unique. Would…read morehighly recommend for lunch & tea!!!

The gardens were fantastic! Well maintained with close in trails that give it a very close in…read moresecret garden feel. There is also a trail suitable for wheelchairs and other assistive devices. This is not a really large garden, but very well designed and laid out. The variety of species is fantastic and the flowering blossoms are everywhere. The tea itself is a different story as I'm a bit of a tea snob. There are no menus or choices for sandwiches or type of tea. I found the tea sandwiches to be dry and stale bread. Being a tea snob, I also prefer private seatings instead of 8 strangers at a table all reaching into the same tower of sandwiches for choices you didn't get to make. Non Europeans just don't understand the finer points of tea. This 'European seating' of strangers sharing a table works for western ideas of pubs, not for an afternoon tea. Five stars for the garden. 2 stars for the stale sandwiches and tepid unknown tea with no cozies or leaves strainers or spoons or choices...

This was our third stay at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel since 2014, and it is truly impressive how…read morewell-maintained the property is. The rooms look just as fresh and modern as they did a decade ago, and the beds are incredibly comfortable. We love staying in this part of Victoria because it is so walkable, with beautiful parks and charming local spots like The Village nearby. It's also a fantastic dog-friendly option, which made it easy to bring our two pups along for my mom's 70th birthday celebration. While the staff was fantastic and the mineral pools--especially the glass-roofed sauna with views of the ocean--remain a highlight, we did run into some frustrations. The AC struggled to get below 69°F in any of the three rooms we booked, leading to some restless nights. We also had the misfortune of being next to a very loud group that made it difficult to enjoy our outdoor space. The front desk was helpful enough to intercede at 10 PM so our son could finally get to sleep, but the thin walls and noise levels were disappointing given the premium rate. Overall, it is a stunning hotel in a perfect location, but the climate control and soundproofing issues were a bit of a letdown for this particular trip. It remains a beautiful spot for a family getaway, but we're hoping for a quieter and cooler experience next time.

Beautiful hotel located in tranquil oak bay, I can't think of a nicer location for a quick weekend…read moregetaway. Rebuilt a few years ago, they kept the original charm of what feels like a fairmont property. There is a lovely pool area with mineral pools and small beach access area. Gym is open 24 hours, there are quite a few options for coffee, cocktails and dining. Our room was spacious with an ocean view, if you open the door you can hear the water running to shore from the balcony. The king size bed was just the right amount of firmness, plush bedding was very comfortable. Small fireplace with wall mounted tv above had a good selection of stations. Big soaker tub with sliding peek a boo doors to the bedroom means you can soak and watch tv or chat with your roomie. Large shower, double sinks and separate toilet area was nice. They have Babor amenity bath and shower products. Nespresso machine with pods and real creamers in fridge, microwave and cooktop for those who want to cook in room. Plush robes and bath salts are a nice touch. Room was $500+, so amenities and comfort were commensurate.

We had a great 3 night stay and do recommend Abigail's. Our stay was quiet, peaceful and…read moreenjoyable. Room 301B was very comfortable, roomy and well appointed. The breakfasts provided are not to be missed. The breakfast menu had something for everybody, and the quality of the food and service was outstanding. Even the afternoon appetizer was really good. The service at Abigail's is one of the main reasons we liked it, with the staff seeming willing to do just about anything to accommodate. Not a hotel for kids and pets, but if you like classy and old school, Abigail's is the place.

Abigail's Hotel is just so nice! Their extraordinary hospitality began with a phone call we made a…read morefew months before our trip (which was answered by a real and knowledgeable person). I wanted to gut-check our plan to take the ferry from Seattle, use Uber to get to their hotel (and could we please leave our luggage up front since we'd arrive before check in? - to which the answer was, "of course you can!"), and then use Uber all around town. The very pleasant woman I spoke with (those months before arriving) assured me that our plan should work splendidly, and they looked forward to having us. Upon arrival, we were greeted by two of the nicest front desk people, who took our luggage for storage, then found our room had indeed been cleaned as early as possible and was in fact ready for us for early check in immediately! The property itself is reminiscent of a period of taste and attention to detail that seldom exists any more. Our room was beautiful: spacious, with two separate bathroom sinks and a separate jetted tub and walk-in shower, plus a small sitting area and plenty of space! So nicely appointed with everything in its place, and everything working. The entire lobby and library/lounge area was also beautifully appointed, and so homey and inviting. And breakfast - included with the room - was elaborate and scrumptious. Each day features both sweet and savory options; for example, pancakes, or eggs and bacon. My wife and I got one of each and shared them. It was all delectable. And each day's menu, specially prepared and printed for that day, includes a weather forecast for the day - even with temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit! We had such a wonderful stay that we hated to leave. We'd look forward to visiting Victoria again and would definitely choose Abigail's hotel again!!