Our family ate lunch at the harbor house because my folks went there 33 years ago while they were in victoria for their honeymoon. We had a wonderful lunch experience. The experience started by walking around the garden and checking out their vegetables. The restaurant is farm to table and proud of featuring responsibly sourced ingredients. Our waiter was a very nice man - great sense of humor, informative about the menu, etc. We got the beet salad to start, lamb stew in a Yorkshire pudding, deconstructed halibut ravioli, and the chocolate lasagna. Also worth noting they had some great local beers on tap - I got the stout and it was wonderful with the stew. My wife got the rose and it complimented the ravioli nicely. I have to admit (much to my dismay - our experience as a whole was so great) that the ravioli was just slightly bland. We requested some cracked pepper and that added the kick we were looking for. The beet salad was out of this world and the candied (or otherwise spiced) nuts were very nice. You could tell it all came from the garden and the flavors were amazing (p.s. I'm not a salad guy). The stew was VERY good as well, the yorkshire pudding was light and crisp and the lamb stew was everything I was in a stew and more. Veggies were cooked perfect and so full of flavor. They added fresh peppers and a few potato chips to add a fresh flavor and crunch. Flawless. Other things worth noting - the entire establishment is very artsy and very "pacific northwest". The sold local art such as painting, woodwork, and other crafts in their gift shop and everything they had on the walls looked like it could tell a story. We spent a good half an hour simply walking around their garden and soaking up the sun at the beach before our meal. We spent about 2 hours eating and it was a food "experience". We must have talked about how much we enjoyed the food half the time we were there. read more

We spent our honeymoon at the Sooke Harbour House and went back for our 20 year anniversary last week. When making the reservation, they were made aware of both this special occasion and my birthday. Either was acknowledged in any way by staff, leaving a token in our room, or in the restaurant where we dined a few times. We noticed a change in the level of service in every department. Wet towels left in tub to be changed out were hung again; loud and obnoxious service staff during breakfast yelling across the dining room to find a table; changing rooms and not having staff help us move; not replenishing bath salts and condiments in room; and unclipped bushes obstructing potential clear views from lower rooms. The growth and popularity of this Inn has changed its quaint feel since our last visit. We weren't made to feel special at all. During our check out, we weren't thanked for staying and there was no opportunity to give feedback as we weren't asked nor sent an email for feedback. Given this, we are posting this. On a positive note, room was very nice and wood-burning fireplace was fun. Restaurant food was outstanding as well. read more

Huge disappointment. Booked online for NYs eve afternoon for our anniversary thinking we would be in the dining room. Arrived to be told the online bookings don't work well and the dining room was closed. Were told to sit wherever. We asked later to move to a table with a nice view. Rude server said we couldn't which led to another rude diatribe from her. She later brought our food out and practically threw our food at us. Other girl serving us was great but it didn't make up for the bad experience. Food was bland and had nothing special about it. Seared tuna was over cooked and presented in a bowl of weird broth. Catch of the day was cooked nicely but bland and uninteresting. All over priced for what it was. read more

The restaurant is totally over-rated and our group was sadly disappointed on our first (and only!) visit to this establishment. Service was slow, inattentive, uncaring. Very limited menu choices, and more flowers than flavor on the plate. Fabulous view, but can't recommend the food or the experience. Times must have been better to get all the past accolades. read more

We had stayed at SHH 3 summers in a row back in the early 2000's an absolutely loved it. Some of our fondest family memories are from the summers there with our kids. This year for Christmas my husband and I decided to take a vacation together now that our kids are grown and were super excited to return to SHH. Wow were we disappointed. The room was about $400 a night and there was mold in the shower, bedding that was probably less soft than what you would find in prison, dusty baseboards, and a rusty shower caddy (seriously they are $15 at Target). We stayed at an equally priced hotel in a different area of Vancouver island the 2 nights prior and it was exceptional so it made this one look like a Motel 6. We will not return again. read more

Sooke Harbour House - Moldy shower. Mind you this is a $400 a night room!!! - Hotels Near Me - Sooke, British Columbia

New on Yelp, but I thought I would repost my review recently posted on Tripadvisor, as I warmly recommend Sooke Harbour House to any and all! My wife and I have stayed and dined at the Sooke Harbour House many times over the years, and keep being amazed every time we return. Having traveled a great deal, both for business and pleasure, we've seen our share of beautiful settings and high-comfort luxury in hotels across the globe, but this little gem perched on the edge of the pacific ocean is truly one of a kind. Whether it's the exquisitely decorated rooms (all uniquely themed, and with copious amenities including wood burning fireplaces, jacuzzis or ocean-side hot-tubs); the unparalleled delectable kitchen and dining room experience, with local delicacies fresh from the nearby ocean and the hotel's own organic edible gardens and nearby farm, paired with one of the world's best wine lists (acclaimed by Wine Spectator for many years now); the wonderful and every changing abundance of (local) artwork and crafts that fills the hallways to give you the unique experience staying in a beautiful art gallery or museum (along with a private library!); the always warm, helpful and highly capable staff; the absolutely stunning nature surroundings and breathtaking ocean views with frequent whale sightings; the complimentary gourmet breakfast served in the privacy of your room or its private ocean-view balcony with the Olympic Mountains in the background; the availability of extensive spa treatment options; and too many other wonderful things to list in one single review... Sooke Harbour House is a must-visit venue for all lovers of beauty, art, tranquility, romance, luxury, nature, and fine dining. Trust us, we've been around and seen it all, are highly selective and critical when it comes to the places we stay and dine, and this little white beauty by the ocean still stands strong at the top of our list! Thank you, Sooke Harbour House, for indulging us with your wonderful hospitality and offering us yet another incredible experience during our stay in June. We can't wait for our next visit! Maybe, if the kids can join us, we'll come back early for your Christmas and New Year's festivities this Winter! read more

The rooms are disappointing to say the least. Definitely not worth the hype to stay here. The food is excellent! I don't recommend staying here, but worth having dinner. read more

Chef quality dishes, moderate prices, friendly service, uncommon, warm atmosphere. Unexpected on that country-like location.

I'm biased in that I got married here so the whole weekend was filled with love and laughter. Having said that, weddings can be stressful times and where you get married can either add to the stress or relieve it. The Sooke Harbour House is just outstanding. We could not have had a better weekend. We had my family and guests coming all the way from England and lots of others coming from Canada. Everyone was equally impressed. The location is so beautiful, overlooking the sea and with gorgeous natural (not manicured) gardens in the foreground. If you're getting married, check out the tide times so you catch full tide as your background! Apparently there is nothing growing in the garden that they cannot use for some culinary purpose. I love this idea and its commitment to local organic produce was one of the major draws for us in choosing it. It is a quirky place, definitely in the boutique category, and if you're looking for unique rather than opulent luxury, then you don't get much better. If you want to bring your dog, then do! Poochie will get his or her own welcome hamper with homemade dog treats... Each room is individual, sporting its own theme, and we got the chance to look in and choose from all of them. We actually went for one of the cheaper ones because it was still outstanding. The food. Well unfortunately my wife and I had churning stomachs for much of the wedding day due to nerves and adrenaline so perhaps we didn't appreciate it for what it was. However, everyone said how outstanding it was. They were extremely accommodating when it came to catering for special dietary needs, and ethically you don't get much better than their food philosophy. They are not fully self sufficient but most veg and salads are just growing outside. We decided to stay an extra night and so did manage to have another meal there the day after, this time with our stomachs back to normal. Absolutely deserving of its reputation as one of the best restaurants in Western Canada. Some may wonder what the fuss is about, but if you're into fine dining then you will appreciate the use of ingredients, the provenance of these ingredients, and the finesse in both presentation and cooking. Service was immaculate, knowledgeable and attentive yet laid-back. It's a pricey place but you get some of the best food around. I do find the accommodation extremely expensive, no matter how charming and unique it is, but I will forgive the Sooke Harbour House for this because of the wonderful memories it helps provide. read more

Recently attended a wedding here. As a wedding venue, it was absolutely lovely. We lucked out and the weather cooperated. It's not a large site, I don't know if they could accommodate a large wedding; the one that I attended was about 40 or so people, and it was the right size for us. The snacks from the restaurant were great, the staff were professional, unobtrusive and efficient, the venue clean and inviting. If I were to have an event of some kind, I would definitely come here. read more

we spent 2 nights here in August. it was fabulous, though i would not stay in the mermaid room again, especially after i saw how wonderful several of the other rooms are. even though the weather was bad, we loved the garden tour and talk. the food was so good that we decided to eat in the restaurant both nights, even though it was pricey. and we were so happy we did! our waiter was much friendlier the 2nd night and we enjoyed the food and the view even more. read more

We booked this yesterday on recommendations for the restaurant, looking forward to the fine dining. When I received an email to book massage and reservations I learned that the restaurant would be closed the night we would be there, a month from now. I was very disappointed. When I went to cancel, they had already charged my credit card and refused to give me a full refund. Be careful when you press that button. These people are not going to give you a refund and the restaurant is often closed , in fact it is closed most this month . Our travels take us to Vancouver Island often so if we do ever go to the restaurant, we will be sure to book one of the other nice accomodations in Sooke. A decent Business does not grab your money and keep it, but then some people feel "A dollar is your best friend!" I was very disappointed in the inflexible manor of the desk clerk, I was not reserving to go to the copper room and have a hamburger. :( read more

I just completed a 2 night stay at this wonderful place. Yes it is a major splurge, very pricey. But every detail felt worth it. The rooms vary in this grand old hotel; I stayed in the Blue Heron room which has a commanding view of the bay and channel beyond it, a beautiful spacious balcony with patio furniture, a lovely sleeping area and separate sitting room, a jetted soaking tub indoors with a view of the water, and gorgeous light streaming through multiple windows wrapping around its corner location. It was sparkling clean. This wonderful room is also pet friendly. The hotel of course has specific rooms designated for guests with pets; and the pet friendly rooms are just as wonderful as those that are reserved for guests who cannot be in a room where pets have been. Every single staff member I encountered was genuinely helpful, welcoming, and pleasant to talk to. My TV needed a minor repair and even the gentleman who came very quickly to fix it was a delight. They all were quite friendly to my little pet too, which was fun. Food at the Sooke Harbour House restaurant was outstanding. They grow much of what goes into the food and the creativity of the chefs both in the dishes they create and in the beautiful presentation of the food is genuinely wonderful. I took advantage of the free guided tour of their garden and to my surprise the gardener gave me leaves and petals and berries to taste as she led me through the beautiful space. Learning which organic herbs the chefs were using to create certain tastes genuinely enhanced my second meal there, where I could recognize the unusual things they had used to create the delightful and unique tastes. Just outside the back door is Whiffen Spit, a beautiful place to take a walk - 1.75 miles if you go all the way to the end and back though any distance is pretty. From Whiffen Spit I watched seals cavort and many sea birds. From inside my room I watched a giant whale breaching in the channel and even saw a small bear walk by in the evening. If I had even a minor quibble I would say that for the price I wish they would go back to including breakfast with the room rate as a genuine B and B which I am given to understand they did in the past. While breakfast is not included there were very nice extras in the rooms including daily fresh baked cookies (very delicious!) and a fresh baked biscuit for my pup. I can't wait to come back here - I left feeling genuinely rested and renewed, and a bit in love with the spirit of Sooke, a vacation truly worth every penny. read more

I like this hotel for it's location and quirkiness but it has some issues. As others have said, it's looking 'tired', which I don't really mind. What I do mind is when things feel a little dirty. Our soaker tub on the porch didn't look like it had been cleaned, bathroom had a sewer smell right off the bat, white sheets were very dingy, and the robes were so stained and pilled I was too grossed out to put one on. Other than that our room, #11, was spacious and well-appointed and felt cozy and warm. However the bed was rock hard! Glad we only stayed a couple nights for that reason. I like that they leave fresh cookies and port in the room for you and they have homemade cookies in jars all over the place. I also like that they bring breakfast to the room (restaurant is closed at that time). However, the food is not very good. Our first morning they offered a choice of omelette or continental breakfast. We had one of each. The omelet was really flat and compact and oily. Also too small to be filling. Came with a small scone which was ok. The continental breakfast was a really good yogurt and granola but the fruit compote was way too sweet. Also small portions. And we got a baked goods basket that had a nice croissant and some dry muffins. The second morning we were there it was just the continental breakfast option, no other offering. My review of the restaurant (which was really disappointing) is here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/sooke-harbour-house-restaurant-resort-hotel-sooke?hrid=mzkJe7_PcSYY8ATYmeYlcg read more

I stayed in this lovely hotel a couple of weeks ago with the aim of finding some peace of mind and as a little treat for my birthday; and I must confess I couldn't have chosen a better place to do it! Sooke itself is lovely, but this romantic hotel is indeed far beyond loveliness. Not only are the location and the house beautiful, but the gardens, the views, and the service are amazing and all the little details are perfectly taken care of so that you are ensuredan unforgettable experience. All of this makes it a must place to stay! The whole house is beautifully decorated with local art work, which you can purchase if interested. Every single room has a different theme, which is nicely set out, and the fact that you can take a bath, go to sleep and wake up to the sound of waves makes it even more irresistibly charming. Not to mention the perfectly located benches all around the house upon which you can write, read or just sit down and enjoy a relaxing moment.. If you are looking for a closer encounter with nature, you can also walk around the thin end and look at the navy blue ocean or choose the rocky shore. While hopping from one rock to another you can see the birds, seals and otters that surround the area, and; if you are lucky enough, you may find a friendly one who has come for a refreshing drink at one of the fountains near the restaurant while you are having dinner! As if there weren't enough reasons to check this place out already, the restaurant is another totally unforgettable experience. Besides boasting a wonderful view, all the ingredients are locally produced which means good karma for everyone and ensures that the food quality is at its best. I got to try many delightful foods from freshly cut garden flowers to cheese, meat and even a lavender sherbet! Wine and service exceed expectation.. amazing! The entire staff, not only the restaurant staff who happened to greet me and even have a conversation in Spanish (my native tongue); are incredibly nice; they all make sure you are comfortable and make you feel at home, without being the least bit intrusive. Finally, my room (The bird's watcher) was equipped with two bath tubs, one inside and the other outside., Complimentary lavender bath salts, good music, cookies and port were provided; as were a couple of nice and fun to read books including a visitor's one which was really nice to read by my just lit fireplace! One of the beds faced the ocean so you can fall asleep looking at its splendour and wake up to have your freshly made breakfast in your very own room! Definitely worth experiencing it! It doesn't matter what kind of getaway you are looking for: romantic, family, relaxing, solo; you won't regret indulging yourself in this charming experience; I cannot wait to go back again one day! read more

Purchase and EthicalDeal voucher for the Sooke Harbour House for a Christmas present for my boyfriend and stayed 1 night in the Mermaid room on January 2nd. I am a student so I don't have a lot of money but I wanted to splurge on some good food and a romantic night since we are both stressed with school and needed to rejuvenate. I'm not a foodie, nor do I stay in hotels often so I can't comment on whether or not the price was reasonable but it was EXTREMELY expensive (233$ for one nights stay and $125 for dinner and a drink). That being said here is what you get for your money. Cons The room is kitschy and the furniture probably needs an update including the bed which I don't think was a Queen as advertised, probably a double. Small TV, no cell service, no wi fi (Pro or Con depending on who you are) Wood burning fireplace was really cool but not particularly functional as the set up makes it difficult to keep burning and it doesn't really heat up the room. SO EXPENSIVE FOR EVERYTHING. Even the continental breakfast is 15$ per person for baked goods and fruit and yogurt (We opted out so i can't comment if it was any good). Pros Boyfriend like the fireplace and it was romantic Service from the staff was good, we asked for directions a couple times and required more kindling which they happily provided Outdoor bathtub was INCREDIBLE and so romantic especially if you bring candles and hit the button for bubble bath. It's a bathtub but the size of a small Jacuzzi so you can adjust the temperature and there are no chemicals. We went in January and the weather was bad but it didn't matter as the deck is covered and private. Definitely my favourite part and almost makes the price of the room worth it. Infra Red Sauna's: Staying at the hotel gives you access to two small (fits 2 people) infra red sauna's. These were super neat and we used them twice during our brief stay, can't really comment on what they do but we felt detoxed and refreshed after. Again another selling point! Lovely view Food IS AMAZING. Again, I'm not a foodie, I couldn't even tell you most of the things that were on my plate but they were amazing. My boyfriend and I split the four course meal of the day (74$ before tax and gratuities) which consisted of a Butternut Squash and Begonia Soup, Pork Sausage, Braised Duck Leg and Dessert. The portions of each plate were small but there are four courses so we were both comfortably full after splitting them all. Expensive but really really excellent, every course made us more and more excited. Special Comment Service in the restaurant. I read the yelp reviews before coming and don't agree with all the negativity. Admittedly we came during the off season and the room had only a few other couples in it but we were well taken care off. Staff was prompt and attentive as well as very helpful in helping us decide what to order. They seemed very knowledgeable, pleasant and eager to help. Maybe the other reviews were during a busier season but I wouldn't let it deter me from coming again (Although the price might because I have no money :P) read more

The Sooke Harbour House was amazing! We stayed there for our honeymoon, and absolutely loved it! We stayed in the birdhouse, and enjoyed beautiful vaulted ceilings with incredible views of the Juan de Fuca Straits and the Olympic Peninsula. We also got to tour some of the open rooms, and every one had its own theme, and was so beautiful and artistically designed. Furthermore, there were fireplaces in every room, with a basket of firewood that was restocked every day. And, there was a carafe of delicious port every evening in our room, along with daily freshly baked cookies that we enjoyed. Furthermore, the food was outrageously good. Best food of our lives! I was a little concerned about what to expect due to all of the negative reviews, but my concerns were unnecessary, and I can't imagine how the negative reviews were written. The place was immaculate and beautiful, not run down at all. The staff was all courteous and helpful. The sheets, robes, and blankets felt quite new, the beds very comfortable and not lumpy at all.The food and breakfast every day was delicious and not greasy at all. All in all, we had a fabulous stay, and can't wait to return! read more