HOV B&B House -Hospitality Ocean view Victoria-

After reading some of the negative reviews, I was confused. This is somebody’s home, an Airbnb, not the Ritz-Carlton or Hilton. You’re welcomed with a delicious, hot breakfast, which happens to be the same each day. If you want something fancier, stay somewhere else. We ordered the seafood dish from their menu and it was absolutely delicious. Ted and Lauren are delightful. They serve breakfast every morning at 8:30, and the rooms are clean and well cared for. Some have private bathrooms and some don’t, depending on what you book. Check-in is through the garage at the bottom of the driveway, and the slippers are mentioned in the policy. I saw them being washed, so they do get cleaned often. The view is breathtaking, the area is quiet, and deer are everywhere. Ted does have a language barrier, but Lauren speaks very well and it really wasn’t a big deal. Thank you, Ted and Lauren, from your new Niagara friends, Gwen and Tanya.

I’d never stayed at a B&B before, and I’ve already extended this stay by a few more months. Ted and Lauren are lovely people, very accommodating and committed to making guests feel welcome. They prepare a delicious breakfast every morning with care. The clear-day view of Mount Baker from the house is breathtaking. In Victoria, buildings would block that view. Esquimalt Lagoon is a short walk away, Hatley Castle is nearby, and there are trails close by for anyone who enjoys nature. Without a car, transit into Victoria proper is workable. Buses are mostly on time, the ride takes about an hour, and it can be scenic. Colwood just outside Victoria is a good alternative if you want to avoid the high tourist-season hotel rates, while still being close to the city. I’d happily stay here again and again.

The experience felt disappointing and not like a genuine B&B. Communication was confusing and difficult because English isn’t the hosts’ first language. It felt like the hosts cared more about money than offering real hospitality, and they didn’t seem to have an international hospitality background. There are five bedrooms and guests share a common area. Parking is very tight at the bottom of a steep driveway, the Wi-Fi was poor, and breakfast is served at the same time with the same food every morning. You enter through the garage and are required to wear slippers that other guests have used.

I felt safe here as a solo female traveler and ended up staying long term because I liked it so much. I’d happily return. Having stayed long enough to see some of the complaints, I thought a few of them were unfair. It’s a home like most Airbnbs, with self check-in, clear instructions, keys in the room and entry through the garage. That’s common for Airbnb stays. Clean up after yourself as you would at home; don’t expect hotel housekeeping unless you’re tipping like at a hotel, and let’s be honest, you’re probably not. Bathrooms vary by booking, with some shared and others private. My parents had a private one and were comfortable. The heating worked fine, and Lauren brought a fan right away when I asked. Breakfast is the same each day, and I liked it. If you leave early, you may miss it, as you can at hotels, but I’ve seen Ted and Lauren prepare snacks or save breakfast for later when someone asked nicely. The place is clean. Laundry runs constantly, and slippers are washed and labelled by room. The hosts are warm and helpful if you ask, despite a bit of a language gap.