Sooke Harbour Resort & Marina

My husband and I booked one rental several months ahead for the few nights around our wedding nearby. Many of our family members were staying at the same property. When the check-in email never arrived, we called, waited on hold, and were transferred around. Communication was poor, and there was no on-site office. We learned our booking had been canceled by mistake, leaving no space for us. The owner later said we had two bookings, but that wasn't the case: ours was under my name, while a family member with the same last name and a different first name had booked another unit and later canceled theirs, not mine. After we called around, they found us a similar rental at a sister property, 35 minutes from the original property where our family was staying, and 30 minutes from Sooke. That made all the get-togethers with friends and family before and after the wedding incredibly inconvenient. There was no cell service there either. They tried to charge me more than double the price of our original booking, and I had to argue to get it back down to the original amount. They offered no discount, free night, or anything for the major inconvenience. We canceled after one night and stayed elsewhere because we couldn't be so far from our family and town with all our events planned. It was a total disappointment and added stress right before our wedding. I would not recommend this place.

The ocean view from our top-floor room was exactly what I had hoped for, and we enjoyed walking down to the docks to watch the sailboats head out fishing. We even spotted a seal, though it took off before I could get a photo. I came with my family for a weekend visit to my aunt and uncle, on my first trip to Sooke. We booked a house hotel, and the rooms were tidy, the kitchen was good, the living room decent, and I slept just as I needed to. No complaints. My folks and I enjoyed the stay, and I'd book here again to rest after traveling around Sooke.

We didn't spot any seals at the wharf this time, though in a busy fishing season there are usually lots around the harbour hoping for free fish. The only real hassle was the door lock, which was a little tricky to open. Luckily, we arrived before 5pm, and the very friendly staff showed us how to work it. They had emailed a video with instructions, but the message ended up in my junk folder, which I only checked after getting home. Since I received just one email from them, maybe they could remind guests to check junk mail. The town home was tidy and clean, with a nice water view and parking directly in front. It's near the attractions and downtown. The large kitchen, patio, and big BBQ oven worked well for a family meal, and the town supermarket kept good stock. Inside, it matched the website photos.

There’s parking right in front for one truck, and the unit has plenty of room for a group. It includes two good-sized bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sofa bed that’s actually comfortable, and a huge kitchen and dining area. The location is just at the outer edge of Sooke, so it’s easy to get around.