Best Western Plus Inner Harbour

What stood out most was how much was here for the money. The breakfast was delicious with lots of options, including eggs, sausage, and fruit. The large hot tub was relaxing, and there was a sauna too. The fitness room had plenty of space and a good range of equipment, from cardio machines to a cable machine, a bench, and dumbbells. The room was large and clean, with a little kitchenette and a decent-size fridge. The common areas were very clean, and staff were friendly and helpful when we arrived. It's a hidden gem in James Bay, well placed for walking downtown, around James Bay, to Beacon Hill, and to Cook St.

We'd booked a week in Victoria, but I wouldn't book this hotel again or recommend it. The lobby was fairly decent and check-in went fine, but the carpet on our floor was dirty and worn, and there was a stale smell in the hall and room. It felt like a dated hotel trying to look updated. I pulled the mattress back to check underneath, as I do in every room. A bug scurried away from the light. It wasn't a bed bug, but I'd never found a bug under a mattress before. There was also random hair and other bug shells there. I took some pictures, loaded our luggage back up, and went to the lobby to report that the room was dirty and had a bug. The man asked if it was a silverfish. I didn't know, and he said they were harmless and wouldn't hurt us. I asked for a refund. He offered to move us to another room the next night if we stayed in the room that night, but we just wanted our money back. We did get a refund in the end, and I was glad they weren't rude or mean about it.

The room itself was good, with comfortable beds and good water pressure and heat. It had a kitchenette with a stove, but no pots, pans, or baking tray. Housekeeping also didn't wash our coffee mugs when they came in each day. Three stars feels fair to me. We arrived early on November 4th, before the room was ready, which was understandable. We left our bags in storage and were told they'd call when it was ready. When we returned at 3PM, they said they'd tried calling but our number wasn't in service. I asked the woman to call again and it rang. She might have misdialled, but it seemed they hadn't tried again and didn't seem to care. The bigger disappointment was construction at the front of the hotel. The noise and vibration reached our room at the back on the 5th floor, making it hard to relax. It went on from 9-5. We knew there was some work at the parking garage entrance, but not in front of the hotel entrance. In our case, it felt like business came before guests. If we'd known, we would have booked somewhere else.

I was hesitant because of some negative reviews, but I really enjoyed my stay and would come back. The location is fantastic for exploring downtown on foot, and the hotel is right in the heart of Victoria. Check-in was quick and easy. I liked having self parking below the hotel instead of valet, though the entry and exit gate moved a little slowly. It was very convenient overall, there was always a space, and you can reach the hotel from the garage. The room looked older, but nothing seemed dirty or overly worn. I was pleasantly surprised by the little kitchenette, and there was also a small balcony. The bed was very comfortable. The bathroom was good, though the shower head sat a bit low for me at 5'11" (180cm), so it could be an issue for someone really tall. There's no AC, but opening all the windows at night cooled the room nicely. Noise from nearby rooms and outside was noticeable, as others have said, but it wasn't a big problem for me. They had construction out front during my stay, so it looks like they're updating things. Breakfast was always well stocked with plenty of food. The room was a tight squeeze and got busy, but there was a good range to choose from. I'd recommend the hotel to anyone wanting to stay in central Victoria.