Sooke Harbour House

Sooke Harbour House is SERIUOSLY OVERPIRCED!!! We visited often over the years, but it is now living on its previous reputation without the charm, standards of service or dining experience of the past. We paid $562 for one night in a tiny, bland room. There wasn't even enough room to have bedside tables, and it was only a double bed, not a queen-sized bed. There was a real fireplace but no wood, and uncomfortable furnishings. There was a coffee maker but no kettle in the room for tea, nor was there any milk so we had to ask for them to be delivered. Other amenities were the same as in any standard hotel. When we arrived one hour early for our check-in, we were told it would be $75 extra to check in early, despite there only being perhaps 3 other rooms in the place occupied. We were also told that two pets would be $120, despite the online information that the maximum is $80 for two pets. I was able to request that these extra charges be removed, but it took discussions with two managers to achieve this. The restauant used to be the main feature of the resort - the chef would walk around the gardens harvesting fresh herbs and flowers for the coming meals which were always spectacular. Now there is a really limited menu, and even then, two of the items were not available, as was one of only four red wines . We settled on a caesar salad ($20) and tenderloin steaks ($60) - basically what you can get at any steakhouse anywhere for far less money. When I asked for salt, it seemed to be a big undertaking - they finally brought me a little saucer of salt with a spoon in it. That's fine for spooning large quantities into recipes, but not for lightly seasoning a dish. Breakfast (price not included) was only available in our room, but arrived without jam for the toast or condiments for the eggs. I requested them, but it took several minutes for these to be brought at which point my meal was only lukewarm. Just for comparison, we also have reservations in December at Kingfisher Resort in Courtney in a much larger room with king-size bed for $250 per night. Pets are $40 for one, $60 for two. We are also booked at Tigh-Na-Mara in Parksville for $349 for a complete cottage with kitchen, pets also $40 and $60 for two. Both these resorts are on beachs like Sooke Harbour House but they have Spas as well. We are booked in at Pacific Sands in Tofino in January, in a very elegant one-bedroom suite with kitchen, gas fireplace for $338.10/ night, also dog-friendly. Also has a spa and meal packages of 4 courses for $49. Also just for comparison, we stayed in Paris last year in a fabulous suite with breakfasts included in walking distance of the Louvre and Seine for only $600/ night tax included. We have stayed in far nicer rooms in London, Bruges, Vienna for less than this place. Wiffin Spit may be scenic, but once you've walked it, there is precious little else to do.

There is something really wrong here. I went to the hotel to inquire about staying there and rates, and a "bouncer" type of guy came out with tons of questions for me, got up in my face, was more like a Mafia style gangster, while everyone else was acting very strange and kept saying that they did not know who I was. Well of course they did not...I was coming to ask questions to have a whole group of people stay there. SKETCHY? That is an UNDERSTATEMENT! Be very careful going here. Fortunately, we found somewhere else to stay that was MUCH LOVELIER, and I heard from many in town after sharing it that there is a LOT WRONG right now with it and someone really needs to look into who owns this. It is a very bizarre and strange outfit and jf you are a woman alone, I do not suggest supporting this hotel in any way, shape or form. What goes around comes around.

After being closed for so many years we were excited to go sit on the patio and enjoy an afternoon cocktail and appetizers. Well done!! The Harbour House is stunning and we will continue to come and support this local gem. The staff were all attentive and very professional.

This was the first night on our way doing the Pacific scenic route and we were upgraded to a very spacious sea view unit. It was nice to wake up to such tranquil scenery. Beds were comfy. Equipment and supplies were adequate. Furnitures were cosy. We had a great time staying there. A variety of outdoors water activities also cater for different ages and interests. Even just reading a book quietly by the pier and watch the birds and the fishermen feeding the seals were amazing.

Note that Sooke Harbour House closed in early 2020 (we stayed there in Feb 2020). It underwent an ownership change in mid-20202 and the new owners intend to re-open but as of Feb 2021 it is closed due to Covid. Looking forward to seeing it back in operation.