$100–150

Heritage House (3808 Heritage Lane, 250/479-0892 or 877/326-9242, www.heritagehousevictoria.com [1], $155 s or d), a beautiful 1910 mansion surrounded by trees and gardens, sits in a quiet residential area near Portage Inlet, five kilometers (3.7 miles) northwest of city center. Guests choose from several outstanding rooms, one with a view of Portage Inlet from a private veranda. Enjoy the large communal living room and a cooked breakfast in the elegant dining room.

Dating to 1911 and once home to artist Emily Carr, James Bay Inn (270 Government St., 250/384-7151 or 800/836-2649, www.jamesbayinn.com [2], $125–175 s or d,) is five blocks from the harbor and within easy walking distance of all city sights and Beacon Hill Park [3]. From the outside, the hotel has a clunky, uninspiring look, but a bright and breezy decor and new beds in the simply furnished rooms make it a pleasant place to rest your head. Guests enjoy discounted food and drink at the downstairs restaurant and pub.

Away from the water, but still just one block from Douglas Street, is the 1876 Dalton Hotel & Suites (759 Yates St., 250/384-4136 or 888/544-1109, www.daltonhotel.ca [4], $135–225 s or d), Victoria [5]’s oldest hotel. Millions of dollars have been spent restoring the property with stylish wooden beams, brass trim and lamps, ceiling fans, and marble floors reliving the Victorian era.

In the oldest section of downtown, surrounded by the city’s best dining and shopping opportunities, is the Bedford Regency (1140 Government St., 250/384-6835 or 800/665-6500, www.bedfordregency.com [6], $139–199 s or d), featuring 40 guest rooms of varying configurations. Stylish, uncluttered art deco furnishings and high ceilings make the standard rooms seem larger than they really are. A better deal are the deluxe rooms and suites, which provide more space and better amenities for only slightly more money.

Just off the main highway between the ferry terminal and downtown, on the road into downtown Sidney [7], is Cedarwood Inn & Suites (9522 Lochside Dr., 250/656-5551 or 877/656-5551, www.thecedarwood.ca [8], $125–145 s or d, cottages $165), highlighted by a colorful garden with outdoor seating overlooking the Strait of Georgia.