Best Bed & Breakfasts of Victoria

Oak Bay Guest House

Nestled in the heart of Oak Bay, considered the toniest neighbourhood of Victoria, the Oak Bay Guest House offers a glimpse of life "behind the Tweed Curtain".

Built in 1912, the house is thought to be a Samuel Maclure and displays much of the arts and crafts work this prominent Victoria architect was noted for. Opened in 1922 by Annie Clark as the Newport Inn to house the workers building the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, the Oak Bay Guest House offers several types of accommodation, from twin bedrooms to suites consisting of queen bedrooms and small sitting rooms with pull-out sofabeds to accommodate extra guests.

During the Recession, the Inn was briefly,the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. In 1939,the current Guest House as well as the house next door, were purchased  by the "Lighthouse Philosopher", Bill Scott, to house his own family while he was away at war. In turn, his family rented out rooms to other women with children, whose men were also away overseas.

In 1973, the Guest House was sold and served as a Retirement Residence for a few years, until purchased and converted to the only legal Bed and Breakfast in Oak Bay. For the last 25 years, this Bed and Breakfast has welcomed travellers from all over the world, offering a tranquil stay, far from the maddening crowds of the Inner Harbour, yet close enough (15 minutes' drive) for one to enjoy all Downtown Victoria has to offer.

For those seeking adventure, kayaking, canoeing, sailing are all offered from the Oak Bay Marina situated a short block away, as well as the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, a few minutes away, by car or bicycle. Whale watching is also available, but the larger companies located downtown offer a free shuttle service as well.

For the health-conscious visitor,  bicycles are available for you to enjoy the many trails of Oak Bay and the University of Victoria. Please ask us for one of the many bicycling trips designed by the University last year. Walking trails also abound - Oak Bay has its own "Walking Trails Brochure" offering at least 16 different trails through the Village as well as along the sea by McNeill and Willows Beaches,  Turkey Point and Cattle Point.

Birdwatchers will happy to know that many interesting birds are sighted in Oak Bay and that we have Kirsten Mills, one of Victoria's most avid birdwatchers, available for tours.

Gardeners will also love staying in Oak Bay. There are public gardens - Abkhazi ("the garden love built" is a 20-minute walk away on Fairfield Road while the Scented Garden at Windsor Park and the Native Garden on Beach Drive are only two blocks away from the house. Everyone gardens, making walks in Oak Bay most pleasant  but the most exclusive and elusive gardens in Victoria may be toured with Joan Looey of  Victorian Garden Tours Ltd.(Please ask about our Garden Packages for greater detail.)

Visitors to Camosun College or the Univsity of Victoria, attending conferences or catching up with friends or relatives who are students at these great institutions, benefit from a 10% discount when staying with us.

For those visiting loved ones at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Shannon Oaks, Carlton House or the Oak Bay Lodge, we also offer special rates.

Best of all, anyone planning a wedding, a family reunion, retreat or anything requiring accommodation for 20 - 26 people will be happy to know that we rent out the entire house at a very nominal rate. People attending these special occasions have been more than thrilled with the intimacy the house offers for larger groups and the opportunity the stays provide for catching up with friends and relatives they may not have seen for some time.
People are welcome to use the gardens of the house in good weather as well, for quiet reads, a spot of tea and biscuits, or good conversation.