VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 179

Over $300
The grand old Fairmont Empress (721 Government St., 250/384-8111 or 800/257-7544,
www.fairmont.com , from $389 s or d) is Victoria's best-loved accommodation. Covered in
ivy and with only magnificent gardens separating it from the Inner Harbour, it's also in the
city's best location. Designed by Francis Rattenbury in 1908, the Empress is one of the ori-
ginal Canadian Pacific Railway hotels. Rooms are offered in 90 different configurations,
but as in other hotels of the era, most are small. Each is filled with Victorian period furnish-
ings and antiques. The least expensive Fairmont Rooms start at $389 in summer, but if you
really want to stay in this Canadian landmark, consider upgrading to a Fairmont Gold room.
Although not necessarily larger, these rooms have harbor views, a private check-in, nightly
turndown service, and a private lounge where hors d'oeuvres are served in the evening.
Camping
The closest camping to downtown is at Westbay Marine Village (453 Head St., Esquimalt,
250/385-1831 or 866/937-8229, www.westbay.bc.ca , $42.50-49.50), across Victoria Har-
bour from downtown. Facilities at this RV-only campground include full hookups and a
laundromat. It is part of a marina complex comprising floating residences and commercial
businesses, such as fishing charter operators and restaurants. Water taxis connect the “vil-
lage” to downtown. Rates range depending on the view (the most expensive sites have un-
obstructed views across to the Inner Harbour).
Fort Victoria RV Park (340 Island Hwy., 250/479-8112, www.fortvictoria.ca , $41) is
six kilometers (3.7 miles) northwest of the city center on Highway 1A. This campground
provides full hookups (including cable TV), free showers, laundry facilities, wireless Inter-
net, and opportunities to join charter salmon-fishing trips.
Continuing west from the campgrounds west of downtown, Highway 1 curves north
through Goldstream Provincial Park (19 kilometers/11 miles from downtown, $28) and
begins its up-island journey north. The southern end of the park holds 161 well-spaced
campsites scattered through an old-growth forest—it's one of the most beautiful settings
you could imagine close to a capital city. The campground offers free hot showers but
no hookups. For reservations, call Discover Camping (519/826-6850 or 800/689-9025,
www.discovercamping.ca ) .
In Malahat, seven kilometers (4.3 miles) farther north along Highway 1, is Victoria
West KOA (250/478-3332 or 800/562-1732, www.victoriakoa.com , mid-May-mid-Sept.,
unserviced sites $39, hookups $41-48, cabins from $92 s or d). Facilities include free
showers, an outdoor pool, laundry room, store, and game room.