We may know Vancouver like the back of our hand, but beyond the city lights, there’s so much to discover and explore in the surrounding areas and never enough time. So when we chose Victoria for a recent weekend away, much to our surprise and delight, we’d never heard of our hotel prior to this stay – making the impulse staycation all the more exciting. And if you hadn’t heard of Oak Bay Beach Hotel yet either, the cat’s out of the bag now, you’d better get those booking fingers on the ready.
Originally built in 1927, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel was completely renovated in recent years, garnering consistent top-tier accolades (Top Luxury Hotels in Canada, Top Hotels in Canada, and Most Romantic Hotels in Canada by visitors on TripAdvisor.) And it’s easy to see why. The main foyer opens to reveal stunning waterfront views, beautiful architecture, elegant event facilities, and three different dining options with modern west coast menus.
And that’s just for starters. The immaculate garden terrace overlook a resort-like pool area featuring full spa amenities, eucalyptus steam room, and private hot mineral pools (heated year-round) set against the gorgeous waterview backdrop. The icing on the cake? There’s a full-service bar poolside with a menu that speaks to a west coast-meets-beach-vacation appetite. We blissfully sipped watermelon mojitos and white wine all day long. Oh wait, did we mention that the pools are open til midnight, and the mineral baths are adults-only (16 years and older) from 6am – 8am and 10pm to midnight daily.
Those with a taste (and wallet) for this lux lifestyle on a more permanent basis can invest in one of the upscale private residences on the premises. While that may not be in our cards in the foreseeable future, we are ready to start planning our next getaway here.
Giveaway time: Another Day in Paradise
Oak Bay Beach Hotel is our most recent pick for a slice of paradise. Next time, we’ll be posted up by the pool lounging on one of these gorgeous towels, a collab project by Vancouver-grown brands Slowtide and Explorer’s Press. You can check out this video to see EP owner and creator Brendan Megannety’s take on inspiration, hardship, and the definition of paradise. Because we’re such fans of both these brands, we’ve partnered up with Explorer’s Press to give you the chance to win one of these exclusive premium towels! To enter, comment with your favourite place you like to call paradise – bonus points for keeping it local – we want to keep exploring beautiful BC!
Good luck, everyone!
Vancouver Island! The Pacific Marine Circle Route has so many amazing spots to explore, from hiking along the Juan de Fuca trail to exploring the attractions in Duncan, and everything in between. Always something more to discover!!
You’re so right!
Sunset Beach especially at Sunset?
Ha, can’t argue with that!
Fave slice of paradise is bonniebrook beach in Gibsons; a beautiful long sandy stretch with barely a soul around you ?
Sounds serene.
Sunshine Coast-beachfront house at Halfmoon Bay with a 180 degree view! #lifegoals
Oh, good one!
Tofino!
Tofino is paradise to me! ??
You’re not alone on that one! :)
Up on top of any of the mountains, but especially Big White!
We are blessed by our choice of spectacular mountain tops!
Mayne Island!
Everywhere in BC is paradise but one of my favorite places is the top of joffre lake. I love the clear blue water surrounded by snow capped mountains
Joffre Lake is indeed a stunner. We’re so lucky!
Vancouver Island is my favourite place to explore! I love going to Ucluelet to storm watch and if I’m on the other side of the island, Mystic Beach is my favourite spot to visit ?
Great choices!
Avatar Grove on Vancouver Ialand is paradise to me. Thanks for the chance to win such a spectacular getaway to Oak Bay, it’s a gorgeous hotel!
Thanks for sharing your piece of paradise with us, Jeremy! This giveaway is for a Paradise towel by Slowtide and Explorer’s Press, but stay tuned for future giveaways, you never know what we might have in store! :)
The sandy beaches with a breath-taking view at Savary Island is paradise to me!
We’ve never been there! Thanks for sharing, we’ll have to add this to the list!
Congrats, Yukino! You’re the winner of this awesome towel. Please email us your full name and shipping address to claim your prize: events[at]districtlocal.com.
I love Ucluelet. It is beautiful and secluded enough to feel like you are away from everything! The people are friendly and the natural beauty is amazing!
Agreed! Ucluelet is beautiful.
I recently went to Gibsons for the first time.. my boyfriend and I both absolutely loved it!! <3
Joffre lake!
Tofino is one of my favs! But Victoria has a special place in my heart!
Roberts Creek is my kind of paradise, a quiet and charming town on the Sunshine Coast. Heaven!
Oh Rebecca Spit on Quadra Island is paradise for our family! The views are incredible and the huge knarled driftwood pieces are perfect for beachy fort making. We go in Springtime and warm up with roast weiners and s’mores…
My little paradise is whistler!
Sooke! The beaches are magnificent!
Point No Point – a secret paradise!
Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast
Serenity- love it.
I love exploring Vancouver Island. I loved seeing Myra Falls and a classic year round staple is always Rathtrevor Beach.
BC is breathtaking everywhere you look. If I had to pick just one though, i love Parksville- Laid back vibes, good food and friendly locals.
Whistler is pretty sweet
The favourite place I like to call Paradise is Nitinat, BC!
Stanley park is my paradise
We spent an amazing few nights as a family on the ocean in Qualicum Beach. The kids loved beach combing and having a fire while watching the waves.
Glacier National Park is my family’s paradise. The wilderness is amazingly pristing and majestic, there’s no light pollution at night, the air is fresh and crisp. Views from higher elevation hikes are breathtaking. We absolutely love hiking and camping there.
I haven’t really traveled much, not even in BC, so the only place I have ever visited that was paradise was Los Cabo, Mexico. It was really beautiful. I’d love to travel and explore around BC as well and hopefully find paradise a little closer to home.
Paradise is Chesterman Beach, Tofino
My favourite place to call paradise is Whistler!
Osoyoos! Spirit Ridge, siting outside, having lunch and taking the view.
Okanagan lake ?
Hornby island is a dream! The beaches prove that BC really does have the best of ALL landscapes. From glaciered mountains to white sand beaches.
Tofino, BC! ?
The drive from Victoria all the way up to Botanical Beach. Something about it makes my heart happy.
Smugglers cove at the sunshine coast…if you are lucky and have a boat…that is the place to be.
Ruckle Park on Saltspring Island is a favorite spot, but all of the Gulf Islands are paradise!
Sechelt
Wow! I love Cathedral Grove
Cathedral Grove Forest is nature at its best. Having been there for the first time and experiencing “Forest Bathing” I knew I was in paradise.
Lake cowichan is one of our favourite peaceful and serene spots (in the winter?)
In the summer it’s a hub of activity and fun!
My favorite place is Summerland resort in the okanagan. So peaceful and best place to have some R and R
Vancouver island
Bowen Island
back to my roots – Haida Gwaii <3
Bowen Island! It’s nice and quiet there!
Paradise is South Chesterman Beach, Tofino
Summerland with the lake, hiking & biking trails close by makes it perfect outdoor playground. Summerland small town escape but with awesome wineriers &farms ro shop local look at abillion atars at night!
Gabriola Island wins!
Whistler!!
Beautiful Tofino!
Osoyoos!
southern gulf islands!
Iona beach ??
Lamb island in Porpoises Bay just outside of Sechelt. It’s magical.
North Vancouver has it all <3
Deep Cove in North Vancouver! Every day here is paradise. Blazing sun or pouring rain. It’s the best of both worlds where beach and ocean meet mountains and trees. And there are Honey’s doughnuts and great coffee!
I like Whistler.
Love watching the waves in Tofino. I love the ocean!
I have a mountain hike on the Coquihalla that is my absolute happy place!! Just me and nature, hanging out!
My favourite place in BC to visit is Canim Lake- my family has been going there for years to our property in the Cariboo.
My favourite local place in Vancouver has to be enjoying a book down at Jericho Beach.
I love spending time in my home town maple ridge..exploring new trails and finding fun places near the river to relax and watch the water flow.
Downtown Kelowna BC ??