Sophisticated Eco Resort with Sweeping Downtown Views

Inside Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa’s three-story glass atrium, fish swim in a small pond surrounded by 80-year-old palms, ferns, cycads, and ficus. It's like a scene from the forests of Madagascar has been transported 10,500 miles to downtown Victoria and just a few blocks from the British Columbia Parliament buildings. The resort is full of these serene natural settings, from the atrium’s koi ponds to the first floor's rock-and-stone façade to the fruit-tree-studded garden. Complementing its organic relationship with nature are the resort’s eco-friendly policies and practices, which have helped Parkside Victoria win several awards, including the highest-possible LEED platinum certification.

These environmentally sustainable actions are evident throughout the resort: some carpets are made from recycled plastic pop bottles, and soil and vegetation from rooftop gardens help insulate the building. Those gardens also produce strawberries, grapes, blueberries, and other fruits and herbs. And if you’re driving an electric car to Parkside Victoria, you’ll find charging stations in the parking lot—one of the first hotels in Canada to feature them.

Hardwood floors in the luxury suites have been harvested from sustainable forests and complement the solid-maple dining table. A private patio overlooking the historic downtown connects the living room and master bedroom, both with flat-screen TVs and electric fireplaces. If you feel like cooking inside, feel free to use the granite kitchen’s stainless-steel dishwasher, refrigerator, and stove. And for those coming back from a day of snowboarding or fencing on the ice, the two bathrooms’ heated tile floors can warm your toes.

This deal also includes a discount at the onsite AquaTerre Spa, where technicians help dissolve stress with hot-stone massages and deep-sea-salt body scrubs. You’ll feel relaxed while drinking complimentary tea among potted plants in the spa’s lounge, a feeling that carries into the candlelit treatment rooms. Aside from AquaTerre’s, you can hang out on sustainable furniture in the lobby lounge and on the rooftop patio.

Victoria, British Columbia: Historical Capital City Surrounded by Natural Beauty

Located on the southern part of Vancouver Island off Canada’s Pacific coast, Victoria has a history as a gold-rush town and naval base, which can still be seen in the 19th-century warehouses downtown and the Victorian mansions along James Bay. Just around the corner, the Royal BC Museum delves into the region’s history with an impressive collection of artifacts and artwork, including a modern history gallery showcasing indigenous totem poles and masks. And since it’s the capital of British Columbia, Victoria has its share of beautiful government buildings, the neo-baroque British Columbia Parliament buildings being foremost among them.

With Victoria’s quaint character, horse-drawn carriage tours are a fitting way to explore the city’s natural treasures. Tally-Ho Carriage Tours gallop through Beacon Hill Park and past James Bay's exquisite gardens. Whale watching, kayaking, and other open-air pursuits are also popular activities for active travelers. For longer getaways, dedicating a day trip to surrounding rainforests can let you see Vancouver Island's varied wildlife and terrain, including the craggy mountains in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.