Whenever I’ve been stressed this summer (which has been…a lot), in my minds eye I go to floating in a warm turquoise mineral pool, the sun baking my skin as I hear the waves of the Salish Sea lapping at the beach below the pools. In other words, I transport myself back to a couple months ago, when my sister and I went on the dreamiest sisters trip to Oak Bay Beach Hotel for a couple days of true rest, incredible food and time with one another as we relaxed at this beautiful place.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel has been there for so many big life moments for me (a babymoon and my first little trip with Cal when he was about 6 months old), and as I’m in another big season of change as a newly single mum, it felt only natural to pour into my cup once again at Oak Bay. My older sister lives in Europe and whenever she comes home (which she has been doing a lot to support me, what an angel), we always try to plan a trip somewhere together. We really wanted to just have time together and not feel like we had to sightsee, leave wherever we were staying or have to seek out good food elsewhere.
Since Oak Bay Beach Hotel has literally everything you could ever need for the most relaxing trip on-site, it was perfect. We checked in and our gorgeous ocean-view garden suite already felt immediately like our sanctuary, with bees buzzing in the lavender outside the sliding doors and a soaker tub with a shuttered view of the ocean you can open up. With two queen beds for two queens to relax in, we did all our usual creature comforts we like to do together: LED masks, a cheesy movie, coffee in bed in the mornings and pulling tarot cards for one another.
But of course, the real draw of Oak Bay Beach Hotel is just a short meandering walk from our suite, past some wildflowers and terraces overlooking the Salish Sea: the mineral pools. The mineral pools are stretched right in front of the sea, making it almost feel like there’s no break between them visually. Their warmth and minerals help relax your body and unwind your mind, and there are also a couple hot tubs dotting the pool area to soak in and take in the views.
There is also an incredible outdoor wood Stargazing Sauna with a frame-worthy view of the ocean to soak in as you enjoy the sauna. Next door to the pools is the Boathouse Spa, where you can get incredible massages, facials and use the indoor sauna.
But of course, all this relaxation makes you hungry (hard work jumping from pool to hot tub to sauna, right?). We basically just lived on-site at Oak Bay for our few days because we didn’t have to stray far to get incredible food. At the front of the hotel is FARO, where we had dinner the first night. We both got the most amazing wood-fired Neopolitan-style pizzas (no sharing going on here) and a couple margaritas to celebrate the start of the trip. I’ve had the Spicy Beast before and loved it but opted for the Capricciosa and it may be a new favourite.
If you’re visiting Oak Bay though, then a meal at The Snug is mandatory; it is an institution for a reason. We had both dinner and breakfast here, both amazing. To be entirely honest I wasn’t joking when I said that the mineral pools made me starving (there must be some science behind this) so I got the Snug Burger and it was exactly what I needed to fuel up with.
We wanted to go enjoy the sunset view at the terrace that overlooks the pools, but as we were leaving the piano started up at The Snug and it just felt like being transported back in time, which is a large part of the appeal of Oak Bay Beach Hotel; all the luxury and comforts of today, but it’s such an iconic part of Victoria history as well, I love that they still pay homage to the beautiful traditions of the era they were born from, like live piano at dinnertime.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel is a bucket list destination for a reason, it’s truly a full immersive experience and one that you’ll go back to (like I have, both literally and mentally) again and again once you have your first visit. Keep an eye out on their Special Offers page for offers like their BC Residents Rate or seasonal/wellness packages. This dreamy destination is one you need to experience at least once in your life.
