A couple of weeks ago, we took our very first weekend away since Damien was born nearly 2 years ago! We heard of a deal for the Sooke Harbour House from living social, and having heard it was amazing, snapped up the deal. We booked an upgrade on our room too, to really get the most of the experience, particularly as we timed the trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Although a long trip to get there, it was worth every moment.
Sooke Harbour House – Overall Impression
Sooke Harbour House has an amazing history that greets you when you pull into the drive. Although the vista from the property is beautiful and unmarred, it’s really the House itself that adds a unique charm to your visit.
Sooke Harbour House began hotel accommodations in 1929 with a tea house, expanding beyond the farmhouse when it was purchased by current owners Frederique and Sinclair Philip, who between 1979 and 1986 expanded the building to have additional guest rooms and full-service dining. Since then, there have been more rooms added (to the 28 now available) and several updated to offer luxury features.
Although we can appreciate the rooms, it was really the charm of Sooke Harbour House that hooked us, from the galleries throughout, to the welcoming service, and the cookie jar left in the hall. You know, in case you need more cookies, in addition to the ones in your room. Cookies. Older fixtures and decor? Just adds to the charm, when brightened up by the love evident all over the place.
Our Room
We had one of the luxury suites at Sooke Harbour House, the Sea Song Room, although each room offers a completely unique character and charm. There’s no standardization here!
Our room was split level, with a wood burning fireplace, jetted tub, and lovely seating area with an ocean view. All rooms have an ocean view, but still it was amazing to have such privacy there! None of the rooms have televisions, but our room did have a checkers set! Plus, port and cookies ;)
The room was very well appointed, though the bed was a little firm for my taste.
Hotel Dining Options
This is the real star of the hotel. When your hotel has a food philosophy, you know you’re in for a treat. The restaurant has a focus on fresh, natural and very local ingredients, and this philosophy is evident in every bite. The meals feature many ingredients grown on-site in their edible landscaping, where over 200 edible herbs, greens, flowers and vegetables are grown.
The menu is organized into 4 courses, though you can order a la carte from any course. Our first night, we ordered 2 courses, while our second we splurged for the full 4 courses with the wine pairings. Although there was a server mishap on night two (thanks to an empty printer for the order), the food made up for it. I have not enjoyed a restaurant anywhere like this in a long while.
My favourite elements of the menus (see a sample menu here) was the way the chef was able to bring the freshness of local greens into many dishes as not just an accent, but as a really powerful statement. The soups I had both nights were truly astonishing, and even Ianiv loved the salad with all the greens and flowers. Everything was cooked to perfection and presented with care. Just looking at the new sample menu made me want to go back!
Oh, and breakfast? They bring it to your room. You fill out your order the night before (fresh pastries, eggs, local yogurt, homemade granola, etc), with a preferred time, and it is delivered to your room. A lovely bed & breakfast touch to the experience.
Would we go back? What do you think? ;)
