Reviews of the Union Club Victoria

"What Guests are saying about Union Club Victoria  "

Guest Review of the Union Club British Columbia
Nov 26, 2009
Union Club is an old gentlemen's club which rents out rooms to the public . Centrally located near the inner harbour and across the street from the famous Empress Hotel - has same old worldly atmosphere as the Empress at a fraction of the cost. As a guest of the hotel be forewarned, guest are expected to adhere to the fairly rigid dress codes if they wish to use the public areas of the Club.. Our rooms albeit a bit small were comfortable and tastefully furnished and the breakfast was delicious and cheap (assume same rates as for members). Public areas exude the character of a gentlemen's club from days gone by. My husband & I stayed there with friends from Oz and it was an excellent base for exploring Victoria. Will definitely be our choice hotel when returning to Victoria.

Guest Review of the Union Club British Columbia
Nov 9, 2009
That's right we visited this place in Aug 2009. However its been just lately that I stumbled upon such good site. Hence writing the review now A very very unique experience -
We stayed at the club for three evenings with our cousins who are Canadians and stay in Toronto. We were 2 families -
2 things very very important to remember
1) Carry a set of formals appropriate for dress code.. Its an old British club so don't be left out - blend in with the crowd.
2) Carry something warm even on a summer day. Old building with firm base seems to show how cold she can get inside on the HOT HOT summer day. Excellent architecture.
Furnishings and staff compliment the building. The staff was wonderful and this is one lodging we will return to again and again. Not for everyone, but if you enjoy this atmosphere you will be back.


Guest Review of the Union Club British Columbia
Oct 18, 2009
As we were travelling around Canada and would be staying in 10 different hotels, we were looking for something different, but not too pricey, in Victoria and we were not disappointed. As stated on other reviews the rooms do not have new furniture but our bed and linen were exceptionally comfortable and we had no trouble with housekeeping. We were aware of the dress code but as we didn't spend much time in the public rooms it didn't affect us. What made this hotel so nice was the rooftop garden (on the second floor) which overlooked the harbour. It was open Mon-Sat and had free tea/coffee making facilities from 7.30am. Very reasonably priced lunches were also served there. This is a gentleman's club and it was nice to gain the experience of staying in one as opposed to a chain hotel.

Guest Review of the Union Club British Columbia
Sep 20, 2009
This is a traditional gentlemen's club that takes paying guests as a side line. It is positioned right down town with views of the government building of BC (can be noisy). There is no garden with this hotel. The room we had was enormous and had the most comfortable bed. Some of the fittings were old especially in the bathroom but generally it was OK.

I would have been nice to have tea and coffee facilities in our room but sadly no. There was a constant supply of coffee downstairs in the public rooms.

All in all we had a pleasant stay and the staff could not have been more helpful.

Guest Review of the Union Club British Columbia
June 4, 2009
First, if you are a blue jeans, sneakers, sweatshirt sort of vacationer, this hotel is not for you. Stay somewhere else. If you're more comfortable in khakis and a nice shirt and enjoy the finer things in life, this is a great place to stay. You'll love it.

The Union Club is a private, members only club. They rent rooms to the general public to stay in, but it's still a private, members only club. Guests can avail themselves of all of the club's facilities, including a fitness room, dining rooms, bar, rooftop lounge, billiard room, etc., but guests must abide by the club's dress code. No jeans. No sweats. No shorts. No sneakers. Basically, you have to dress and act like a civilized human being. The dress code is relaxed for breakfast. I would not recommend the Union Club for people travelling with children.

The facility is beautiful and the staff was outstanding. The breakfast waiter was witty and fun. The front desk staff was helpful and arranged dinner reservations and reserved taxis for us.

Our rooms, two harbour view suites, were clean and large. We paid $159 Canadian per night, which is a great deal, given the location and amenities.

This is, without question, one of the nicer places I've stayed.  During our entire stay, we were treated like Club Members. The staff addressed us by name and always asked if everything was OK or if we needed anything. The level of service was superb.

If I ever return to Victoria, I would stay at the Union Club again. It's just across the street from the Empress in central Victoria.

The Union Club has beautiful views of the harbour and is just a few short blocks to the central shopping district and restaurants. Five Stars in my book.

The Union Club is a great value with wonderful amenities and style a welcome change from the normal hotel experience these days.
 

Guest Review of the Union Club British Columbia
May 2, 2009
I found the Union Club to be a civilized experience to the typical hotel experience. I stayed there for a week when I was just moving back to Victoria and found my expectations well exceeded.

My room was clean, comfortable, and tasteful. Many of the bathroom fittings appeared to be quite old , but everything worked fine and I appreciated the history. After all there is nothing more jarring than having a bedroom full of antiques with an ensuite that is totally not in the same period.

The amenities of the club are generous with a gym, pool room, library, reading room, casual dining salon, and formal dining room. The facilities are simply gorgeous and the old elevator is a real treat.

Guest Review of the Union Club British Columbia
Nov 27, 2008
This is an old British men's club that decided to open up some rooms and make some money. It is a COOL idea, and allows non- English types (including women now) to experience the "calm" of an upper class institution.

There is a dress code for public reception areas and breakfast. Thus, no "riff raff". VERY quiet, stately, and historic (big plaque above the hugh fireplace remembering the club members to gave their lives "for King and Country" in "The Great War".)

CHARMING people worked reception. It is not stuffy at all; just very gentile. Loved the experience. The location was superb; next to the Empress Hotel on the Harbor.

The rooms were very clean but a little barren; but the point was NOT to spend a lot of time in the room......



 

Union Club Victoria