Name: By the Sea BnB Sidney BC
Address: 8626 Lochside Dr, North Saanich, BC V8L 1M7, Canada, North Saanich, North Saanich, North Saanich, V8L 1M7, Canada
Rating: 8

Elevator/lift

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Adults Only

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Victoria International Airport

Victoria Inner Harbour Airport

Friday Harbor Airport

William R. Fairchild International Airport

Nanaimo Airport

By the Sea BnB Sidney BC

North Saanich

We found the host/owner quite unpleasant and rude.  Check In was 3 pm but when we arrived at 3 was told “you weren’t supposed to get here till 830”.   That was not us that told her that.  We were given our room (upstairs - beautiful rooms with great view) and told we were given an upgrade.  We did not ask for this.  Then told if we etransfer we did not have to pay the credit card extra charge.  We did etransfer the amount the next morning, however credit card was also charged that next day at a higher rate then quoted in the confirmation.  When queried, we’re told it needed to be paid on checkin, however nothing was said to us about this.  All very unpleasant and would not recommend.

A disappointment

We stayed in the bedroom upstairs with a king bed (#1), with gorgeous views of the ocean. Our hostess was very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was delicious. And we learned a lot about whales and octopus over breakfast - bonus!

Great accomodation near Sydney

The B&B is much closer to the highway that backs on the property than the sea.  They have a patio area out front to relax but the highway noise takes away from any relaxation. The exterior of the property requires some work, with many signs of deferred maintenance.  We booked at this inn for 2 nights but we decided that one night was more than enough. After we checked into the room we noticed an odor, the owner told me that it was the sanitizer they use. There are odorless sanitizers they could be using.  The room left a lot to be desired. We found hairs on the towels in the bathroom and the blinds in the bathroom were badly coated with dust & grime. There were tissues from past clients just under the bed. The bedding very poor quality,   especially the sheets. At 10 pm the people arrived in the next room and we discovered the lack of sound proofing. We heard them hanging up clothes , talking and taking a shower.  Breakfast was provided , I ate a portion of my meal  but my wife looked at it and pushed it away. They couldn't even provide a decent cup of coffee. There are much better places to stay in the greater Victoria area.

the name should "By the 4 lane highway"

The house is architecturally interesting and furnished with an assortment of antique-ish things. My room was big, quiet, clean and comfortable with a water view, but the huge king bed was a little too cushy. Breakfast was very good, and so generous I couldn't finish it all - I left the sausages because I'm not a meat eater (maybe they could offer vegetarian options to avoid waste?). It was a 40 minute walk back to Sidney to get dinner, but there is a direct bus route, and the Lochside Trail runs right out front. I stayed overnight after arriving on the Washington State ferry with my bicycle, heading to Victoria BC to ride the Galloping Goose Trail. The hostess was very helpful about letting me keep my bike locked up in the garage.

Quirky, Comfortable B&B

The owner was welcoming and helpful and served up a fine breakfast both mornings we were there.  One thing we enjoy about staying at B&Bs is that the owners always have helpful local knowledge about restaurants and places to visit and activities to take in during our stay.  This was certainly true here again and led to a very enjoyable day hiking and dining out.

Restful Place and Great Location

We have stayed in many B&Bs in many different countries, but this was undoubtedly the worst.  The website shows views looking out over the ocean, but we were given a small bedroom (supposedly an upgrade) with the window completely obscured by tree branches and facing towards the busy Hwy #17, which meant we had traffic noise and car lights all night. The mattress was substandard and there were only two wooden chairs to sit on, one of them taken up by our suitcase. The venetian blinds were dirty, as was the cupboard under the sink and there was more dirt under the toilet seat. The stair carpet was also dirty and there was dust you could write your name in under the couch near the breakfast area. Despite this, the hostess asked us to take off our shoes in the house, even though it was perfectly dry outside. She later justified this by saying she didn’t want us to slip, but it was far slippier on the tile floors in our socks. She also fussed about where the friends who dropped us had parked their car, though I told her they would be leaving in a few minutes. Though we had been travelling since 6 am, we were offered no refreshments when we arrived and there was no tea or coffee maker in the room. When we asked if we could have a cup of coffee we were told it would not be available till 6 am the following morning. The hostess later said she did usually offer her guests a glass of wine, but no such offer was made to us. When I pointed this out at our 7.30 am breakfast, she asked me if I would like some wine with my breakfast! We were offered no choice at breakfast and since my wife doesn’t eat a hot breakfast, all she had was a small cup of yoghurt and granola. When I asked for some toast, the hostess said she didn’t make toast. There were no homemade preserves, bread or baked goods of any kind. We were not offered the use of any other rooms in the house and, since we didn’t have a car, we were effectively confined to our room from 6 pm until the following morning. The garden was barred by a big iron gate firmly closed and looked as if it was shut for the season. We did try walking up the busy road in front of the house but beach access was not easy.  The hostess asked for payment immediately on arrival and our room cost $159. It wasn’t worth half that. All told, a very unpleasant experience.

Worst B&B we have ever stayed in

Arriving at night is a sheer delight as the garden lights are illuminated resembling an 1930s hollywood hills home. Upon entering the Inn, one is greeted by the sounds of cool jazz and the delightful host Wendy. Decor is sea related gathered from the local antique shops in the area. A warm history abounds in the precise decorating and keeps to the seaside theme. Beds are tall and cozy and decor correct . In the morning, Wendy prepares a great tasty breakfast complete with tales of the surrounding areas by the host herself. I will continue to stay here in the future and explore the adventures of the surrounding areas...

Grand with a touch of old Hollywood

This was one of the worst b&bs we have ever stayed at
Price is way out of line
King size bed was old, worn out and lumpy
House had a mildew smell
Highway noise all night
Light from front door shone in room all night
Carpet leading upstairs was old and stained
The host was nice but awkward, we did not feel welcome or comfortable

By the Highway

This was the worst BnB I have ever stayed in .... and I travel a lot . The “excellent and good “ reviews must have been written by the host!!!! Be aware ... the bed was old and sagged badly. The room had a mouldy smell and there was outside lights shining in all night. The place is on the wrong side of a very busy street to the front and a very very busy highway behind it

By the Sea BnB Sidney BC

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