Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa is the place to stay if your main reason for coming to Victoria is The Butchart Gardens. It sits at 849 Verdier Avenue on the water in Brentwood Bay, on the Saanich Peninsula, about a three-minute drive from the gardens and about sixteen minutes from Victoria International Airport, in a quiet, secluded valley setting well away from the downtown bustle. It is an adults-only resort, welcoming guests older than 15 and closing the pool, fitness centre and hot tub to under-16s. Rooms all have a fireplace and many look over the water, from 350 square foot king and twin rooms to the 475 square foot Brentwood Suite and a 1,600 square foot two-bedroom Ocean Villa. The resort has an outdoor pool open from 7am to 11pm, a hot tub, loungers, a poolside bar, a gym, a marina and a terrace, and the Essence of Life spa offers massage, facials, wraps, manicures, a mud bath and a cedar sauna with cold plunge. Dining is at The Arbutus Room, a fine-dining restaurant with ocean views that serves breakfast and dinner, and the Brentwood Bay Pub, a casual spot with a heated deck.
Location and getting around
The resort is far from downtown Victoria, about a thirty-minute drive, so it works best for visitors with a car or those who want to stay on the Saanich Peninsula. The Butchart Gardens is about three minutes away, the Victoria Butterfly Gardens are close by and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal for the mainland is within easy reach.
The resort describes a boat shuttle to Butchart Gardens, so ask about the schedule and season when you book. Free uncovered self-parking is on site, along with secured bicycle storage. Activities available through the resort include boat tours, motor boating, ecotours and private wine tours.
Rooms and who it suits
The resort suits couples, honeymooners and garden lovers who want a quiet retreat with a spa and a good restaurant, rather than a base for walking around town. Because it is adults-only, it is not for families with children, and the age rules matter: guests must be older than 15, under-17s need adult supervision in the spa, and the minimum check-in age is 19, so confirm the details with the property before you book.
Dogs are accepted in selected pet-friendly rooms for a nightly fee. There is no elevator, and the buildings are three floors, so ask for a ground-floor room if stairs are a problem.
Good to know
Check-in is from 4pm until midnight, and check-out is before 11am. A government-issued photo ID and a credit card are needed at check-in, and the resort does not accept cash or debit at check-in. Premises are smoke-free. Cooked-to-order breakfast is served in the morning, and the pub makes an easy casual dinner.
Free cancellation is available on selected rates, so compare room types and flexibility. Rates are in the upper-middle range for the region, and the best time for a stay is often a weekday in the quieter months, which also gives you The Butchart Gardens with fewer crowds, including the Magic of Christmas season from 1 December.
Why stay here
- ✓Adults-only waterfront resort
- ✓Fireplace in every room
- ✓Outdoor pool and hot tub
- ✓Essence of Life spa with cedar sauna
- ✓The Arbutus Room fine dining
- ✓Brentwood Bay Pub with heated deck
- ✓On-site marina
- ✓Free on-site parking
Good questions
How far is Brentwood Bay Resort from The Butchart Gardens?+
The gardens are about a three-minute drive away. The resort also describes a boat shuttle, so ask about the schedule when you book.
Is Brentwood Bay Resort adults only?+
Yes, guests must be older than 15, and the pool, fitness centre and hot tub are closed to under-16s. The minimum check-in age is 19.
Does Brentwood Bay Resort have a spa and restaurant?+
Yes, the Essence of Life spa and The Arbutus Room fine-dining restaurant are on site, along with the Brentwood Bay Pub.
