Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria on the Harbour

Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria on the Harbour is the budget pick for travellers who want to be on the Inner Harbour without paying harbour-hotel prices. It stands at 427 Belleville Street, directly across from the Coho ferry terminal and a few minutes' walk from the Parliament Buildings, the Royal BC Museum and the Empress, so its location is as good as hotels charging far more. The biggest saving is parking, which is free for all guests, first come first served, with a pass handed out at check-in; that alone can make a real difference in downtown Victoria. There is a covered hot tub that is open all year and a heated outdoor pool that operates seasonally, a front desk staffed around the clock with friendly local advice, and an unusually generous pet policy that accepts dogs, cats and even birds and fish. Rooms are simple and comfortable, with heating but no air conditioning, which is rarely a problem in Victoria's mild climate. There is no complimentary breakfast, but an independently run restaurant and bar on site serves meals. The hotel's staff have won local hospitality awards, and it follows simple green practices such as water bottle refill stations.

Location and getting around: you can walk to almost everything on a first visit. The Parliament Buildings and the Royal BC Museum are a few minutes east, the Empress and the whale-watching and seaplane docks about ten minutes around the harbour, and Beacon Hill Park about fifteen minutes south. Fisherman's Wharf is a short stroll west. With free parking, it is also a good base if you plan to drive to Butchart Gardens, the Butterfly Gardens and the Malahat SkyWalk. The Swartz Bay ferry terminal for Vancouver is about 32 kilometres north, roughly 45 minutes by car, and Victoria International Airport about 25 kilometres.

Rooms and who it suits: the Days Inn suits budget-minded couples and families, road-trippers with a car, travellers with pets, and anyone arriving or leaving on the Coho to Port Angeles. It is not a luxury hotel, and you should not expect harbour views from every room, but it is clean, friendly and very well placed.

Good to know: nearly half the rooms have a step up into the bathroom, which matters if you have limited mobility, so mention it when you book. Payment is by credit card only. The outdoor pool is seasonal, so in November expect only the hot tub. Rates are among the lowest on the Inner Harbour, especially in the off-season, and the hotel also offers longer-stay deals for winter visitors.