We loved the location, reasonable price and friendly staff.

Stayed in April 2025

We stayed at the James Bay Inn in Victoria for three nights and had a fantastic experience. The location is excellent—just a short walk to Beacon Hill Park, the Parliament buildings, and downtown. The staff were very friendly, and everything was exceptionally clean. We also appreciated the complimentary coffee and tea. The hotel has a pub and restaurant on-site, where we enjoyed some delicious burgers.

Stayed in April 2025

Nothing

Great location, large comfortable room, Queen size bed, quiet part of Victoria but very well located to city and beach. Great and very helpful staff

Stayed in March 2025

Very clean room, great value, excellent restaurant, quiet area, coffee and hot water complimentary, friendly staff

Stayed in March 2025

Smokers from both the pub and hotel hang out at a corner which was just below our window when we had an upstairs suite at the cottage ,so we had to close it at night to avoid loudish conversation. Also our room in the main hotel could have used an extra bedside table with lighting for convient reading.

Friendly staff in hotel and at conviently located restaurant. This heritage property is most comfortable with an old world ambience in a great neighbourhood. Enjoyed lots of free coffee in lobby in the mornings and pleasant service by staff at all levels.

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing

Location so close to centre,quaint old inn,room well furnished,big bay window as well as a small one,fridge.Very quiet street.Morning coffee and tea in lobby.Large common areas with seating,all furnished beautifully in Victorian style.Big parking lot.

Stayed in March 2025

Parking challenge when arriving in the evening

Stayed in March 2025

Staff was great.

Stayed in March 2025

The front desk staff and the restaurant staff were all fabulous, professional and friendly!

Stayed in February 2025

Housekeeping staff started working at 730 and you could hear them in the hallway.

The staff were so friendly.

Stayed in February 2025

Room was a bit hot the first night, but slept OK by keeping the window wide open. Not clear if we could adjust the heat in any way--afraid to turn down the tap to the hot water radiator lest we screw something up. Might have helped if there were instructions in the room about how to control the heat?

Comfortable, clean, sunny room. Bed was very comfortable. Instant abundant hot water in the sink and shower. Staff was most pleasant and helpful, suggested (and found for us) a better room than I had originally booked. Excellent downtown location.

Stayed in February 2025

Think there should be grab bars on the tub wall for seniors' safety.

Walking distance to many sites convenient. Very accommodating, pleasant staff. Quiet surroundings..

Stayed in February 2025

more control over room temp would have been nice (it got a bit hot)

the vibe, location, and friendly staff

Stayed in February 2025

Good location. Quiet area but near downtown.

Stayed in February 2025

Attitude of the restaurant manager for breakfast. Very brusque.

Location and interior design

Stayed in February 2025

Nothing, this was a great stay in a cool place. I've stayed in so many places in victoria and this is one of my very favorites.

This is such a cool building to stay in, rich with history, easy walking distance to almost everything, pub and diner in the bottom for easy eating, and very quiet at night. But the best thing is the staff ! The staff were all so friendly, funny and just lovely to chat with.

Stayed in January 2025

The food was good but the vegetables were over cooked

We were happy with everything overall I was very impressed with the staff in the restaurant and how they engaged the customers The majority were obviously regulars and seniors and the staff treated them like friends

Stayed in January 2025

The Inn rightly prides itself on its history and tradition. However if the heating system was updated e.g. with thermostats in each room, the old style could be maintained but at the same time be more comfortable and friendly to the environment. Instead of lots of tiny portions of milk, to reduce plastic, perhaps a different system could be thought of eg using a jug or flask?

Excellent location in lovely part of Victoria, near bay, museum, pask etc All staff were lovely, helpful and pleasant wifi free parking in centre was a great bonus the cafe/restaurant downstairs was great with private bay areas for small groups to be together the complimentary coffee in the morning was plentiful and excellent quality

Stayed in January 2025

it's not wheel-chair accessible - which would be impossible to fix without a major re-vamp. it'd be extra special if it came with free breakfast but there is free coffee. No real constructive criticism.

This place is a historic landmark - lavish halls filled with antique, period furniture. Emily Carr lived the very end of her life here and the house where she grew up (now a museum) is right down the road. It's a little enchanted fragment of a richer, more elegant past. So close to Beacon Hill Park you can taste the open water and feel the closeness of nature. Ten minutes from the Museum and Legislature. Beautiful art all over the walls, friendly and helpful staff, lovely diner and pub underneath - it's a unique lens to see Victoria through. Must visit. Very special.

Stayed in January 2025

Everything was Ace.

The 'Empress of James Bay', indeed. An honour to be a guest at this wonderful old hotel.

Stayed in January 2025

Room was a bit warm but otherwise comfortable

Love the location. Easy walk to downtown and Dallas Road etc. Great hotel staff.

Stayed in December 2024

We are always happy and excited staying at James Bay Hotel. It's our favorite hotel in Victoria. Indhira Burnett

Stayed in December 2024

No independent thermostat. Too much furniture in the room. No room safe. Suggest getting rid of mini fridge and chest of drawers. Mount TV on the wall or a narrow console. Add a power bar on the desk so devices can be plugged in without getting on hands and knees to reach only available outlet.

Parking & wifi were included. Charming residential neighborhood. Room was freshly redecorated. Blackout curtains were effective. Breakfast hours were most of the morning so ok to sleep in. Food was tasty with free coffee refills.

Stayed in December 2024

Really low water pressure in the shower.

I love this place! Location can’t be beat, front desk staff is exceptional, it’s clean and comfortable and has an old-style charm. The food and drinks at the restaurant and the pub are quite good. This has become my go-to place in Victoria.

Stayed in December 2024