Where to Stay

Victoria has a vast array of beautiful downtown hotels, including a number of options right in the Inner Harbour and the downtown core. During the summer room rates average around $150 per night, though depending on what location and options you choose they can rise dramatically.

The Victoria Dragon Boat Festival has negotiated great rates with a number of convenient, downtown hotels.  For proximity, we recommend the Hotel Grand Pacific, the Inn at Laurel Point, and the Marriott Inner Harbour. Check out our Accommodations page for full information, including rates and booking details.

The Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour is a short five minute walk away from Paddlers' Village. While convenient for downtown and the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival, it is also located in a slightly quieter area. Be sure to check out the Fire and Water Fish and Chophouse, with a cocktail menu written by local legend Solomon Siegel.

The Hotel Grand Pacific overlooks the Finish
Line at the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival

The Hotel Grand Pacific is situated right in the heart of the Inner Harbour. Looking out over the race course, it's hard to imagine how you could get closer to the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. The hotel is close enough that you can easily run back for your sunglasses, or stop by your room for a quick shower between your last race of the day on Saturday afternoon and the Paddlers' Airband Competition.

On the other end of the harbour, the Inn at Laurel Point looks out over the start line of the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. The luxurious grounds offer a calm oasis in the heat of the summer.  From the patio of Aura Restaurant you can watch seaplanes take off and land, and on the Festival weekend it's the perfect spot to watch the start of the races. Tune in to @VictoriaDragon on Twitter to catch the results.

Traveling on a budget? The iconic Paul's Motor Inn offers attractive rates for teams making the most of their travel money this year. Still within walking distance of the Festival, you and your team can meander through Chinatown and along Government Street to reach the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival.

An option you might not have considered is the University of Victoria's student residences.  During the summer months, the student rooms are converted into low-cost hotels.  While the University is a bus ride away from the downtown area, this does represent the ultimate in budget travel. If you are traveling with a group or with family, particularly if you have younger kids, some of the University's apartment-style units offer an attractive alternative to traditional hotel accommodation.