Sooke Harbour House

We were guests at the Sooke Harbour House in 2015. Now it's under new ownership, it's been expanded and remodeled, and there's also a new chef. It's a different place now, but still luxurious and of top quality. The original Sooke Harbour House had a certain quirky charm, with seacape mural painting in the elevator and weather gear for guests use at the exit--those features are gone, though the mosaic inlay in the concrete at their front entrance was preserved. We slurged for their epicurean package, two nights, two breakfasts, and one five-course chef's menu dinner. Our room was spacious, luxurious, with a fireplace (fire available at extra charge), a soaker tub, and a delightful semi-private balcony with a view of the harbor. Our breakfasts were scrumptuous. I had the wild mushroom benedict on day 1 and their salmon, smoked in-house, on day 2. Great food, great coffee. Our five-course dinner was also delicious. We indulged in the late afternoon in cocktails and I had a plate of their raw little wing Pacific oysters and a martini--just what I'd been looking forward to. I believe they still source most of their foods from within a 50 mile radius and they grow herbs and edible flowers on-site. Pricey, yes. But I'd say more than worth it.

We dined at the Sooke Harbour House's Copper Room Patio on a Sunday early evening and it was a wonderfully serene and relaxing experience. The dinner combined a serene and quiet atmosphere of the restaurant with beautiful water views in late-day sunlight and sophisticated seafood courses. In nice weather, from the restaurant, you may want to stroll out onto the Whiffin Spit trail, separating Sooke Bay and harbor from the San Juan de Fuca Strait before or after dinner.... a leisurely about 1 1/2 mile roundtrip.

The kale in their Caesar salad was tough and unchewable. The croutons hard as a rock and tasteless. The grated cheese was almost nonexistent together with a dressing that barely was there. All that for only $19! Their $27 hamburger was very average at best. The music was unnerving and inappropriate. Never going back there again!

The Sooke Harbour House has the BEST Bartender. Her name is Kaila and she makes the most delicious drinks with flair and savy. If you sit at the bar she is fun to talk to as well. The Harbour house Bar and Grill is Oceanfront with a fabulous view of the Juan De Fuca Stait. Cheers!!!!

Overpriced, poor quality meals with mediocre service. This was a most disappointing experience. I recommend Bray’s, Wind Cries Mary or even Earl’s as a much better dining experience.