This is an old British men's club that decided to open up some rooms and make some money. It is a COOL idea, and allows non- English types (including women now) to experience the "calm" of an upper class institution.

There is a dress code for public reception areas and breakfast. Thus, no "riff raff". VERY quiet, stately, and historic (big plaque above the hugh fireplace remembering the club members to gave their lives "for King and Country" in "The Great War".)

CHARMING people worked reception. It is not stuffy at all; just very gentile. Loved the experience. The location was superb; next to the Empress Hotel on the Harbor.

The rooms were very clean but a little barren; but the point was NOT to spend a lot of time in the room......

This is a traditional gentlemen's club that takes paying guests as a side line. It is positioned right down town with views of the government building of BC (can be noisy). There is no garden with this hotel. The room we had was enormous and had the most comfortable bed. Some of the fittings were old especially in the bathroom but generally it was OK.

I would have been nice to have tea and coffee facilities in our room but sadly no. There was a constant supply of coffee downstairs in the public rooms.

All in all we had a pleasant stay and the staff could not have been more helpful.

I found the Union Club to be a civilized experience to the typical hotel experience. I stayed there for a week when I was just moving back to Victoria and found my expectations well exceeded.

My room was clean, comfortable, and tasteful. Many of the bathroom fittings appeared to be quite old (the tub was definitely pre-war), but everything worked fine and I appreciated the history. After all there is nothing more jarring than having a bedroom full of antiques with an ensuite that is totally not in the same period.

The amenities of the club are generous with a gym, pool room, library, reading room, casual dining salon, and formal dining room. The facilities are simply gorgeous and the old elevator is a real treat. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the evening ensconced in a leather sofa in front of the fireplace in the reading room, perusing stacks of newspapers and magazines.

The general ambience of the club is gracious without being pretentious. The staff are friendly without being intrusive. Because this is a club, not a hotel, there are some expectations of responsibility on the part of the guests. This means that there is a dress code in the common areas of the club, but this is not onerous if you are used to simple conventions of public decorum anyway. Also, the general public is not permitted on the premises -- club members and booked guests only. The upside to this is that even at the height of a busy season, the club feels like an uncluttered haven.

Thats right we visited this place way back in 2004. However its been just lately that I stumbled upon such good site. Hence writing the review in 2006

A very very unique experience -

We stayed at the club for three evenings with our cousins who are Canadians and stay in Toronto. We were 2 families -
2 things very very important to remember

1) Carry a set of formals appropriate for dress code.. Its an old british club so don't be left out - blend in with the crowd.
2) Carry something warm even on a summer day. Oldbuilding with firm base seems to show how cold she can get inside on the HOT HOT summer day. Excellent architecture.

Furnishings and staff compliment the building. The staff was wonderful and this is one lodging we will return to again and again. Not for everyone, but if you enjoy this atmosphere you will be back.