FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do you mean by "self-catering" apartments?

A. A self-catering apartment means that it is fully equipped so that our guests can be completely independent. We do not provide maid or laundry services (except by special request for an additional charge) and our guests look after all of their own needs.

Q. Exactly where in Victoria are your apartments located?

A. Our Metro and Urban suites are located in a building called The Astoria, at 751 Fairfield Road, two blocks east of the Inner Harbour (just behind the Fairmont Empress Hotel). It is next door to the brand-new Marriott Hotel, one block away from the Executive House Hotel and about a half-block away from the Chateau Victoria Hotel. A 5 minute walk will take you to Beacon Hill Park and it’s about a 2 minute walk to Government Street and the Inner Harbour area.

Our City Skyline Suite is located in a building called The Corazon, at 732 Cormorant Street, one block east of City Hall and 3 blocks east of Victoria's Chinatown area. It is about a 5 minute walk to Government Street and about 10 minutes to the Inner Harbour.

Q. What is the easiest way to get to downtown Victoria?

A. That depends on where you’re coming from and how you’re traveling. If you’re travelling from Seattle as a foot passenger your best bet is to catch the Victoria clipper, which leaves from downtown Seattle and arrives in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The main downtown area is just a 5 minute walk from the Clipper Terminal.

If you’re flying from either Vancouver or Seattle you can travel by float plane. From Vancouver check out Harbour Air http://www.harbour-air.com from Seattle check out Kenmore Air http://www.kenmoreair.com Both airlines touch down in the Inner Harbour, it's about a 2 minute walk to the main downtown area.

If you’re driving from Seattle you can take the scenic drive to Port Angeles and then drive on to the M.V. Coho, which docks in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, just a few blocks from the downtown area.

If you're travelling from Vancouver you can travel on the BC Ferry from Tswwassen to Swartz Bay either by car, as a foot passenger or on Pacific Coach Lines bus from downtown Vancouver or the Vancouver Airport. The PCL bus depot is located in downtown Victoria. If travelling as a foot passenger you can take a city transit bus, #70 which will drop you off right outside the Astoria.

Q. Do the B.C. Ferries dock in downtown Victoria?

A. No. The B.C. Ferries Terminal is located at Swartz Bay, which is about a 45 minute drive from downtown Victoria. Also, the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes docks in Sidney, which is about a 40-minute drive from downtown Victoria.

Q. How big are your apartments?

A. Our Metro Suite is approximately 600 square feet. Our Urban Suite is approximately 500 square feet. Our City Skyline Suite is approximately 850 square feet.

Q. Do your apartments have laundry facilities?

A. Yes, all of our apartments have complete en-suite laundry facilities.

Q. Do you provide parking at your apartments?

A. Yes, you are provided with one, free, underground parking spot

Q. Is there anywhere nearby where I can buy groceries?

A. Yes. There are a couple of 24 hour convenience stores located just 2-3 blocks away from both buildings and there are a couple of full supermarkets (Thrifty Foods and The Market on Yates) both are within a few minutes drive from the apartments.

Q. Do you allow pets in your apartments?

A. No. Sorry, but due to allergy concerns of other guests we do not permit pets in our apartments. (Also we don’t allow smoking)

Q. What kinds of things are there to do that are close to your apartments?

A. There are so many activities it’s almost impossible to list them all…but here are a few that are just a few blocks away from our vacation rental apartments:

Visit the Royal British Columbia Museum.
Tour the B.C. Legislative Building.
Take the kids to the Victoria Bug Zoo.
Visit The Land of the Little People.
Have afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel.
Stroll along Government Street (Victoria’s main tourist strip).
Picnic in Beacon Hill park, just a few minutes walk from the apartments.
Take a walk along the Dallas Road waterfront, about a 10-20 minute walk (5-10 minute drive) from the apartments.
Do some downtown shopping, or your banking on Douglas Street.
Visit the main branch of the Victoria Public Library.
Attend a live performance event at the Royal Theatre, McPherson Theatre, Alex Gooldin Concert Hall, Metro Theatre.
Go to a movie at the Odeon or Empire Theatres.
See the buskers and watch the water-based activities at the Inner Harbour.
Visit ChinaTown
Stroll along the streets of Old Town, including the LoJo Fashion District, Market Square and Bastion Square

Q. What About Refund Policies and Trip Cancellation?

A. Vacation properties are often booked many months in advance and the property will be held for your use during your trip. When the property is being held for you, it obviously cannot be rented to someone else. Therefore, like cruise, tour packages and airline tickets, when booking/reserving a vacation rental home, you will usually need to make a full or partial payment upfront in order to hold the property. Normally this is not a problem, BUT if you have to cancel your trip (especially at the last minute), you should know that you may forfeit a portion or all of your rental fees. There are ways to protect yourself however - FIRST: Make sure you know what the cancellation policies are for the property you are renting. SECOND: Consider purchasing Trip Cancellation Insurance for added protection.

If you have to cancel your vacation rental trip, are you eligible for a refund? It depends on the cancellation/refund policy of the property that you are renting and how much notice you are able to give. Usually the more notice that you are able to give, the better chance that the property can be re-rented and the more likely that you will be able to secure a partial or a complete refund. Some properties may allow you to transfer your vacation to another time period. We recommend that you find out about the cancellation/refund policy before you rent and ask for the policy in writing when you reserve the property. For additional protection, we recommend that you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance. Most people are not aware that this insurance is available for your vacation rental trip but it is available thru companies such as InsureMyTrip.com

Q. What are some covered reasons for Trip Cancellation/Interruption?

A.There are many different types of trip insurance available, but Trip Cancellation and Interruption protection is the most important benefit you should look for. If your trip has to be cancelled for covered reasons such as illness, accident, death of a family member or traveling companion, jury duty, weather conditions which cause delay/ cancellation of travel or fire or flood in your home, this coverage protects your investment and will reimburse the normally non-refundable payments you make for your vacation rental, airline tickets and other covered travel related fees.

If you miss your planned departure for a covered reason, you may also be covered for additional travel expenses to reach your destination. If you have to interrupt a trip due to a covered illness, this insurance will cover your transportation home. Please check the options available to you through InsureMyTrip.com

Q. How safe is downtown Victoria?

A. For the most part it is very safe, especially in the area where our apartments are located. Having said that, like any North American city we have our share of petty criminals, drunken hooligans, beggars and the less fortunate homeless people. Most of these people populate the North end of town and are away from where we are located. But, if you go out at night always be aware of what is going on around you and stay on the main thoroughfares.

Q. Is it possible to get from the BC Ferry Terminal to downtown Victoria by bus?

A. Yes! Victoria Regional Transit has buses that meet the BC Ferries upon arrival (#70 Express, and the #72 which travels to downtown via Sidney. Follow this link for more information. In addition, you can travel from downtown Victoria out to the BC Ferry terminal on the same bus routes.

Do you have a question about our apartments or about Victoria? If you do just send us an E-mail City Life Suites

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