Strathcona Hotel (Victoria, Canada)

You won't miss out on the action here; plenty of pubs, cafes, and entertainment at your fingertips - even a liquor store on the premises. Just a stroll away from the Inner Harbour, you can catch a whale-watching tour, ferry ride or enjoy your favourite water sports. Set within a hundred-year-old building, you may find some areas need a bit of sprucing, but most are quite adequate and tick all the boxes for accommodations and fun. A standard continental breakfast is served daily. Don't miss the rooftop bar, Big Bad John's and The Sticky Wicket next door, and be sure to check out the events calendar for your time in town. Free bike lockers, free Wi-Fi, paid parking. Check with staff to find out which attractions get a discount with your hotel key. This is a great value with all the basics at affordable rates.

Nothing too extravagant, and do note some units have been more recently updated than others. Spotless with good Wi-Fi (mostly) and adequate for sleeping and showering.

Helpful, welcoming staff members will ensure your comfort from arrival to departure.

Bring your earplugs! This is a popular spot for young people, especially with the bands at the rooftop bar. Light sleepers should request rooms far from there, as well as facing away from the street.

Although Victoria doesn't usually get overwhelmingly hot, you still might miss AC for its ventilating effect. You can open a window in most rooms, but that, of course, lets noise in.

There are no refrigerators in these rooms, nor safes or movie rentals. You can watch television, though - or better yet, go explore the city!