On our latest travels we were on the island, here to experience the new culinary era of Sooke Harbour House.
This would be my first time at Sooke Harbour House, and my guest’s second. But since her original stay the property has come under new management, and has seen significant renovations that includes a refreshed paint job and an updated and more modern look.
The property still features the original building from the 1930’s, but more has been added to it as things progressed. The current management took over as of July 2025 and since then they have been rebuilding and transitioning, wanting to set themselves apart from all the other resorts on the island, not just in town. Their goal is to welcome you into their home, which speaks to their hospitality. Their new chef and beverage director also just started this summer. Although they have both hit the ground running, having had worked together previously and with Sooke Harbour House’s new general manager.
We were given a tour of the property, speaking to what is to come. What sets the property apart is that each room in unique on to itself. They have over 20 rooms in total, all of them a single bed room, except for our room 201 suite. This unit gave my guest and I our own beds and a privacy door. While we shared the rest of the space.
I got the king size bed in the middle of the living room and she the queen in on off suite. Her individual room had a glass ceiling and the ability to look at the stars as she drifted to sleep.
We immediately made ourselves at home with the branded slippers and robes waiting for us in the closet and wardrobe. Most of our time would be spent sitting on the lawn chairs, on the balcony. Here we had a stunning view overlooking the ocean. It was so peaceful.
The living room was welcoming with sofa seating, a coffee table, television, plus a fireplace. There was a countertop equipped with a kettle for hot tea and instant coffee that you stir. The latter was the resort’s own brand, like their matches, and many of the other details that made the property special.
I was especially delighted with the wood-burning fireplace. The entirety of our suite was heated by a smaller heating unit. We didn’t realize that we needed to turn it on, so by the time we were ready for bed we were too cold to sleep. Luckily, after a quick call to the alert front desk, they gave us a solution.
An easy lite wrapped log was brought to our room and a lighter to burn it with. After firing it up in the fire place and placing the guard to ensure there will be no lose embers, the rooms quickly heated and we easily drifted to sleep in our plush beds with fluffed up pillows and sheets.
Interesting was the additional sink in this space. I didn’t know the purpose of it and we never used it.
We did use the one in the bathroom, along with everything else in that well-lit space. Especially eye-catching was the stain glass art piece that crowned the claw foot bath tub. Seeing as the property didn’t have a communal pool, and our room didn’t come with our hot tub, we were turn our beloved tub into one. And after seeing the giant wooden board rest across it, I decided that we would use it as a charcuterie board and have dinner in this fashion.
On our second night we ended up getting room service delivered to us. This was a plate of artisan cheeses, salted meat, fresh fruit, and pickles to have with crackers and bread. We paired this with wine that we purchased for the trip and enjoyed both, side by side in our swimsuits, in the tub of warm water.
When not repurposing said tub we utilized the tiled standing shower instead. This was equipped with complementary shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. They have a partnership with local apothecary brand Seaflora, who specializes in organic thalasso skin care. As locals to the area, they harvest seaweed and sand from the surrounding beaches, which they use to make all their natural products. They have a shop where you can purchase this elevated line of products, so it was nice to be able to get better acquainted with it here first.
Other complimentary toiletries included cotton pads and cotton swabs, shower caps, soap, and plenty of towels.
During our tour we also got to see a few of their more notable rooms including the Victor Newman suite. This was named after the local indigenous artist, who has his carvings present around the resort and within said suite. The focal point here was the hot tub in the middle of the room and the wood carved backsplash to it.
I liked the studio rooms that had their bed on an elevated platform. The resort is pet friendly and dogs are especially welcomed on the ground floor pavilion suites, where guests had access to grass in the backyard. You can even bring your canine companion to the patio and dine with your dog(s).
Continuing on with our above mentioned tour: what was once The Copper Room is now The Garden Cafe and Bar, which speaks to its path way entry way. This will eventually be a casual space for breakfast and lunch with cocktails by the bar. The menu will include their selection of in-house pastries, which will be sold out of their pastry window along with coffee.
Both of which are great snacks to grab for a walk along the neighbouring spit that extends well into the water. I would walk this myself to see the sunrise. It is a public park and a great one to run along or take your dog on as well.
We didn’t get a tour of the kitchen, but did get to see the restaurant’s private garden, where their new head chef grows many of the produce that they feature on the menu like sunchokes, greens, and edible flowers. They also have kiwi fruit growing in the court yard and quince trees past the parking lot. We would get a taste of the latter during our dinner that night.
They have a lovely patio that was open air, and we saw it transition for the cooler seasons, sealed in a plastic tarp. This is their main event space that transforms into a wedding venue and/or one for corporate events.
They are also working on developing a thermo spa at the back, but until then they have brought in a log fire sauna pop up. It is basically a truck with wooden benches to sit and rest on. It also includes the traditional rack of hot coals that you can pour water over, to create steam to heat and warm this box. We were lucky to be one of the firsts to try this experience and it was a fantastic amenity.
In between bouts of dry and hot heat, there was no cold plunge to cool off to, but I was able to balance my body temperature out on the nearby lounge seating area. The space was so comfortable with the stunning ocean view that we enjoyed a bottle of wine and some chips here, keeping warm in the glow of the fire pit.
During our tour we also got a look at their wine cellar, which was still in the works. The goal was to fill the room wall to wall bottles. A collection of specific and assorted wines to pair with their new cuisine. Currently it is incomplete, but still impressive nonetheless. The space also has long tables and enough room and the ability to host events.
It was a shame not to enjoy a glass in this room, so we paused for some sparkling and small bites. This was a preview of things to come and it set the bar high. Full review of the new culinary journey in separate post.
Our tour ended over dinner, a long table meal in their sun room. This had the best view in the Sooke Harbour House Restaurant and it also doubles as their indoor event space. It once was even used to host a yoga class.
We spent the majority of our three day, two night trip at the resort. They are definitely the crown jewel of Sooke and to not fully utilize all the amenities would be a shame. In truth, if we had another night and day here, we would have absolutely more that we could and would do. There were so many other spots within the resort and on the property that we didn’t get a chance to enjoy.
Hearing the team speak of what’s to come and all the seasonal activations we can expect from next winter to spring, I cannot wait to return and see how much more this team achieves. If coming to the island and looking for a great place to stay at, do not discount Sooke. The Harbour House is worth visiting alone.
Sooke Harbour House
1528 Whiffin Spit Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z OT4
(778) 425-9000
sookeharbourhouse.com
