My stay at the Strathcona was not what I was hoping for. I was under the impression that it was a much nicer hotel than what I found it to be. The hotel sports 7 different bars/restaurants and that appears to be the main income for the hotel. This results in a large amount of noise on both the lower levels and the upper levels of rooms.
The room was tiny, the walls paper thin, no air conditioning, and no ventilation in the bathroom. Having a rugby team staying in the hotel made the trip almost unbearable. However the hotel is located within walking distance of the main attractions and dining in downtown Victoria.
The room rate was the main reason I chose this hotel and if you're looking for a cheap place to stay thats close to downtown, stay at the Strathcona, but be prepared for something less than what the pictures portray. more