This is probably Victoria’s best business hotel, but it’s also a lot more than that. Conveniently located next to the BC Parliament Buildings and across from the ferry terminal where the Clipper and Coho dock, the Grand Pacific is a great base for any visitor to Victoria. Its guest rooms are spacious, with lovely harbor views and classically gracious decor including glossy Queen Anne-style furnishings with delicate brass fittings. Its grand public spaces include three ballrooms and several breakout meeting rooms, making this a destination for both conferences and weddings. In addition, the hotel features the popular Pacific Restaurant & Terrace, with its menu of casual fare based on local ingredients, and an exceptional tea program using Victoria’s own Silk Road Tea. The hotel is also home to the Victoria Athletic Club, one of the city’s best full-service fitness centers, with a pool, equipment, classes, and all the works—you might even find a local Olympian working out next to you. Swell as all this is already, note that the hotel is scheduled to get a major update in late 2014 or 2015.