Vancouver Island, on which Victoria sits, is the largest island off the west coast of North America. The 2,150 miles of coastline include everything from sandy beaches to rugged cliffs.
Innkeepers Denise and David Spence opened Amoré by the Sea Bed and Breakfast in 2000 after renovating what was previously a 7,200-square-foot private home.
"We purchased the property with the intent to renovate it into a high-end romantic retreat and spa," Denise said. "We knew romance, privacy and relaxation were our design goals so every detail has been addressed with one of these in mind."
Amoré by the Sea is located on a secluded beachfront property, but it is only a 20-minute drive from Victoria's downtown Inner Harbour. Denise was kind enough to answer some additional questions about this bed and breakfast in Victoria, British Columbia, including their efforts to be environmentally conscious innkeepers.
What are some of the unique features at Amoré by the Sea?
Our unique feature is our amazing oceanfront location -- 1.5 acres of secluded waterfront property, only a short drive from the heart of the city.
All of our rooms take advantage of the views -- large windows allowing guests to lie in bed (or sit in a lounge chair) and watch the ever-changing scenery. The guest rooms are in a private area of our very large home with three insulated walls between each room, thus ensuring the utmost in privacy.
Our on-site spa overlooks the ocean, and we offer a range of relaxation services with our beach's lapping waves creating a serene background (no need a for a CD, here!). We specialize in couples' relaxation services, side-by-side massages -- it doesn't get more romantic than this.
We have an indoor "relaxation pool" that is solar heated, available all the summer months. It also takes advantage of the views; as you relax in the pool, you are able to see out to the ocean.
All three rooms have relaxing jetted tubs, two rooms have tubs for two. We supply locally made bath salts -- another way to ensure the full "relaxation" potential. Our Sea Star Suite not only has a double jetted tub, but also a spa shower for two with multi-head showers that massage as you shower. The Sea Star also offers heated tile floors and a towel warmer to complete the "pampered" effect.
Tell us a little about Green Amoré and why you decided to focus on making your B&B environmentally friendly.
We are going more "green" by the day and are committed to making Amoré by the Sea as "green" as possible. We recycle everything that is possible to recycle, we use eco-friendly cleaning products, our relaxation pool is solar heated, our toilets are low-flow, lights (where possible) are on dimmers and timers with compact fluorescent bulbs, and all our appliances are energy efficient.
We just put in an energy efficient hot water furnace and only burn biofuel for heating the main house, and the shower heads are all high-efficiency, low-flow water savers. We strive to buy local organic produce from our local farmers' market, we compost food scraps, and we hang spa/hot tub robes out to dry in our fresh sea breeze.
While still running a high-end bed and breakfast, we ask guests to participate (or not, if they are simply uninterested!) by re-using towels when possible, and we don't change the sheets every day (unless requested).
We use refillable, all-natural body gel and conditioning shampoo to reduce the amount of small bottles being thrown away, we ask that guests unplug cell phone and camera chargers when not in use, open windows to get a fresh sea breeze instead of using fans, and turn off the heat when the windows are open. We also have recycling bins in all guest rooms.
What are some of the attractions in the Victoria area that you would rate as must-see?
There's lots to see and do close to Amoré besides the beautiful beaches. Hatley Castle, at Royal Roads University, is just a few minutes away. The extraordinary botanical gardens surrounding the castle are wonderful to visit and enjoy.
As well, picturesque Fisgard Lighthouse is within 5 minutes of Amoré. It is the oldest lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. Only a few steps from Amoré by the Sea is the Albert Head Wild Life Sanctuary, where birders can enjoy an abundance of migratory birds.
Slightly further afield, East Sooke Park offers unsurpassed ocean-side trails in a wilderness area only 15 minutes from Amoré.
What might a guest at your B&B expect to have for breakfast?
The tradition at Amoré is elegantly presented breakfasts year-round. Puff pancakes with local raspberries, strawberry strata, lots of fresh fruit (local when in season), egg nests, and peach cobbler with egg whites are just a few of our guests' favorites.
A full three-course breakfast is served at 8:30 each morning, or for those who prefer a later time, a lighter breakfast is served from 9:00 to 10:00 upon request.
Which is your personal favorite room at Amoré by the Sea?
The Sea Star Deluxe Suite. Although we have put love into designing all our rooms, the Sea Star is the creme de la creme. The spa-style bathroom is made for pampering with a two-person hydrotherapy tub, a two-person shower with multi massaging shower heads, a heated tile floor, and a heated towel rack -- all in a spacious room with beautiful hand-made mermaids on the walls.
This suite has two rooms, including one with a sitting area with fireplace, two comfy chairs, a writing desk and a wet bar, all taking full advantage of the views with two large ocean view windows.
The bedroom in the Sea Star Deluxe Suite also has a fireplace and two large ocean view windows, allowing guests to linger in bed and enjoy the abundant sea life that is ever-present. There is no need to close the curtains, no one can see in -- and, of course, you will want to watch the moon rise out of the ocean at night, see the cruise ships sail past on their way to Alaska, or catch one of our amazing sunrises (yes, we are facing east).
