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| Resort Escape: Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa
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Resort Escape: Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa |
Did you know?
The town of Brentwood Bay, which is home to the famous Butchart Gardens, was originally named Slugget in the late 1800s, after pioneer settler John Slugget. Renamed in 1925 after the English town Brentwood in the UK County of Essex, which was the home of RM Horne-Payne, the president of the BC Electric Company in the 1920s.
Resort Escape:
Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa The Ultimate in Island Style R&R By Tracey Drake Sometimes you just need to get away from it all and take leave from your everyday life; relax, unwind and get in touch with yourself and reconnect with your partner. For most of us, there just isn’t time to squeeze in a vacation. Luckily for Vancouver Islanders, there is a little bit of resort heaven that offers the most perfect getaway vacation. My husband, Steve and I recently escaped to Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa, located in the charming little enclave of Brentwood Bay. Just a short 25 minute drive from downtown Victoria, this picturesque town offers a welcome laid back attitude.
Photography for this article provided by Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa and Drake Marketing.
The main lodge is truly spectacular, boasting soaring ceilings, countless windows and an expansive foyer to welcome guests into an ambiance of palpable warmth. From the front doors, you can easily see the reception area, dining room and the pool area beyond. The walls are adorned with artwork by local artists, each adding to the interior aesthetic of Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa. In the main lodge building, there is a lot to take in, but it all works together beautifully.
WINTER 2011
This striking resort hotel, with its definitive West Coast architectural style, sits back unassumingly from the road. Once on the grounds, the true personality of the property comes to life; interesting architecture blending harmoniously with the amazing nature that surrounds it. The exterior, with its waterfront landscape that slopes down to touch the ocean, is just a hint of the wonders that awaits guests inside the massive front doors.
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| Resort Escape: Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa
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This property is the #1 rated luxury resort in Victoria and the city’s only five star oceanfront hotel resort and spa. Stepping into our guest room, it was immediately evident why. Our one bedroom OceanSuite was special. It was luxurious, but not gaudy. It featured every conceivable amenity but was not over the top. The suite was spacious - with all the necessary uncluttered, breathing room that a true resort retreat should offer - and yet the space was completely cozy.
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Our perfectly appointed suite featured a separate bedroom with a lofty king sized bed, a living room with handcrafted furniture, dining and work area and a cozy fireplace. Beyond the glass doors, the outdoor patio featured a much appreciated 2-person private hot tub. The private spa bathroom spa bathroom with a jetted tub and a separate body massage shower, bathrobes and slippers, and spa toiletries by Deserving Thyme.
Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa also offers guests the use of their marina, and an eco-adventure centre
The SeaGrille restaurant in the main lodge was a culinary delight for both dinner and breakfast. The mood in the dining room was tranquil; laid back and very relaxing. After feasting on oysters on the half shell and roasted butternut squash soup with crème fraiche and gruyere cheese, we both enjoyed a main course of pan seared Arctic Char, served with savoy cabbage, oven dried tomatoes, roasted potatoes and a delectable sherry and caper butter. For guests watching carbs and calories, they also offer a delectable selection of Essence of Spa cuisine menu items.
Resort Escape: Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa | Left: A sheltered, picturesque marina with a PADI dive shop, kayak rentals and Eco-Tours. Located in Brentwood Bay on the pristine Saanich Inlet and in the heart of wine-country.
Breakfast the next morning was hardy and delicious. Without questions, it would be worth the drive just to indulge in SeaGrille’s Brentwood Benedict with poached free range eggs, spinach, crab cakes and fresh hollandaise sauce. The next morning, we headed to Essence of Life, the hotel’s serene oceanfront spa with an outdoor heated pool, hot tub and aroma garden. A wellappointed day spa (for guests and locals alike) with thoughtfully designed rooms and unique treatments with a west coast point of view. Steve and I indulged in a side-by-side massage in the exclusive couples room, followed by an invigorating rain shower for two, and housemade truffles and a glass of wine by the fire in the spa’s Tranquility Lounge.
“Our culinary philosophy is simple…we are passionate about local produce, seafood and wine. A fresh new approach to coastal cuisine.” Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa
Building & landscaping sT O n E
8 7 6 L a n g f o r d Pa r k way, V i c to r i a & 9 3 0 M a u g h a n r d, n a n a i M o
250.727.7625 w w w. k 2 S to n E . c a WINTER 2011
The setting could not be more ideal – the town is charming, the view from the oceanfront suite was breathtaking, the local fare and award winning wines were delectable and the people are oh so friendly
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| Resort Escape: Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa
50 is the new 40
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For those looking to stay and play year round, a select group of luxury OceanVilla private residences are offered for sale – each with designer West Coast contemporary finishes and two master bedrooms!
30?
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Managing Director Dan Behune says, “Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa has been extremely popular with locals seeking a romantic overnight getaway that is close to home but feels like you’re a million miles away. Our guests love
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Shhh.. for locals only! Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa offers splendid perks for residents. Essence of Life Spa offers an exclusive Island Time Membership. The annual fee is $100, with members receiving 25% off all treatments and 10% on all spa products for the entire year. After your spa treatment, treat yourself to a locals-only hotel deal. Until March 31, 2012, Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa is offering a special package, Locals Sexy Sleepover. Just $199 for two people – including one night in a beautiful 350 square foot OceanSuite and breakfast in bed. What a treat for Vancouver Islanders who need a minibreak in the midst of the gloomy rainy months.
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Resort Escape: Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa |
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South Oak Bay Waterfront $5.5 million
Mark Lawless (250) 744-3301 marklawless.com CAMOSUN
Luckily for Vancouver Islanders, there is a little bit of resort heaven that offers the most perfect getaway vacation
to start the stay off with a signature massage treatment, then fireside seafood & sushi dinner in the spectacular SeaGrille and then after a restful night in a luxurious OceanSuite, finish off with a delicious gourmet breakfast in bed in the morning. That’s what we call a sexy sleepover!” Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa also offers guests the use of their marina, and an eco-adventure centre. The weather was perfect that day – the sun was shining, there was virtually no wind and the waters were calm and glassy. We chose the two hour scenic adventure in a double kayak. It was a wonderful way to finish off the perfect getaway, and after hobnobbing with eagles and harbour seals, we headed back to the hustle and bustle of city life – agreeing wholeheartedly it was the most genuine R&R we had experienced in a good long while.
Seafood & Sushi Redefined. Visit the Seagrille to experience our fresh approach to seafood & sushi in Victoria’s most spectacular seaside setting… Enjoy our Chef’s seasonally inspired menu with ingredients harvested from the sea and grown fresh on Vancouver Island. Watch our highly trained Japanese Sushi Chefs create a truly authentic “West Coast” sushi experience.
SEAFOOD & SUSH1 AT B R E N T W O O D B AY R E S O RT
849 VERDIER AVE 250.544.2079 WWW.BRENTWOODBAYRESORT.COM
WINTER 2011
Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa is the #1 rated luxury resort in Victoria and the city’s only five star oceanfront hotel resort and spa
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