Resort offers relaxation and a retreat from everyday life.
“Boom!” My friend exclaims as he whacks the ball off the tee at Bear Mountain’s Championship Course. For an avid golfer, playing on this epic course is a dream come true and it doesn’t get any better than this, unless you get a hole-in-one on your trip around the greens.
Our Victoria, B.C. golf adventure has been in the works for some time and finally our schedules aligned, along with a lucky dash of sunny early spring skies. We hop on the Victoria Clipper and cruise up to Victoria to spend the weekend testing our metal on some of Canada’s finest golf links.
Day 1
11:30 pm – Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa
A swift three-hour cruise from Seattle along the Salish Sea and we find ourselves in the heart of downtown Victoria. Westin Bear Mountain’s free daily shuttle picks up from the Clipper terminal and following a quick 30-minute drive, we land at the stunning Westin Bear Mountain Resort. Tucked into the side of the mountain itself, the resort has a tranquil, laid-back vibe. Checking into the rustic wood and stone property feels like you have escaped to your friend’s mountain cabin for the weekend, but with ten times the wow factor.
Jaw-dropping views of the property’s two distinct Nicklaus Design golf courses off the hotel’s expansive back balcony leave us anxious to get on the greens. Descending to the lower level, the smell of eucalyptus wafts from the property’s award-winning Sante Spa, which is housed next to the hotel’s well-stocked Golf Shop. The ambience of the property is the epitome of what I’ve been looking for, relaxation and a retreat from everyday life.
1:15 pm – Tee off on the par 71 Valley Course
Our crew decides to get into the swing of things and dust off the sticks with a round on the Nicklaus Design Valley Course. We tee off at the back of the hotel and make our way through acres of pristine forest, while soaking in tremendous views of Mount Baker. With a flatter terrain, generous fairways and fewer bunkers, the course is much easier on us than the property’s sibling Mountain Course.
6:00 pm – Friday night flights in the cellar
We’ve worked up quite a thirst, so we make our way to the hotel’s climate-controlled wine cellar. The group grabs a chair around the rich oak table as the sommelier guides us through sipping and savoring four New World wines.
7:15 pm – Dinner and night cap at Masters Lounge
We head off to the hotel’s warm Masters Lounge for dinner and kick back with a plate of classic fish and chips and a frosty, cold Guinness.
Day 2
7:45 am – Breakfast at Bella
In the morning, it is hard to drag ourselves out of our comfortable beds, but once we are vertical and cleaned up, we head downstairs to grab a quick bite at the hotel’s Bella restaurant. I opt for the West Coast omelet, featuring smoked salmon and soft herbed cheese. It is hearty and delicious and the perfect fuel for a day of adventure.
9:00 am – Return to the links for the par 71 Mountain Course
Never ones to shy away from a challenge, we put our golfing chops to the test on the rugged, notoriously difficult Steve and Jack Nicklaus co-designed Mountain Course. Set atop of a 1,100-foot mountain, it is far more challenging than the Valley Course. Watch out for the 10th hole; surrounded by water, it can make or break your round and is enough to make a grown man cry.
2:45 pm – Lunch at Fuego Old Town Eatery
We catch the Bear Mountain shuttle back to Victoria and head to Fuego Old Town Eatery to sample their famous chicken enchiladas. After combing through the dessert menu, I couldn’t leave without trying the fresh-from-the-oven churros. Dipped in hot chocolate sauce, they are simply amazing.
4:00 pm – Clipper Victoria terminal
Before we know it, it is time to make our way back to the Victoria Clipper terminal for the trip home. We relax in our comfy seats and catch one final spectacular view – the sun filling the sky with orange and golden glow, before it drops below the horizon.
Ready to plan your spring getaway to Victoria? Book your trip today at clippervacations.com.