Who doesn’t love a boutique hotel? And for a history buff like me, a historic boutique hotel is even better.

Vancouver Island’s recently opened Rosemead House embodies those hallmarks with distinctive architectural design, eclectic decor and notable history.

The hotel’s main building was originally a private mansion built in 1906 by renowned Victoria architect Samuel Maclure, who designed more than 80 Arts and Crafts and Tudor Revival houses in the city, including B.C. Government House and Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University.

For nearly half a century the mansion operated as the Olde England Inn, offering a taste of British heritage, until closing in the mid-1990s. In the years that followed this once celebrated tourist destination fell into serious neglect before being purchased in 2015 by Aragon Properties owner Lenny Moy, who took it on as a passion project. Embracing the inn’s British heritage, Moy invested more than $13 million in its revitalization and has created an unforgettable 28-bed boutique hotel. All hail Britannia!

STREET CRED: IT’S ALL ABOUT LOCATION

Only a 10-minute drive from downtown Victoria, Rosemead House is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood in Esquimalt, where mature Gerry oak trees and other residential gardens abound. Rosemead’s own landscaped gardens and a peekaboo ocean view gives the property a secluded feel, despite its close proximity to Victoria’s city center.

WHO HANGS HERE: IS THIS HOTEL FOR YOU?

Travelers drawn to historic architecture, art and high-end luxury, as well as locals looking for a restorative escape, will love the hotel’s old-world charm, thoughtfully paired with modern design and amenities. The hotel seamlessly blends contemporary furnishings with carefully curated antiques and period pieces found in estate sales and auctions, including pieces from London’s Dorchester and Savoy hotels. The hotel even boasts props from the Netflix series The Crown, like the 13-foot-tall iron gates mounted at the property’s front entrance, which once stood in for the gates of Buckingham Palace.

THE STRAIGHT GOODS: WHAT’S IN THE ROOM?

The mansion offers 28 rooms across two distinct wings: 14 rooms in the mansion, known as the Manor Collection, and 14 rooms in a newly built wing, the Grove Collection. While the Grove rooms echo the design of the original mansion, the rooms themselves have a more standardized layout common in new builds. In contrast, the Manor Collection’s generously sized rooms range from 364 sq. ft. to 953 sq. ft.—all distinctly different in layout with bespoke décor such as unique art, vintage tapestries and comfy furnishings. My upper floor suite, called the Lancaster Room, had a built in window seat in the loft and a large walk-in shower. Other rooms also had a classic clawfoot tub and one of the largest rooms featured an original fireplace. Attention to detail was evident everywhere, even in the hallways. I loved the William Morris wallpaper leading to my room, its nature-inspired pattern setting the tone, and the early-morning drink station just outside my door, where freshly brewed coffee and tea were served, naturally, in china cups.

BRAGGING RIGHTS: WHAT ELSE HAS IT GOT?

This property has plenty of selfie-worthy moments thanks to the fun, eclectic design touches inside and out. For instance, the gender neutral bathroom, on the first level, has a light art installation with the words, “O beauty till now I never knew thee,” from William Shakespeare’s play Henry VIII and the hotel restaurant, Janevca Kitchen + Lounge, is centered around a faux Japanese maple tree with branches stretching across the ceiling. Outside, large metal rose sculptures add a touch of whimsy and make yet another great backdrop for photos.

This past November the hotel opened the first phase of its wellness spa and retreat, Salt & Ivy, where guests can indulge in custom facials, including the “glacier glide” facial, massages and acupuncture treatments. In the spring of 2026, a full hydrotherapy circuit, with a sauna, steam room, rain room and snow room and a fitness room, with a yoga and pilates room, is expected to open.

GOOD EATS: COCKTAILS AND CUISINE

Janevca Kitchen + Lounge is led by executive chef Andrea Alridge, a Top Chef Canada finalist on season 9 in 2021. She is known for her fire-driven approach to cooking, which defines the menu, from deeply charred meats and wood-fire pizzas to smoked vegetables. Even the salad leans into the theme—romaine lettuce lightly charred and dressed with a smoked anchovy buttermilk, while the house-made sourdough is baked in a wood-fired oven.

Many of the dishes are imbued with her Filipino-Jamaican heritage. Although the menu is designed around shareable plates, the seasonal fish we ordered—salmon served with a rich, flavorful sauce—was unfortunately too small to share. Leave room for desserts, which are extremely tasty. We enjoyed the Earl Grey panna cotta, served in a teacup with an orange shortbread, and the peach melba, a peach mousse and almond sponge with raspberry sorbet, which was a sculptural masterpiece.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS: WHAT STOOD OUT?

I enjoyed breakfast (included with my stay) in the bright and comfortable lounge. It was the best self-serve meal I’ve had with fresh, in-house baked pastries (the flaky warm chocolate croissants were a favorite), fresh fruit and the main breakfast items were hot off the grill.

I couldn’t have asked for a more leisurely and lovely start to the day.

PARTING SHOT: IF WE COULD CHANGE ONE THING

Having an elevator installed in the main mansion would be welcome. For anyone needing access to an elevator, it’s best to stay in the newly built wing since a mansion stay would entail climbing up the main staircase. And while the stairs are indeed quite grand and lead to a charming small, upper lobby, it can be a tough climb, especially with luggage. (The staff can help you, of course).

We found rooms in September 2026 for CAD $499.

Kim Pemberton stayed as a guest of the hotel, which did not have editorial approval of this review.