Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast
59 Oswego St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 2A7 Canada
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Room & Suite (4)
About
#19 of 91 B&Bs / Inns in Victoria
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Salzburg chef Vanessa von Schellwitz welcomes you to her Gingerbread Cottage,a quiet and well zoned 1905 Heritage home which is an easy walk from US ferries, downtown and all attractions in Victoria's beautiful Inner Harbour, 1/2 block from ocean. Take the airporter to and from our door if you are arriving at YYJ. Our reasonable prices include Gourmet 4 course breakfast, cute 1905 rooms with roof gardens. Breakfasts are very stylishly set with Antique Victorian Silver. Vanessa prepares delicious specialties like lox or garden omlettes, berry crepes and fresh Austrian Apple Strudel. Good value, quiet and great location 1/2 block from Victoria's famous Dallas Road ocean promenade, Ogden Point cruise ship docks, and Breakwater structure. Book early as we tend to fill our rooms very fast.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Romantic
Location
Full view
72Somewhat walkable
Grade: 72 out of 100
43Restaurantswithin 1 km
16Attractionswithin 1 km
Contact
59 Oswego St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 2A7 Canada
Getting there
Rental CarsSee car hire from US$37/day
73Reviews3Q+A15Room tips
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We just stayed 3 nights at this charming B&B, staying in the Klimt Room. This room has a private terrace patio, where one can enjoy their morning coffee before heading down to the sumptuous breakfast Vanessa prepares, fresh, every morning. The room has the usual toiletries, and in addition, bath robes and slippers. Sun hats, umbrellas are also available for guests’ use. Our room has a good selection of books related to the painter, which makes for interesting read. The room also boasts of the most efficient lighting. It even has two sets of lamps for bed time reading. Not one, but two, on each side of the bed! Keurig coffee machine, kettle and basic utensils are available in the room, with teabags, coffee etc., but if you want chocolate, there is also a Keurig in the common parlour, again, for guests enjoyment. And to top off your excellent day out and about, there is complimentary sherry to be enjoyed.…
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Date of stay: April 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We stayed here for a couple of nights in September. Vanessa is a great host and has a wealth of local knowledge. The rooms are comfortable, good bed, good size bathroom, small kitchenette area and a private outside seating area. The breakfasts are large to say the least, you certainly won’t want a great deal for lunch. The property is in a quiet area, great for a good night’s sleep. Turning left out of the front door it is only a short walk to the ocean and turning right a pleasant walk to downtown Victoria. There is parking outside and unless you are venturing outside of Victoria it is unlikely that you would need to use the car whilst staying here. Overall a great stay in a lovely area.
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Date of stay: September 2019
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Words cannot describe the comfort and love I felt from staying with Vanessa at this scrumptious B &B. The rooms are quirky, filled with antiques, every comfort imaginable, and lots of love qnd care. I had an Sustriqn artist themed room, and he was related to Vanessa, my most gracious and incredible host. The location was great, walking distance to everything. Near the water, near the city. I did not have a car, and it was ideal. The wee pink cottage is bursting with character, and breakfast was off the charts sensational-everything home made, yummy and presented beautifully. Vanessa was warm, patient and kind, and I loved being there! Could not recommend it more highly! Being on my own this place was a very special find for me!
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Date of stay: June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We like this place a lot, and visit yearly. The host is friendly and helpful and makes a great breakfast. The location is very central, and the price is competitive. The beds are especially comfortable.
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
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Room Tip: The eggs Benny, when available is a big two thumbs up.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Vanessa, the owner, owns and runs the Gingerbread Cottage. Each night's stay comes with a breakfast cooked by Vanessa and they are magnificent. Everything home made and farm/garden fresh. You'd easily pay $20 or more a person at a restaurant for such a breakfast. The bed was comfortable, the rooms were quiet. It's within walking distance of nearly everything you'd want to do in Victoria. We were very happy there.
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from bistrita6, Owner at Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast
Responded Sep. 3, 2018
Dear Chris, Thanks for your kind comment. We really appreciate it. It was a pleasure having you, Good to know that you got home safe! :) Kind regards, Vanessa
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
luv2trvlRedondoBeach wrote a review Aug. 2018
Redondo Beach, California605 contributions304 helpful votes
This B & B is all about Vanessa. She is an incredible hostess! She cooks, cleans, and she shares her wealth of knowledge about Victoria and Austria. The Cottage is walking distance to the harbor and fisherman's wharf. There is ample street parking. The home was built in the early 1900s. It has been lovingly cared for, and fitted to be a true bed and breakfast. There were 3 of us and Vanessa recommended we book two rooms as the family suite was already booked. We stayed in the Lavender Room and the Mozart Room. The two rooms make up a wing of the house. There was a small refrigerator in each room. The Lavender room has its own deck. The rooms are actually larger than we expected. There is a sitting room for the guests to enjoy. My daughter enjoyed playing the piano. I enjoyed visiting with Vanessa and I only wish we'd had more time as she is a walking history book. Breakfast is amazing. It is served in the back room. It starts with a buffet with home made goodies, fruits, and cereals. I love the buffet because you can get as much as you want. Then Vanessa custom makes your breakfast from a choice of items. She uses fresh ingredients. I love the fact the breakfast is customized as Vanessa was able to prepare my food around my food intolerances. Vanessa has set up a small antique shop for her guests in the entry of the home. It has some reasonably priced treasures. Even though we were in Canada, I felt like I was in Austria while staying in this home. It is the best of both worlds. We highly recommend this B & B.…
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We were so fortunate to have found this wonderful B&B. Vanessa is an excellent hostess and made us feel so welcome. The breakfasts were the most superb we have ever had...all homemade and prepared by Vanessa. My husband had the most amazing omelette and the eggs Benedict while I could not resist having the best ever crepes two days in a row. Before this wonderful treat there was an amazing buffet of fruit, cheeses, strudel, granola, poppy seed buns, yogurt and juices. This will be our go to place the next time we visit Victoria.
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Handly located in James Bay Gingerbread Cottage is a home away from home. The room was spacious and opened onto a deck with a table and 4 chairs including sun brollies. Weather was fresh but made us stop. We did not want for anything, Vanessa is a great host and a wealth of information on the local area. bed was comfortable , the bath roomy and great for a stretch out. No shortage of tea or coffee. breakfasts were a treat and Vanessa excels every morning with something different. The food quality is something expected from a top class restaurant. needless to say this kept us going all day. Wifi was excellent and parking available on-street..
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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Room Tip: Ask for a room with the garden balcony
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from bistrita6, Owner at Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast
Responded Jul. 5, 2018
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, and what a nice one! :) It was such a pleasure hosting you here in Victoria and we are very happy that you had a good time at the Gingerbread Cottage and in Victoria. Best regards from Vanessa
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Only a block from the waterfront in James Bay this location is handy to the shoreline walk and only a short walk of the Menzies street shopping area. Vanessa can cook. She has a comfortable home with maybe a few too many knickknacks and tight staircases to the rooms but our room was spacious and comfortable and the organized clutter is intriguing and kind of fun to search through for little gems.....SHE CAN COOK. a lot.
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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Room Tip: We only stayed in the front room and were very comfortable.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We were tracing our family roots and staying in this quaint 1850s cottage made the experience more authentic. The bedrooms are large, bathroom, kitchen and laundry very serviceable and the artificial gas log fire was a great touch. The homemade bread and breakfast was excellent (eggs, bacon, jam, butter, tomato) - we had enough for tea too. Lovely back verandah to sit with a cup of tea and Westbury is well worth the visit.
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Date of stay: September 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
LOCATION
CanadaBritish ColumbiaVancouver IslandVictoria Capital Regional DistrictVictoriaJames Bay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
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Frequently Asked Questions about Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast
Which popular attractions are close to Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast?
Nearby attractions include The Pedaler (0.8 km), Inner Harbour (1.1 km), and Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (0.9 km).
Is parking available at Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast?
Conveniently located restaurants include Legislative Dining Room, The Fish Store at Fisherman's Wharf - Seafood Restaurant, and Nourish Kitchen & Cafe.
Are there any historical sites close to Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (0.9 km), Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada (1.1 km), and Craigdarroch Castle (2.8 km).