Blog

On behalf of everyone at the Huntingdon Manor Hotel and Pendray Inn and Tea House, we give a big THANK YOU to all donors for our annual Victoria Women's Transition House Christmas Stockings fundraiser.  2019 was a year of records, and over 100 stockings as well as countless toys and gifts were collected from local businesses and individual donors.  These gifts will bring joy and happiness where it’s most needed, and generate hope and comfort for families going through some difficult times.  

​On November 21st, 2019, the Huntingdon Manor Hotel and Pendray Inn and Tea House was awarded the 2019 Ecostar Award for Greenest Lodging.  The Ecostar Awards recognizes every year businesses, non-profits, academia, and community leaders that accomplish outstanding environmental achievements and stewardship on Vancouver Island.  The Greenest Lodging Award acknowledges an hospitality business that has demonstrated initiatives to reduce waste, energy consumption, water usage, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in their daily operations. Sponsored by Destination Greater Victoria, previous winners include Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, and Parkside Hotel in Victoria. ​

Being the oldest city on the West Coast, Victoria has plenty to offer for the spookiest month of the year. From historic ghost tours to enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of autumn, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Here are our 10 recommendations of things to do in Victoria in October 2019:

​The capital of British Columbia, and a popular tourist destination, Victoria BC is traditionally known for its afternoon teas, Butchart Gardens and the Empress Hotel. Yet, there is a lot more to this city that meets the eye.  Victoria’s rich history, amazing weather and West Coast lifestyle, make for a picturesque destination with many hidden gems to discover! Here are 10 fun and unusual facts about Victoria that will have you see this city under a new light!

​One of the oldest cities on the West Coast, Victoria has a rich and fascinating history unlike any other. Through impressive architecture and scenic gardens, our beautiful coastal capital tells the stories of its Indigenous, British and Asian settlers. And these stories are lovingly preserved in Victoria’s many museums, which are frequented by thousands of visitors every year. Discover your favourite piece of the Victoria puzzle by checking out these local museums.

​On July 1st, we are celebrating our Canadian pride and inviting everyone to our Community Free Pancake Breakfast at the Huntingdon Manor. Kick off your Canada Day festivities in our very own gardens and take part in a morning of Canadian-themed entertainment, period costumes and kids’ activities.  Discover why Victoria is the perfect place to spend Canada Day weekend, while you enjoy breakfast beside the Inner Harbour.

​On April 22nd 2018, the world will come together to celebrate Earth Day, an annual event that supports and promotes environmental awareness. The first ever Earth Day in 1970 is widely regarded as the origin of the modern environmental movement, and now over 195 countries and 1 billion people participate in Earth Day initiatives every year. Here at the Huntingdon Manor Hotel, we love being green and are committed to protecting the earth around us. All week, we are celebrating Earth Day with eco-conscious activities and invite you to join us!

​From the manicured gardens of Government House to the lively pubs dotted around the city, Victoria stays true to its strong British roots. A tradition that is alive and well in Victoria—and also quintessentially British—is the ceremony of afternoon tea. The Pendray Inn & Tea House is one of several tearooms across the city that serves up an authentic afternoon tea experience, just like our well-mannered friends across the pond. But have you ever wondered how this fun and festive custom came to be?

​One of the worst-kept secrets about Victoria is its amazing food scene. Victoria has more restaurants per capita than anywhere else in Canada and is second overall in North America, only behind San Francisco. With delicious bites hiding around every corner, our beloved City of Gardens is a destination for intrepid foodies. 
Love is in the air this month (or is that the smell of hash browns?), so why not treat you and your loved one to a well-deserved brunch date? After all, Food Network calls Victoria the “brunch capital of Canada” and rightly so. Take your boo to one of these cozy, romantic brunch spots. 

​Happy New Year, everyone! With January in full swing, it’s officially time to set new goals and unleash your best self to the year ahead. Now is truly the best time to create new experiences or re-ignite past endeavours.  This year, we are even more committed to the cause of sustainability. Our mission as a hotel has always been to make people feel comfortable and invited, but in a way that is both socially and environmentally responsible. ​