The lodge is the guest wing of a red-cedar timber frame building. It sits on top of a small mountain that borders Matheson Lake Park.
Lodges usually have a comfortable, rustic and spacious feel and are often associated with beautiful natural surroundings and scenic views. This one was custom built to be a memorable bed and breakfast location.
Upgrade your home base to a holiday highlight.
Located within the Greater Victoria area.
Enjoy the tranquility of the natural surroundings beside a regional park, while maintaining the convenience of being a part of Victoria's Capital Regional District in the municipality of Metchosin.
Continental breakfast
Continental breakfast for two usually includes:
Occasionally there will be substitutions if the store is out of certain items, and for longer stays some variety will be introduced as well.
A breakfast basket will be quietly hung outside your door early in the morning (7 am). Once finished, please hang it outside again for pick up by the 11 am check out and cleaning time.
Please put leftover items within the cloth napkin and put that in the basket and it will be taken care of. It's a convenient way to keep the suite free of smells as opposed to storing in the organics bin.
The basket also allows you to easily do an outdoor picnic for breakfast if you choose.
- Apples, Bananas, Mandarins, Croissants, Yogurts, Muffins, Cheese, Nuts, Jams and Sweeteners.
- Coffee maker in your suite to prepare coffee or tea, and other drink options.
Occasionally there will be substitutions if the store is out of certain items, and for longer stays some variety will be introduced as well.
A breakfast basket will be quietly hung outside your door early in the morning (7 am). Once finished, please hang it outside again for pick up by the 11 am check out and cleaning time.
Please put leftover items within the cloth napkin and put that in the basket and it will be taken care of. It's a convenient way to keep the suite free of smells as opposed to storing in the organics bin.
The basket also allows you to easily do an outdoor picnic for breakfast if you choose.
If you want a heartier breakfast with cooked items, you could keep the continental breakfast items for snacks or a meal later in the day and try these places:
- My Chosen Cafe is only a 7 minute drive. It's closed Mondays though.
- Quality Foods has great breakfasts at affordable prices.
Keyless entry
No hassle check in, your PIN code automatically activates at check in time of 3 pm. For check out time of 11 am, it automatically expires. Your code should be given to you automatically when you reserve with airbnb, due to our integration with remotelock software and vera smart home control. If you don't receive your code, please let the host know.
Air bubble massage bathtub with heat lamps in suite
More than just nature to help you relax.
Kitchenette
With microwave, fridge and sink to prepare your own snacks and meals if you choose to. Has basic items like dish soap, bowls, plates and utensils. I'll include a few complimentary food items in case someone arrives late from the airport and hasn't had time to grab a late night snack.
No smoking/vaping inside and cautiously outside
We want to prevent scents or allergies for the next guests, similar to a hotel environment. This applies to any sort of smoke, including from sage or incense.
Fortunately there are covered balconies to accommodate. Please be mindful of any potential fire risk. Fire hazards are cleaned up regularly, but the wind always finds a way to throw something flammable near a house.
Fortunately there are covered balconies to accommodate. Please be mindful of any potential fire risk. Fire hazards are cleaned up regularly, but the wind always finds a way to throw something flammable near a house.
No pets please
We want to prevent scents or allergies for the next guests, similar to a hotel environment.
Even respectfully keeping pets on the balcony, or outside, is not permitted. The host wants to prevent the risk of accidental pet damage, the work to repair it, and also the task of deciding on a case by case basis with no information to go on.
If you have a visitor they also can't bring a pet.
The exception is for a service animal specifically trained to perform a task to assist a person with disabilities. In this case, by law, they are not considered a pet, but a working animal. You must provide either a government issued certificate with a clear ID number or documentation from a regulated health professional at the time you arrive or earlier.
This exception ceases to apply if the animal does not appear to be housebroken, is not under the guest's control, or is left alone in the suite. There is no extra charge for a service animal, but if there's damage you will be charged for that.
Emotional support animals are certified differently than service animals and do not qualify as an exception as they don't receive the same exceptional training. In some areas of the world, such as the USA, a doctor can write a note stating that an emotional support animal is a service animal and it's honored there. In BC, that's illegal and the fine is up to $3000.
Even respectfully keeping pets on the balcony, or outside, is not permitted. The host wants to prevent the risk of accidental pet damage, the work to repair it, and also the task of deciding on a case by case basis with no information to go on.
If you have a visitor they also can't bring a pet.
The exception is for a service animal specifically trained to perform a task to assist a person with disabilities. In this case, by law, they are not considered a pet, but a working animal. You must provide either a government issued certificate with a clear ID number or documentation from a regulated health professional at the time you arrive or earlier.
This exception ceases to apply if the animal does not appear to be housebroken, is not under the guest's control, or is left alone in the suite. There is no extra charge for a service animal, but if there's damage you will be charged for that.
Emotional support animals are certified differently than service animals and do not qualify as an exception as they don't receive the same exceptional training. In some areas of the world, such as the USA, a doctor can write a note stating that an emotional support animal is a service animal and it's honored there. In BC, that's illegal and the fine is up to $3000.
Two guests per suite, and visitor policy
Please note, each guest, regardless of age, counts towards the room occupancy limit. This includes infants. So, a party of two adults and an infant will need to reserve our entire lodge (both suites) to meet regulatory requirements.
Most traditional bed and breakfasts don't allow visitors. However, the lodge allows two visitors per suite during the day, but they must leave promptly after sunset.
Guests must agree that the visitors are fully their responsibility. If your visitors cause any damage, you will be charged as the registered guest of the room, not them. Should your visitors cause excessive noise, both the visitors and the guests will be asked to leave. Should your visitors get hurt you accept the liability as you issued the invitation. The lodge is not insured for them if they are not on the guest list.
If you rent out the entire lodge (both suites), you could have 4 overnight guests and 4 visitors there during the day, but you can't throw a party. A gathering is fine, but if a disruptive gathering occurs, I could lose the B&B license, insurance and income, so I will have to ensure everyone leaves.
Thank you for your understanding that I have to protect my investment and my liabilities.
Most traditional bed and breakfasts don't allow visitors. However, the lodge allows two visitors per suite during the day, but they must leave promptly after sunset.
Guests must agree that the visitors are fully their responsibility. If your visitors cause any damage, you will be charged as the registered guest of the room, not them. Should your visitors cause excessive noise, both the visitors and the guests will be asked to leave. Should your visitors get hurt you accept the liability as you issued the invitation. The lodge is not insured for them if they are not on the guest list.
If you rent out the entire lodge (both suites), you could have 4 overnight guests and 4 visitors there during the day, but you can't throw a party. A gathering is fine, but if a disruptive gathering occurs, I could lose the B&B license, insurance and income, so I will have to ensure everyone leaves.
Thank you for your understanding that I have to protect my investment and my liabilities.
No subletting. Bed and Breakfast stays are not tenancies.
Only those registered as guests may stay. If you can't make it, you can't give your reservation and access codes to someone else, and you can't sell it to someone else either, you can only cancel. In legal terms, there is a license agreement for a service to be provided to specific guests, not a tenancy.
Renting out both suites vs renting out one suite.
If you haven't rented out the entire Lodge (both suites), please be respectful of your adjoining neighbor with noise levels. Everyone that comes deserves the pleasant experience of a quiet get away. In this case there will be "quiet hours" from 10 pm to 7 am to ensure everyone gets a good night sleep. If you rent out both, you must still respect your neighbors, but they will be significantly further away so you can be more relaxed about it.
If your neighbor is making noise during quiet hours, please let me know and I will contact them and ensure they know during which time periods they have agreed to be quiet.
Allowing for rental of only half the lodge makes the experience of staying in a timber framed home more price accessible, but that comes at the cost of respecting your neighbor.
If your neighbor is making noise during quiet hours, please let me know and I will contact them and ensure they know during which time periods they have agreed to be quiet.
Allowing for rental of only half the lodge makes the experience of staying in a timber framed home more price accessible, but that comes at the cost of respecting your neighbor.
Access to property
There are private trails being developed on the 15 acre property to connect to Matheson Lake park trails. You're welcome to use them so long as you don't hold me liable for any accidents. If you do notice a safety hazard however, please report it and it will be taken care of promptly.
The property borders a park to the right of the driveway and at the far end. The property also extends to the left of the driveway, but eventually there is a neighbor's property with no fence. The lodge is on the right side of the property and I ask that you stay mostly to the right (northwest) of the property unless you're following a trail, to avoid crossing onto their land.
Please respect the property and keep it looking nice for future guests.
One future trail will reduce the walking time to the nearest bus stop from 25 minutes to 15 minutes by connecting to the Matheson lake trail system. This will also make the hike more enjoyable by avoiding the roads. It's also possible to use an off road bike/ebike on the trail if you are skilled enough.
The property borders a park to the right of the driveway and at the far end. The property also extends to the left of the driveway, but eventually there is a neighbor's property with no fence. The lodge is on the right side of the property and I ask that you stay mostly to the right (northwest) of the property unless you're following a trail, to avoid crossing onto their land.
Please respect the property and keep it looking nice for future guests.
One future trail will reduce the walking time to the nearest bus stop from 25 minutes to 15 minutes by connecting to the Matheson lake trail system. This will also make the hike more enjoyable by avoiding the roads. It's also possible to use an off road bike/ebike on the trail if you are skilled enough.
Interaction with your Host
You might prefer a private experience, and the no hassle check in and check out gives you that independence.
Otherwise my name is Mark and I like meeting new people. I can take guests on a guided walk to Matheson lake and get in some exercise, or talk in person about some of the nice things in the area. If you prefer the traditional bed and breakfast setting where you have breakfast with your host and talk about what sort of things you can do in the area, I can do that most days, just schedule in a time in advance as I often work mornings and need to plan my time.
I'll assume you want privacy unless you reach out and contact me, which I encourage you to do.
I'm interested in a high rating for both the B&B and myself as a host, so if you have any suggestions please let me know. This is a work in progress and over the next few years I will add many things ranging from furniture to waterfalls. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them.
Otherwise my name is Mark and I like meeting new people. I can take guests on a guided walk to Matheson lake and get in some exercise, or talk in person about some of the nice things in the area. If you prefer the traditional bed and breakfast setting where you have breakfast with your host and talk about what sort of things you can do in the area, I can do that most days, just schedule in a time in advance as I often work mornings and need to plan my time.
I'll assume you want privacy unless you reach out and contact me, which I encourage you to do.
I'm interested in a high rating for both the B&B and myself as a host, so if you have any suggestions please let me know. This is a work in progress and over the next few years I will add many things ranging from furniture to waterfalls. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them.
Amenities
- High speed internet - 150Mbps download and 75Mbps upload.
- TV with access to stream free movies and tv shows. (no cable TV currently)
- Hangers in closet
- Wine glasses
- Shampoo, conditioner and body wash soap.
- Hair dryer.
- Microwave.
- Body towels, Hand towels, and Face towels.
- Dish soap and hand soap.
- Salt and pepper grinders.
- Bowls, forks, and other necessities for eating.
- Let me know what's important to you before you get here. If it doesn't complicate things I'll probably do it.
Dedicated parking
Each suite has parking space for two vehicles. If you rent out both suites you can park a maximum of four vehicles. You must park in front of the designated "parking logs" to allow others to easily come and go and not block them in.
There is also some dedicated parking at the entrance of the property, if you want to drive down there to hike the Matheson Lake trail which starts from the road.
If there is a winter storm and it doesn't appear safe to drive up the hill please use the dedicated parking at the bottom and call me. I will arrange to pick you up from below with a 4WD vehicle, and of course I will plow the driveway and make whatever efforts I can to make the normal parking available.
If there is a winter storm and it doesn't appear safe to drive up the hill please use the dedicated parking at the bottom and call me. I will arrange to pick you up from below with a 4WD vehicle, and of course I will plow the driveway and make whatever efforts I can to make the normal parking available.
The half-kilometer, ascending, snaking driveway.
The driveway is steep at a few points, reaching a 15% gradient. Most people find it an exciting and adventurous experience to climb a small mountain to arrive at their destination, but some can feel a bit apprehensive. The driveway is asphalt and completely safe so long as you don't have brakes that are about to fail or there has been a winter storm recently that left behind some ice.
To increase safety, ascending vehicles have the right of way. Descending vehicles must yield and back up if another vehicle is ascending. Reversing up a hill in a controlled fashion is possible using the engine, but not downhill, where you must rely only on brakes. It might seems counter-intuitive at first but it's safer. Yield signs are posted on the way down. It's very rare that vehicles are using the driveway at the same time (less than a 1% chance daily), but it does happen occasionally.
Please don't attempt to pull over slightly on the side of the road to allow the other vehicle to pass. Descending cars should back up until they see one of the zones for a vehicle to pull off the road completely and park there until the vehicle passes. Ascending cars have the right of way, but can also be courteous if they are very near a pull over zone and feel it is safe to pull over and let the other vehicle pass, especially if they can pull into it going forward. The pull over zones are never on a steep gradient so reversing down to a nearby one is also safe.
If I believe winter conditions have made the driveway unsafe, even after plowing and putting salt, I will block it off until conditions have improved to prevent potential slips from vehicles not designed to handle these conditions. It usually only occurs on a few days a year, and it's inconvenient, but it's also a very beautiful and peaceful time. If it's forecast to happen overnight it can be wise to park at the bottom the night before. Some adventurous people might find it a truly exceptional getaway, a snowy mountaintop with a timber frame building and a fireplace, but I want to be clear so nobody is surprised. Other than the extra work, I personally love it.
The steepest portions are pictured below:
To increase safety, ascending vehicles have the right of way. Descending vehicles must yield and back up if another vehicle is ascending. Reversing up a hill in a controlled fashion is possible using the engine, but not downhill, where you must rely only on brakes. It might seems counter-intuitive at first but it's safer. Yield signs are posted on the way down. It's very rare that vehicles are using the driveway at the same time (less than a 1% chance daily), but it does happen occasionally.
Please don't attempt to pull over slightly on the side of the road to allow the other vehicle to pass. Descending cars should back up until they see one of the zones for a vehicle to pull off the road completely and park there until the vehicle passes. Ascending cars have the right of way, but can also be courteous if they are very near a pull over zone and feel it is safe to pull over and let the other vehicle pass, especially if they can pull into it going forward. The pull over zones are never on a steep gradient so reversing down to a nearby one is also safe.
If I believe winter conditions have made the driveway unsafe, even after plowing and putting salt, I will block it off until conditions have improved to prevent potential slips from vehicles not designed to handle these conditions. It usually only occurs on a few days a year, and it's inconvenient, but it's also a very beautiful and peaceful time. If it's forecast to happen overnight it can be wise to park at the bottom the night before. Some adventurous people might find it a truly exceptional getaway, a snowy mountaintop with a timber frame building and a fireplace, but I want to be clear so nobody is surprised. Other than the extra work, I personally love it.
The steepest portions are pictured below:
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Length of stay
The suite is licensed for a short term bed and breakfast occupancy and my insurance limits the maximum stay to one month. This is to prevent any possibility of being considered a tenancy under BC law rather than a license agreement to provide a service.
If you want to stay longer than that, I'd be glad to accommodate, but you must book each stay separately. The room must be vacated from check-out to check-in time (so it is not considered a continuous stay), inspected, and the full cleaning fee must be paid again. Essentially this would be two completely separate stays back to back.
It should be fine to leave your personal items in the room during the cleaning process, as long as you ensure they are out of the way, and we are clear with the cleaner that the items aren't there due to a late check out, but are there due to an early check in.
The maximum stay is 28 days and those booking for 28 days receive a 20% discount. Those booking for a week or longer receive a 10% discount.
If you want to stay longer than that, I'd be glad to accommodate, but you must book each stay separately. The room must be vacated from check-out to check-in time (so it is not considered a continuous stay), inspected, and the full cleaning fee must be paid again. Essentially this would be two completely separate stays back to back.
It should be fine to leave your personal items in the room during the cleaning process, as long as you ensure they are out of the way, and we are clear with the cleaner that the items aren't there due to a late check out, but are there due to an early check in.
The maximum stay is 28 days and those booking for 28 days receive a 20% discount. Those booking for a week or longer receive a 10% discount.
Early check in and late check out
Efforts will be made to accommodate, but these changes depend upon the cleaner's schedule, the host's schedule to change the access PIN times and handle any other issues, and when other guests have rooms booked.
For early check in requests, if there was no guest the day before it's fairly easy, a couple PIN access updates and we're good to go. Otherwise it will be on a best efforts basis, and I will notify you when the room is ready. However, I can always safely store your luggage for the day if you arrive early and are excited to explore the area immediately. I will always try to make your arrival as welcoming as possible.
* Early check in requests must be made on the day of check in, to keep things simple.
For late check out requests, there will almost always be an impact and additional fees per suite.
* Late check out requests can only be made on the day of check out to keep things simple.
For early check in requests, if there was no guest the day before it's fairly easy, a couple PIN access updates and we're good to go. Otherwise it will be on a best efforts basis, and I will notify you when the room is ready. However, I can always safely store your luggage for the day if you arrive early and are excited to explore the area immediately. I will always try to make your arrival as welcoming as possible.
* Early check in requests must be made on the day of check in, to keep things simple.
For late check out requests, there will almost always be an impact and additional fees per suite.
- $20 to extend up to 1 pm, if a cleaner can accommodate a 1-3 pm cleaning.
- + $50 if cleaner could not change schedule, to schedule a cleaner for another time slot.
- $80 to extend up to 7 pm, assuming the room is available. (Great for delayed flights)
- Up to $250 if the room was booked by another guest and you do not check out before their check in time. I will have to compensate the other guest or pay for other accommodations for them and take time to manage the situation. It's understood that emergencies can happen and I will try to smooth things out for everyone.
* Late check out requests can only be made on the day of check out to keep things simple.
Contact for additional questions
If you have further questions, please make contact through the various booking sites. Posting information on web pages results in too much spam. I look forward to hearing from you.
This B&B operates under Metchosin business license #00004185
