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Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary

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Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Terrace/patio
Smart TV, fireplace, video games
Smart TV, fireplace, video games
5 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel crib, free WiFi

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 122992 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View in a map
Victoria, BC
  • Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Victoria Harbour
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Victoria, BC (YWH-Victoria Inner Harbour Seaplane Base)
    ‪9 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Victoria

Saanich East stay.With a stay at this Saanich East vacation home, you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Lochside Regional Trail and 2 miles (3 km) of Uptown Center. Princess Louisa Inlet and MayFair Shopping Centre are also within 2 miles (3 km).
View more Vacation Homes in VictoriaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Uptown Center - 16 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre - 7 min drive - 3.4 miles
  • University of Victoria - 8 min drive - 3.1 miles
  • Victoria Harbour - 9 min drive - 4.4 miles
  • Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal - 10 min drive - 4.6 miles

Getting around

  • Victoria, BC (YWH-Victoria Inner Harbour Seaplane Base) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's @ Walmart - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Browns Socialhouse Uptown - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪7-Eleven - ‬2 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary

Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
House Video Tour: https://youtu.be/XqseWmblWiY
The best of what Victoria's character home charm and modern west coast living style has to offer. A beautifully updated 5 bedroom, 3 full bath Character home that is centrally located between downtown, ferries, and YYJ airport yet tucked away in the blissfully quiet neighborhood of Swan Lake with stunning views! With a nature reserve across the street, there is no shortage of beautiful wildlife including humming birds, deer, and bunnies; leaving one feeling at home in a true nature sanctuary. There is also a lower seperate legal home (not a suite) which offers two bedrooms and a full 4 piece bath which can also be rented for larger groups if needed.

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Interior

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  • Washer
  • Dryer
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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Video games

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 6 steps to reach entrance
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No elevator
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Bicycle parking

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Bicycle parking
  • Composting
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Garden
  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 2,992 square feet
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and return the keys
Kindly start the dishwasher in EXPRESS WASH please !
Kindly do not strip the beds.
Please throw all used towels in the bathtub. Don’t forget to leave the key(s)
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

No Shoes to be worn in the house - no exceptions! - Quiet Hours 11pm-7am for both lower guests! Please carry all luggage inside the home!
No Smoking or vaping anywhere in the home or on the property. No Parties or Events. -No bikes, strollers or golf bags allowed in the home.
Only the number of guests registered are allowed to stay overnight or on the property. Absolutely NO ICE COOLERS to be stored in the home/wood floors.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property Registration Number 29565, H399503546

Property is also known as

Character Stay Across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary Victoria

Frequently asked questions

How close is Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary to the airport?

This vacation home is 4.2 mi (16-min drive) away from the Victoria, BC (YWH-Victoria Inner Harbour Seaplane Base) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home, but Elements Casino (9-min drive) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary to downtown Victoria?

This vacation home is 2.7 mi away from Victoria.

Character Stay across Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 63 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 66 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christina G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gerry made us feel so welcomed in his home. He goes above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed and is stocked full of condiments and everyday things that I would not have to purchase for a short stay. This is not usual and very appreciated!The house is full of character and right down the road for a short loop walk around a nature sanctuary- we loved being able to walk after dinner.He also has a large pear tree that he allowed us to take a few from for the road.Thanks Gerry! We’ll be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

John I.

Liked: Cleanliness
the house was very thing we expected. the pantry and refrigerator was well stocked for cooking essentials.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mike S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic stay near Victoria. Gerry was super accommodating and communicated with us frequently before and during our trip. House was extremely clean and well stocked. Great location about 15 mins from downtown, with a quick easy drive , and just far enough to avoid noise and traffic when driving to other activities in the area. House was large enough to fit a big family. Outdoor decks were cleaned almost daily and provided a great patio space to relax after a long day.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carlyn, seattle

Liked: Cleanliness

Family reunion

The location next to a park and wildlife area is excellent for families
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness

The Perfect House and Host

As a group of six girlfriends gathering for a significant birthday celebration, the house was perfect for our get-together. The house was very clean, spacious, beautifully decorated and maintained, and had everything ( and more) that we needed to be comfortable. The outside spaces were well planned and welcoming. The nature park across the road provides a scenic 2.5 km walk. It was a 15 minute drive into downtown Victoria.Gerry is a very responsive host who takes great pride in maintaining his beautiful house. Upon our arrival, he was there to greet us and give us a tour of the house. Highly recommend Gerry's house for a spacious and relaxed stay.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cathy B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Victoria for Mother's Day

We had a lovely stay in this beautiful property.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marion M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family wedding visit

We were in Victoria for a family wedding. This home was the perfect place to host our group. So spacious and comfortable. The home is absolutely beautiful and so well stocked with anything you may need. Our host was very friendly and welcoming. Definitely would stay again and recommend to any group visiting the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

DOUGLAS T., Edmonton

Liked: Cleanliness

Thanksgiving at the coast

This was a great place to house our family of 8 for the weekend. Plenty of space, very well stocked kitchen and great indoor and outdoor spaces.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carrie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

judith m., Redmond, WA

Liked: Cleanliness

Stunning house

This is a stunning property in a wonderful location. The house is beautifully furnished and very comfortable. This was a long anticipated family reunion; we enjoyed the outdoor spaces for dining, and we all took walks around the Swan Lake Sanctuary. at the end of the street. The host is extremely helpful and gracious. Highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ken S.

Liked: Cleanliness

One Word: “Amazing”

Gerry was very gracious and thorough introducing us to his lovely home. He thought of everything that a guest might need or enjoy; from the multiple tabletop fire pits on all the patios to the fully stocked kitchen. Bedrooms were spacious, clean and comfortable. The photos in the listing do not do the property justice. We hope to return sometime soon. Thank you, Gerry!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Salma W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful home, very comfortable stay, great host

Stayed for 3 nights with 12 family members for a reunion Host, Gerry is attentive and quick at communication. Very clean home. Home is stocked with everything you need and more - air mattress, towels, beach towels, kitchen has everything you need for cooking dinner like spices, utensils, tupperware, BBQ. High quality linens. Outside seating areas are spacious with fire tables and pleasant garden. Gerry takes so much pride in making this a perfect stay for all. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rick H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Fabulous

Perfect for larger groups wanting a place to unwind after a day of visiting the Victoria area.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lydia K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice stay in Victoria

Very clean and well stocked home, beautiful property and close to the nature preserve. Host was very attentive and involved.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

AIMEE G.

Liked: Cleanliness

"Character Stay" is a great place!

We had a great stay & Gerry is a fantastic host!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome property!

Situated conveniently in Saanich with an easy drive to shops and restaurants, this property is high class! It is so well stocked with high end dishes, cutlery, glasses, and serving platters and bowls. It was never a question of finding something but of which to use. Definitely not your often found poor quality, limited supplies. Many spices and basics provided. As we were 4 adult sibling couples, it was easy and comfortable to make meals and spend time there. We even hosted a small dinner party for an extended family of 3 more in the dining room. There were multiple sitting areas with well maintained patio furniture. The owner was more than happy to help with minor issues around how to use things. Loved the park that was just a short walk down the street. Sets the bar very high for future rentals!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

David K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Very cosy and spacious

Our 2 families enjoyed our stay at Gerry’s lovely property. Obviously it is a wee way from downtown but downtown is an easy Uber. Would recommend if you have a big group as lots of space.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kirstin G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing experience

Gerry was absolutely amazing and was so helpful during our stay! He made us feel so welcome and provided all the extra perks to make our visit memorable and comfortable. We definitely will be returning again
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

MARLIS H., Cabri, Saskatchewan, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Gathering

Our family of 6 adults and 2 teenagers stayed in this beautiful home for three nights in November. It is easily one of the nicest VRBO rentals we have ever had and is as beautiful and as spacious as the photos shown in the listing. It was a cool, rainy weekend, so we didn't use the deck or yard but it would be lovely to sit out there in the summer. The host, Gerry, met us upon arrival, to give instructions and information which was very helpful. We also knew he was close by should any problems arise, (which there were none!) There are some rules, but he takes great pride in this property and it shows. The house is located in a quiet area, near a nature preserve, where we went for our family photo session. It is only about a 15-20 minute drive to any of the attractions we wanted to see in Victoria. Airport 20 minutes away. The house was exceptionally clean, beautifully decorated with attention to detail. Kitchen was well stocked with dishes, glasses, appliances, condiments, spices and so on. We didn't cook any big meals, but everything you would need is there. The beds were comfortable with great quality bedding. I would definitely rent this property again if we go back to Victoria and recommend it to anyone. A +5 star rating for sure.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Terry B., Austin, TX

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Vancouver area home

We had 3 couples staying for one week. The location was perfect for getting into Vancouver and nearby places, while not being in a high density area. The kitchen was well appointed. The beds were comfortable. We enjoyed breakfast every morning on the back deck. Gerry was quick to address a couple of small issues we had. Recommend this home.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

2/10 Terrible

Lesley

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The house in this rental has another basement unit renting out, we were asked not make any noise after 11pm, don’t think this is kids friendly house. The check in process felt overbearing and during it, Gerry made a few remarks, like some India guest get his oven dirty and some Filipino guest took away his olive oil bottle, that made us feel uneasy. Without any prior notice, one of his workers walked into the backyard, where we were having dinner, to start watering the plants and violating our privacy. The checkout process was very unpleasant with the owner accusing us of ruining his dining table with ‘Chinese characters’ as we were a Chinese group. The markings on the table didn’t look new and after attempting to dispute them with Gerry, we were given a $600 incidental charge for something that we didn’t cause and was told that Gerry would be wanting more incidental charges to replace the table entirely. Gerry just simply believes his “well trained” cleaner will check every inch of the house every time the guest leave, just like he said he told the worker not watering the plants while guest inside, but the worker still showed up. We would NOT recommend this house to anyone. If you do stay, we strongly recommend you take detailed photos and videos of everything when you check-in and before you check-out to prevent you from running into a similar experience like ours.

10/10 Excellent

LaJune E.

Liked: Cleanliness

The Ensz's

It was great! Thanks!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patricia, Banff

Liked: Cleanliness

A wonderful vacation stay

Our 3 generation family of 10 just completed a most enjoyable stay in this beautiful property. This lovely home is located in a quiet area, close to major attractions and services. We loved our early mornings on the large deck surrounded by a beautiful garden filled with hummingbirds and butterflies. After busy days of sightseeing we would again gather on the deck to laugh and share our adventures of the day. The home is as pictured; beautiful, spotless, very comfortable. The dream kitchen is well equipped with everything you need to create interesting meals. The large dining room table accommodates 10 diners, and also provides a wonderful spot for games. We appreciated our host, Gerry who was attentive without being intrusive. If we needed anything we would send a text and he would respond quickly. He dropped off what we asked for at the front door. He did the yard work while we were away from the property. He was generous in answering questions and providing information when we asked. We all loved this home and it’s location. If we can get everyone together again we wouldn’t even look for a different property, we would book this house.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matt F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful home in fantastic place

My family stayed here for several days and it was a wonderful time. The house is beautiful and well-taken care of. There is space to sit on the deck and play outside in the grass. There is a large kitchen/living room area for everyone to spend time together but there are also several rooms where everyone can spread out if they would like. Everything you need is pretty much there. The inside of the house is immaculate and updated. The outside is beautifully landscaped. It is near a nature sanctuary which is nice to walk around in the morning or evening. There are many bike trails near by and a gym with a great pool for kids. Downtown Victoria is only 3 to 4 miles away so that is not a bad drive. The owner, Gerry, takes a lot of pride in the work he has done on his home and wants his visitors to have the best time possible. I enjoyed meeting him and I appreciated his hospitality. This was a wonderful house. We had 9 people stay and it was perfect for us.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erika C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Memorable

I am not always the most confident when booking a stay for a group: its a lot of responsibility! So, when my sister got to Gerry’s ahead of me and texted, “It’s amazing!”, I breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was attended to: neat as pin, superb communication, incredibly well stocked cupboards, room to congregate but with space for those who wanted to retreat, beautiful surroundings, attention to interior design, and easy to follow instructions. I can’t thank Gerry enough for his kind hospitality and would certainly stay here again….and again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023