By Cheryl Alexander
On the sunny southern tip of Vancouver Island sits the historic Canadian capital
city of Victoria, British Columbia, consistently one of
Condé Nast Traveler’s most livable places. Truly, the place is fantastic due to its magnificent
natural beauty and its allure as a cosmopolitan, yet quaintly historic cultural
destination.
Only 20 minutes from downtown Victoria, those in-the-know have discovered the
gem of Vancouver Island, Bear Mountain Resort. Rugged, yet pristine, Bear
Mountain is on course to become one of the world
’s finest luxury mountainside resort communities. Not only is the resort
Vancouver Island
’s first Westin Hotel property, it is additionally the only resort in Canada to
feature two golf courses of Nicklaus Design.
Rounding out the complete lifestyle experience of this master-planned location
are the exquisite restaurants, a premier fitness club, a luxurious spa and a
vibrant village, not to mention the wide range of properties and individual
housing styles offered for sale. Truly, this destination defines resort living.
The Westin Bear Mountain
Visitors to Bear Mountain have the opportunity to lodge at Starwood Hotels & Resorts first Westin Hotel property on Vancouver Island. The resort is centered
around a village where coffee houses, specialty shops, art galleries,
boutiques, bistros, natural open spaces, landscaped parks and an outdoor plaza
with year-round activities catering to a vacationer
’s every whim.
Upon arrival, each guest steps into the Clubhouse, the oasis-style lobby with
its towering timber beams, massive stone fireplace and two-story waterfall.
Each of the 156 elegantly appointed guestrooms
—traditional, one- or two-bedroom suites or a penthouse—features Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath with a deep soaker tub, a natural
slate floor, Internet access and an amazing view. Traditional rooms enjoy
kitchenettes, while suites offer a full kitchen, dining room and separate
living area.
“Haute Cuisine”
If spending time in the kitchen is not your idea of a vacation, never fear. The
Westin Bear Mountain has the perfect dining option no matter the time of day.
Executive Chef Iain Rennie leads a talented staff dispersed between five
fabulous restaurants:
Copper Rock Grill – West Coast fare in a casual dining experience
Panache – a chophouse, affording a more elegant and exclusive option along with a daily
dinner menu, showcasing only the highest quality ingredients and best steak you
’ve ever put in your mouth
The Cellar – intimate and private, completing Bear Mountain Resort as one of British Columbia’s top culinary destinations and home to over 12,500 bottles of the world’s finest wines.
Kuma Sushi – authentic sushi with a modern twist
Jack’s Pub – an adults-only sports venue
Santé Spa Bear Mountain
“A votré santé” or “To your health!” is a phrase that conveys the essence of wellbeing and vitality greeting guests
at Sant
é Spa, the Westin Bear Mountain’s luxurious relaxing escape. Here visitors select from an extensive menu of spa
and esthetic treatments, each of which will soothe the senses, rejuvenate the
body and relax the soul. Signature treatments celebrating the bounty of local
ingredients and products indigenous to Victoria
’s coastal waters include a seaweed body wrap using locally harvested seaweed.
The elegant Amyris duet suite allows guests to enjoy side-by-side treatments as
well as a private fireplace and soaker tub.
A relaxing lounge and fireplace provide a place to sit and read or enjoy a nap.
A labyrinth allows a place to wander and quietly meditate. The outdoor mineral
pool is the place to have a leisurely soak while you watch the sun set on the
surrounding hills.
Nicklaus Design Golf
First and foremost, Bear Mountain Resort is a premiere golf experience—offering guests not just one, but two courses of Nicklaus Design golf. The
Mountain Course, co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son Steve, and the Valley
Course, a Nicklaus Design, together strike the perfect balance between
playability and a truly challenging year-round experience for golfers of any
skill level.
The Mountain Course is a masterpiece of challenging terrain and spectacular
natural beauty. The par-72 course, playing at 7,212 yards, takes full advantage
of its setting atop a 1,100-foot mountain as it displays dramatic elevation
changes and awe-inspiring views. The Valley course (par 71) plays at a lower
elevation and spans approximately 6,807 yards. Together these courses assure
Bear Mountain Golf
& Country Club its status among the most prestigious golf destinations in the
world.
Living at Bear Mountain Resort
Real estate options abound for both residential and vacation ownership. But don’t wait long—the project’s first 10 phases have already sold out. The high design standards of the
community promote a cohesive feel, preserve the integrity of the resort and
protect the investment of its buyers. Design guidelines, including height and
set back restrictions, exterior finishes, colors and landscaping, encourage
creativity so each home feels uniquely special while remaining unified to the
community atmosphere.
Real estate offerings at Bear Mountain Resort include great places to call home:
•Gated estate homes – spectacular views, exclusive and grand
•Townhomes – beautifully crafted homes of traditional design and elegant architecture
•Single family lots – a variety of choices to build your own home
•Condominiums – perfect for a second home or a lock and leave residence
•Fractional vacation ownership – offering flexible and hassle free living with a world renowned brand—Westin Hotels & Resorts.
With health and wellness at its heart, this Victorian gem offers a lifestyle
with a variety of activities to be enjoyed year-round. Bear Mountain Resort is
not just another vacation destination
—this is in fact a community nestled on a celebrated coastal oasis amid jutting
rocks, roaring rivers, majestic valleys, lush forests and distant white-capped
mountain peaks. This is a piece of paradise.
Westin Resort Reservation: toll free 1-888-533-2327; Real Estate: toll free
1-866-391-6100, ext. 1; Web site:
www.bearmountain.ca.
