Local Love

Rooted in Community

Celebrating connections, highlighting local businesses, and sharing community events that make Victoria BC feel like home.

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Local Love: The Sidney Pier Hotel

There's a question I hear more than almost any other from clients who are thinking about moving to Vancouver Island. It comes up toward the end of conversations, almost like an afterthought, but it never really is. The question is: where should we stay when we come to look?

It sounds practical, and it is. But what's behind it is something bigger. The trip to Vancouver Island is often the moment everything becomes real. It's when you stop imagining the move and start actually picturing it. Where you stay, how you wake up, whether you can walk somewhere for coffee, whether the town feels right at seven in the morning before you've seen a single house — all of that shapes what you come home with.

For a long time I gave my clients the best guidance I could. But I didn't have a place I could point to and say: go here, I trust this completely, this is the right base for the trip you're about to take.

That changed when I walked into The Sidney Pier Hotel.

The Sidney Pier sits right on the waterfront in Sidney, at the edge of Beacon Avenue and the marina. It's a short walk to the bookshops, bakeries, and coffee spots that make this town so easy to fall in love with on a first visit. The building is modern and thoughtfully designed, with a spa on site and a restaurant downstairs. It doesn't feel like a place you pass through. It feels like a place you settle into.

I should mention: the hotel has just completed a full reimagining of the suites. New finishes, new furnishings, and a feel that's warmer and more considered than before. The bathrooms are spa-inspired and well-appointed. The kitchens and kitchenettes are beautifully fitted out. It's the same stunning waterfront location — the views haven't changed — but the experience inside has been genuinely elevated. If you've stayed here before, it's worth coming back with fresh eyes.

I've partnered with The Sidney Pier Hotel to offer my relocation clients a special rate on three specific room types as part of working with me.

The Townview Suite is a spacious studio with a king bed, a full kitchen, and west-facing views over the heart of Sidney. It's the room for clients who like to cook their own breakfasts and spread out a little. The Seaport or Courtyard King is a comfortable, well-appointed guestroom with everything you need, offering views of either the courtyard or the town of Sidney. And the Coastal King or Queen is a beautifully designed room with courtyard or Beacon Avenue views, with select floors offering a private furnished balcony — one of the loveliest places to have your morning coffee while you think through the homes you saw the day before.

I make the reservation personally. There's no code or link — you just reach out to me and we sort it out together as part of working with me.

Sidney is a town that tends to make the decision for people. You arrive not quite sure, you walk Beacon Avenue, you sit somewhere with a coffee and watch the ferries move across the water, and then you know. I wanted my clients to have a place that helps that happen. The Sidney Pier Hotel is that place, and with the newly reimagined suites, it's better than ever.

If you're thinking about a move to the Saanich Peninsula and want to know more about how this works, reach out. I'm always happy to talk through what the process looks like from start to finish.

Find out more and view those dreamy suites right here.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR®
Your Van Isle Home
call/text: 250-415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com

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Local Love: Farmer’s Daughter — A Saanich Favourite Worth the Short Drive from Sidney

One of the things I love most about working in and around Sidney is how connected the surrounding communities feel. You’re never far from something special — a great walk, a thoughtful local shop, or a place that reminds you why people choose this part of Vancouver Island in the first place.

Farmer’s Daughter, located just outside Sidney in Saanich, is one of those places.

If you haven’t been yet, it’s a locally loved shop known for its carefully curated selection of cheeses, pantry staples, and specialty food items — all chosen with intention and a strong connection to local producers.

Why Farmer’s Daughter Feels So “Island”

Farmer’s Daughter isn’t about rushing in and out. It’s the kind of place where you slow down, ask questions, and discover something new — whether that’s a local cheese, a small-batch condiment, or the perfect addition to a dinner with friends.

That slower, more thoughtful way of living is something I hear people say they’re looking for all the time — especially downsizers and newcomers considering Sidney. It’s not just about the house. It’s about the rhythm of daily life.

A Lifestyle Match for Sidney Living

Sidney has a unique charm — walkable streets, ocean views, independent shops, and a strong sense of community. Farmer’s Daughter fits beautifully into that lifestyle, even though it’s technically just outside town.

It’s the kind of spot Sidney residents happily make a short drive for — and one I often recommend to clients who are getting to know the area. These are the local gems that make settling in feel personal, not generic.

Why Local Businesses Matter in Real Estate

When I help someone move to Sidney or the surrounding areas, we always end up talking about more than listings and floorplans. We talk about where they’ll shop, where they’ll walk, where they’ll bring visiting family, and what will make the place feel like home.

Local businesses like Farmer’s Daughter are part of that story. They’re what turn a neighbourhood into a community.

Local Love, Always

Supporting local businesses is something I care deeply about — both personally and professionally. They’re part of what makes living on the Saanich Peninsula and in Sidney so special.

If you’re new to the area or simply looking to explore more of what’s nearby, Farmer’s Daughter is well worth a visit.

And if you’re thinking about making a move to Sidney — or just starting to explore what life here could look like — I’m always happy to share not just market insight, but the places that make this community feel like home.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR®
Your Van Isle Home
(250) 415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
Instagram | Facebook

Helping you find home — and community — here in Victoria, BC.

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MLS® property information is provided under copyright© by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and Victoria Real Estate Board. The information is from sources deemed reliable, but should not be relied upon without independent verification.