Steamship Terminal
Steamship Terminal
3.5
About
The Steamship Terminal building on Victoria's Inner Harbour is steeped in Victoria's maritime history. Passengers from steamships walked through its doors in the 19th and 20th centuries. This recently renovated heritage landmark houses The Robert Bateman Centre - a gallery, interactive centre and shop dedicated to the legacy of renowned naturist painter Robert Bateman.
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Neighbourhood: James Bay
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3.5
36 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
15
Average
7
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia51,969 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The two and a half storey Steamship Terminal is a beautiful Neo-Classical stone and concrete building. It is located in a prominent waterfront location overlooking Victoria's Inner Harbour. It was built in 1924 and was the entry point for countless immigrants and other visitors who would arrive on Canadian Pacific Railway steamsips. Today it serves a different function providing valuable information about the past to new visitors.
Written 10 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paradise51281397097
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Friends
Superb location with a marvelous view if you are lucky to be on the patio. The food was very good but the service was HORRIBLE! We arrived early for our 7 pm reservation and were seated promptly. Our waiter was friendly and immediately got us our drink order. We did not see him for nearly half an hour. After placing our food order we sat for over an HOUR before our meals at 8:40. Sorry, but will never go back.
Written 8 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karl S
Victoria, Canada1 contribution
May 2014 • Solo
Sure, a good job was done restoring this building constructed as a steamship terminal for the Canadian Pacific Railway Company in the 1920s, and of course they upgraded it to current seismic standards. But the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has failed to fulfill its own "vision of a renewed transportation hub and grand public space."
After tossing out the tacky Royal London Wax Museum a few years ago, there was a wonderful opportunity to turn the grand hall into a truly public venue where one could wander about the cathedral-like space, perhaps admiring maritime exhibits, including art by painters, sculptors and multi-media artists. Instead, this has become a rather exclusive place, occupied by businesses such as a high-end restaurant, yet another harbourside micro brewery / wine bar, and a tourist gift shop. The top floor is taken up by offices and a gallery exclusively displaying naturist Robert Bateman's wildlife paintings that seem curiously out of place in an environment purportedly "steeped in Victoria's maritime history."
After tossing out the tacky Royal London Wax Museum a few years ago, there was a wonderful opportunity to turn the grand hall into a truly public venue where one could wander about the cathedral-like space, perhaps admiring maritime exhibits, including art by painters, sculptors and multi-media artists. Instead, this has become a rather exclusive place, occupied by businesses such as a high-end restaurant, yet another harbourside micro brewery / wine bar, and a tourist gift shop. The top floor is taken up by offices and a gallery exclusively displaying naturist Robert Bateman's wildlife paintings that seem curiously out of place in an environment purportedly "steeped in Victoria's maritime history."
Written 28 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grahamj829
Tyne & Wear96 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
On a cool but dry September evening the outside patio area has plenty of heaters and blankets if needed. Efficient friendly service, good range of food which my wife enjoyed but I was not happy with my rissotto as it appeared to be made with cous cous. Not a GF option as thought. Great view of inner harbour and the ferries , seaplanes etc.
Written 7 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bkbak
Tempe, AZ1,405 contributions
Oct 2021
It's a statuesque building with quite the history. It's no longer used for what it was built for. Now it has a Starbucks, restaurant, art gallery and art gift shop.
Written 25 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan B
Newport, UK1,152 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Dominant position at the head of the Inner Harbour but now only a base for restaurants and coffee shops - but you get a nice view.
Written 25 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobertMJThompson
Victoria, Canada813 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
It's not fair to list this as an attraction. It's a beautiful building with lots of history but you'll have to research it on your own since the shell, while impressive looking now holds a coffee shop, a restaurant (nice patio), the Robert Bateman Art Gallery, some hallways and some washrooms. It used to be lots of things, in its day greeted kings and queens. The exterior at night looks grand indeed and is a fine addition to the Empress and Legislature Building grounds. Certainly the Inner Harbour would not seem as wonderful without its great columns. Take a fine photo and move on to other delights.
Written 17 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris D
New Westminster, Canada3,356 contributions
Apr 2018
The interior of this building, at least from a design point-of-view, has been ruined by it's use change into funky restaurants. However, the exterior remains unique, even in this city of beautiful old buildings. Be sure to have a look at the north side, both close up, and from over by the Visitor Centre.
Written 29 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel E
2 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
This restaurant is top notch! Not only do they have the best food, they have the best staff around! Friendly, helpful and informative, we co.e here every time we stay in Victoria!
Written 24 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brewolig
Winnipeg, Canada224 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
Most of the building is restaurants and such so you can really only see the outside well unless you have coins to drop.
Written 26 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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