Just completed a 2 night stay using FNA. I'm a gold member and knew I wasn't high on the priority list for upgrades but I politely asked for an upgrade via the app chat feature a day before check in and was told that they would try their best to upgrade upon check in. I knew that occupancy rate was on the lower end (based on point redemption values) so I had fair chance of scoring an upgrade. To my delight, we were offered a fantastic harbour view room on the 7th floor. Beds are very comfortable and the free bottled water was a nice touch. If you prefer to have ice cold filtered water, use your hotel keycard to access the fitness facilities and you can easily refill your water bottles there. Fitness centre was great including full locker room facilities (showers, towels etc.), heated pool, squash (I think they need to be pre-booked), tennis courts, outdoor ping pong table and lots of workout machines.

Even though the location of the hotel is across the water, the great thing is that it's quiet and you're less than a 10 min walk across the Johnson St Bridge to the heart of downtown. If you're feeling extra touristy, you can always take one of the water taxis right outside the hotel back entrance for $8 to take you across the water. It was great that we could walk everywhere and not have to worry about finding parking in downtown. Hotel parkade is $22 + tax per night and there are no dedicated EV chargers but there are 6 stalls that have outlets so it's free as long as you bring your own charger.

Some places to recommend if you're staying at this hotel:

Boom + Batten for happy hour 2-5pm - 7 min walk from hotel along Songhees Walkway
Fol Epi/Caffe Fantastico (2 separate but adjoined businesses) - 8 min walk from hotel along Harbour Rd
Hey Happy - great coffee + breakfast items just across the bridge (try the breakfast sandwich, Westcoast cookie and nitro coffee!)
Murchies - pot of tea for $2.45 + scone $3.95 for a crazy cheap afternoon tea experience; lots of other cakes, pastries, sandwiches as well so it's great place to stop if you're in DT; lots of seating but can get busy so try and go during non-peak hours
Finest at Sea food stall - skip the food at Fishermans' Wharf and go here instead... amazing fish and chips, great chowder; they also have a shop in the back with fresh seafood for sale


Requires some driving:
Charlotte + the Quail (sister restaurant of Nourish Kitchen & Cafe [also worth a visit!] located close to Fisherman's Wharf) + HCP botanical gardens (entrance fee reduced to $6 if dining at Charlotte + the Quail the same day); even if you don't want to visit the gardens, go here for lunch! Amazing food (no reservations)!
Government House - free entrance / 2 free EV charging spots
Songhees Food Truck - great indigenous inspired burgers (wild sockeye salmon / bison) + chowder
Iluka Espresso - super cute coffee shop with a view of the gorge located within a block of apartment buildings
Esquimalt Gorge Park - beautiful Japanese gardens; in case the parking lot is full, there's also free parking at the end of Sioux Place