Victoria Athletic Club

Negative experience: Used to be 5 stars but now I am giving it 2. The management is the problem: Ruthless, cheap and wrong-headed. As I write: the sauna doesn't work (more than 2 months), the steam room doesn't work. The classes and pool are overcrowded... Already this year the pool was closed for upgrades for 3 months - no alternative given for members - you were 'allowed' to put your membership on hold - Whatever they say goes. Management is always right. They won't listen to reason. Keep it up Reid and I will lower your stars to one.

Fantastic experience: I’m a local Victoria resident and very grateful to be able to access this amazing facility. The staff are very professional, friendly and helpful. The gym is spacious, very clean and has all kinds of new equipment that is well maintained. The swimming pool, kids pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room are clean, well maintained and refurbished on a regular basis. There are a variety of classes available at no extra cost. There is indoor parking on site. It’s never crowded. This is a well managed facility, with a customer centred approach. Keep your good work!

Fantastic experience: This place is a gem, and I suspect many feel hesitant to review to keep it a bit of a secret. They deserve a huge amount of credit for keeping it open to the community at very reasonable membership rates, instead of being only for hotel guests. The updates that have been made recently are excellent. The Sauna temperature is in the right range for therapeutic health benefits and the new exercise equipment is excellent.

Negative experience: I went to this place to get a membership originally in May this year. Before I visited there, I questioned via email about getting a membership. These people who answered my questions via email were very nice and kind. However, the front desk lady was pretty much unprofessional and racist. As soon as I entered, there were a few people already talking to the front desk lady. While they were talking each other, the front desk lady was like “are you here to work?” Is it the way how you guys greet customers? Lol. I was like “no, I am here to get a membership here” and wondered if she said the same thing to the previous customers. I felt the lady was discriminating by people’s look. Whenever I asked her questions, she looked annoyed by me and she kept eating something while talking to me. Therefore, I decided not joining this club because I feel like I am paying to get racial discrimination, not for my health. I think you guys need to improve on training your staffs here. If you guys need further information from me for further investigation, please let me know.

Negative experience: I stand in solidarity with prior reviews that have conveyed the perpetuation of racial discrimination at this establishment. One particular reviewer reported feeling unsafe as a BIPOC individual, and there is no response from the establishment that addresses this issue. In that review, the author stated that the establishment basically conveyed the attitude of "if you don't like it, you can leave." At the time that I joined Victoria Athletic Club, there were no stipulations for patrons from harassing other members. I too, felt unsafe as a patron. Unless measures are taken within their policies to address racial discrimination within the club by other patrons, this review will stay here.

Fantastic experience: Staff and facilities are perfect for a healthy lifestyle. No attitudes and the patrons are friendly and a pleasure to be around.

Fantastic experience: This club is great! I was visiting from out of town and needed a gym for two days and got a day pass each day. Life saver. And Dave was fantastic! Even shared some things we should with the fam. We are going back today to let my 5 year old swim. Not sure what these negative reviews are about.

Fantastic experience: Great facilities & friendly staff. Highly recommended:)

Positive experience: Very clean facility, there are free weights and a squat rack but the are quite small areas, lots of lever machines. Lovely wood floor studio if there are no classes, and lots of ellipticals and treadmills, as well as a squash court. The pool is long and doesn't get more than 4 ft deep. The hot tub, sauna, and steam room are great if you hit them at non peak times. One of the cleanest steam rooms I've seen. The showers have shampoo, conditioner, and soap, and the change room is decent. Very nice staff. Change room 3.5/5 Sauna, hot tub, steam room, and pool 4/5 Weight set up and free weights 3/5

Positive experience: Very clean facility, friendly staff, excellent weight room and warm pool and hot tub. The pool is an excellent choice for therapy. The small pool is perfect for small children. There is slso a sauna and steam room. Free towel and locker service ...nice white clean towels....large lockers.... We are thoroughly enjoying our membership.... Thanks!

Fantastic experience: The Victoria Athletic Club is a delightful part of my day. The staff are professional, friendly and extremely welcoming. With being new to the city, the club has made me feel like a part of the community from day one. Along with the services they provide, this is the best gym destination in the city!

Fantastic experience: I have been a long time member of the Hotel Grand Pacific Athletic Club. It is a safe and clean place. I have never experienced any of what has been mentioned in those negative reviews. The management and desk staff have always been professional, friendly and helpful. They work hard to maintain a warm and welcoming community feel that I could not find in any other gym. As a resident of Victoria, I am fortunate to have a local gym that offers such a variety of classes, all led by knowledgeable and caring instructors. I enjoy coming to the Victoria Athletic Club. It keeps me fit and has been and still is an essential part of my daily routine.

Fantastic experience: I started coming here 13 years ago, after one drop in session, realizing what a gem this place is. Welcoming staff, excellent equipment, some terrific classes, (especially yoga), and great value memberships with many perks. While it has gotten busier over the years (the secret is out) it is still possible to find quieter times. Thank you for being here!

Fantastic experience: Great pool and facilities. Not sure why there are one-star reviews here. I’ve been to all the gyms w pools in town and this is def. the kindest staff. More expensive for swimming drop in than other places in town but it’s good value if you need flexible hours to swim laps and enjoy a scenic environment. Towel service and free lockers are a plus too!

Fantastic experience: Positive: Professionalism

Negative experience: I'm generally a tolerant person. Heck, i have a sense of humor and know the world isnt perfect (can be funny sometimes) I have stayed in this hotel a few times over the years while visiting the island and always came downstairs to gym/swim even tho the gym/pool arent anything special, but i have NEVER heard staff at any gym openly say descriminatory things about people within earshot of guests. Will be staying elsewhere from now on, sad seeing the staff quality of this place go to sh!t

Fantastic experience: I don't like false accusations either, other than this comment, I have never been to this facility but I think it deserves 5 stars to replace the person who had false review.

Negative experience: Great facility, but the managment must be completly oblivious to some of their staffs personal habits... when i last stayed in this hotel i used the gym and a girl in her mid 30s with glasses working behind the counter literally did a line of coke off the desk with a rolled up bill. I was one of the last people leaving and i guess she thought everyone had gone home. She was embarresed a guest caught her in the act but i told her to not worry. As a formal user i understand but if i was running a gym in a nice hotel i wouldnt want an addict working for me. Would have been 4 stars but i'll have to settle at 2 since it's been over 25 years since ive seen someone do a line in their workplace... i guess her night was just starting

Fantastic experience: It is so awesome to be allowed back excellent facility

Fantastic experience: Perhaps the best location I know of downtown. This facility has a relationship with the Hotel Grand Pacific, and for the foreseeable future (Jan 2022) is exclusive to that hotel. The hot tub, sauna, steam room for our stay of 11 days were hot each time we visited. Pool is great for swimming. Gym is currently closed due to provincial health order.

Fantastic experience: Super friendly staff, very clean facilities.

Positive experience: Firstly, I must say that ALL the front line staff do an incredibly amazing job and are always very personable and friendly! Indeed many of the gym equipment are a bit dated, though generally well maintained for the most part and adequate. The squash court is a bit lacking and is definitely in dire need of repairs (or just done away with) even before Covid was an issue! The biggest drawback is the HIGH priced cost for a club membership, no doubt one of the highest in Victoria. It's certainly not justifiable for those who use the "gym" facilities only as they end up subsidizing the maintenance of the aquatic facilities. (They do offer a discounted Pool only membership though!) The guest passes help a bit but I would trade all that for a more reasonably priced gym-only membership which is a bit more comparable to other clubs in the city for hundreds less. Unfortunately, one is limited to options which are located in their immediate vicinity only due to convenience. Interestingly enough, the punch card feature is a bit more on par with other gyms of similar natures, but not a 6 month/yearly membership for one who just wants to use the gym and nothing else..

Positive experience: As expensive as it is, some equipment is getting old, but it's functional. There should be a gym-only membership at a lower rate, as there is for the pool, especially considering that, even if it weren't presently filled with exercise machines, the squash court is run down. The wood flooring is warped and separated from water damage, rendering the court unusable. The biggest negative is the high temperature and humidity of the gym. The thermostat is perpetually set at 23°, but it's always a sticky 25°. It's not a hot yoga studio- turn on the damned air! The staff are always pleasant and accommodating. I will be moving on to a gym with better value and cool air...

Fantastic experience: Switched to this facility after reassessing dubious COVID procedures of my former gym. This club has an effective, well thought through health safety protocol, attentive, personable staff (separate shout-out to David). Although the gym premises appear slightly dated - the space is clean and the equipment is well organized. Gym patrons seem to vary from Gen Zers all the way to Silent Generation - always following good gym etiquette. Would certainly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Great safety protocol in place

Fantastic experience: Positive: Communication , Professionalism , Quality Started coming here ever since Goodlife Fitness Vic West closed their women's side & their gym. Love that this gym is not too crowded & quiet. I can easily get a good work out, hit the sauna or pool & leave. Private & relaxing!

Negative experience: One star is too generous. As a woman of colour who bought a 6 month membership I was made to feel unsafe, and unwelcome by some regular members and management (frontline workers are good). This is an exclusive club who said if I didn't like I could leave, which I did but not before demanding a full refund. Management could benefit from some culturally competency training.

Fantastic experience: Started coming here ever since Goodlife Fitness Vic West closed their women's side & their gym. Love that this gym is not too crowded & quiet. I can easily get a good work out, hit the sauna or pool & leave. Private & relaxing!

Fantastic experience: Hands down the best athletic club in the city.

Negative experience: I came in with my wife while staying at the hotel and the man Eddie working at the front desk was absolutly awful! Unfriendly, impatient, and flat out rude! Will not be coming back!

Fantastic experience: Super friendly staff and patrons. Clean and well equipped. Great value for money

Fantastic experience: Top tier equipment and amazing staff! Open til 10pm.

Fantastic experience: Above average hotel gym. Every machine available some free weights, TRX, squash court, treadmill. Lap pool, hot tub, steam room, dry sauna with free towels and lockers. Drop in is a little pricey but worth it. They have punch card deals and kids are half price. Friendly staff and not overly busy. Very clean and organized

Fantastic experience: nice and clean is most important

Positive experience: not sure if worth the admission, but really it exists for hotel patrons at the grand pacific. very nice facility and not crowded. excellent gym, pool has open swim and lanes for laps as well as very hot hot tub, sauna and steam room and a shallow kids pool(all water is kept warm enough to not be chilled).

Fantastic experience: Clean new pool, good locker room, friendly staff.

Fantastic experience: A great place for a workout, with knowledgeable caring staff

Negative experience: At $17 to use the swimming pool Victoria Athletic Club is a joke. The facilities are not even worth $7. This place is a tourist trap that overcharge the unexpecting, far better option in Victoria for a 1/4 of the price. Avoid this place and do not support this blatant greed. Alternative with better facilities: - Oak Bay Rec - Crystal pool - The YMCA - Aqua Pacific