Tucked into the leafy enclave of Saxe Point in Esquimalt, just minutes from Victoria’s Inner Harbour, a grand chapter of Vancouver Island’s heritage is poised to turn a new page. Following a decade-long, $25 million transformation by Aragon Properties, the legendary 1906 Rosemead House will reopen its doors on October 2, 2025. Formerly the Old English Inn, it has been reimagined as a refined boutique hotel unlike any other in British Columbia.
Originally designed by renowned architect Samuel Maclure, Rosemead House is a stately Edwardian manor that has been meticulously restored to its former grandeur. The result is a captivating fusion of historic charm, curated design, and elevated service that redefines heritage hospitality for a modern traveler. From the moment guests enter through replica Buckingham Palace gates, there is a palpable sense of entering another world, one steeped in story, elegance, and British sensibility. Each of the 28 guest rooms and suites, spread across the original manor and a newly added wing, has been individually styled with extraordinary attention to detail.
Under the vision of Aragon’s in-house design team and owner Lenny Moy, furnishings have been hand-sourced from over 50 estate auctions across the UK. These treasures, which range from rare antiques to silver tea sets from London’s famed Savoy and Dorchester hotels, create a layered sense of time and place. “Rosemead House is a celebration of storytelling. Of place, of heritage, and of the collections that fill each room,” says Moy. “We wanted to create something immersive, intimate, and wholly unique in the Canadian hospitality landscape.”
Nowhere is that philosophy more evident than in The Crown Mezzanine, an inviting library lounge filled with vintage books, original artworks, and heirlooms. Some of these amazing pieces were actually once featured on the Netflix series The Crown. It’s a space where guests are encouraged to slow down, sip a sherry, and perhaps lose themselves in a novel or a quiet conversation.
Culinary excellence anchors the experience at Rosemead House, thanks to Janevca Kitchen & Lounge, helmed by acclaimed chef Andrea Alridge. A finalist for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurant 2025, Janevca specializes in wood-fired cuisine that draws on memory and heritage, with each dish crafted to evoke both comfort and discovery.
Guests seeking wellness and rejuvenation will find sanctuary in the Salt & Ivy Spa, a 3,800-square-foot retreat that will open in phases beginning this fall. The spa will offer a relaxation lounge, treatment rooms, and a full suite of amenities by 2026. Additional offerings include over 2,500 square feet of event and meeting space and a 1,400-square-foot fitness centre complete with Peloton bikes, free weights, and a yoga studio.
“From the moment guests arrive, our goal is to offer something unexpected and personal,” says General Manager Uwe Walter. “We want every stay to unfold like a cherished story, filled with warmth, character, and curiosity.” As the crown jewel of the new Oakwoods master-planned community, Rosemead House is an experience rooted in timeless design and crafted hospitality. For guests seeking a sense of place, culture, and quiet indulgence, this Edwardian estate offers a setting where no two stays are ever quite the same.
For more information or to book a stay, visit rosemeadhouse.ca.