The Magnolia Hotel & Spais a 64-room boutique hotel in our favourite type of location: convenient tothe action, but not right in the middle of it. It’s tucked away on CourtneyStreet, just a block east of busy Government Street and a block north of thevenerable Empress Hotel. Despite being close to thecity’s active core, the atmosphere at the Magnolia is tranquil and relaxed.
The Magnolia has the feel ofa vintage property that has been scrupulously kept up to date, so guests may besurprised to learn it’s actually only 14 years old. During a tour of theproperty, sales manager Ronette Nyhan told us that the hotel’s local developersbuilt it specifically to fit in with the style of the older structures thatsurround it. As a result, guests enjoy the best of both worlds: old-world charmand 21st century conveniences.
Entering the lobby, we weregreeted immediately by one of the bellmen. The front desk attendant was helpinganother guest so the bellman began our check-in process – an indication of themarvelous service proffered at the Magnolia. When Alana took over and finishedour check-in, we found her to be everything you’d expect at a hotel with afour-diamond AAA/CAA rating: courteous, efficient, polished, and helpful. As we had arrived well before check-in time,she gladly stored our bags, provided us with a map and an umbrella (it wasthreatening to rain and we’d neglected to pack our own), and noted my cellphone number so she could call when the room was ready.
The mahogany-paneled lobbywith its comfortable seating area, cozy fireplace, and beverages and snacks(available 24 hours a day) would have made a great place to while away sometime, but we were peckish and keen to tuck into a bit of lunch, so we headedoff for Don Mee’s in Chinatown for its renowned dim sum.
We had booked the “Fire andIce” package, which included a room with a fireplace and a bottle of bubbles onice. When we returned we were given a room on the 7th and highestfloor, facing the Inner Harbour. Rooms on the 6th and 7thfloors all have gas fireplaces; rooms on lower floors do not. Rooms on the topfloor also offer 10-foot ceilings, which add to the feeling of spaciousness.A bottle of Segura Viudascava, a sparkling wine from Spain, waiting on ice completed our package. Allguests are treated to complimentary bottled water, fresh fruit, and localchocolates upon arrival and more chocolates upon evening turndown service.
Rooms at the Magnolia rangein size from 300 to nearly 400 square feet and include two Signature Diamondrooms. Located on its top two floors, these rooms offer the postcard view ofVictoria’s Inner Harbour and the green-domed British Columbia Parliamentbuildings seen at right.Typical of luxury hotels,each room at the Magnolia has a comfortable bed, dresser, flat screen TV, ironand ironing board, desk with both wired and wireless Internet access, andin-room safe. Atypical of many hotels,the Magnolia has robes – and slippers! – waiting for each guest; a very nicetouch indeed.
Rooms at the Magnolia alsooffer the increasingly rare in-room minibars. Somewhat surprisingly given theluxurious surroundings, I found the prices quite reasonable. A package of smoked almonds was only $2, anda bottle of white wine was only about 50% higher than the price at a nearbyretail shop, as opposed to the more typical 100% markup found in many hotels.
The bathrooms areluxuriously appointed with soaking tubs, separate showers, and a wide array ofAveda amenities including a razor and shaving cream, and a vanity kit, in additionto the usual shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.
A deluxe continentalbreakfast is included for all guests and has a fairly broad variety of fooditems, from the typical cereals, fruit, yogurt, and waffles to the moreEuropean offerings of cold meats, cheeses, and hard-boiled eggs.
Breakfast is served in thePrime Steakhouse adjacent to the lobby. The restaurant, which was listed as oneof “Canada’s Best New Restaurants of 2010,” is open for lunch Monday throughSaturday and dinner nightly.
Guests have numerous diningoptions nearby as well. They can pop across Gordon Street to the Bon Rouge Bistro, kitty-corner to the Sandwich Corner Café, easily walk to any of dozensof restaurants and pubs lining Government Street, or even trek to the city’s Chinatownon Fisgard Street, about a kilometre to the north.
Spa Magnolia, also adjacentto the lobby, offers facials, hand and foot care, body treatments, and spapackages for both men and women. The hotel also offers a well-equipped fitnesscenter (at left), and offers access to the swimming pool at the nearby YMCA for thoseseeking a swim. Valet parking is availablefor $20 per night.
While every staff member weencountered was polite and friendly, a few of the younger staff members lackedthe polish I expect at a high-end hotel. One of the breakfast servers referredto a group of guests as “you guys” instead of “folks” or “ladies” or“gentlemen.” I also heard “No problem!” more than once instead of the preferredresponses of “You’re welcome” or “My pleasure.”
In another instance, one ofthe housekeeping staff pushed a rather large linen cart into the elevator inwhich my wife and I were already riding. In keeping with the hotel's upscale service, she should have either asked if we minded if she joined us, ordeferred to her guests and waited for the next elevator.
The Magnolia is thedevelopers’ only hotel and, we’re told, their passion. As a result, the hotelis planning a “refresh” later this year, though in my estimation it's hardly needed. However, that refresh -- along with ensuring that staff members consistently exhibit polish and refinement -- could help the hotel earn its fifth diamond, whichAAA/CAA describe as representing “the ultimate in luxury andsophistication.”
We thoroughly enjoyed ourstay, will definitely go back, and are especially looking forward to areturn visit after the refresh is complete.
Whether you find yourself inVictoria sooner or later, my wife and I both highly recommend the MagnoliaHotel & Spa.
Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photos to view larger size
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