The Magnolia Hotel and Spa is a small luxury boutique hotel located in a neighborhood with many notable buildings that dates back to the early 1900s. The lobby area is spacious and uncluttered, with a classically elegant style of wood-paneled walls and stylish hanging lamps, plus a cozy seating area of comfortable sofas and armchairs arranged around a fireplace. The baby grand piano has a prominent place and a pianist performs nightly, creating a lively atmosphere. Most guests staying here are couples visiting the city as tourists, plus families and business travelers.

The Magnolia Hotel and Spa is conveniently located in a heritage district of Victoria's city center, within walking distance of several tourist attractions as well as many shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It's a three-minute walk to the Inner Harbour Centre, a five-minute walk to Victoria Conference Centre, and under 10 minutes on foot to the Royal British Colombia Museum, the British Columbia Legislature Building, and Market Square. Getting to the Victoria Clipper ferry terminal takes 11 minutes on foot. It's within about 10 minutes or so by car to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Government House, and Chinatown. Reaching Craigdarroch Castle and Butchart Gardens by car takes just over 20 minutes, while the Victoria International Airport is a half-hour drive away. 

The generously sized guest rooms at Magnolia Hotel are elegantly decorated in soft complementary tones of beige, white, and gray. Decor is classic and includes tasteful dark furniture, granite countertops, rich textures such as plush velour-covered armchairs and sofas, and several desk lamps providing soft mood lighting. The bathrooms are spacious and luxurious, fitted with beige tiling and marble sink tops, separate showers and bathtubs, bathrobes, and toiletries by Aveda or L'Occitane. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks, and some feature notable extras such as gas fireplaces and lounge chairs. Each room also has a granite-topped refreshment counter with a sink, a Nespresso machine, and a limited minibar with snacks and non-chilled items -- but no mini-fridge. Many of the rooms are available with two queen-size beds, ideal for families. Some rooms have views overlooking Victoria harbor.

Magnolia Hotel's features are extensive and (aside from lacking a pool) check every box in the luxury category for both leisure and business travelers. The on-site Catalano Restaurant & Cicchetti Bar is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves Mediterranean-inspired specialties inspired by the cuisine of Spain and Italy. A buffet breakfast that includes hot cooked-to-order dishes from the menu is free for guests who book on the hotel's website, but costs extra for those who book through a third party. Room service is available during limited hours. Free tea, coffee, and other beverages are available for guests in the lobby throughout the day.

The hotel's spa is adjacent to the lobby, and offers seven treatment rooms, and a variety of organic health and beauty treatments. The fitness room is open 24 hours, but it's small with limited equipment including a treadmill, an elliptical, a stationary bicycle, a weight machine, and free weights. The business center is also open 24 hours, and includes computers and a printer available for guest use. The meeting spaces set up in boardroom style can seat up to 40 people. Cycling maps specially curated by the hotel staff are available along with bicycles that guests can use for free. The hotel also has a shuttle bus service to the airport (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free, but parking is an additional fee.