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		keyword search: AND OR Hotel Confidential: Magnolia Hotel & Spa, Victoria, BC by Anne Garber & John T.D. Keyes ??? The Magnolia Hotel & Spa 623 Courtney Street Victoria, BC tel: 250-381-0999; fax: 250-381-0988 Reservations: 1-877-MAGNOLIA (624-6654) Book the Magnolia via e-mail website. First Impression: A classic, "fine" hotel with easy access, friendly staff and all the right touches, the Magnolia is located in the heart of downtown Victoria on Courtney Street, just two blocks from the waterfront at Wharf Street. Choose in-hotel parking, which at $15 per day allows you unlimited in-and-out privileges, which is worthwhile for your peace-of-mind in a city known for the alacrity of its parking-meter patrol. It's a rare visit to BC's Capitol City that does not yield at least one annoying parking ticket, so we were very happy with our choice to park in the shade of the Magnolia, as it were. (The public parking lot directly across the street cost $24 and offered no in-out privileges.) Easy to Find? From the BC Ferry Terminal, just follow the Pat Bay Highway (south on Hwy 17) into downtown, where it will turn into Blanshard Street; when you see Fort Street, you'll know you'll be turning right at the next intersection, which is Broughton; turn left at Gordon Street; left again at Courtney and you're there. You can park right in front to check in and then leave your car for valet parking, as mentioned above. Couldn't be simpler! Requisite java jolt? We didn't actually count them up, but there are probably a dozen or more coffee joints within a two-block radius of the Magnolia, including such renowned champions as Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Serious Coffee, Blenz, the illustrious Murchies (also an historic tea emporium) and Sounds Like Coffee (which is a few steps away on Gordon Street). Hungry? Brekkies? Although the Magnolia is surrounded by eateries, two on-site (though not actually owned by the hotel) restaurants are definitely worth a try: Hugo's, a brewpub with hand-crafted ales and lagers, and Sanuk, a multi-level South Asian-fusion restaurant. We sampled several of the former's libations, then tucked into a feast of Thai curry, Sri Lankan seafood laksa and Indian butter chicken, all superb. What's the Clientele Like? This is primarily an affordable sanctuary for tourists looking to splurge in comfort, perhaps at the very beginning of a trip, when they want to get over jetlag in a serene, restorative environment, or as a reward at the end of a BC vacation conducted on a shoestring. We saw families and every age-group represented in the hotel. Cond�-Nast recommended. I Need to Read My E-mail: No worries. We found that both wireless and wired-in versions of The Magnolia's internet system worked perfectly. I'm all Cramped from Driving! The hotel incorporates excellent spa facilities: Quietly nestled within The Magnolia Hotel & Spa is a sanctuary for the soul and a refuge of relaxation. Spa Magnolia embodies the world-famous Aveda holistic approach that merges ancient wisdom with modern science to create an integrated path to well being and health. Qualified Aveda Therapists will develop a personalized program and assist in treatments that will help you rebalance, rejuvenate and refresh. Appointments require a credit card to hold your time-slot -- simply call 250-920-7721 or e-mail spamag@telus.net to schedule your Spa Magnolia treatment. Click here to open a pdf file of the Spa Magnolia brochure. Other Creature Comforts? Everywhere you look an unexpected touch. Fresh flowers and fruit in the lobby, Aveda products in your bathroom, gourmet coffee, tea and spring water in your room, crisp linens turned down nightly to welcome you to a restful sleep. Complimentary European-style breakfast each morning in the adjacent Sanuk restaurant. A bonus: We especially liked the fact that the room's large windows open to the fresh city air at night. I'm Hungry! Whether you dine at Sanuk or not, guests at the Magnolia can partake of a well-appointed Continental breakfast, which is laid out off the main floor lobby in a welcoming, brightly sunlit room in the restaurant each morning; you can eat there or take it back to your room. At dinnertime the breakfast room is reborn as a stand-alone (i.e. not related to The Magnolia, but they clearly have a symbiotic relationship) as Sanuk, a swank Thai and Asian "infusion" restaurant. Contact Sanuk directly at 625 Courtney Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1B8, Canada; 250-920-4844�. � worldwide 2008, Anne Garber & John T.D. Keyes / evalu8.org Hotel Confidential concept, words, pictures & columns exclusive to evalu8.org by Anne Garber & John T.D. Keyes Photos � worldwide 2008, Anne Garber/Recent Developments Read other evalu8.org Hotel Confidentials
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