The Magnolia Hotel: Spring Break for Grownups Package
byOur wedding anniversary is fairly close to Valentine’s Day but John and I have decided that each year we’ll celebrate our holiday instead of the other. With the date drawing near we wanted to find a special getaway destination and it wasn’t long before we decided on Victoria, recently named “Most Romantic City in Canada“. We’re pretty good at escaping the city and finding cozy inns in which we can hide away but we wanted to get out and about, have some fun, and especially enjoy the Dine Around and Stay in Town tourism promotion in our province’s capital city.
Recalling a fantastic stay at The Magnolia Hotel back in 2010 with Keira, I made the arrangements to make it the home base for John and I for four days in February.
The Magnolia Hotel
We walked into the aroma of cinnamon-spiked cider that filled the lobby as we checked in for the weekend and I was reminded about what I love most about The Magnolia Hotel; it has the ability to roll luxury and comfort into one, welcoming package.
This award-winning 4-Diamond boutique hotel has fewer than 65 rooms so as you enjoy its downtown Victoria locale and proximity to shops and attractions, you can also relish the personal care, detail, and attention you receive from the friendly staff.
Since I visited in 2010, The Magnolia has stepped up its green initiatives including the welcome refreshments in our room after we checked in: a glass bottle of water, mint chocolates, and apples. The hotel recently switched to re-usable glass bottles (in rooms and Catalano Restaurant & Cicchetti Bar), reducing the waste of 30,000 plastic water bottles each year.
Our Signature Diamond Room had views of inner harbour area and the BC legislature. I want to say that we spent our afternoons gazing out at the falling snow and rippling maple leaf flags on nearby heritage buildings, but we spent the most time in front of the fireplace, sipping BC bubbly, ordering treats (like the artisanal meats and cheese platter) from room service, and planning our next Dine Around meal.
Every room has lamps with electrical outlets (so handy for charging phones without crawling around on the ground to find a connection), USB connectors on the phones to also charge devices, complimentary WiFi and wired internet, Aveda amenities (including rosemary mint bath bars for the tub), in-room pod coffee maker, and more.
The rooms were renovated within the last year and the updated colour palette, rich textures, and patterns reflect the hotel’s overall theme of providing modern, luxurious accommodations that are also approachable. Meaning while the armchair, ottoman and throw pillows looked lovely and decorative, you still felt comfortable lounging.
Other perks? The Spa Magnolia is adjacent to the lobby and they have relaxing private treatment rooms for everything from pedicures to couples massages. They also provide oncology esthetics, offering a safe, calming environment with a professional Certified Oncology Esthetician.
We didn’t go to the spa on this trip but we did dine at Catalano Restaurant & Cicchetti Bar every single day so that will be the topic of an upcoming blog post. Needless to say that the high quality and care that goes into the hotel also translates to the restaurant, which offers Mediterranean fare and unique savoury breakfasts, which were our favourite of the trip.
Keira also returned to The Magnolia with her husband in recent months, and they even brought their four-legged friend who enjoyed the room as much as we did.
Spring Break for Grownups
If you’re looking for a getaway, the Spring Break for Grownups package at The Magnolia Hotel is just $185 per night. It includes accommodation in an elegant room, $50 per day credit (for spa, restaurant, parking, mini-bar or in-room dining*), a continental breakfast each morning, local calls and internet, a welcome plate at check-in, and nightly turn down service (with more chocolates).
*$50 per night credit may be used towards mini-bar, parking, Catalano Restaurant or Spa Magnolia. The credit will not be applied to the nightly room rate. Starting rates are for Superior Rooms, single or double occupancy; additional person and room upgrade charges will apply. Rates do not include tax or gratuities. This offer is valid for stays March 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014, based on availability. Must be booked by March30, 2014.
Back by popular demand! Variety calls WICKED “a cultural phenomenon” and it continues to break box office records across North America. Winner of over 50 major awards including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards. WICKED is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times).
May 1955: Photograph by Walter E. Frost. Archives# CVA 447-330.
