The Magnolia Hotel and Spa is Victoria's leading boutique hotel, a stylish, intimate alternative to the big harbour hotels just a block up from the Inner Harbour at 623 Courtney Street. It was built in 1997 and opened in 1998 by Jim Duncan and Anthony Young on a site with a history going back to the early 1900s; a brick wall from the original 1912 building is preserved inside Spa Magnolia. The style is classic and comfortable rather than trendy. Rooms have plush beds with deluxe duvets and feather pillows, elegant marble bathrooms, generous interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows, and some have balconies, with turndown treats left before bedtime. The Courtney Room, on the ground floor, is one of the city's most praised restaurants, with menus inspired by the island's fields, forests and shorelines, and its bar is a good spot for a cocktail and share plates. Spa Magnolia, in the lobby, has seven treatment rooms and a relaxation lounge. The hotel has a long list of awards, including a CAA Four Diamond rating, a place on recent Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler lists, and a Michelin 2026 badge on its site.
Location and getting around: Courtney Street runs between Government Street and the Inner Harbour, so the Empress, the causeway, the whale-watching and seaplane docks and the Parliament Buildings are all within five minutes on foot. Bastion Square, Market Square, Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley are a short walk north, which makes the Magnolia a natural base for the food and history tour. Lower Johnson Street's independent shops and the restaurants of downtown are close by, and Beacon Hill Park is about fifteen minutes south.
Rooms and who it suits: the Magnolia suits couples on a romantic weekend, travellers who prefer a smaller hotel with personal service, and food lovers who want a serious restaurant downstairs. It is less suited to families who need a pool, as it has none. Ask for a higher floor and a room with a balcony if you want light and views.
Good to know: check-in is guaranteed by 4pm, and check-out is 11am. The whole property is non-smoking, with a substantial cleaning fee for smoking. Book The Courtney Room ahead, especially on weekends, and reserve spa treatments in advance. Downtown parking is limited and paid, so ask the hotel about valet arrangements when you book. Rates are upper-mid to high, with the best deals often found in the quieter winter months.
Why stay here
- ✓The Courtney Room restaurant and bar
- ✓Spa Magnolia with seven treatment rooms
- ✓Marble bathrooms
- ✓Floor-to-ceiling windows
- ✓Balconies in some rooms
- ✓Nightly turndown treats
- ✓One block from the Inner Harbour
- ✓Fully non-smoking
Good questions
Where is the Magnolia Hotel and Spa?+
It is at 623 Courtney Street, a block from Victoria's Inner Harbour. The Empress and the Parliament Buildings are within five minutes on foot.
Does the Magnolia Hotel have a restaurant?+
Yes, The Courtney Room on the ground floor is one of Victoria's most praised restaurants. Its bar serves craft cocktails and share plates.
Does the Magnolia Hotel have a pool?+
No, the hotel has no pool. It does have Spa Magnolia in the lobby, with seven treatment rooms and a relaxation lounge.
