This pains me to write this review as I love rooms, location and I had high hopes. However, I’ve stayed here twice now and each time I’ve had a poor stay due to inadequate customer service. I’m not sure why and it doesn’t make sense. I’m a paying customer who is paying several hundred dollars per night. I thought it might be because I’m younger looking? Maybe more scruffy looking? I don’t know. Either way my partner and I were made to feel unwelcome each time. We stayed once around New Year’s Eve and another time on my birthday… it was such a disappointment.
The front of house agents were unfriendly and unwelcoming from the start. They had such uncaring attitudes towards us. It was weird. That tainted both of our stays. I was hopeful the second time we attended because I thought it was a fluke the first time, but alas, that was not the case and I refuse to pay several more hundreds of dollars to test the theory out again.
The second time the FOH prevented our DoorDash delivery from bringing up our food, and did not notify us of this, so we waited a good amount of time then we called down. My partner went to go get it. After, we realized we were missing cutlery so we called down for some and they said they would bring it up. We waited half an hour and called down again. No apology or anything, they just said they would bring it up. We waited 15 more minutes and my partner went down again. He said there were three staff at the guest services, just talking. We were confused. Unfortunately, the staff were unapologetic about the situation and had very little concern about the cold food we were about to eat.
After eating my partner called down and shared the situation with the night manager or supervisor and they said sorry. At that point it was too little too late. Where was their consideration when we waited ~45 minutes for cutlery and ended up eating cold food? Had we known it would have taken this long we would have gone down ourselves but they did not communicate anything to us. They (offered to) “comped our breakfast,” but that caused a host of issues too. We went down to the restaurant the following morning and waited for 10 to 15 minutes to be sat down, another 10 to 15 minutes to have our server come to us, and another 20 to 30 minutes for our continental breakfast. The breakfast menu did not sound appetizing for us and we wanted a quick breakfast so we opted for the continental breakfast. And even that took as long as it did. We did order their fresh squeeze, orange juice, and that was great and everything seemed homemade, which is always nice.
The restaurant was not busy and our server seemed to be talking with the staff in the back the whole time. It was disappointing and the service was poor. The server was unapologetic as well and appeared to be annoyed with us as her body language was telling. I’m so glad we didn’t have to pay and we had continental breakfast with our stay anyways, so it wasn’t going to cost us anyways.
When we checked out, I shared my concerns with the manager and she almost entirely invalidated our concerns. I gave her the run down and she promptly said “I never receive this type of feedback!” And told me they gave us a free breakfast. I said thank you and I gave her a stern look and she quickly said that she will look into it and waived our parking fee 🤷🏽♀️
I’m unsure why we received such poor service and I cannot help but think it is because of our appearance. We are younger looking and dress casually. We will never know.
It is disheartening, regardless. Each customer should be treated with the same amount of kindness and respect as the next. We cannot support a business who pays no mind to their deserving customers. I’m not sure how this place has such a high rating. They did not treat us...
Read moreBEST luxury hotel in all Victoria
I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Magnolia Hotel and Spa in Victoria, BC, and I must say that it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The outstanding customer service and beautiful accommodation truly made my stay memorable.
From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by the warm and welcoming staff who went above and beyond to ensure that I felt at home. They were incredibly attentive, providing me with all the necessary information about the hotel amenities and nearby attractions, making my stay stress-free and enjoyable.
The accommodation itself was nothing short of stunning. The rooms were elegantly decorated, combining modern comfort with a touch of luxury. The attention to detail was evident in every aspect, from the plush bedding to the thoughtfully curated artwork. It truly felt like a home away from home.
What truly set the Magnolia Hotel and Spa apart was the exceptional customer service. Whenever I had a question or needed assistance, the staff was always available and eager to help. They were knowledgeable about the area, providing excellent recommendations for local restaurants and attractions. Their genuine care and attention made me feel valued as a guest.
One aspect that stood out to me was the personalized touches throughout my stay. From the handwritten welcome note to the surprise treats left in my room, it was evident that the staff took the time to make each guest feel special. It's these small gestures that make a significant difference and create a lasting impression.
The hotel's spa was a true oasis of relaxation. The tranquil atmosphere and skilled therapists made for an unforgettable spa experience. I indulged in a rejuvenating massage that left me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The spa staff were professional and attentive, ensuring that every moment was tailored to my needs.
Overall, my stay at the Magnolia Hotel and Spa was nothing short of exceptional. The outstanding customer service, beautiful accommodation, and attention to detail truly exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a memorable and luxurious stay in...
Read moreOnly when the Magnolia Hotel and Spa in Victoria BC is having a bad day does its star rating fall to five stars! I’m writing this review to compare the Magnolia Hotel in Victoria BC with the “5 Star” rated Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City.
We have stayed in the Magnolia on both trips to Victoria, where we stayed in the Signature Corner Room on both occasions. Just two weeks ago we returned from our first stay in the Chateau Frontenac and indeed in Quebec City. The Frontenac completely ruined a literal once in a lifetime event for my wife. It was to celebrate her retirement. You can read my detailed review with photos on Tripadvisor.
The Frontenac survives on its prestige…not its quality. The Magnolia Hotel possesses a refined and tasteful grace without drawing excessive attention to itself. It may not have the same external grand image as the Frontenac, however, it does show genuine elegant appeal. The elegance is authentic and comes from within, rather than being a manufactured or superficial attribute. It is that elegant quality that counts.
Assume that you were going to a restaurant in a fancy looking building. They serve you the most awful meal. Would you go back? It is the quality of the meal that makes you return to a restaurant no matter how the exterior looks. From the moment you walk into the Magnolia you sense an unassuming charm and elegance, a certain peacefulness, not experienced in the Frontenac.
The quality of the rooms relays an understated beauty that comes from simplicity, modesty, and genuine confidence, rather than from extravagance or ostentation. The staff exude quiet confidence when carrying out their duties. Their charm is inherent and not an effort to be noticed. That is why whenever we are in Victoria we will ONLY STAY at the Magnolia Hotel and Spa.
Even on their worst day, the Magnolia Hotel and Spa is...
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