A breathtaking boutique hotel in Victoria’s heritage corner boasting views of the old parliament buildings and the picturesque Inner Harbour, The Magnolia Hotel & Spa is a true example of approachable luxury. Every detail of the hotel feels decadent, while the vibe of the staff that works there is fun and humourous, lighthearted and genuinely happy to be there. (Just ask their mascot, Magnus, the betta fish who sits at the front desk and maintains his own Twitter account.) [caption id="attachment_18965" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="room with a view: my room looked over the old parliament buildings"] [/caption] The hotel’s 64 gorgeous guest rooms were updated only last year (in a floor-by-floor overhaul that took from November 2012 to March 2013) to imbue a timeless elegance to the property that pays homage to the heritage corner it’s in and still feels fresh and fitting for present day. Design firm BBA Design Consultants headed the redesign, opting for a soothing palette of taupe, smoke and pearl but keeping it exciting and elegant with texture (notice the vinyl wallcoverings meant to look like raw silk, the tufted velvet benches and the layering of subtle patterns in the drapery, carpeting and bedding. Check out the before-and-afters below.   [caption id="attachment_18961" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="diamond room - before"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_18962" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="diamond room - after"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_18963" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="superior room - before"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_18964" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="superior room - after"] [/caption]

What do you think of the transformation? Would you decorate your own guest room this way?