As makeovers go, this one was a doozy. Back in the day, this was the notorious Hotel Douglas, aka the Dougie, a rough, tough, slightly scary old joint. In 2000, it was bought by new owners who have lavished it with love and oodles of money. Now it is one of Victoria’s coolest boutique hotels. Located right on the edge of Chinatown—it was built in 1911 by a Chinese developer named Lim Bang—it’s got a clean, airy, and spacious look, with meticulous attention to details like the Italian fresco walls in the lobby. Guest rooms are simple but chic, with a silvery color palette, dark wood furniture, subtly patterned throws on the beds, historic black-and-white photos on the walls, and bathrooms that may be small but have luxurious details like polished granite wash stands. The desks especially are well designed, with all the essentials like iPhone docking stations and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is also home to the Veneto Tapa Lounge, one of the city’s favorite hangouts and among the best places for handcrafted cocktails.