Photo: AZUR Legacy Collection Hotel Vancouver
After a day of exploring Vancouver, relax at a well-appointed hotel—with all the amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Vancouver has a wide range of hotels, from boutique accommodation to luxurious expansive properties. Some new establishments have recently launched, with others undergoing exciting refreshes.
AZUR Legacy Collection Hotel
Photo: AZUR Legacy Collection Hotel Vancouver
One of the most special additions to the Vancouver hotel scene is the AZUR Legacy Collection Hotel (833 West Pender Street), the first Western Canadian location of a boutique hotel property group that spans more than 80 countries. This family-owned company prides itself on hotels that offer bespoke luxury, impeccable service, and the finest in food and drink.
The hotel, which launched in September, is located in the downtown core, conveniently near such landmarks as the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and Waterfront Station. The AZUR is indeed a beauty with its art deco-inspired aesthetic and opulent design elements that range from inlaid marble floors to a grand crystal chandelier. The hotel has 13-floors and 104 rooms, suites, and penthouses. The room features include a Smart TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, a walk-through closet, a marble bathroom, double sinks, and a rain shower. The Penthouse is the ultimate way to stay in Vancouver, with a plush king bed, a marble fireplace, a bar area, a bathroom with a freestanding soaker tub, and a private patio with unbeatable views of the city and harbour.
The property also features Dahlia, an elegant charmer of a restaurant/bar that showcases French cuisine, well-crafted cocktails, and the best of local sustainable ingredients. Coming later in the fall will be their Lavantine Rooftop Restaurant, which will encompass a Skybar with gorgeous sightlines, green spaces, and an open-concept kitchen. Any stay at the AZUR is bound to be an elevated experience.
Versante Hotel
Photo: Versante Hotel
After great anticipation, Versante Hotel (8499 Bridgeport Road, Richmond) launched in the summer of 2021. The locally-owned luxury boutique property, the first like it in Richmond, is located close to YVR International Airport and all the vibrantly diverse shopping and eating that Richmond has to offer. As well, downtown Vancouver is a short drive or a Canada Line ride away.
The striking lobby is colourful and full of stylish personality, with local artist pieces, such as a sculpture by Marie Khouri and a rug by Andy Dixon. The rooms themselves are equally as playful, featuring five distinct aesthetic themes that inform everything from unique furniture selections to dreamy wall coverings. Rooms come with either two luxury queen beds or one king, as well as numerous other amenities, such as contactless entry and lighting control, a luxurious bathroom with a rainforest shower, floor-to-ceiling windows, and auto-tinting windows. Versante also offers a variety of Suite options, ranging from an Executive Suite with a work desk, sofa, lounge chair, and guest powder room to an over 2,000 sq. ft. Versante Suite that features two bedrooms, a balcony, a freestanding soaker tub, living and dining spaces, and an exec office/family room.
Other property facilities include a fitness centre, a rooftop terrace with a pool and hot tub, complimentary airport transfer, and free bike rentals.
Versante has already developed a reputation for the calibre of their food and drink program. Choose between Bruno, a refined restaurant that celebrates local sustainable ingredients; Cask Whisky Vault, which serves izakaya small plates paired with a very extensive selection of whiskies and bourbons; and Acre Through the Seasons, which takes guests on a journey through the best of farm-to-table dining.
Level Vancouver Downtown-Howe
Photo: Level Yaletown-Seymour
Level has three different locations in Vancouver: Yaletown-Seymour, Yaletown-Richards, and Downtown-Howe (1333 Howe Street)—its most recent property (launched in 2022). The Level concept provides short- and long-term accommodation that offers the service and amenities of a hotel. The Howe location is for those who are planning on spending 30+ days in the city. Options start with a studio, and go up to a three-bedroom suite. The latter comes with a kitchen, three bedrooms, a living and dining area, two bathrooms, an office space, a balcony, and laundry facilities. Other amenities like air conditioning, a smart television, and high speed WiFi are also included.
Similar to a hotel, the property features 24-hour guest services, housekeeping (bi-weekly), and amenities such as a fitness centre, outdoor pool, entertainment/meeting spaces, and rooftop terraces.
The Parker Hotel Vancouver
Photo: The Parker Rooftop
At the end of the summer, the Vintage Park Hotel transformed into The Parker Hotel Vancouver (1379 Howe Street), located within walking distance of beaches, Yaletown, Robson Street, the Seawall, and even Granville Island on the other side of False Creek.
The hotel features one and two-bedroom modern suites, equipped with HD flatscreen televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi, revamped bathrooms, and a host of other amenities, such as a refreshment centre and snack bar. For those looking for a more luxurious experience, The Parker also offers Deluxe and Superior Rooms, one-bedroom Executive Suites, and two-bedroom Presidential Suites. The Deluxe and Superior Rooms feature the ultimate in comfort for sleeping (e.g., Touch of Down Pillows and 250 thread-count ivory linen sheets), in addition to other added touches, such as Keurig espresso machines and high-speed internet access. Meanwhile, the Executive and Presidential Suites have seven-piece gourmet kitchens, large living rooms, washers/dryers, and entertainment centres.
Other hotel amenities include a Sky View sundeck, fitness centre, business station, free cruiser bike rentals, and a complimentary BMW X5 chauffeur-driven limo (subject to availability) for taking guests where they want to go in the city.
A huge draw of The Parker Hotel is the Parker Rooftop, which consists of three patios as well as a swanky indoor space with floor-to-ceiling windows. In addition to a lively Happy Hour from 3 to 6pm, the Parker Rooftop features inventive small and larger plates as well as signature cocktails and other drink selections.
Paradox
Mott 32 Autumn and Winter Menu; Photo: Amy Ho
Spring 2022 saw the launch of Paradox Hotel Vancouver (formerly the Trump International Hotel and Tower). The Paradox (1161 West Georgia Street) is situated near the Coal Harbour waterfront, the Seawall, Stanley Park, and shopping and dining on Robson and Alberni Streets. The global property group, with other locations in Phuket, Kunshan, and Singapore, focuses on luxury. The Vancouver location is lavish, with an impressive range of amenities, including a fitness centre, Xylia Natural Spa, indoor pool, and outdoor jacuzzi.
There are many different room options to choose from, such as the Cityscape King with floor-to-ceiling windows, an Italian marble bathroom, a tech workspace, and numerous other design and feature elements, such as oak hardwood floors, and a multi-lingual touchpad for control of lighting, blinds, and temperature. The largest suite is their Paradox One Bedroom Suite, which encompasses a kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, a dining area, a living room, a bedroom, and a balcony with seating.
In addition to Mansion Club, Paradox is home to Mott 32, one of the leading Chinese restaurants in the city (the Peking duck alone is worth a visit), and Karma Lounge, for cocktails paired with locally sourced small and larger plates.
In addition to these very recently launched and revamped properties, Vancouver also has many outstanding hotels that opened within the last 5-6 years. These include the DOUGLAS and JW Marriott, both in the Parq Vancouver; the EXchange Hotel; and the renovated Hotel Belmont Vancouver MGallery.
