"Set the scene for us. What's your impression as you arrive?Rising 660 feet, this is the tallest building in Vancouver; the Shangri-La's 119 rooms occupy the first 15 floors, and non-hotel suites occupy the remaining 47. But when you walk through the Georgia Street doors and enter the lobby, there’s nothing grandiose about the hotel . Rather, the space feels rather subdued, with tastefully leather chairs and a lovely Asian folding screen. What's the story behind this hotel?The Hong Kong-based hotelier owns or manages more than 100 hotels worldwide, with properties scattered through the Middle East, Europe, North American, and the Asia Pacific region. They’ve been at it since 1971. What are the accommodations themselves like, in terms of aesthetic, size, overall vibe?Rooms are large; even the smallest, the Superior Room, has more than 400 square feet. We loved the floor-to-ceiling windows and the expansive bathrooms with granite vanities and soaking tubs. Plus, in some suites, the millwork is simply amazing; hanging art on such a beautiful backdrop feels almost like sacrilege. And although we may have liked a glitzier lobby, the beige-and-brown color palette totally works in the rooms. There's subtle, Asian-inspired luxury at play here, and the sheer size of the suites makes you feel like you’re hanging out in someone’s home. We've heard good things about the food here. Fair?Market by Jean-Georges, part of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s restaurant empire, is excellent. In a nod to Vancouver’s position—across the Pacific Ocean from Asia—the menu has dishes like rice cracker–crusted tuna with sriracha citrus emulsion and steelhead sashimi with crispy rice. Who are you likely to see staying here?Asian travelers loyal to Shangri-La, casually dressed hipsters in the lounge area of Market, a popular after-work watering hole, and anyone who appreciates the subtler side of luxury hotels. How's the neighborhood? Anything good to see nearby?This is a great location close to Robson and Alberni streets, both popular shopping areas. Anything else we should know before booking a stay?Shangri-La offers some great packages that sweeten your stay with breakfast, dinner at Market by Jean-Georges, and more. Great. So why would you recommend this hotel, and for who?This is a luxury hotel for those who don’t need to broadcast their wealth. If you enjoy the subtleties of high-end travel, the Shangri-La will deliver." - Guy Saddy
