Shangri-La Vancouver

"The days of the purpose-built luxury hotel just might be behind us. The Shangri-La Vancouver is built, as is increasingly common, on the Asian model — as a part of a mixed-use skyscraper, incorporating offices, retail, dining and residential space in addition to the fifteen hotel floors. The big difference is that unlike, say, Tokyo, where the hotel floors tend to be the topmost, here they’re the bottom ones; in low-slung Vancouver, though, there are still views to be had from the bottom quarter of the building." - Kevin Chau

"The Shangri-La Vancouver is a luxury hotel situated in the tallest building in downtown Vancouver. It features 119 rooms, the Carlino restaurant, and the Chi spa and fitness center. The hotel is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a special package that includes a stay in the Orchid Balcony Suite, a helicopter tour, and a visit to Phantom Creek Estates winery." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"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

"The Shangri-La Vancouver is built, as is increasingly common, on the Asian model — as a part of a mixed-use skyscraper, incorporating offices, retail, dining and residential space in addition to the fifteen hotel floors. The big difference is that unlike, say, Tokyo, where the hotel floors tend to be the topmost, here they’re the bottom ones; in low-slung Vancouver, though, there are still views to be had from the bottom quarter of the building." - The MICHELIN Guide

"Opened in 2009, the Asian influence on the architecture and interior design of Shangri-La Vancouver is clear to see. The rooms are tranquil, with warm rosewood panels and tapestries, walls, and furnishings that softly glow with gold, cream, and earth tones. All rooms have pleasingly large bathrooms with deep soaker tubs and separate glass-enclosed showers, as well as a Nespresso machine and free Wi-Fi. Suites come with complimentary breakfast for two. At 197 meters, the hotel is one of the tallest buildings in the province and offers sweeping views of the city. Life at ground level is more personal: The lively bar and restaurant scene of Gastown is just a five-minute walk away, and the Holt Renfrew department store—paradise for designer shoppers—is even closer. The hotel is minutes away from the Canada Line station, making access to the airport a breeze."