This past weekend I spent three nights in Vancouver with friends and tried out three different hotels. I loved the Shangri-La Vancouver. After my impressive stay at the Fairmont Pacific Rim I was ready to be disappointed, but I wasn’t. Instead I was equally delighted, but in a completely different way.
Continue reading: Review: Shangri-La Vancouver
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Love or Hate Westbank and Ian Gillespie you have to admit they hire the right teams and designers. http://westbankcorp.com/
They also own Shangri-La Toronto
Hi Lucky, thanks so much for such a detailed report, especially which room you booked and what the upgrade level to that is, etc. Really enjoying living vicariously through your full-time hotel residency adventures, and getting some great ideas for hotel stays in great cities! Not ashamed to admit, as a toiletry aficionado, that suite might be worth it just for the Bulgari products! 😉
Ben, glad you enjoyed the Shangri-La. I'm a huge fan of MARKET - our family has Sunday brunch quite often there. Next time, try the burger! It's quite good. My mom and sister seem to love the French toast though, it's made with brioche bread so it's fluffier than usual and quite rich.
You continue to outdo yourself with the turn of a phrase...
"a heavily jammed scone"
Well played!
For a city like Vancouver, it's starting to feel like they have more than their fair share of exceptional hotels. The last time I went I got irritated that there wasn't something I'm used to (read: an Intercontinental). Almost stayed at the Pacific Rim...guess I screwed the pooch on not doing it. I won't tell anyone where I actually ended up...it was so sad.
gosh! i can see the furniture in my apartment in few of these pictures... lucky is a stalker <3
@Garrett Did you stay here: http://www.citycentermotorhotel.com/
Oddly enough they ask $150 a night for that!
Interesting as always and very useful photos!
Since we live near Vancouver, you're tempting us to try a mid-week getaway at one of these properties when the price is right.
I have stayed at Shangri-La properties in Asia many times and they are amazing. That is part of what I find difficult to attain top elite level with a US hotel chain since it is hard to justify staying at a Hilton, Marriott or sometimes Hyatt and SPG when you are in Asia or Europe. There are many regional hotel chains in Asia and Europe that offer service and accommodations that are almost always one notch above US chains. Other options are Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Banyan Tree which in my opinion are way better than US hotels.
@Andrew yvr haha no! ........................I had a friend book me the employee rate at...another...IHG property... sigh. Hey, it was $39 lol
most importantly happy birthday ben! let me know when u r in zurich next time!
I am thoroughly enjoying your detailed experience reports! I also live in the Vancouver area and will definitely take an opportunity to try this hotel on a special occasion.
Stunning review! (oops--sorry for continued overuse of that word.) You stayed at some superb choices. Vancouver is such a wonderful city. (And Stanley Park is amazing!)
What a great birthday celebration! Nice trip you're having. When does it end? (Oh wait....) 😉
Ben - For crying out loud: Happy Birthday!!
Really glad you were able to spend it in perhaps my favorite city, Vancouver. Great reviews and thanks for all of the great details.
We've stayed at the Pacific Rim, but one of our best stays ever was at a boutique hotel there: Hotel Le Soleil in a Suite that must have had a 16-18' ceiling height (no exaggeration) and a floor to ceiling window on one end of the living room. Talk about STUNNING! :^)
I don't get the love of the Bulgari toiletries. I'd much rather have the L’Occitane - the Bulgari packaging looks kind of ghetto and if you actually review the ingredients there is nothing really that special about 'em.
did they proactively know it was your birthday or you email ahead of time for the excellent birthday service ?
@ choi -- I think my travel agent that booked the hotel mentioned it was my birthday. I certainly didn't mention it directly.
Happy birthday Ben! This is my first post but have been following you for a while!
UK based so Virtuoso doesnt seem available but will check out the rates at the Pacific Rim and Shangri La as going to be in Vancouver and Seatte in t-minus 2 weeks!
"I love how no matter where in the world you are, Shangri-La instantly transforms you to feeling like you’re in Asia. Then again, that’s not really much of a challenge in Vancouver."
That why its called 'Hongcouver'
Excellent TR as usual. I cant believe that the chandelier (in your dining area/room) over the table didnt bother you? Its NOT centered over the table!!!
Glad you had a memorable birthday!
Sounds like it was a fun weekend despite birthday cakes being so tiny! 😛
This is probably going to go in their next ad:
The most comfortable [bed] I’ve ever had anywhere, between the mattress itself and the linens...
I loved this super detailed report. Always learning from Lucky and realized from this post that you can really never take too many photos! 😉
I stayed at the Shangri-La around the same time and posted my review here: http://www.livetraveled.com/blog/review-shangri-la-hotel-vancouver