Vancouver is gaining a Park Hyatt, at the expense of the existing Shangri-La. That’s certainly an exciting development for us points enthusiasts (thank to John for flagging this).
In this post:
Details of the new Park Hyatt Vancouver
The 119-room Shangri-La Vancouver opened back in 2009. Shangri-La is an Asian hotel brand, so Vancouver seemed like it would be a good fit for a luxury hotel in the city. Well, the hotel has now been reflagged. As of June 30, 2025, this property is no longer associated with Shangri-La.
So, what’s the plan? Effective immediately, this is branded as the Hyatt Vancouver Downtown Alberni. However, this is only temporary. The hotel is expected to undergo a renovation, including of the guest rooms, lobby, other public spaces, and spa. Once that’s complete, this will be rebranded as the Park Hyatt Vancouver. The current timeline for this picking up Park Hyatt branding is 2026, though we know nothing beyond that.
Interestingly, the property is already a Category 7 World of Hyatt property, which seems steep. That suggests that this will likely be a Category 8 property once the renovation is complete.
I’m curious to see just how substantial the renovation is. While Shangri-La and Park Hyatt are of course both luxury brands, I’d say they’re on opposite ends of the design spectrum. Shangri-La properties often use rich and dark tones, while Park Hyatts are typically lighter and more minimalist.
For those who already had a stay booked, all existing bookings will be honored, and the claim is that “the same dedicated team will continue to provide the exceptional service you have come to expect, now and in the future.” This will be Canada’s second Park Hyatt property, after the Park Hyatt Toronto.
This is a nice addition to the Vancouver hotel scene
Vancouver is a pricey hotel market, though frankly, isn’t that great on the luxury front. The city has a couple of Fairmont properties (the Fairmont Pacific Rim and Fairmont Waterfront), there’s the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, and then there are a couple of small, independent luxury properties.
So I’d say the Park Hyatt is a pretty exciting addition, since it’ll be a points hotel. Okay, admittedly Fairmont belongs to Accor Live Limitless (so those are also “points hotels”), but the difference is that Accor is revenue based for redemptions, so there’s hardly an opportunity to get any outsized value.
It’s pretty interesting to see that Park Hyatt was chosen for this hotel, rather than a luxury Marriott brand (like Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis), a luxury Hilton brand (like Waldorf Astoria), or even Four Seasons.
Bottom line
The Shangri-La Vancouver is being rebranded as the Park Hyatt Vancouver. On an interim basis, this is being branded as the Hyatt Vancouver Downtown Alberniedit, while a renovation takes place. Then in early 2026, the plan is for this property to formally get its new branding.
What do you make of plans for the Park Hyatt Vancouver?
That hotel never found its footing . When it opened it had a Jean George restaurant closed within a year . The bar never made it the whole place was a miss . Vancouver really lacks hotel rooms and is reflected in outrageous pricing . Like $400 at travel lodge on weekends . Category 8 is crazy and yeah the regency is a block away .
Stayed at the Shangri-La once and was not impressed at all. Super excited to have another Hyatt option in Vancouver, I’ve stayed at the HR at least 30+ times. And in the meantime, seems I’ll be able to get that elusive Hyatt badge in Brand Explorer!
They made some interesting choices on the design of this property, notably that the main entrance and pickup/dropoff area is underground. The public-facing amenities like the art installation, stores, and restaurants are completely separate from the hotel lobby, so the hotel has no 'activated' spaces. I suppose that makes it much more attractive to guests looking for privacy, but it contrasts with the Fairmont Pacific Rim and the Hotel Georgia which both have busy, popular...
They made some interesting choices on the design of this property, notably that the main entrance and pickup/dropoff area is underground. The public-facing amenities like the art installation, stores, and restaurants are completely separate from the hotel lobby, so the hotel has no 'activated' spaces. I suppose that makes it much more attractive to guests looking for privacy, but it contrasts with the Fairmont Pacific Rim and the Hotel Georgia which both have busy, popular lobby bars and restaurants with more of a see-and-be-seen vibe.
Have stayed at this property many times as Shangri La. The rooms are wonderful, good staff, nice breakfast, great location. It will be a major win for PH. The valet, drop off, front desk are knd of strangely located underground in the garage but it does work well as to avoiding trying to pull up anywhere on the busy street. Many rooms have nice balconies as well. It feels more residential to me so will see how PH looks to the design later.
Vancouver actually has three fairmont properties (not including the airport). The Hotel Vancouver is also a fairmont property
I stayed in the Fairmont Pacific Rim for two nights last year and I think it's one of my favorite hotels - a splurge but worth it. I've also stayed in the Hyatt Regency in 2022 and it was fine (it was a cat 3 or 4 then).
Looking to go to Vancouver for the first time next year and will be glad that this exists as an option (the only other Hyatt option is a Regency which looks to be right down the street). But category 8 sounds steep (and maybe overpriced?).
Cat 8 is unfortunately probably correct for that area. Vancouver is an extremely expensive city - unquestionably the most expensive cost of living in Canada. That Hyatt Regency is probably only a Cat 5 bc it's quite outdated and any refresh would bring it to a Cat 6. That property was a steal as a Cat 3 just a couple years ago...
It's been a few years but I've always found the Hyatt Regency to be perfectly fine. Right above a SkyTrain station and has all the amenities you would expect from the brand standard. Unless the interior design/furnishings of the PH are the main draw (I assume most visitors to Vancouver will spend the majority of their time off-property) I don't see a huge need to spend the extra points.
It's odd how badly Shangri-La has struggled in North America, considering how well they do in Asia (and at least sustain themselves in Europe, Middle East).
I wonder what the disconnect is, no advertisement?
As of now, they only have one hotel (Toronto) in all of North America.
Mandarin Oriental is like this to some extent too. They used to have locations in SF, DC, and Vegas, but have significantly shrunk their North American footprint. They're expanding elsewhere in the world so it's something with this market.
This is purely my 100% uninformed take, but my impression is that they've tried to apply the same designs that appeal to their Asian markets (restrained 90's to early 2000's design) in North America which reads as classy to their intended Asian audience, but outdated and stuffy to a Western design sensibility. That, and I think N. Americans are less likely to recognize and understand the high-service concept and are okay with luxury factories like...
This is purely my 100% uninformed take, but my impression is that they've tried to apply the same designs that appeal to their Asian markets (restrained 90's to early 2000's design) in North America which reads as classy to their intended Asian audience, but outdated and stuffy to a Western design sensibility. That, and I think N. Americans are less likely to recognize and understand the high-service concept and are okay with luxury factories like Ritz Carlton that have more name recognition. (Not poo-pooing N. Americans, just saying it's a different taste palate).
Pan Pacific, MO, Shangri La...all succesful brands in Asia and to an extent Europe. I think it comes down to a few areas.
1. They realize too late that footprint matters. A few scattered properties is just not going to make it in NA. You can't build brand recognition and loyalty with a few properties.
2. Staffing. To keep hotels to the standards their Asian clients expect they need to pay VERY well in...
Pan Pacific, MO, Shangri La...all succesful brands in Asia and to an extent Europe. I think it comes down to a few areas.
1. They realize too late that footprint matters. A few scattered properties is just not going to make it in NA. You can't build brand recognition and loyalty with a few properties.
2. Staffing. To keep hotels to the standards their Asian clients expect they need to pay VERY well in North America. If they don't they end up hurting their brand with loyal Asian clients who visit places like Vancouver.
3. Not only pay well but have to recruit like crazy as there is just not a pool of highly trained and reliable service workers out there. And those that are there look towards Four Seasons etc as there are better opportunities in North America.
The leads to one thing. They can't make the same money here they do in Asia and the brand suffers in their stronghold as a result.
4.