Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver

by Tom Gierasimczuk
August 27th, 2009

Photo courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel
Photo courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel

Stay in Vancouver’s tallest building and five-star hotel and enjoy the signature meals of three-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Even amidst the pre-Olympic frenzy, few openings have generated as much chatter as the five-star hotel chain’s first expansion into North America and its ability to set the bar for other city hotels on the continent. As you check into the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver, the anticipation crystallizes by what’s not there: namely, street parking in front of the entrance.

Instead, guests are redirected underground, away from the steady hum of West Georgia Street, and into what resembles a parking spa, complete with lightwood lattice, fountains and other Orient-inspired touches from this Hong Kong-based luxury chain.

The game-changer is the charming hostess who leads you up to your room like an old friend, mining you for clues about how to make your stay more enjoyable before you even have to ask. So when the chunky peanut butter cookies arrive for your toddler 10 minutes after check-in (all the paperwork is done in your 450-sq.-ft. room, with the same hostess), don’t be surprised.

Opened eight months ago as the tallest building in Vancouver at 61 stories (the hotel’s 119 rooms are on the first 15; the top 46 floors are luxury residences), the Shangri-La also quickly moved to compete in the city’s crowded hotel restaurant battle by securing three-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his signature restaurant, MARKET.

The weapons of choice are a gourmet two-plate (read: two-meal) weekday lunch with dessert for $28 and plenty of dinner entrées, especially the fresh local seafood specialties, for around $25. There are also four dining options—a café by a fireplace, a raw bar, a heated outdoor terrace with great Vancouver views, and the minimally West Coast fine-dining room designed as if money was no object. 

Gallery (5 images)

Map

Javascript is required to view this map.
  1. 1128 West Georgia St.,
    604-689-1120

Contributors

Tom Gierasimczuk

Tom Gierasimczuk

Tom Gierasimczuk is the editor of up! magazine. His work has appeared in a variety of publications, including the Globe and Mail, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and OutPost magazine. He's based in Victoria, B.C.

Rate This Article & Links

Rate This Article
Your rating: None Average: 5 (1 vote)

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Related Articles

Harrison Hot Springs Resort

By Suzanne Morphet

Relax and unwind in the hot mineral pools at Harrison Hot Springs Resort, which was the first resort of its kind in British Columbia.

Lonsdale Quay Hotel

By Carole Hill

The next time you are visiting Vancouver you might want to try the Lonsdale Quay Hotel...