The OPUS Hotel Vancouver has every right to be pretentious: it has newly-renovated retro pop rooms, an impeccable reputation with all the cool people, and its location in Yaletown is ideal. (It’s also 61 steps from a Canada Line train station—I counted—and the hotel will reimburse your fare to and from the airport, a direct 22 minute ride on rapid transit.)

It actually took me six years after the boutique hotel opened in 2002 to step inside its doors for the first time, thinking it would be way too “I’m-sooo-cool.”. But it wasn’t: I returned many times over the last few years because the staff are friendly and laid back, and there always seems to be something new going on.

Rooms with Personality

Maybe you’re like Billy, the “enlightened rockstar” who hails from London and is into the underground and after hours scenes. His room is painted lime green. Or what about Mike? He’s a doctor from New York who enjoys alpine skiing and is into the outdoor scene.

There’s also Pierre, the food critic from Paris, and Dede, the film actress from LA, all with different dining, shopping and nightclub recommendations, as well as differing room décor. Choose your favourite “personality” and book the corresponding room.

I ended up staying in Susan’s room, both here and at OPUS Hotel Montreal (these are the only two locations). She’s a fashion exec from Toronto who supports Covenant House and does yoga.

In my CD player were Mozart, Andrea Bocelli, Ella Fitzgerald and The Best of Prince, which would have differed had I chosen another “personality.” You also get an “OPUS Insider” for events happening during your stay that match your room’s character.

You can even take a quiz on the hotel’s website to find out which room would suit you best, which is just about adding an element of fun to the booking process (click “Lifestyle Concierge”). But you can also just plonk in your dates and hit “reserve” if you really don’t care.

In fact, if you book online, you get the best rate available, free wireless in your room, complimentary valet parking or reimbursement of your Canada Line ticket, and unlimited local calls.

OPUS Restaurant

After the popularity of their long time Elixir Bistro (a popular Yaletown hangout since it opened), the in-house restaurant turned into a pop-up restaurant called One Hundred Days.

Featuring an evolving smattering of graffitied walls by artist Vince Dumoulin, the cuisine served up was feel good comfort food (see photos below). If you arrive after January 2011, though, a completely new restaurant awaits you.

Insider Tips

Here are a few of my favourite little details about OPUS Hotel Vancouver:

• There’s a business centre with two iMacs and printers (free to use).
• The OPUS Perks Card (included) gives you 20% off at the hotel restaurant, 15% off at nearby Glowbal Grill, complimentary cover at Bar None before 11:00pm and discounts at retailers, a yoga studio and beauty salons in the neighbourhood.
• A BMW 7-Series is available to take guests within the downtown area on a first come first served basis (free).
• Bikes are also free and, being two blocks away from the seawall, you can cycle all the way around downtown and through Stanley Park.
• Free champagne on check in.
• Turn down service brings you a decanter of filtered water (no plastic), and a retro piece of candy. Think Pez or a giant lollipop on your pillow.
• The porters wear John Fleuvog Shoes, the best shoes in Vancouver. 
• The mini bar comes with things like Vitamin C ($5), Tylenol ($5) and an intimacy kit with two condoms, lubricating jelly and towelettes ($6.50). How practical.