Travel
W
e don’t do beige.”
It’s a mantra of sorts at
Opus Vancouver. What
does it mean? You’ll
understand as soon as you enter the
compact, yet sparkling lobby. It has
a glow about it. Color is king here.
Hip easily translates to happy.
Forget about everything you’ve
come to expect from a hotel. It
doesn’t take long to get the sense
they’re re-inventing the rules of
hospitality at this boutique
Yaletown hotel. It’s also pretty
obvious the folks that work here
are having a whole lot of fun in
the process.
The hotel is designed to feel like
home, or maybe better described as
how we dream our homes could be.
Cozy and comfortable, yet oozing
with the kind of style that makes
them magazine-layout-worthy.
There are just 96 rooms. You’ll
never get lost. It’s compact like a
city hotel, but doesn’t skimp on
space when it comes to its guest
rooms. If you stay for a couple days
or more, you’ll start to recognize
fellow guests and learn the names
o
taff m m r
ho om ho
seemed to memorize yours the
moment you checked in.
Back to the rooms, and the fun that’s
waiting after you swipe that key
card. Bright colors and patterns
paired with modern furniture and
amenities combine to create a bright
space with a fun, open feel. There’s
always a plush place to sit along with
a spacious desk and ergonomic chair.
Meet Your iPad
Every room at Opus Vancouver
comes with a loaded iPad to help
you make the most of your stay in
Vancouver. You’re free to take it
with you as you explore Vancouver;
the Opus Hotel app can help you
plan your days. Then there’s the
pre-loaded tunes and 2,000-plus
n
a r in
an a
to
any downtime that might somehow
n it
ay into yo r itin rary
Select rooms also come with a
Samsung S3, allowing you to stay
connected wherever you may spend
your day. Search for restaurants,
look up directions or post a photo
or two with no annoying roaming
charges.
Feel the Heat
The creative use of color and local
art is impossible to miss, but guest
rooms have a sneaky side that
radiates with most guests,
especially in the winter. Along
with a walk-in shower and deep
soaking tub, all bathrooms have
h at ti
oor
t ra on
day of touring on your feet, toasty
toes are tough to beat.
Home Sweet Hip Home
As the hotel is located right in the
heart of Yaletown, it’s hard to go
wrong when you step outside the
door, whichever way you turn.
Yaletown is known for its social
scene. Eating, drinking cocktails
an off
ho in an
a ma
for popular ways to pamper yourself
over the course of the day.
Jump on a complimentary hotel
cruiser, or simply walk the block
or so to the seawall. Stretching
for more than 13 miles, it’s a
great place to wander. Green
parks with open space and art
line the waterfront. There will be
runners, walkers, bikers and dogs.
Lots of dogs. If you’re energetic,
you can set your sights on Granville
an
oatin i mor yo r ty
hop on the Aquabus for dock-todock delivery.
Granville Island Public Market
It has a well deserved reputation
as a must-visit spot when in
Vancouver, but save some time to
explore after you eat and shop your
way through the Granville Island
Public Market. Along with some
scenic waterfront on Granville
Island, there’s a kids’ area complete
with hungry ducks and geese and
a number of artisan shops, including
a distillery, sake maker and broom
company. Yes, brooms. But these
ar o r tty yo mi ht n it
hard to actually clean with them.
Handmade by two sisters, Mary and
Sarah Schwieger, these examples
of cleaning art can be seen at
Granville Island Broom Co. on Old
Bridge Street.
Yaletown Gourmet
There’s no excuse not to eat well
in Yaletown, even if you’re
exhausted after a busy day of
exploring. La Pentola is located in
the Opus Vancouver lobby, so you
don’t even need to put on your coat.
Handmade pastas, sausages and
seasonal ingredients are just some
of the stand-outs at this rustic
Italian restaurant. Just thinking
about the squash and ricotta salad
with toasted pumpkin seeds makes
my mouth water. Even the limoncello
is house made. The Opus Bar just
next door stays open late, pouring
creative cocktails.
If you like sushi, venture out a few
blocks to Minami. Vancouver boasts
an estimated 600 sushi restaurants,
but Minami stands out in the crowd,
r in it
ri ty
t
am
seared using a blowtorch and
bamboo charcoal, and you won’t
n any oy a
or a a i h r
Chefs create specialty sauces
using non-traditional Japanese
in r i nt or a h h th y
serve. Have a camera handy;
the presentation almost rivals
the taste. Sake fans will be all
smiles, as Minami pours a house
label made exclusively for them
by Yoshi No Gawa.
Location, Location, Location
Opus is located across the street
from the Yaletown-Roundhouse
Canada Line subway station. Travel
time from the hotel to Vancouver
International Airport (YVR) is just
over 20 minutes. Even for visitors
with suitcases, the train system is
quick and simple to use. Going
somewhere in downtown Vancouver?
Do it in style with the hotel’s
complimentary luxury car service.
The white 2014 Jaguar XJ even
has heated seats.
Dana’s trip to Vancouver was a media
familiarization tour, but as always her
thoughts and opinions are her own.
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