Onsite Review: Urban Chic Meets Natural Beauty in Vancouver

Recommend Standard Image TemplateUrban Chic Meets Natural Beauty in Vancouver By Sue PelletierVancouver has more than a little something to fulfill any traveler’s bucket list. On a recent Marriott-hosted press trip, I sampled some of this British Columbia city’s luxurious urban hotels, incredible dining experiences and top wellness activities—plus I became immersed in the city’s diverse culture and history, all set against an incredible background of natural beauty. At our first host hotel, the 499-room and -suite The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, the views immediately set the tone: The green hills of Stanley Park set against soaring mountains, with yachts bobbing against the clear waters of Coal Harbour. We had some drinks and appetizers at the H Tasting Lounge, where the craft cocktails are mind-blowingly good. We also partook in a get-to-know-Vancouver harbor tour, where we set sail on a luxurious Dream Yacht Charters motor yacht from the Westin’s private marina. There was also an early morning Liquid Yoga class held in the heated outdoor pool, one of various onsite wellness offerings. Plus, there’s a Vida Spa and indoor and outdoor pools.Recommend Standard Image Template-1730757182 Following the yoga session with a quick steam in one of the outdoor cedar-barrel saunas, I was ready for breakfast at the H2 Kitchen + Bar. Here, the vegan bowl is amazing, and the aroma of the cinnamon rolls is impossible to resist. We then spent two nights at the 329-room and -suite waterfront JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, which also features incredible mountain views. The JW is part of the Parq Vancouver complex, which includes eight restaurants and lounges, a park on the sixth floor and a connection to a casino. Also part of the complex is the 188-room and -suite the DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection, which has a completely different vibe from the JW’s curated, Asian-infused elegance. The Douglas’ unique ambiance is a mix of ultra-urban chic and the ultimate indoor glamping experience. Nature is infused into every aspect of the hotel in a very sophisticated way—even the check-in area at the LEED Gold-certified hotel pays homage to the city’s natural roots with a reception desk made of a glass-encased, lighted 25-ft-long replica of a Douglas fir. After a yummy breakfast at the JW’s casual Honey Salt restaurant, we took an adorable Aquabus to Vancouver’s famous Granville Island, a huge foodie marketplace. Next up was lunch at the Veuve Clicquot pop-up experience on the JW’s 17th-floor Aqua Lounge terrace, where we toured the rooftop gardens and admired the beehives.Recommend Standard Image Template-1730757182-1730757186 During an E-Bike Seawall Tour we got a closer look at some of the public art and historical areas we had glimpsed on our earlier harbor tour. The trail is mostly flat and an easy pedal; the e-bikes, provided by the hotel, come in handy for those who are looking for an effortless, but still immersive, way to visit False Creek, Yaletown, English Bay and Stanley Park. On our way to The Victor, where we had our final dinner of the trip, we passed through the lush outdoor park on the sixth floor of The Douglas, enjoying the views of BC Place Stadium and the Vancouver skyline. The D/6 Lounge, an indoor/outdoor restaurant where guests can imbibe specialty cocktails and light bites, features everything from billiards to a hidden space accessible only through a secret door in a bookcase. We then gorged on creative cocktails and an assortment of the seafood and steak dishes The Victor is famous for. Contact InformationDestination Vancouver: destinationvancouver.comMarriott International: marriott.com

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