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Vancouver is bursting with great places to stay, and during my last visit I found yet another property to add to the list. Located inside downtown’s booming Parq Vancouver – a mixed-use development – The Douglas is a hip place to call home.
Part of the Autograph Collection, it’s easy to get sidetracked here. There’s simply a lot to look at. When I first arrived, it took a little time for me to actually make my way into the building because a shiny, statue of two panda bears commissioned by Parq Vancouver for the City of Vancouver Public Art Program caught my eye.
Once inside, there’s a living wall that warrants a double take. The Douglas lobby is located on the sixth floor, so you need to hop into an elevator before you check in. When the lift doors open, folks in the know have their cameras ready for a fun, photo-worthy light show. Then there’s the actual front desk made from a replica of a 25-foot Douglas fir tree trunk.
The Douglas features 178 rooms and 10 suites. I stayed in a Standard Park View Room with a king bed. Dark wood, leather, and stylish lighting give the room a modern but still comfortable feel. White linens on the bed pop against the wood headboard and wall art adds some color. Floors have plush carpeting, but the ceilings are exposed concrete. The exterior wall is dominated by glass, letting a nice amount of natural light flow in.
The bathroom is well lit, with a single sink and vanity large enough for two. The toilet is separated from the space by a large sheet of opaque glass, and the spacious walk-in shower is stocked with large, refillable bottles of Aēsop toiletries. A fixed window in the wall between the bed and the shower means you can see into the bathroom with ease, but there is a curtain that can be dropped down if privacy is a concern.
The room features a nice size desk to spread out travel gear, or work essentials if need be. Illy coffee machines, televisions, and minibars are standard in all rooms.
The Douglas is one of two hotels that calls Parq Vancouver home. In addition to the JW Marriott, there’s a casino. Add on to the list nearly a dozen food and drink options, a spa, fitness center, rooftop park, conference rooms and ballrooms, and you’ve got a huge space that can be easy to get lost in. (The only thing really missing is a pool.) If you’re staying for a few nights, it might take a day or so to get your bearings. If you’re just in town for one evening, know you won’t see it all.
Ground-floor Honey Salt is a popular spot for breakfast. The menu includes options like Avocado Toast, Eggs Benedict, along with assorted smoothies and juices. Select rooms offer access to the Executive Lounge where in addition to a breakfast buffet, snacks are offered throughout the day.
The Douglas is next to BC Place stadium, so the location is idea if you’re in the area for a sporting event or concert. Its popular neighbor also makes the hotel fairly easy to find if you wind up needing directions.
It’s about a 10-minute walk to downtown Vancouver from The Douglas. For those making use of the free shuttle to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Library Square is the closest pick-up spot.
If you’re coming to The Douglas straight from the airport and don’t have heavy luggage to deal with, you can easily reach the hotel by hopping on the Canada Line. Go 10 stops toward Waterfront, exit at the Yaletown-Roundhouse Station, and from there it’s about a 10-minute walk to the property.
Standard room rates start at $279 ($369 CAD). You can go to Expedia or Hotels.com to compare rates. Wi-Fi is only complimentary in public areas. Expect to pay almost $12 ($14.95 CAD) a day to connect from your room.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Destination British Columbia and Tourism Vancouver, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
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