Vancouver is what many would call a global city that beckons the world to its welcoming ports. It is consistently named as one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life. There are plenty of reasons to visit this iconic seaport, and recently, the opening of Parq Vancouver has taken the downtown area to new heights.
The Douglas
S T A Y
Right next to the BC Place Stadium, Parq Vancouver has arrived in style, featuring two luxury hotels, the JW Marriott and the Douglas, an Autograph Collection hotel.
The JW Marriott — 329 exquisite guest rooms including 44 suites, three luxury suites and a two-floor villa — was designed by acclaimed Studio Munge. This exceptional hotel also offers amenities that include Spa by JW and a state-of-the art fitness studio.
The Douglas — comprising 188 rooms and suites — is a beautiful balance of nature and city, where natural stone and wood elements embellish the hallways. It offers numerous social spaces where guests can enjoy stimulating conversation or relax and read a book, and the lobby bar and the sixth-floor park provide a memorable experience.
D I N E
The dynamic husband-and-wife team of Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kim Canteenwalla are experts in their field and at the top of their game. Their restaurant Honey Salt specializes in chef-driven farm-to-table dishes sourced locally and regionally, showing off the diversity of British Columbia. Guests feel right at home in a bright, comfortable atmosphere. Start the day with fresh avocado toast with serrano chilies, pickled peppers, watermelon radish and green goodness juice, or enjoy a BC smoked salmon board, bagel, capers and a farm fresh egg. For lunch, enjoy the poke bowl with BC albacore, green chili ponzu, avocado, cucumber, tobiko and black rice. The organic king salmon steak with Dungeness crab stuffing, spring vegetables and charred lemon is a signature dish and guest favorite. Honey Salt also features a quaint and delicious afternoon tea that fits in flawlessly with the restaurant’s ambiance.
Honey Salt – Burrata Beets
Victor is a classic steakhouse of international standards. With Chef Canteenwalla’s culinary expertise, you can taste creativity in every bite. Blau’s signature style is seen in the decor of detailed thoughtfulness — tranquil green hues and whimsical touches with pockets of plush seating. The menu is seasonally inspired featuring an array Pacific Northwest seafood and an unparalleled selection of specialty steaks. From its sixth-floor vantage point, diners enjoy outstanding views of False Creek and the vibrant downtown district. The Victor is true fine dining serving premium libations and cutting-edge cocktails
1886 can be considered ultra fine dining Chinese in every sense of the word, so named for the year Chinatown was established in Vancouver. When guests walk through the door of 1886, they are transported to Canton, Szechuan, Hunan and Shanghai. Steamed Chilean sea bass fillet with bok choy, silky tofu, shiitake mushroom, ginger and soy broth and wok-tossed Wagyu beef with sautéed matsutake mushroom, snow pea and black peppercorn sauce are just a few of the dishes to tantalize the palate. Additionally, 1886 offers dim sum on the weekends.
JW Marriot, Parq Vancouver
PLAY
Gastown is the first settlement that would eventually become Vancouver. By day or evening, it’s an excellent place to explore quaint shops, local pubs and dining venues.
Stanley Park is a 450-hectare park where visitors can enjoy nature. It’s very close to the downtown area and well worth a visit. The Capilano Suspension Bridge stretches 140 meters long and 70 meters high above the Capilano River and provides breathtaking views for the more adventurous travelers.
SHOP
The McArthurGlen Designer outlet is the perfect place to window shop as well as indulge in ultra high-end boutiques, perfume, cosmetics and outlet malls. Downtown’s Robson Street is Vancouver’s most well-known area, and luxury brands are plentiful on Alberni Street.
