There’s more than a name to no-nonsense historic stopover in heart of downtown

The St Regis Hotel Vancouver, Canada The welcome

The historic five-storey hotel, which is no relation to the main St Regis chain, is located on a busy street corner, so taxis can only stop briefly. As soon as my bags are on the pavement, a staff member appears and shepherds my stuff in to the lobby and straight up to the room without any fuss. The hotel is more than 100 years old, but has been pleasantly modernised to be comfortable yet still old-school.

The neighbourhood

The hotel is in a great downtown location, round the corner from the main shopping district and the Vancouver Art Gallery, and a five-minute walk from the waterfront and Gastown. It’s next to a metro station serving the airport.

The scene

This is a traditional but no-nonsense small hotel geared up for business and leisure guests. Most are middle-aged or retired, but no group would feel unwelcome, such is the professionalism of the staff, although because it’s without a large lobby, gym, library or swimming pool, it’s not really a place to hang out. That’s aside from the attached bar and restaurant, which are both worthwhile venues for a casual sports atmosphere or a special occasion, respectively.

The room

The hotel has 65 rooms, and mine is a fifth-floor suite that faces the street, but is quiet. It’s extremely comfortable, with a central sitting room, comfy bedroom with great pillows, two high-quality TVs, desk workspace and a full bathroom. It’s tastefully decorated in grey and white, with fresh, comfortable furniture. A night in here with the TV would be no chore.

The service

Front desk staff are polite, discreet and efficient, and housekeeping staff are friendly. At breakfast on my first morning, staff seem irritated that I arrive 10 minutes before the end of the scheduled service at 10am. On the second day, they are much nicer.

The food

The included breakfast consists of a choice of either continental, with yoghurt, fruit and toast, plus fruit juice, tea and coffee, or an omelette. The St Regis Bar and Grill on the ground floor is accessed via reception and is a traditional sports bar with good fish & chips (C$12 [Dh34]). At the Gotham Steakhouse & Bar (www.gothamsteakhouse.com), a 1930s art-deco structure attached to the hotel has been given a theatrical period makeover inside, with dark velvet curtains, cosy booths and candlelit lamps on each table. The fresh oysters (C$24 [Dh68] for six) are recommended, as is the tomato and red onion salad with blue cheese and buttermilk (C$15 [Dh42]), and bone-in rib-eye steak (C$70 [Dh197]). All steaks are prime-grade Alberta beef.

Loved

The hotel’s solid construction and sense of peace and quiet in such a good location. All guests are entitled to free long distance/international calls, breakfast and Wi-Fi.

Hated

Although my room overlooks the street, the view is nothing special. Also, the airconditioning controls are in the living room, which seems to cool more than the bedroom, so I have to leave the bedroom doors open to the living area.

The verdict

A high-quality, good-value base in a great location.

The bottom line

Double rooms at the St Regis Hotel (www.stregishotel.com) cost from C$300 (Dh846) per night, including taxes, breakfast and Wi-Fi.