CHECKING IN
Our favourite hotel stays.
1 VALLE DE BRAVO, HOTEL
At the end of a winding road, you’ll find luxurious tree house-inspired cabins, each one tucked away in the woodsy regions of the fiveacre property. NUMBER OF ROOMS 36. WHAT WE LOVED Spending the morning fishing at the private lake, then, for lunch, having our catch blackened and served on a creamy caper sauce with cherry tomatoes by the chef at La Cocina. ROOMS TO BOOK The forest suites – a new addition in 2018 – boast spectacular bathrooms with polished concrete slab sinks, a minibar stocked with wine from Casa Madero and private terraces with hanging nest chairs for forest gazing. Don’t miss the yoga mat waiting by the door for a sunrise stretch.
2 THE DOUGLAS
Located between Yaletown and Gastown, this wood-outfitted hotel (part of the palatial Parq Vancouver resort) pays homage to B.C.’s natural beauty with a replica Douglas fir tree trunk that serves as the reception desk. NUMBER OF ROOMS 188. WHAT WE LOVED Getting some air at the 30,000-square-foot rooftop park that’s home to 15,000 types of flora to help offset the property’s carbon footprint. ORDER A potent forest-inspired cocktail – a mix of Yaletown Distilling’s fir-infused gin, vermouth and orange juniper bitters – at the woodsy D/6 bar. Push a bookshelf to discover a secret lounge, where plush velvet chairs dot the checkerboard floor.
3 DREAM HOLLYWOOD
The foliage-filled property – inspired by the indooroutdoor living style of Southern California – is a glitzy oasis with panoramic views of the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory. NUMBER OF ROOMS 178. WHAT WE LOVED People-watching from our private cabana around the disappearing rooftop pool at the Highlight Room (the floor of the pool can be levelled to the surrounding deck for dance parties with the push of a button). GET PHYSICAL
Pull, pedal and sweat on the Avanti Cardiogym C6 machine at the 24-hour gym designed by celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson, famous for working with J.Lo, Angelina Jolie and the Kardashians.
4 THE TILLARY
Just off the Manhattan Bridge and a basketball’s throw from the Barclays Center, this downtown spot’s lobby doubles as a hangout for chess players. NUMBER OF ROOMS 174. WHAT WE LOVED Starting and ending our day by sipping on site: The TRoom Café serves iced Americanos and views of walk-ups on quiet Duffield Street that will put the honking horns of Flatbush Avenue out of mind, while the rooftop bar pours bourbon lemonades during community talks. ROOM TO BOOK Corner suite #319, decorated with moody blues and golden hues, has a pullout couch for extra guests, separated from the king bed by sliding doors.