The Burrard in Vancouver channels a 1950s retro vibe
The Burrard Hotel in Vancouver is as much of a 1950s classic as a T-Bird or The Fonz.
Originally opened 60 years ago as the Burrard Motor Inn, it has been overhauled and transformed into a modern few-frills boutique hotel. But the adorable mid-century vibe lives on.
You can’t miss the colourful, curvy neon sign on busy Burrard Street. And in the lobby, two turquoise moulded plastic Eames chairs — also icons of the 1950s — make a design statement.
Many of the online booking sites rate The Burrard as a three- to three-and-a-half-star establishment, so don’t expect anything fancy, but it has a lot of character and it is good value. A visit includes in-room Nespresso, bottled water in the mini-fridge and free calls throughout North America.
It also is centrally located near many happening neighbourhoods: super-stylish Yaletown, gay-centric Davie Village and posh Granville Street. Retro look: The decor in the 72 rooms reflects a simpler time. Imagine a compact motel-type room, but on an upper floor. The look is retro, with crisp black and white decor — white walls, black leather headboards and a curvy white Eames chair in each room.
The hotel was totally overhauled five years ago, so beds, carpets, walls, lighting and bathrooms all are relatively new and all of the 72 rooms have mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs and individual heat and AC.
The Burrard doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is part of the fun. The most amusing art detail is the series of prints by photographer Dina Goldstein. Each room sports an image from a series of stylized photos of such heroines as Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.
The lobby displays other amusing Goldstein works, some with a
gay tickle. From her series called In the Dollhouse, a print portrays Barbie and Ken, with Ken showing off fuchsia high heels. Another image shows Barbie and Ken both sleeping — she’s dreaming of a hunky G.I. Joe, and he’s dreaming of the same hunky G.I. Joe, but this time shirtless. The courtyard: The Burrard is built around a beautifully landscaped courtyard, so the rooms overlook gardens of azaleas and ferns and an intriguing copse of palms, cypress and Japanese maples.
Crazy, I know, because it was Canada in March, but the courtyard actually has a Florida look to it, with white stucco walls and outdoor corridors overlooking semi-tropical foliage. Food & drink: Local roaster Elysian Coffee is a tiny café off The Burrard’s lobby. It’s strictly for breakfast or light lunches of baked goods like cranberry scones, plus lattes and espresso, nine types of tea including African rooibos, Earl Grey and jasmine. Elysian has wine and beer, too.
A branch of Burgoo will open in the building in 2017, for comfort dishes like Irish stew, ratatouille, mac n’ cheese and corn soup, creative sandwiches like lamb chimichurri or spicy ham, craft wine and beer, a kids’ menu, and possibly jazz nights. Cycling: Vancouver is a bikefriendly city, and The Burrard lends cruiser-type bikes. The hotel is adjacent to a bike route that stretches along Helmcken Street, down to Stanley Park and along a more than 20-kilometre seawall route that circles the park. You can continue along False Creek and then west to the University of British Columbia. To take it farther, you can cross the Burrard Street or Lion’s Gate Bridges, heading for new territory. Events: Vancouver is popping with cultural events, including DOXA Documentary Film Festival, May 5-15; Revolver Theatre Festival, May 20-31; Art! Vancouver, May 26-29; Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, June 3-Sept. 24; Centre Culturel Francophone de Vancouver, June 4-Sept. 27; and Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 24-July 3.
Kids will love the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, May 30-June 5; and athletes are gearing up for the Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival, June 17-19; and the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K, June 26.