Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Brad A. Johnson

Food & Travel

Brad A Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact

Hotel Review: Shangri-La, Vancouver

  • May 4, 2019
  • Brad A. Johnson
The Shangri-La Vancouver celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, yet this hotel still feels brand-new. This was the first North American location for the Hong Kong-based luxury brand. (There’s now a second one in Toronto.) 

The 119-room hotel occupies the first 15 floors of a stunning 62-story condominium tower in the heart of downtown. Designed by local architect James K.M. Cheng, it’s the tallest building in Vancouver. For what it’s worth, though, there is no 4th floor or 13th floor. And while the hotel’s official address is on historic West Georgia Street, the driveway entrance is actually on Alberni, the ritziest shopping street in the city, one block removed from trendy-but-less-exclusive Robson. 

Executive suite at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Executive suite at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Executive suite at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Executive suite bathroom at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Lobby game board at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Lobby at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Pool at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Pool deck at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Market by Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Dim sum breakfast at Market by Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Crispy halibut at Market by Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Strazzopretti with mussels at Market by Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

There’s a charming outdoor pool and one of the brand’s signature CHI spas on the fifth floor. There’s not much of a lobby, just a concierge desk and a few sofas, but it’s a small hotel with a discreet presence. Most people gather instead on the third floor, at Market, a restaurant and bar by New York-based chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten (but run by chef Ken Nakano, a local). We spent one rainy day just lounging around the hotel and hung out in the restaurant continuously from early breakfast through lunchtime, transitioning from coffee to wine along the way. 

The rooms are supremely comfortable and up-to-date, with exquisite cabinetry and bespoke Chinoiserie, as one might expect from an old-school luxury brand from Hong Kong. The British-Asian confluence still lives strong in Shangri-La’s DNA. 

We stayed in a 15th-floor executive suite, which is essentially a junior suite with a small living room separated from the bedroom with sliding wood doors. The bathroom is almost as large as the bedroom, with a massive tub, separate walk-in shower and double vanity. The bed is very soft, but not absurdly so, outfitted with very expensive linens and pillows. 

Service throughout — from pre-arrival to check-out, from the concierge to the waiters in the restaurant — is superb. 

Bottom line: Pure luxury in the perfect downtown location. This is an exquisite hotel. I’ve stayed at Shangri-La properties in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, and this hotel is more intimate and luxurious than any of those.

Rates from roughly $215 (USD). 1129 Alberni Street, Vancouver, 604.689.1120, shangri-la.com/vancouver

Share
Tweet
Brad A. Johnson

Brad A. Johnson is a writer and photographer specializing in food and travel. His work has been honored by the James Beard Awards, Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, World Food Media Awards, pdn Food Photography Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad currently serves as restaurant critic for the Orange County Register.

Previous Article

Quick Review: Bar Oso, Whistler Village

  • April 30, 2019
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
Next Article

Quick Review: Maenam, Vancouver

  • May 5, 2019
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Travel: Canada
  • Travel: Culinary

Quick Review: Maenam, Vancouver

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • May 5, 2019
View Post
  • Travel: Canada
  • Travel: Culinary

Quick Review: Bar Oso, Whistler Village

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • April 30, 2019
View Post
  • Travel: Canada
  • Travel: Culinary

Quick Look: Steeps Grill, Whistler

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • April 29, 2019
View Post
  • Travel: Canada
  • Travel: Culinary

Quick Look: Christine’s on Blackcomb

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • April 28, 2019
View Post
  • Travel: Canada

Hotel Review: Fairmont Chateau Whistler

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • April 27, 2019
View Post
  • Travel: Canada

Photo of the Week: Vancouver

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • April 25, 2019
View Post
  • Travel: Adventure
  • Travel: Canada

Photo of the Week: Horstman Hut, Whistler Blackcomb

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • February 17, 2019
View Post
  • Travel: Adventure
  • Travel: Canada

Heli-Fishing at Nimmo Bay, BC

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • February 1, 2017
Locally roasted coffee has jumped from trend to full-blown revolution. I spent the past few weeks tasting 39 different locally roasted coffees and picked my 10 favorite roasters. I no longer require sleep. ⁠⁠ 178 18
Happy Valentine's Day @kaosu ⁠⁠ 69 4
I think I might make a sandwich today. @ryegoods⁠⁠ 114 9
Lemon curd morning bun. Wild-fermented croissant sourdough rolled with Meyer lemon zest and injected with sweet-tangy curd. Plus toasted meringue. Good morning. ⁠⁠ 126 9
New story online today at @ocregister: Everything you need to know about the new East Borough. Long story short: still the best banh mi in OC, and their new porridge is seriously INCREDIBLE, lumps and all. But I do miss the old porch. ⁠⁠ 158 8
How do you feel about birria ramen? I have a few thoughts myself. Story online today at ocregister.com⁠⁠ 182 14
Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Writer. Photographer. Traveler. Restaurant Critic.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.