- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
1128 W Georgia StVancouver, BC V6E 0A8
Neighbourhoods: West End, Downtown
(604) 689-1120
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
20 reviews for Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver
Review Highlights
-
"FITNESS CENTER." In 1 review -
"A television embedded in the bathroom vanity mirror." In 4 reviews -
"Separate bath and shower." In 3 reviews
Loading...
20 reviews in English
-
Review from Jason L.
2/25/2012
"Just as James Hilton described it.....a utopian earthly paradise, isolated from the outside world."
There are times when you get a chance to get away for a holiday or vacation and you get lit up, taken a back and amazed by your destination. Well Vancouver is a great, lively, Canadian city that my g/f and I love to visit, and living in Seattle we've been there quite a few times (just check my other reviews). This time though I'm not going to say the hotel or property became a destination in itself, but boy howdy does it come close......
We were there for our annual Leafs v. Canucks hockey game at Rogers arena (3 years in a row!!!) and found online that the Shangri-la was first; running a special, and second because of this "Experience Shangri-la" package made it less expensive than our usuals (Sheraton, Hyatt, Le Soleil, Sutton Place), we jumped on it right away.
We arrived in Vancouver late in the evening, and since I didn't want to pay for the valet $39 Canadian (because we now have our own little secret parking place in downtown), and 39 dollars is not expensive, and not any more than other properties around the city. We found short term street parking so we could check-in, and I could go park my car later. In Lost Horizon by James Hilton, Shangri-la is tucked away in the mountains of tibet. Well the entrance to the main lobby, and check-in is follows that basic concept. The entrance is not on Georgia, but tucked away on Alberni with only a small sign leading the way; Shangri-la and an arrow pointing to the right and into a winding driveway down to the lower lobby where you check-in. However my girlfriend and I entered off of Georgia, next to the burberry shoppe, you are welcomed by two fu dog statues guarding the place (how very asian). Inside of the Lobby (off of Georgia street) is the concierge desk, some seating areas, Xi-Shi lounge and two sets of lifts (elevators). No lobby in sight!!!, as I mentioned there are two sets of lifts one for the residences called "living Shangri-la" and another set of elevators marked hotel lifts. We took it down to the lower lobby for the front desk (this is the driveway entrance off of Georgia). The lobby is small, very elegant, and decorated in an asian motiff (like the rest of the hotel).
The key card is unlike most other key cards at most hotels (you also have to use key card in the elevator to get to your floor), you don't slide the card into a stupid slot until the light turns green and remove to gain access into your room, no this is a little different. The difference is you tap a sensor on the door to gain entry into your room. We're not finished with the key card just yet. You need to insert the key card into a slot by the door to activate the lights in the room.
Ohh boy!!! and when the lights do come on, you have reached Shangri-la...the paradise on earth. We were staying through a Sunday and on sundays shoppes open late, and close early and my g/f and I for the first time couldn't wait to just relax in the room!! Ok so first everything is electronic from the light switches (complete with various settings; sconce, nightlight, reading light etc.etc.) to the controls for the shades and the blinds so you don't have to get up to close either, just the touch of a button. There was also a control panel for the do not disturb so when you pressed it a pad on the outside of the room lit up in red "do not disturb" and would turn off the doorbell if someone rang. There were also some goodies left in the room; on the coffee table a note from the manager welcoming guests personally (whether it was handwritten or not, a very nice gesture) thank you Richard. Next to the note was a plate of fruit, and on the bed each night laid a bookmark, and a small piece of candy wrapped in plastic (each night had a different morsel of candy from salted caramel, caramel, and a grape soft chew). The bed was a queen size bed and the best part about it was that the throw pillows, and throw blanket were tucked away in the drawer under the television. The only pillows and blankets was a very warm alternative down comforter and probably the most pillow selection types ever on a hotel bed (there is even a card in the night stand with different pillow choices that you could leave out and the staff would bring those pillows). The other treasure in the other night stand was a copy of not the bible, but James Hilton's Lost Horizon (some properties offer a complementary copy, Vancouver location does not!!! I asked, its 20 dollars) the novel in which Shangri-la originated from.
**The rest of the review is continued in the update!** -
Review from versoverita V.
3/10/2012
This was the one night in Van where we laid our weary heads on the way up to Whistler the next morning :) What a great experience...the room was impeccably clean, large, modern and had above avg city views... the bed & bath were immaculately clean and pretty great to sleep on... the bathroom was larger in size than most NYC apartments...the hotel was quiet, staff was excellent and extremely nice... breakfast and waitstaff top-notch... it is a respite from the busy downtown streets during the day... such great proximity to so much downtown... cannot comment on amenities like pool / spa since I did not use them...I would totally return based on this first stay...
Realizing that I may have been there on an unusual day, I have to laugh that (similar to the Mandarin Oriental in Boston) the staff wear Asian attire...but, none of them were Asian....in a city like Vancouver... I just had to tell you, so they make a point to improve on that point if it is actually the case :) I may be wrong... -
Review from Jason H.
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is just downright amazing. We've stayed there three times since we moved to the PNW 4 years ago. I've been impressed with each stay but the last one really stole the cake.
We went for my wife's birthday - we're members of Golden Circle (their loyalty program) and were upgraded to a one bedroom suite. Pretty amazing and totally unexpected. We checked in quickly and were greeted by a great pot of tea and the awesome flowers that I had arranged through the concierge for my wife. Really incredible! Later in the evening they sent a complimentary chocolate cake to my wife for her birthday, again unexpected and very appreciated. My wife had one of the best massages of her life at the Chi spa where she was showered with gifts. This shows the interconnectedness of the staff as I told one person, the concierge, that it was her birthday and it moved throughout the entire hotel.
The fitness center is very comprehensive and well kept and the pool and spa are so nice on a cold day (heated!). We took advantage of room service as well. Normally not the shining star in a hotel's quiver but here they did it really well. We even had scallops which arrived warm and fresh - not quite sure how they pulled that off.
The service as always was impeccable. This is a great place for a special occasion! -
Review from Mike L.
11/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amazing... just about everything you can think of when you think luxury hotel in the city. When we go back to Vancouver, we'll plan more than one night back here.
Please see the rest of my review here - http://infamousdx.com/... -
Review from Nick L.
9/29/2011
Great hotel and superb location.
It's very modern with that Asian vibe, decor and design.
It's very high end with automatic curtains, TV in bathroom mirror etc.
But it felt a little too dark to be a warm hotel room. Don't get me wrong, this place is amazing.
Room service food was the best I've ever had but the character/ambiance of the room put me off a bit.
It's also just a part owner/lessee of the building - makes not difference but though I would add that for completeness! -
Review from Jen H.
Superb, understated opulence, fabulous staff & an awesome location. Can't wait to be back!
The experience is quintessential Shangri-La: a beautiful, unfussy, simply decorated, quiet and welcoming retreat with gracious staff members always aiming to please.
ATMOSPHERE:
It's the perfect vibe for those looking for an understated, elegant, private getaway. If you're not into über-trendy, club-like hotels, or if you don't care for being in the center of a hustle-bustle, conspicuous, see & be seen hotel (such as the Fairmont Pacific Place), this is the hotel for you! No doubt celebs stay here, but you get the sense that the Shangri-La is all about discretion and focusing on nothing but an excellent guest experience.
ROOM:
The hallways are this gorgeous, dark floor-to-ceiling wood (zebrawood or rosewood?), and the rooms themselves have lovely floor-to-ceiling marble in the bathroom, amazingly comfortable beds, and high-class but simple appointments throughout. Got an upgrade to a room with a huge balcony, which was too cold to use in the Vancouver spring, but provided great city views onto Alberni street.
SERVICE:
Every staff member was A+, from Adrian (concierge) to Christine (housekeeping) to Jay (food & bev mgr). I'm just a regular Jane Doe, but they made me feel like a VIP all the way.
FITNESS CENTER:
Large, very pristine, well-equipped, huge windows for lots of natural light. Separate, open studio room is awesome, especially if you want more room to do yoga, weights, stretches or just meditate. Locker/lounge area includes sauna and steam rooms. -
Review from Derek A.
3/31/2011
This is one of those times that I wish Yelp let you do half stars, since it really deserves 4.5 stars, but it doesn't quite qualify for 5. But oh so close.
Overall, it is a very luxurious hotel with many, many nice touches. Everything in the room is controlled by electronic switches, including the drapes and sheer curtains. They have pre-programmed ambient lighting, and when you come into your room, all you have to do is slide your key card into the holder and all the lights come on.
Extra nice touches include the huge bathroom with a mirror that has a TV built into it, a shower and a tub. The bed is very comfortable. Rooms are all set up differently, based on conversations with co-workers. Some have massive windows in their bathrooms, while I have none. Someone actually has a balcony off their bathroom.
However, there are little odd quirks that make you scratch your head. For example, the TV is a large, beautiful Sony LCD HDTV but only half the channels are in HD. However, more importantly, in my room, the TV is right near the thermostat, which means when you have the TV on, it keeps setting off the A/C as the heat radiates from the back. The TV is also painfully slow when trying to navigate any menus.
You need to use your key card to press any buttons in the elevator, but it doesn't automatically send you to your floor - you need to wave it, then press your button. I know that sounds whiny, but it makes you ask yourself "If all the lights in my room are electronically controlled and fade on and off, and everything is controlled via RFID with my room's key card, then why didn't they go the extra mile (inch) and make the elevator automatically go to my floor?" That question is compounded by the fact that the only buttons you can press are the lobby, restaurant, spa/gym and your room floor. If you want to go see someone on a different floor, you have to meet somewhere and then go together. Odd.
Other weird little lapses in thinking things through include the fact that there is this fabulous button next to your bed that will turn off all the lights in the room when you are ready for bed, and gently fade them while doing it. Unless you left a light on in the bathroom that is, then you have to do that separately. Again, this is such a small thing that I feel like a jerk even mentioning it, but the fact that they clearly paid so much attention to everything else but stopped just short of total integration and perfection is interesting.
Don't get me wrong - this is a super luxurious hotel with fantastic service. The staff is great and the rooms are fabulous. As a business traveler, I appreciated the fact that the wi-fi is free and was flawless to log into.
I would recommend to anyone to stay here with absolutely no qualms, but if you pay close attention, I think you will find the same little quirks that we all did that make you go "wow.. so close to perfection" but not quite there. So really.. 4.75 stars out of five might be the most appropriate. -
Review from Roselyn T.
Vancouver, BC
4/13/2011
I enjoyed afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge with a friend recently. We waited for twenty minutes since we didn't have a reservation but our chatter and exploring the lobby and upstairs urban garden filled our time.
We were contacted by the lovely and gracious hostess when it was ready for us and walked into the lounge to hear some classy piano music. The lounge is spacious and has tall ceilings. The seats are large, great for staying a while.
Service was impeccable and the tea settings are exquisite. I couldn't take my eyes off the porcelain design. I tried the Roiboos tea and my friend had the Chai tea. I thought the teas were excellent quality, had good flavour and came with all the accoutrements.
When we were served the tiered tray with the little sandwiches and patisserie, our hostess took the time to describe the offerings. I thought the sandwiches were presented well but didn't taste as fresh but the sweets were executed well and it was more than enough for two people. The couscous in a shooter glass could use some more spice. We both enjoyed the berry parfait and the chocolate orange dessert the most. I also recommend the scones with Devonshire cream, fruit jam and homemade mango chutney! -
Review from Lucinda C.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2011
Yay! I'm a fan of the hotel! ---The venue needs work on.
I came here for a New Year's Eve event that the hotel threw. It was my very first time in the hotel. The event itself needs a little bit more work on it but the hotel itself is gorgeous! The party was held on the 6th floor and they turned a few rooms into different themed music rooms. so the people that like trance, stayed in one room and the others that like top 40 mix stayed in another room and danced the night away.
The hotel served appetizers through out the night. I can't remember any of it since it was such a long time ago. The appies were delicious, the drinks were extremely over priced (but you get that at any new years eve event) and the crowd was very multicultural.
The hotel staff were very nice at directing us as to where to go and they were very prompt at getting the dance floor cleaned up. I think there were a few occasions that I saw them bring out the vacuum.
Anyways, the venue itself needed work! I wish there was a separate rating for events. there probably is. I need to search. OH yeah, hardly any party favors, no complimentary champagne at midnight, no live clock. the DJ kept on switching the screen back and forth from what he was playing and the clock.
I hope this doesn't divert any of you from not going to the Shangri-La. -
Review from Maria L.
1/9/2010 8 photos
Like the Four Seasons, the Shangri-La is polished, well appointed, comfortable and well-situated if you can bankroll Burberry, Hermes and other shops of that sort in the West End of Vancouver, B.C. It sits next to a gourmet grocery store next door called Urban Fare, and has one of the most incredible hotel gyms I have ever seen.
Unfortunately, it comes nowhere close to the Four Seasons in terms of customer service.
While their room service staff is great, with impeccable attention to detail, their front desk staff is poorly trained, easily befuddled and struggles with their extremely bureaucratic management structure.
As long as you have zero expectations that your room will be available on time when you check in, and not three hours late, you'll be fine.
Have other expectations? Go to the Four Seasons. -
Review from tee a.
7/19/2010
High tea at the Shangri-La.
Usually at $30 per person, during the tourism challenge with the passport was half off. It was the perfect opportunity to sample and indulge with close girlfriends. Open between 2:30 -4:30 pm, this place is perfect for an afternoon snack. Both the menu and the tea is Asian inspired. The sandwiches and scones were buttery and delicious. The desserts were ok, but I give them full points on originality. It included a red bean and black sesame flavors.
If you stay past 4:30, they put out complimentary snacks by the bar area and you can sit and enjoy the pianist. -
Review from Lisa T.
10/7/2009
If it's good enough for the Dalai Lama, then it's good enough for me!
We stayed here a couple of weekends ago while in town for a wedding. It was very pleasant and in a prime location close to the water, shopping, museums, coffee shops/grocery, and restaurants. His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, was checking in just as we were leaving so there was a bit of hoopla but, hey, at least it was not Lindsay Lohan.
The hotel has an extremely Asian flair... and it's pretty authentic, from the ethnicities of their employees, to the decor, to the unique style of guest treatment.
- Bottled water from the valet while you wait
- Upon check-in, the receptionist/hostess will accompany you to the elevator to give you a full tutorial of the key card system
- Fresh fruit in the room
- Immaculate, quiet, and very posh with design in the details
- Luscious beds with matching linens
- Retractable shades at the push of a button in the room and bathroom
- A television embedded in the bathroom vanity mirror
- L'Occitane bath products including soap, body wash, shampoo/conditioner
- Toothbrush/tooth paste kits, sewing kit, cotton buds, comb, and more -
Review from Jasmine M.
8/26/2009
I love the Shangri-La! Can I live here if I win the lotto? I stayed at the Shangri-La in Bangkok and it blew me away there. But, the Vancouver Shangri-La did the same.
We found a great deal on a stay three nights get the fourth night free deal. From check-in to check-out, our stay there was superb. A reservations agent did the check-in in our room. And what a room! Massive tv. Gourmet espressos. Separate bath and shower. Tv in the bathroom. Vanity lights and vanity tables. And yes a fantastic view of Vancouver. I can't imagine what the suites might be like.
The service here was great. The concierge went above and beyond and if they didn't know the answer, they found out immediately. Great at making us reservations. Even the service to get a taxi was great. They knew my name by the end of the first day.
If you can swing it, definitely stay here. The location is great too. One block from Robson street and close enough to walk to Stanley Park, subways, etc. -
Review from Jennifer M.
8/31/2011
My BF and I just returned from a wonderful vacation in Vancouver. We stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel on the corner of Georgia St and Thurlow. The service was absolutely outstanding! I really can't say enough about the quality of the service in this hotel. Our room was super nice also.
-
Review from Mischa I.
3/29/2010
We were a group of 8 guys on a bachelor party with a one night stopover in Vancouver; given the cultural Asian influence of the city we decided the Shangri La would be a fitting choice. Suffice to say it was a GREAT choice with plenty of praise to boot. Above all it was their level of service and attention to detail that has all of us speaking of that hotel to this day, we have all vowed to return with our significant others. The rooms are spacious, modern, and extremely comfortable. Highly recommended.
-
Review from Vero H.
8/26/2009
Exceptional service!!
I have to admit that this place was beautiful and the customer service was great. Derek the lower lobby door man, the concierge, and the welcoming desk people always addressed us by our last names and treated us like royalty. On arrival we received a welcoming note from the manager, fruit, and individual walk through by a friendly face.
The spa was great. FYI: All spa packages come with a private suite so treat yourself to the steam room and all the great amenities in the reserved room.
The room had a great view, slippers, a TV in the bathroom mirror (yes inside), plasma TV in room, a beautiful bathroom, automatic lighting, Nespresso machine, and L'Occitane En Provence products.
Everyone was attentive and in an era where customer service is almost non -existent, Shangri LA has exceeded my customer service expectations. I love it here and am very excited to return to Vancouver for this experience alone. -
Review from David K.
9/13/2010
Stayed at various locations within Vancouver (Sutton, Opus, Met, Westin Grand) and this hotel is easily my favorite. It's relatively new, very clean, and in the middle of everything. The restaurant in the hotel is quiet too.
-
Review from Artist z.
7/28/2010
One word... PERFECT!!!!!!
-
Review from n m.
7/28/2010
Beautiful hotel. Absolutely the best service. Terrific location. Wonderful room. Great breakfast.
-
Review from Andrew Y.
3/14/2009
A seriously luxe hotel in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The room we stayed in was large, contemporary, comfortable, and stylish. The bathroom in particular is excellent, with complete amenities provided, separate shower and bath, dual wash basins, and a separate toilet which is a nice touch. Although it rained during our stay, the balcony is sizeable and serene. During the summer, you could spend a wonderful evening looking out onto the streets below and having a drink. The staff is completely courteous and a pleasure to talk to. They work very hard to ensure that your stay is wonderful. The only downsides is that the hotel occupies the lower floors of the building so it is impossible to get a room with full city views. Also, my family had lunch at the restaurant on the first floor and it took 2 hours from when we were seated to when we left. We had ordered simply and I was disappointed at how long the whole thing took as we were looking forward to spending our time exploring the city. The food was also nothing to write home about, but certainly not bad either. Other quck perks- a well stocked mini bar including full bottles of wine, complimentary basic wireless, and a second, lower lobby attached to the parking garage which was quite peaceful considering it is underground.
