Rosewood Hotel Georgia
"This place has been around for a while—how has it managed to stay fresh?Locals were awed when they walked through the Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s doors when it reopened in 2011 after a renovation that, among other things, expanded the size of the existing rooms and reduced the number of available suites from 313 to 156. This was a careful, tasteful transformation; the grandeur and history of the hotel was clearly respected, allowing the Georgia to once again assume its place as one of the finest Vancouver hotels. The reception area, with its polished stone floors and comfortable sitting area, is understated and elegant, setting just the right tone for property as a whole. Great. So tell us a bit more about the story behind the hotel.Directly across from the Vancouver Art Gallery, the unofficial city center, the Hotel Georgia, along with the nearby Hotel Vancouver, is one of downtown’s true anchor properties, a place where locals as well as visitors gather for a drink or full night out. ’Twas always thus, as old timers might say, and the guests list is long and impressive: Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Elvis, and John Wayne, among others. Oh, and Errol Flynn was booked into the Georgia for his final hotel stay on earth; he died in October 1959 while he was in town hoping to broker the sale of his yacht. We're interested. If we're looking ahead at reservations, are there any rooms in particular we should try to book?There are no bad rooms, and even the smallest, at 300-square-feet, feels spacious. You’ll want to spend time here or in your spa-like bathroom, with its heated marble floors. Try to get a room overlooking the Vancouver Art Gallery across the street. Or better yet, choose the Lord Stanley suite: with a private rooftop terrace, hot tub, and fireplace, it's a knockout. Food and drink: Are there any good options on campus, or should we plan on going elsewhere?Even if you were marooned at your hotel for the whole trip, you could do a whole lot worse than being stuck at the Hotel Georgia. Hawksworth Restaurant is one of the most respected fine dining establishments in Vancouver; bars include the glitzy subterranean Prohibition, a speakeasy-style nightspot and the charming 1927 Lounge. Reflections, an outdoor courtyard restaurant lounge that even most Vancouverites don't know about, is a great choice for evening drinks. It’s only open from April to October, plus a brief stint around the winter holidays. How do you find the service, start to finish?The is a smooth, well-oiled machine. From the front-desk staff to the folks manning the 1927 Lounge, service is impeccable. Never too familiar, but not at all stiff or formal, the Georgia is consistent in its consistency. Who else do you see among the guests here?This is a refined bunch with an elevated appreciation for details—like, for example, the modern art scattered throughout—and the finer things in life. How does the hotel fit into the surrounding area?Since it opened in 1927, the Hotel Georgia was always part of the local scene. But after the 2011 reboot, it has become even more indispensable to the area, and to the city itself. It was always a landmark, sure; today, however, it's a dynamic centerpiece of the downtown core. Is there anything you'd change?We wish Reflections were open year-round. Any other little details that made your stay all the more comfortable?We love the complimentary car service; you can cruise to points downtown in a Bentley or Mercedes. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?If you like the idea of a beautifully renovated boutique hotel with excellent service, fabulous rooms, and first-class dining and entertainment, the Hotel Georgia should be high on your list." - Guy Saddy
