|
 TM
Art and Elegance
Listel Vancouver Hotel
Canada
by
Barbara Ballard
  Art
and hospitality intermingle seamlessly in the Listel, a chic gem of a hotel on
Vancouver’s trendy Robson Street. The classy entrance is highlighted with
a bronze and bluestone sculpture by
Boaz Vaadia, an American winner of the Rodin Sculpture Competition.
 The hotel’s
forte—original works of art in a classy setting—starts in the lobby, with its
curved mahogany walls and granite slabs, and continues on two floors of the
hotel, the Gallery Floors. The Buschlen Mowatt Galleries curate the artwork
with each guestroom on the two gallery floors showcasing an individual artist’s
work.
  Jean Pierre
Cassigneul, a versatile French artist working in several mediums, set the theme
for my suite. Guest comfort and convenience have not taken second place to
design and art. In my suite a large living area contains a cherrywood desk with
data port, TV console, easy chair with ottoman and love seat upholstered in
subdued greens and muted reds. I felt right at home. In the bedroom the chaise lounge tucked in the bay window
beckoned. I could just glimpse the water through the surrounding high-rises.
Although there was a TV in the bedroom, unfortunately, it was not in working
condition.
 Standard
rooms, decorated in warm burgundy tones, are large with two queen-sized beds,
chaise lounges and all amenities. Guests concerned with security will be happy
to note that in order to access the guest floors, your room key must be used in
a slot in the elevator.
The hotel’s location is ideal. Robson Street is
an eclectic mix of shopping from the mundane to the elegant and elite. Shops
such as Laura Ashley, The Gap and Aveda nestle alongside discount and souvenir
stores. There are coffee bars, bagel stops, restaurants, chocolate indulgences—the
newest is Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop. I especially liked Capers, a combination
healthy food and take-out or eat-in stop. A great place to grab a quick bite.
Robson Street, was named after a former BC
premier, John Robson. Train tracks brought shoppers along the street in the
1890’s. Today, it’s still a vibrant street with strollers enjoying its casual ambience throughout the day and
well into the evening. For visitors not interested in shopping, Stanley Park
with its waterfront walks is just 10 minutes away, and the busy downtown with
its waterfront scene is a 5 minute stroll.
After a busy day of shopping and sight-seeing,
the hotel’s special bathroom toiletries provided a luxurious accompaniment to a
soothing soak in the oversize tub while I played my favorite CD on the suite’s
equipment. However, I was disappointed to note that the bathroom’s fixtures
were molded plastic, and the shower was quite tiny. I found the basin’s
location next to the bed, rather than in the bathroom, an inconvenience. There
was almost no place to put toiletries and cosmetics.
  Dinner at O’Doul’s
Restaurant, located in the hotel, was next on order. It was a busy, buzzing
place. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights see live jazz performances. The
restaurant has won three awards including a Reader’s Choice award from
Northwest Palate Magazine. A massive antique styled map decorates the ceiling
and is further emphasized by hanging golden globes representing the four points
of the compass. A curved mahogany bar and seating occupy one end of the space.
A special room, the Vintage Gallery, displays more than 1000 bottles of the
hotel’s private reserve wine in a room-long rack. Private tastings, dinner
parties and small group functions can be arranged.
With Chef Ray Evans in charge, the food matched
the rich and tasteful decor of the restaurant. Seafood and Black Angus steak
are the specialties at O’Doul’s. There were so many mouth-watering dishes it
was hard to choose. I was tempted to try the crab cakes or the pan-fried Fanny
Bay oysters with tempura vegetables but finally settled on prawns with Creole
seasoned vegetables. The food and the service were excellent.
Late night found me wanting something from the
mini-bar. Though well stocked, it was in the closet, and its door opened
outward. Getting into it was a challenge. Despite this and the bathroom
deficiencies my stay at the Listel Hotel was memorable.
Essential Information:
Rooms: 130 rooms, some wheelchair accessible.
Rates: $170 standard room, gallery room
$210, suite $250, artist suite $300. All amounts in Canadian dollars
Special Packages from Oct. 1, 1999 to April 30,
2000:
1. Vancouver Entertainment Season $130 standard
room
2. Art, Elegance & Aveda—gallery room $170,
artist series suite $320
Includes coffee, newspaper, full American
breakfast, Buschlen Mowatt sherry reception, gift, gallery tours, Aveda gift
package, discount coupons for galleries, discount on restaurant food
Business Services include three soundproof
meeting rooms seating from 16 to 60, with cable TV and AV aids and a ballroom
seating 100.
Valet Parking
The Airporter Bus stops at the hotel.
In summer 2000 Listel will be opening a sixth
floor decorated in Japanese minimalist style.
The Listel Hotel is a member of the Sterling
Hotels & Resorts
Contact Information:
Listel Hotel
1300 Robson St.
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6E 1C5
Reservations:
604-684-8461
1-800-663-5491
Fax: 604-684-7092
On the web: http://www.listel-vancouver.com
Email: randalld@listel-vancouver.com
Vancouver tourism website: http://www.tourism-vancouver.org/
Buschlen-Mowatt Fine Arts Ltd.
Main Floor
1445 West Georgia St.
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6G 2T3
Phone: 604-682-1234
©1999 Barbara Ballard. Reproduction of this work
in whole or in part, including images, including reproduction in electronic
media, without documented permission from the author is prohibited. The author
grants Travel Lady one time North American print rights only.
Images courtesy Listel Hotel except Cassigneul
suite photos by Barbara Ballard
-Updated 11-29-99-
Back to TravelLady
Magazine |