Sheraton Suites Le Soleil Hotel and
Oritalia Restaurant
Vancouver, BC, Canada
by
Barbara Ballard
The noise and rush
of the downtown streets faded when I arrived at the door of Sheraton Suites Le
Soleil, Vancouver’s newest boutique hotel. Located in the heart of Vancouver’s
financial, entertainment and shopping districts, it was just what I needed.
Boasting European-style service and decor it seemed to me like a home away from
home, a luxurious place to relax at the end of a working day. Shepherded from
the front door to my room by friendly staff, I knew I was in for a treat.
The
sophisticated lobby was stunning with its thirty-foot high vaulted, gilded
ceilings and crystal chandeliers. I felt its intimacy as I cozied up to a gas
fireplace surrounded by deep crimson and gold sofas. Designer touches were
everywhere. From the brushed metal elevator doors embellished with golden suns
to the motif on each suite’s door, Le Soleil’s sun theme permeates the decor.
This was a place I could warm up to.
I felt truly pampered
when I opened the door to my suite where the care and creativity in design
continued. Rich crimson satin brocade covered the bed, and gold and cream
striped wallpaper added a touch of elegance. The separate living area with its
sofa and chair provided a pleasant spot for a long awaited visit with a friend.
Surrounded by custom designed maple furnishings, the Midas touch was
everywhere—from the original artwork on the walls to the sun art on the coffee
table. It was easy to relax in such surroundings. The mini-bar provided all I’d
need in the way of entertaining.
It was a treat to unwind at the end of the day
with a soak in the beautiful marble bathroom. The granite countertop flecked
with gold added to the ambience. I particularly enjoyed using the specialty
grooming products. The suite’s amenities were all I could want and more—from
the cordless phone, the coffee and tea maker to the iron and hairdryer. In the morning my delicious breakfast
arrived exactly when I requested it, along with the Globe and Mail newspaper.
The combination of efficiency and tasteful
elegance of Sheraton Suites Le Soleil made it a treat to conduct business
amid pleasurable surroundings. But the
pleasure didn’t end there.
Adjacent to the Le
Soleil is Oritalia Restaurant. The place is a buzz of conversation and
activity. The decor’s star
attraction—a two-story mural of the sun
rising above the dramatic staircase—is stunning. At the top is a cozy balcony
and private dining room. Residing over all this is a gigantic globed wrought
iron chandelier. The warm crimson and gold color theme used in the hotel was repeated
in the restaurant with the cherrywoods, plush velvet swagged curtains gracing
the booths and the glowing tile accents on the floor.
One side of the lower floor hummed with activity where an exhibition kitchen
allowed the curious diners to watch meals being prepared. The 21-foot
cherrywood bar on the other side of the room is a favorite after work watering
hole.
But the real star of this restaurant is the food
orchestrated by Executive Chef Julian Bond. Chef Bond was recently selected by
the Globe and Mail as Vancouver’s
Young Chef of the Millennium and in 1998 was chosen one of Canada’s top young
entrepreneurs by Maclean’s Magazine.
One taste of the well-prepared and beautifully presented food and there was no
doubt in my mind that these awards were richly deserved. The restaurant’s name
is a clue to the type of offerings, a blend of Oriental and
Mediterranean-Italian ingredients and spices with fresh West Coast fare. My waitress informed me that two favorite starters are
the Nori wrapped Dungeness crab cakes with lemongrass cream and the tuna
tartare on sticky rice with shiso and Asian pears. I chose the crab cakes.
Delicious. For the main I enjoyed a five spice fresh seabass, one of the most mouth-watering
entrees I have ever had. I ended the meal with three scoops of homemade fruit
sorbet. Whichever way you slice it, Oritalia Restaurant, like the adjoining
Sheraton Suites Le Soleil Hotel boasts the Midas touch.
Contacts:
Sheraton
Le Soleil Hotel, 567 Hornby St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6C 2E8. Telephone:
604-632-3000. Fax: 604-632-3001. In North America call toll free
1-877-632-3030.
122 suites ranging from $250-$1000 (Canadian)
per day.
For directions to the hotel via car from the
airport or US border visit the web site at http://www.lesoleilhotel.com. Approximate cost
from the airport by taxi is $23 (Canadian) or $10 (Canadian) by the airporter
bus that stops one block away. Underground valet parking.
Oritalia Restaurant is located at 567 Hornby St.
Telephone: (604) 689-8862. Breakfast daily 6:30 to 11a.m.; lunch 11a.m. to
5p.m.; dinner 5 to 11p.m.; late night menu from 11. All major credit cards.
Ground floor is wheelchair accessible. Reservations highly recommended. Price
range $8.25 for starters to $18.25 for mains (Canadian) for lunches; $8.25 for
starters to $24 for mains (Canadian) for dinners.
Conveniently situated adjacent to the hotel, the
new YWCA offers an ozonated swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool, indoor track and
modern health club facilities. Membership for Le Soleil guests is $11
(Canadian) per day.
TM
The noise and rush
of the downtown streets faded when I arrived at the door of Sheraton Suites Le
Soleil, Vancouver’s newest boutique hotel. Located in the heart of Vancouver’s
financial, entertainment and shopping districts, it was just what I needed.
Boasting European-style service and decor it seemed to me like a home away from
home, a luxurious place to relax at the end of a working day. Shepherded from
the front door to my room by friendly staff, I knew I was in for a treat.
The
sophisticated lobby was stunning with its thirty-foot high vaulted, gilded
ceilings and crystal chandeliers. I felt its intimacy as I cozied up to a gas
fireplace surrounded by deep crimson and gold sofas. Designer touches were
everywhere. From the brushed metal elevator doors embellished with golden suns
to the motif on each suite’s door, Le Soleil’s sun theme permeates the decor.
This was a place I could warm up to.
I felt truly pampered
when I opened the door to my suite where the care and creativity in design
continued. Rich crimson satin brocade covered the bed, and gold and cream
striped wallpaper added a touch of elegance. The separate living area with its
sofa and chair provided a pleasant spot for a long awaited visit with a friend.
Surrounded by custom designed maple furnishings, the Midas touch was
everywhere—from the original artwork on the walls to the sun art on the coffee
table. It was easy to relax in such surroundings. The mini-bar provided all I’d
need in the way of entertaining.
It was a treat to unwind at the end of the day
with a soak in the beautiful marble bathroom. The granite countertop flecked
with gold added to the ambience. I particularly enjoyed using the specialty
grooming products. The suite’s amenities were all I could want and more—from
the cordless phone, the coffee and tea maker to the iron and hairdryer. In the morning my delicious breakfast
arrived exactly when I requested it, along with the Globe and Mail newspaper.
Adjacent to the Le
Soleil is Oritalia Restaurant. The place is a buzz of conversation and
activity. The decor’s star
attraction—a two-story mural of the sun
rising above the dramatic staircase—is stunning. At the top is a cozy balcony
and private dining room. Residing over all this is a gigantic globed wrought
iron chandelier. The warm crimson and gold color theme used in the hotel was repeated
in the restaurant with the cherrywoods, plush velvet swagged curtains gracing
the booths and the glowing tile accents on the floor.
One side of the lower floor hummed with activity where an exhibition kitchen
allowed the curious diners to watch meals being prepared. The 21-foot
cherrywood bar on the other side of the room is a favorite after work watering
hole.
But the real star of this restaurant is the food
orchestrated by Executive Chef Julian Bond. Chef Bond was recently selected by
the Globe and Mail as Vancouver’s
Young Chef of the Millennium and in 1998 was chosen one of Canada’s top young
entrepreneurs by Maclean’s Magazine.
One taste of the well-prepared and beautifully presented food and there was no
doubt in my mind that these awards were richly deserved. The restaurant’s name
is a clue to the type of offerings, a blend of Oriental and
Mediterranean-Italian ingredients and spices with fresh West Coast fare. My waitress informed me that two favorite starters are
the Nori wrapped Dungeness crab cakes with lemongrass cream and the tuna
tartare on sticky rice with shiso and Asian pears. I chose the crab cakes.
Delicious. For the main I enjoyed a five spice fresh seabass, one of the most mouth-watering
entrees I have ever had. I ended the meal with three scoops of homemade fruit
sorbet. Whichever way you slice it, Oritalia Restaurant, like the adjoining
Sheraton Suites Le Soleil Hotel boasts the Midas touch.