Our Story

Where Innovation Meets Quintessential Canadian Hospitality

Historic building

How It All Started

Back in 1987, two friends - an architect named Marcus Ignovex and a hospitality veteran, Catherine Quinthale - were sitting in a coffee shop on Burrard Street. They'd been complaining about how Vancouver didn't have a hotel that really captured what the city was about.

Marcus sketched something on a napkin. Catherine laughed and said, "That's insane... let's do it."

Three years later, they opened the doors to what would become Vancouver's most talked-about boutique hotel. The building itself was a restored 1920s heritage structure that Marcus reimagined with clean lines and natural materials - keeping the soul but adding something totally new.

The Philosophy

We've never been the kind of place that follows the rulebook. Sure, we've got the luxury part down - but it's not stuffy, y'know?

Our team's always been about making guests feel like they're staying at a friend's place... if that friend happened to have impeccable taste and a killer concierge network. We mix cutting-edge tech with that warm Canadian welcome that's just part of who we are.

Conference facilities

Growing Up

In 2003, we added the conference wing. That was Catherine's baby - she'd been in the events game long enough to know what planners actually needed (not just what they said they needed).

The spa came in 2011, and honestly, it changed everything. People started coming to Vancouver specifically to stay with us, which was... pretty cool, not gonna lie.

These days, we're a full-blown conference center and luxury hotel rolled into one. But we've kept that original napkin sketch in a frame by the front desk - reminds us where we came from.

What Makes Us Different

Look, we're not gonna pretend we invented hospitality. But we've figured out a few things over the years.

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Local Soul

We're Vancouver through and through. Our staff knows the city like the back of their hand, and we partner with local artisans, chefs, and suppliers whenever we can.

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Smart Innovation

We've got tech that'd make a Silicon Valley CEO jealous, but it's all behind the scenes. You get the convenience without feeling like you're in a spaceship.

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Real People

Our team's been with us for years - some since the beginning. They're not reading from a script; they genuinely care about making your stay awesome.

The Team Today

Marcus retired in 2018 (though he still drops by every Tuesday for coffee). Catherine's still around, now as our Creative Director - you'll probably run into her if you stay more than a couple days.

These days, we're run by a team that grew up in the hotel. Our GM started as a front desk clerk back in '95. Our head chef was a dishwasher here during culinary school. That kind of continuity? You can't fake it.

Sustainability initiatives

Looking Forward

We're not done evolving. Right now we're in the middle of a sustainability overhaul - solar panels, greywater systems, the works. It's expensive as hell, but it matters.

We're also working on some AI-powered guest preference systems that'll remember your favorite pillow type and room temperature. Sounds fancy, but really it's just about paying attention.

The goal's always been the same though: make people feel at home while showing them the best Vancouver's got to offer. Everything else is just details.

Come See For Yourself

We've been doing this for over 35 years, and we're still learning something new every day. That's the fun part - no two stays are ever quite the same.

Whether you're here for a conference, a spa weekend, or just exploring the city, we'd love to be your home base. Give us a call, shoot us an email, or just swing by - the coffee's always on.

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