From the moment I walked into the grand lobby with itsinviting fireplace and collection of Canadian art, I knew this was going to bea special hotel indeed.
As I approached the front desk, I realized the jeans andrunning shoes I’d worn for the drive from Seattle hardly matched the luxury ofmy surroundings. No matter. The desk clerk welcomed me warmly, and used my namejust enough that it felt genuine and not forced. She checked me in swiftly,asked whether I preferred the local or the national newspaper at my door in themorning, assured me that my other preferences had been noted and attended to,then walked me over to the elevator that would whisk me to the 11thfloor and my room.
The room. Ahhhh, the room!
Gentle mood music emanating from the flat-screen TV greetedme as I walked in. Glancing at the TV, I saw that it also carried a textmessage welcoming me by name to the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. A large,crème-filled cookie accompanied by a personalized note from the managing directorawaited on the table, and complimentary bottled water and Madeleines were onthe nightstands.The bedside clock was an analog alarm clock which, althoughclearly 21st-century modern and battery-powered, reminded me of theBig Ben wind-up alarm clock that occupied a place on my parents’ headboardthroughout my childhood. An advantage of the design that quickly became obviousis that the clock can be moved to either side of the bed, while the wired alarmclocks in most hotels cannot. It’s asmall thing for those of us who prefer one side of the bed over the other, butit is also a nice touch.
The bed itself was extremely comfortable. The ample pillowsand high thread-count, 100% cotton sheets caused slumber to come quickly, andmade me reluctant to leave my cozy cocoon the next morning.
Room 1114, a Deluxe King room, rivaled many of the suites inwhich I’ve stayed.
The area that serves as the sitting, TV viewing, and workspace is set off nicely by strategic furniture placement, giving it more thefeeling of a suite than the one large room it actually is.
Finishes in the living area were all high-end, but thebathroom trumped it all. “Spa-like” is a very apt description.
In addition to high-end amenities, the bath featured separatesinks, a huge soaking tub, a large walk-in shower with a drench showerhead,bathrobes, and a heated marble floor. While the weather wasn’t especially coldat the time of my early May visit, my bare feet found the warmth quitepleasant. Certainly, it would be even more welcome during a cold Canadianwinter, as would the provided slippers.Most hotels today offer in-room coffee which, in myexperience, ranges from dishwater-dull to pretty decent. The coffee at theRosewood Hotel Georgia, however, is tied for first place on my personal “bestof” list. Each guest room is equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine and anassortment of bold, mild, and decaf coffee capsules.
Because I wasted one capsule figuring out how the machineworked, I called the front desk to request a couple more. A staff member was at my door withinminutes, bearing no fewer than eight additional coffee capsules to make sure Ihad the caffeine I needed to start my day right.
The room also included a minibar (an increasingly rare amenity),the standard iron and ironing board, and an in-room safe. The closet alsocontained a bag where guests can place their shoes for a complimentary shoeshine. Basic wireless Internet access is included at no charge but is limitedto a single device per room. Travelers with more than one Internet-capabledevice may find it beneficial to pay the modest additional fee for multi-unitconnectivity and faster connection speeds.
When I reluctantly left the luxurious surroundings of myroom, I found the rest of the property was equally appealing.
The hotel currently boasts four venues for food and drink:Hawksworth Restaurant, run by chef David Hawksworth; the Bel Cafe’ where onecan grab a coffee, pastry, or light snack; Reflections, the fourth-floor loungethat encircles a tranquil outdoor fountain; and the 1927 lobby lounge, wherenibbles and sippables are available. A nightclub called Prohibition will beopening later in 2012.
For the ultimate luxury experience, the hotel offers theLord Stanley Suite and the Rosewood Suite, both of which feature multiplerooms, private rooftop terraces with city views, and private pools and gardens. The view at right is the deck off the Lord Stanley Suite.In addition to being directly across Georgia Street from the Vancouver ArtGallery, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia has its own impressive collection of localart on property. Maps available at the concierge desk guide visitors andprovide brief descriptions of the more than 30 objets d’art, many ofwhich were commissioned specifically for the hotel.
The hotel also offers a generous fitness center, a 52-footindoor saltwater swimming pool, and an on-site spa called Sense.
Impeccable service
The hotel’s P-R material boasts of a “fully restoredGeorgian Revival property that has been returned to its former grandeur withadditional elegance afforded by extensive amenities and impeccable service.”
I completely agree.
While luxurious surroundings are always nice, it’s excellentservice that really makes an establishment memorable and worth visiting timeafter time. The Rosewood Hotel Georgia succeeded admirably in this area aswell.
In addition to the desk clerk, I was greeted by every staffmember I encountered, without exception. From maintenance and housekeepingstaff to the concierge to the manager on duty, all smiled and bid me “goodmorning,” “good evening,” or asked “Is there anything I can help you with?” When I telephoned from my room, either to inquire aboutInternet access or to request additional coffee, the guest services agentsalways used my name. In addition, the hotel spelled my name correctly each andevery time, from my reservation to the manager’s note to the bill uponcheckout. If you have a name that’s frequently misspelled, you can appreciatehow impressive that is. If not...take my word for it.
First opened in 1927 and reopened in 2011 after a lengthyrenovation, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia has hosted guests including Elvis, Nat“King” Cole, The Beatles, Katharine Hepburn, Louis Armstrong, Ginger Rogers,Frank Sinatra, Laurence Olivier, and Prince Charles, among others.
More about the hotel’s history is available on its web site,but I recommend an in-person visit – something I intend to repeat in thenot-too-distant future.
Next time, though, it could be difficult to get me to leave.
Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photos to view larger images
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