Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver

Apr 03, 2011

Last summer, after a cruise to Alaska, my son and I decided to spend a couple days exploring Vancouver, B.C. When we began researching hotels, we had some very clear criteria in mind. First, because our time was limited, we wanted a hotel that was centrally located. Next, since we were not going to have a car, we wanted a hotel that was convenient to mass transportation. Finally, because this was after a cruise, we wanted accommodations where we didn't feel cramped and we could relax and spread out a bit. Luckily, the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver offered everything on our checklist and more, providing us with the ideal home away from home while we got our land legs back and explored the city.

A Versatile Property
Once we arrived, we realized we had stumbled upon an ideal find -- an urban boutique hotel (made up of less than 200 rooms) with a comfortable and welcoming vibe. Our guestroom, with its decor of rich cranberry, crisp white and dark wood accents, had a sophisticated feel with an emphasis on comfort. The room featured super-plush European down duvets in Italian Frette linen; a large marble bathroom with a separate shower stall, a soaker tub and a vanity; as well as all the expected amenities, including a fully stocked in-room private bar with complimentary tea and coffee, first-run movies on demand, wireless Internet access and more. Clients looking to splurge should check out the 16 oversize suites that also come with balconies and, for those who really want the top of the line, there's the two-story Presidential Tai Pan Suite.

The Metropolitan Vancouver also offers a wide range of services for guests, including 24-hour room service, free newspapers, complimentary shoe shine and complimentary morning car service within downtown Vancouver. The hotel also features complimentary use of its fitness center, a heated indoor lap pool and a Jacuzzi, a steam room, a squash court and even a small outdoor putting green. There are also meeting and breakout rooms, as well as a full business center, to satisfy the hotel's many meetings, incentive and business travelers.

Finally, the Metropolitan Hotel is home to the award-winning Diva at the Met restaurant, featuring Chef Quang Dang, a star on the local culinary scene. Dang, whose heritage is part Scottish and part Vietnamese, began his career cooking in the finest restaurants in Vancouver and he has now returned to head up his own restaurant to great local fanfare.

Apart from all the amenities within the hotel, however, perhaps the Metropolitan's greatest plus is its central location. Just minutes away by foot from the shopping of Robson Street and all that downtown Vancouver has to offer -- including the cruise ship terminal -- it is also easy walking distance to Chinatown to the east and Granville Island (via foot and water taxi) to the south. As my son and I discovered, there is plenty of convenient public transportation near the hotel too. One day, we caught a bus right in front of the hotel that took us west to visit the University of British Columbia and, the next day, we headed east by train to the trendy shops of Commercial Drive.

After our visit, it was clear that, in the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver, we had discovered a versatile property that could satisfy a wide range of guests, including post-cruise visitors, leisure travelers, business travelers and groups. It was also clear that it won't be the last time we visit.