Listel Hotel sculpture courtesy Listel Hotel

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 three floors of the hotel, the Gallery floors and the Museum floor. The Buschlen Mowatt Galleries curate the artwork with each guestroom, showcasing an individual artist's work.

The hotel partners with the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology to present a tribute to BC in the museum rooms. They feature cedar headboards and armoires carved using traditional native techniques set against the muted colors of the Pacific Northwest forest and showcase contemporary Northwest coast art. In the rooms are hand-forged ironworks created in the Kootenay region of BC. Original art is by Northwest coast artists Susan Point, Eugene Alfred and Judy Cranmer, among others.

Gallery Room courtesy Listel Hotel

Jean Pierre Cassigneul, a versatile French artist working in several mediums, set the theme for my gallery 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.

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 the elevator is room key activated.

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, and chocolate indulgences. I especially liked Capers, a combination healthy food and take-out or eat-in stop. A great place to grab a quick bite.

Listel Hotel front desk courtesy Barbara Ballard

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.

Dinner at O'Doul's Restaurant, located in the hotel, was next on order. It was a busy, buzzing place enlivened by nightly (from 8pm) live jazz performances, all performers from Vancouver. 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.

O'Doul's Restaurant courtesy Listel Hotel

The food matched the rich and tasteful decor of the restaurant. Local fresh ingredients are 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.

Essential Information
129 rooms and suites; rates from $140-$400 Canadian.
Business Services include four soundproof meeting rooms seating from 16 to 100, with cable TV and AV aids. Valet Parking. The Airporter Bus stops at the hotel.

Contact Information:
Listel Hotel
1300 Robson St.
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6E 1C5

Reservations:
604-684-8461
1-800-663-5491
Fax: 604-684-7092
Email for reservations: reservations@listel-vancouver.com

Buschlen-Mowatt Fine Arts Ltd.
Main Floor
1445 West Georgia St.
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6G 2T3
Phone: 604-682-1234

©2002 by Barbara Ballard. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part and reproduction in electronic media, including images, without documented permission from the author is prohibited.

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our North America Insiders page.