Staycation state of mind at the Douglas
Andrew McCredie
The Province
West Coast vibes are in the nature of this downtown hotel with hip lounge, classic steakhouse
September is one of the best months here on the southwest coast of B.C., with warm days, cool nights and fewer tourists in the downtown core. In other words, the perfect excuse to maintain that staycation state of mind.
The next month also features a packed schedule of sports and concerts at the city’s two arena venues — B.C. Place and Rogers Arena — which makes the Douglas Hotel an ideal choice to take in a game or a show and to explore Yaletown and Olympic Village. All are in easy walking distance from the 188-room boutique-style hotel, with a name, décor, and striking lobby desk that pay homage to the Douglas fir, that iconic tree that played an integral role in Vancouver’s economic growth and continues to be a natural touchstone for the city and its citizens.
The Douglas is part of the expansive Parq complex, which includes sister hotel JW Marriott, a full-service spa, the Parq casino and no less than 10 dining and drinking establishments, ranging from a high-end steak house to a vibrant sports bar to an eatery inspired by a Singapore night market. The centrepiece of the Parq is, well a park, though one located six floors above ground level and featuring 30,000 square feet of secluded and peaceful sanctuary above and hidden from the madding crowd. While the Marriott remained open throughout the pandemic — serving as a hub for visiting health-care workers — the Douglas closed for the better part of a year, so the hotel and staff are making up for lost time.
To check into the Douglas, you take an elevator to that sixth floor, where you’re greeted by a unique piece of functional art. The lobby check-in and concierge desk is a nearly eight-metre-long replica Douglas fir encased in glass, and when I checked in, there wasn’t a guest at the desk who didn’t bend down to have a closer look — myself included. Beside the lobby is the Douglas’ lounge, called the D/6 and exemplifying the hotel’s ode to the West Coast Mother Nature. The décor is natural wood hues with large comfortable seats, a full-sized pool table, a curated hardcover book selection and a steam fireplace that casts a cabin-like glow in the lounge. Outdoor seating also has open flame features that warm the cool night and provide that distinctive West Coast vibe. And like that lobby desk, D/6 has something that every guest just has to have a closer look at. Push one side of the floor-to-ceiling bookcase and it swings open to reveal a private room for more intimate gatherings. The rooftop lounge is also a great place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail before strolling outside through the park over to the Victor, the Parq’s first-class steak house. Just as D/6 nails the look, feel and vibe of an old-school West Coast lounge with a dash of hipness, the Victor checks all the classic steak house boxes. There are high-backed chairs, oak dining tables and leather banquets. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive and professional. The menu is loaded with carnivore delights, including a selection of Wagyu cuts, cowboy rib-eyes, porterhouse and the prerequisite Tomahawk to share. There’s also a wide seafood selection — from Nova Scotia lobster to sushi to whole branzino. And the Victor boasts one of the country’s largest in-house Enomatic wine systems, with the tasteful and elegant dispensers located throughout the dining room.
I was told that about 60 per cent of the Victor’s clientele is local, so despite its well-hidden location, high above the city streets and accessible only through the park, it’s certainly not the city’s best-kept steak house secret.
After a fantastic dinner, I headed down to the casino to check out the action then back to D/6 for a nightcap before retiring to my room, which glowed with the ever-changing light show of B.C. Place’s roof, which was so close out my window, I felt I could touch it.
There are a number of package deals available.
The romantic package, called Love is Love, includes in-room dining for two and a $100 credit at the Victor, while the Park and Dine package includes parking and a $50 credit at D/6, the Victor or Honey Salt. For a complete list of Parq offers, visit parqvancouver.com/offers
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