When it opened in 2002, the Opus Hotel in Vancouver was the city’s coolest hotel. And even though newer properties have launched since then, this 96-room boutique hotel has maintained its cool — and yes, sexy — vibe.
Here’s the scoop:
The Opus Hotel
First things first: When you check into the Opus in Vancouver’s hip Yaletown ‘hood, the chipper staffers greet you with a complimentary glass of bubbly or a chilled bottle of water.
But don’t get too cozy too soon. You’ll want to check out the neighborhood.
Exploring Yaletown and Surroundings
Yaletown’s restored brick warehouses house restaurants, boutiques, and nightspots, from cafés like Small Victory (try the almond croissants) to high-end dining destinations such as seafood specialist Blue Water Café, all surrounded by steel-and-glass apartment towers. Booking a room at the Opus feels like you’re settling into the Yaletown condo life.
The hotel will loan you a bike to tool around town. You’re just a few blocks from the waterfront seawall path that circles False Creek and goes all the way to Stanley Park, the city’s massive urban rainforest, which makes an excellent excursion for a sunny day. The Opus has a small, window-lined fitness room where you can work out when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Or if you need to travel in higher style, book the hotel’s complimentary car service that will take you to appointments and attractions downtown.
TIP: The Opus is directly across the street from the Yaletown/Roundhouse Canada Line station. From Vancouver’s YVR Airport, it’s a quick 22-minute ride to Yaletown. Much faster, and cheaper, than taking a cab or Uber.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
Once you’ve settled into your room, you might want to put on your sunglasses, and not just for when you’re traveling around incognito. The eye-popping room colors — magenta, lime green, vibrant orange, purple — are bright!
To add to these playful designs, the Opus teamed up with four local artists, who created eclectic original artwork that hangs on the walls of each guest room.
Like a Yaletown condo, the guest rooms aren’t large; the least expensive measure only 250 square feet. But you’re not going to be running laps around your room, are you?
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Many of the spacious, white-tiled bathrooms have a window into the bedroom, and the curtain is on the bedroom side. If you’re the shy type, better tell your partner not to peek!
In other rooms, the bathrooms have a wall of windows facing the outside of the building. The windows bring in plenty of light — don’t you always want your bathroom to be brighter? In case you’d rather not parade in the buff in front of the entire neighborhood, close the shades.
The beds are comfy — you can choose a queen or king — with padded headboards and plenty of pillows, and rooms come with all sorts of high-tech toys, starting with flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, wireless charging pads, and Bluetooth speakers. Wi-Fi is standard, and complimentary, of course.
TIP: Stop into the Opus’ restaurant, Capo, for pizza, pastas, and salads. Or settle into The Spritz, the lobby cocktail bar that feels like the hotel’s living room.
Of course, you can stay by yourself at the sexy Opus Hotel. But it’s much more fun to share your stay with someone special.
Rates
Double rooms at the Opus Hotel Vancouver start at CAD$229/night during the low season (perfect for winter cocooning) and $420-520/night at busier times. You can compare rates at Hotels.com.
Looking for a sexy hotel in Toronto, too? Check out Hôtel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square.
Hotel review by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Updated 2023. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller.
