Archive for the ‘Yaletown’ Category

Have you ever stayed in the Penthouse?

May 3rd, 2012

  

We’ve all dreamed of being upgraded to first class on our overseas flight, or whisked up to the penthouse when we arrive to check into our regular room.  The reality is that most of the time our dreams are crushed and we spend our flights sitting snuggled up to the stranger on our left and entertaining the baby on our right.

This month, we’re all about making that long awaited dream come true for our guests.  We’re offering our opulently designed penthouse suite at an unheard of $399 rate.  To celebrate the occasion we’re even giving one loyal friend an indulgent and complimentary night in our notoriously chic suite! Yes, unbelievable, perhaps even crazy, but we know once someone gets a taste of our suites, they will come back for more, or so my Director of Sales reassures me…

So you may be wondering what it would normally cost to experience the Penthouse Suite at OPUS?    Well normally the answer would be thousands and thousands of dollars, in my “General Manager” dreams…, but the real figure is actually $1,200 /night.    

Help us spread the word about our $399 May Penthouse Perfection offer and you’ll be entered to win a night for yourself!

 CONTEST ENTRY

Enter one of the following two ways:

 1. TWITTER: Tweet the following (1 chance to win):

- I entered to win a luxe #Yaletown Penthouse stay from @OPUSHotel Vancouver http://bit.ly/IxBNJS RT to Enter! 

 2. BLOG: Leave a comment on this post (1 chance to win):
- Why would you like to win a spring fling in the OPUS Vancouver Penthouse? 

 Contest ends May 17, 2012

PS: Can’t wait to play in our Penthouse? For May 2012 only, enjoy penthouse perfection for only $399 at OPUS Vancouver. Book today

Do you believe in Cupid?

January 31st, 2012

 

Goodbye Santa, hello Cupid! February 14th is just around the corner and the arrows are already starting to fly.  We see it every year, millions of couples panicking and stressing in search of the perfect way to express their devotion.   Some choose the boring and predictable “go-to” box of chocolates ….but come on!?  Then, there are those who go to the other extreme, like giving a Rolex, or a shiny new BMW.    Don’t get me wrong, I would personally be very happy to receive either (hint), but just feel it’s a tad out there.   So, what is the perfect answer?   This is where I plug my hotel….Well, OPUS Vancouver is here to the rescue!  This year we have hired CUPID, to assist the frantic and calmly assist individuals looking to plan an amazing romantic experience.   When you book our “Exclusively Yours” package,  CUPID takes care of everything.  He’ll frame your favorite photo and place it in your room with a personal hand written note from you all before you arrive.  Don’t worry CUPID is discreet, and keeps the romance real.   Happy Valentines day to all and remember in the end it’s the thought that truly counts.

Exclusively Yours Package starts at $295, and includes:

  • Deluxe king guest room
  • Sparkling wine welcome beverage at check-in
  • 375ml bottle of Veuve Clicquot delivered to guest room
  • Your choice of ½ dozen red roses or a fresh orchid
  • Handwritten note and framed photo of your choice

Connect with Cupid Concierge year round:  cupid@opushotel.com

 

 

OPUS Hotels Take Lead as Canada’s Premiere Boutique Brand

November 16th, 2011
OPUS recognized by readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine

OPUS Hotels recognized as Best in the World by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine

It’s time to say “bye-bye” to big hotel chains and their long lobby lineups and “hello!” to the friendly service of boutique hotels. Readers of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine have done just that.

OPUS Hotels was recently recognized amongst the world’s hospitality elite as “Best in the World” and “Best in Business Travel” by readers of Condé Nast Traveler. In fact, OPUS Hotels was the only boutique brand included on the Best in Business Travel list which has us feeling very thankful considering that travelers have a lot of choices.

Year after year, OPUS Hotels is widely recognized as best of the best by esteemed outlets including Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Forbes Traveler. OPUS Hotels, for consecutive years, has even been included in the Presenters’ Gift Baskets at the Academy Awards.

As General Manager of OPUS Vancouver, I am extremely proud to share these achievements with our Team.

So what sets OPUS Hotels apart in a crowded market?

Without giving away all of OPUS’ fabulous secrets, here are the top 5 reasons savvy business travelers crave a dose of OPUS while on the road:

  1. Complimentary Welcome Beverage
    After a long day of traveling and being assaulted by frisky airport security agents, it’s nice to unwind with a drink. That’s why OPUS Hotels offers every guest a refreshing welcome cocktail at check-in (something airport security could consider before those invasive pat-downs).
  2. Residential Ambience
    Something to read other than the room service book? A custom music selection to rock out to in the shower? Rooms at OPUS Hotels are unlike any other. Inspired by five fictional guests, each room has its own personality, from modern and minimalist to artful and eclectic. Rooms are complete with a unique selection of artwork, books, magazines and music.
  3. Luxury BMW Downtown Chauffeur Car Service
    Time is money. Jet-setting business guests don’t like to wait in taxi queues, nor do they care for chatty cabbies blasting foreign radio. That’s why OPUS Vancouver and Montreal offer all guests complimentary downtown drop-offs in the hotels’ luxurious BMWs. So whether guests are attending a button-down business meeting, or simply popping off for some late night Chinese – OPUS makes sure they arrive in style.  
  4. Whimsical Service
    After a long day at the office, guests return to a sensory wonderland in their rooms. From freshly turned down bed linens and cool water carafes to relaxing mood music and retro candy bedtime treats, getting into bed with OPUS is an unforgettable experience.
  5. Award Winning Bars & Restaurants
    The Zagat rated, award winning bars and restaurants at OPUS Hotels are sought-after destinations themselves. No visit to Vancouver is complete without meeting over drinks at OPUS Bar or enjoying a taste of La Dolce Vita at OPUS’ Cento Notti Pop-Up Restaurant. OPUS Montreal’s KOKO Restaurant + Bar is the city’s premier dining and nightlife hotspot, and was recently included on Condé Nast’s Hot List, Hot Nights List. Hint, hint – a perfect venue to entertain discerning business associates and clients.

Lifestyle characters revisited, Part 5

February 12th, 2011

With the recent refresh of OPUS Vancouver’s suites, and guestrooms soon to follow, we asked the fictional muses behind our five lifestyle décor schemes to author a few posts. Our fifth and final post is from Pierre, the food and wine critic from Paris.


Pierre arrives sans Pierre

I arrived from Paris today, this is my first time at this hôtel boutique called OPUS. So far, not so bad. At first the walls were … how do you say? … a bit hard for my eyes, especially after three bottles of ’86 Château Cos d’Estournel at le Cinq last night (there were four of us, but two were not drinking, the philistines.) Now that my eyes are adjusting I must say I am finding the color very stimulating – Hermès orange, but of course.

The people here are so friendly. Why all the smiling? At the front desk I met a woman named Dede who looked familiar – an American actress, I believe. Beautiful girl, but the French? Une abomination.

There was also a guy named Mike, a doctor from New York, and his filthy mutt kept sniffing at my crotch. Had precious Pierre been present (yes, Pierre), he would have snapped off her snout in an instant. But Pierre travels first class only, and Le Monde is paying for this trip.

I am here to research a story about the culinary scene in Vancouver, so I have many restaurants to visit: Campagnolo, Blue Water Café, West, Bao Bei and Vijs – and this just tonight. The bellman has offered to drive me to Gastown in the hotel’s BMW 7 Series at no charge. So I will arrive in style, but, as usual, alone.

First I think I will explore this neighborhood they call Yaletown. It’s a former warehouse district, mostly residential, and the architecture is quite unique. Ce n’est pas Paris, but moi j’adore the open spaces, the tall glass buildings and the salty-fresh air.

In fact, I feel inspired. I think I’ll head down to the water for a jog. When in Rome …

Pierre

Gray skies are gonna clear up – Put on a happy face

January 30th, 2011

Blah hiss boo! Let’s face it, January is gloomy in Vancouver, and this year is extra dreary without the Olympic flame to lighten our days—not to mention thousands of bright-eyed athletes flooding into town.

But wait, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. On February 11 and 12 the dark days of winter will be lit up by Illuminate Yaletown, a two-day street festival featuring contemporary light art installations from bright-minded local designers.

And it’s my favourite price: free-99.

The same weekend, the City of Vancouver plans to rekindle some of last year’s Olympic fire with a variety of events, including free skating at Robson Square, street hockey on Granville, and LunarFest at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Bring your camera! The Yaletown Business Improvement Association will be holding a Flickr photo contest, with over $500 in prizes.

Check out these luminous entries from last year:

One Hundred Days for Twenty-Eight Bucks

January 25th, 2011

If like me one of your New Year’s resolutions was to stop spending so much money on expensive restaurants, then Dine Out Vancouver couldn’t come soon enough. Starting today, you can enjoy great value meals that don’t come with a Big Mac.

Through February 6, select restaurants in Vancouver are offering set three-course meals for $18, $28 and $38, along with BC wine pairings. Presented by Tourism Vancouver, this is now the largest restaurant promotion in Canada. Yes way.

One Hundred Days at OPUS Hotel Vancouver is getting into the action with three luscious 3-course meals to choose from, each for only $28. My pick: Bianco Risotto with Truffles to start, followed by Lobster and Crab Mac & Cheese with Hennessey Bisque, and, la pièce de résistance, a Warm Chocolate Cookie with House Made Gelato. Yum!

With the meal so cheap you can afford to kick things off with an Iced Teaquila cocktail. That’ll pretty much kill all salads-and-sobriety resolutions. At least you’ll be holding upholding the spend-less-on-restaurants resolution—until after February 6, that is.

To see the menu click here. Fridays and Saturdays are sold out, but tables are still available weekdays. To inquire call 604 642-0557. Stayover rates from $199. For info about other restaurants visit the Dine Out Vancouver web page.

Gastown: A great place for dining, but sexier than Yaletown? Pshaw.

November 24th, 2010

There’s a great round-up of restaurants in Gastown in the latest issue of Vancouver magazine. For guest of OPUS Vancouver interested in experiencing the latest and greatest in the city’s culinary scene, it’s a must-read.

As usual local food critic Andrew Morrison is spot-on, but we were a bit surprised by his assertions that Gastown is “sexier than Yaletown” and “the new nucleus of Vancouver cool—a title that for the past decade has belonged to Yaletown.”

Gasp. Yaletown has been dethroned? We didn’t get the memo.

No question, Gastown has lured away some of the hipsters who used to strut the streets of Yaletown. As Morrison points out, escalating real estate prices have pushed out some of the independent restaurants, replacing them with tried-and-true, high-volume chain establishments. And we all know that hipsters and chains mix about as well as supermodels and nerds. (more…)

Arabian Nights: OPUS Bar’s 8th Annual Street Party

August 3rd, 2010

On Friday, July 30 OPUS kicked off a very festive long weekend in Vancouver with the 8th Annual OPUS Bar Street Party, themed “Arabian Nights”. In addition to following through with the hotel’s annual commitment to getting VIPs and regulars liquored up with sponsored cocktails, OPUS continued its five-year, $50,000 commitment to UNICEF when owner John deC. Evans presented a cheque for $10,0000.

To get sweeping footage of the event, I had planned to suspend GM Nicholas Gandossi by rope from the rooftop Cirque-du-Soleil-style, but when he caught wind of my plans he “forgot” to bring his camera. So I had to improvise from the ground with my pocket camera. Blame the videography on the Hendrick’s-infused cucumber cocktails (yum).

For party pics and buzz visit OPUS on Facebook.

The Yin and Yang of Yaletown

July 28th, 2010

Having lived and worked in Yaletown for over a decade, I’ve grown so attached to the lifestyle here that whenever I’m obliged to leave, I feel a nosebleed coming on. Fortunately, my neighbourhood has it all, and rarely do I have to venture beyond. For guests of OPUS, I thought I’d share a few of my summertime faves.

About Yaletown

Yaletown’s origins date back to the late 1800s, when the Roundhouse station was built as the turnaround point for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Today, former warehouses have been converted into chic loft-style residences, boutiques, office space and restaurants. The distinctive red brick walls and exposed beams have been beautifully preserved, and the raised docks and cantilevered awnings have become pedestrian walkways and patio shelters. Surrounding the heritage core are glass residential towers and the False Creek inlet.

Yaletown is a place of contrasts. One of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods, it’s also one of its newest. The lifestyle here is ultra-urban, with a decidedly resort feel. It’s a place for hedonism and healthful living, for superficial whims and quiet reflection. It’s hyper-caffeinated, yet laid back. And it’s safe, clean and modest, yet noisy, chaotic and a tad pretentious. In essence, it’s a mass of contradictions living in relative harmony. Which is probably why we get along so well.

Eating & Drinking

In recent years, chain restaurants have taken over Yaletown; for a truly authentic experience, try the independents. In summertime the patios are teeming; take a walk along Hamilton or Mainland streets and choose one that grabs you, then don the shades and watch the fashionable people and their fashionable dogs parade by. (more…)

Food and Beverage: the Cream In My Coffee

March 7th, 2007

In our relentless pursuit of world domination, right on the heels of assuming control of Elixir and Opus Bar, last week Opus management took control of Café O. Until now, this sunny northeast corner of the building was leased to a third party. It’s earned a reputation for making a mean cup of coffee, but one of the baristas was, well, kind of mean. A tad overzealous in his love for coffee, he has chased guests out of the café for being so barbaric as to ask for – gasp – cream with their coffee. His passion was admirable, but his service tactics didn’t quite fit in with the rest of the hotel.

Vancouverites can be funny about coffee. “I’ve never seen so much coffee in all my life,” Bette Midler once commented during a performance in Vancouver. “The whole town is on a caffeine jag, and still nothing gets done any faster.” I myself love coffee, but I’m far from a purist. Afraid to confess that I too like a bit of cream in my coffee, I used to bypass Café O and skulk over to Starbucks. Now I can simply pop upstairs without fear of reprisal.

We had less than two weeks to organize the seamless transfer of Café O into our hands, with no downtime in between. Admittedly, I was not thrilled at the prospect of taking over a coffee shop while still consumed by new responsibilities in the restaurant and lounge. I secretly feared we wouldn’t be able to recruit staff in time for opening and I’d be pulling shifts behind the counter. Imagine a barista who secretly wonders what’s really so bad about instant coffee.

It’s times like this when I really appreciate the value of great staff. Over the years we’ve assembled a crack team at Opus. I respect each employee so much I could spend hours raving about them, but I’d never want to single one out over another. Amazingly, quite a few of us have been here since day one and are celebrating our fifth anniversary this year. The occasional live one gets away, but our goal is to “trade up” – to find an even better replacement. In taking over management of Elixir and Opus Bar we snagged three big fish: Leonard, an outstanding director of food & beverage; Michael, a highly experienced restaurant manager; and Annabel, a respected local publicist. Working with existing talent, these individuals will no doubt bring great things to Opus.

Okay, okay, I know I’m being really boring. But allow me a sentimental moment and I promise to return to wedding day relocates, make-up smearing drag queens and celebrity meltdowns on my next post.

On its first day of operation Thursday, Café O pulled in a staggering $83 in revenue. Why waste everyone’s time when there are much greater returns in other departments? Because every department at Opus, large and small, is a critical part of the experience.

Next time you’re in Yaletown I invite you to swing by Café O, Elixir or Opus Bar to check us out. Now that we manage every inch of this building I guarantee you’ll experience even better service, a renewed optimism among staff and a sense of warmth and freshness everywhere. And if you want cream in your coffee, it’s totally okay by us.