OOH! OPUS OPENS!

STYLISH AND CHIC HOTEL SET TO REVOLUTIONIZE HOSPITALITY IN VANCOUVER, CANADA

September 16, 2002

(Vancouver, Canada) - Unique among all other hotel properties in Vancouver, OPUS Hotel dazzled its initial guests on Monday, September 16th with a rare combination of high fashion and sophisticated luxury.

Conceived and planned in the knowledge that today's traveler is as diverse as the world itself, OPUS presents, in only 97 guest rooms and suites, a remarkable selection of five distinctly different dŽcor schemes with lifestyle-inspired furnishings and a style to suit every taste. With rooms ranging from sleek minimalist to eclectic modern, comfort and function have not been sacrificed for the sake of design. Consciously avoiding the "generic", OPUS still responds to a variety of preferences and tastes, from the more traditional to an 'au courant' look.

The 97 luxurious guestrooms and suites of OPUS encompass 16 different floor plans. Penthouse level rooms and suites feature private wrap-around Juliet balconies and floor to ceiling windows. Double-sided fireplaces and plasma screen TVs set the OPUS Penthouse suites apart. All OPUS rooms and suites feature large spa bathrooms with over-sized vanities and stainless steel stand-alone basins, deep soaker tubs and/or walk-in showers and oversized windows that open for plenty of fresh air and natural light. Courtyard rooms have fireplaces and overlook a roof top garden anchored by a signature red-leafed Japanese maple.

The design of the public spaces enjoys an equally original approach, combining iconic furnishings, dramatic lighting and the innovative use of non-traditional materials. The stunning Opus Bar is located within the lobby, and features an eclectic grouping of contemporary, mid-century and classic furniture pieces from turned walnut stools by Ray Eames, to the infamous Arne Jacobsen egg chairs. Leather furnishings are prominent and include Philippe Starck's Neoz bar stools and Bongo tables wrapped in orange leather and Nienkamper's woven leather seating cubes in dill green. Other colorful additions are Baleri Italia's whimsical Tato egg stools in orange and red and blue Tatone donut shaped stools. In a contrast of styles, there is also a William Switzer reproduction Palazzo Capponi bench and ruby red Venetian Louis XV occasional chairs with Medici gold frames. Everything is situated against a backlit resin wall backdrop. So that patrons can always keep track of what's going on, the Opus Bar restrooms has video monitors over the washbasins that display the action in the lounge.

In contrast, arrival at the "tres belle Žpoque" 154-seat brasserie-style bar and restaurant Elixir has one transported to the Left Bank of Paris. Elixir is all classic French with a pressed tin ceiling, marble mosaic floors, a stained glass ceiling over a horseshoe bar with brass railings, Carrera marble table tops, antique red leather banquettes, and walnut Venetian blinds and paneling throughout. The more intimate private dining room has etched glass wall panels, deep ruby red carpeting, rich red mohair covered seating and walls draped with ruby red velvet all reflected in an abundance of antique gilt-framed mirrors.

Elixir will present inspired French "comfort" food prepared under the direction of award-winning Canadian executive chef Don Letendre. The chic "see and be seen" Opus Bar will offer Letendre's artful, global take on tapas, an inspired cocktail list, as well as an extensive list of imported and domestic beers, wines and spirits.

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