From US$210. Wifi is included for Marriott Rewards members (it’s free to join).
– Book a room with access to the lovely Executive Lounge, which serves delicious breakfast, hors d’œuvres, desserts and all-day snacks.
– Note there's an outdoor hot tub, but no swimming pool.
Elegant. If I had to pick just one word to describe the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, one of two hotels located inside Parq Vancouver, it would be elegant.
Floor to ceiling windows throughout the hotel show off the views — False Creek on the south side and, on the north, the spikey crown that is the roof of BC Place with mountains in the distance. Admire it all from inside or from outside amongst the trees and a lake in the 30,000-square-foot sixth-floor rooftop park.
Pale taupes and creams brighten my room, despite the winter rainstorm outside. The king bed provides a luxe sleep with lots of elbow room and the suede chaise longue is the ideal spot to read my book, plus keep an eye on the boats in pretty False Creek making their way over to Science World’s geodesic dome.
I’m delighted that the bathroom amenities are by Molton Brown, and that they’re in refillable glass containers rather than regular hotel-size bottles. In-room coffees are by Illy and teas are by TWG Tea, so you know they’re excellent. The mini-bar is full of treats though note that if, like me, you move something to make room for an apple, a computer automatically notes it and it gets added to your bill (the front desk is lovely at resolving it though).
Guests and non-guests alike have an abundance of dining choices at Parq. I was amused to see some very Vancouver-y morning smoothies at the executive lounge and on the room service menu — vitamin-heavy drinks named for some of the city’s mountains and for the Grouse Grind, the steep hike known as nature’s stairmaster. The room service menu features lots of local products including Oyama ham in the eggs Benedict, Fraser Valley berries with the waffles and granola, Rossdown Farms chicken, and Oceanwise seafood. And there’s so much more.
Restaurants in the Parq complex include The Victor, where I enjoyed sublime tuna and a fun dessert topped with maple (yes!) cotton candy. Honey Salt, in the lobby, is ideal for breakfast, with beautiful avocado toast and a fine eggs Bennie. Hand-crafted whiskeys and loose-leaf teas are served in the Lotus Whiskey & Tea Lounge. MRKT EAST has selections from all over Asia. D/6 is the place for cocktails, especially on the rooftop lounge when the weather is nice.
You can keep busy at Parq without ever needing to leave the building, rain or shine, which was perfect during the early-January storm during my stay. It was no trouble to go to Parq’s well-equipped 24-hour fitness studio and watch the rain from the huge picture windows. I’ll have to go back to try the outdoor hot tub when the weather is better. Also on the 17th floor is The Spa by JW which offers the full range of treatments. The Parq complex also hosts a two-level casino with table games, slots and over 20 ultraluxe private gaming salons.
