Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside, Vancouver

Located on the waterfront and within walking distance of the Cruise ships terminal, this 4 star hotel has 437 rooms and 7 suites and has a no smoking policy. It is part of the Marriott group.

Arriving by coach after a fabulous two days on The Rocky Mountaineer train, we entered the busy Renaissance hotel lobby and spied one of our cases, linked with others and all padlocked together. The bell boy was surprised when we asked about our other two cases, but we discovered that they had already been taken to our room and were assured the other would go immediately. True to their word it was safely in the room a few moments later as check in was very quick and efficient, just a switch of our credit card for incidentals and a look at our passports. The lobby was on two levels, but there was a lift down for disabled or if you were moving your own suitcase. There were some comfortable armchairs and settees and a concierge, small shop and car rental on the opposite side to reception. Beyond some plants and screens was the Coal Harbour bar - so named as it looked onto the harbour and we enjoyed a meal watching seaplanes taking off and arriving.

Bedroom

Our bedroom was on the 7th floor and like other hotels in Canada you needed to use your key card to work the lift. It overlooked the street and opposite was another hotel and some shops and offices, the French window opened but there wasn't enough room for a chair, but we enjoyed looking around.

The room was beautifully decorated, heat reflecting curtains and lovely gold and white pleated net curtains draped the windows, white embossed cotton duvets on the two Queen size beds and huge pillows, with a pretty gold wool throw over the bottom of the bed. It seemed to be quite common to have deep feather or down toppers on the mattresses giving us a fabulous nights sleep. Cream and colour check patterned wallpaper blended in well. The carpet was mainly gold with red and black irregular stripes, and the chaise long was a rusty red colour. The head board was a feature, as it was large black wood with gold rectangles in blocks, running in opposite directions. (Photo shows this better!) A large piece of artwork decorated one wall.

The wood was a light colour and in excellent condition as the room we were in was newly refurbished. There was a desk unit with modem connections, and different sockets and it had a set of 4 large drawers at one end, a table between the beds with clock radio, lamp and telephone. A flat screen television was on top of the drawers, and there was also a standard lamp. A fitted wardrobe with safe also housed the iron and ironing board, and in an alcove was a coffee machine with coffee pods and sugar and milk and an ice bucket and glasses. Ice was available on 8 floors, and they provided a poly bag for you to collect it. There was a case rack and the room was kept at an even temperature with very quiet running air con.

Their website had slightly prepared me for something different as it stated "Each new room features a blend of fashion, whimsical design and local touches to reflect the spirit of the city, including sleek, upscale amenities, from new bedding to innovative technology", and it certainly more than met my expectations.

Bathroom

The bathroom was squeaky clean, the bath/shower was very efficient and there was a waterproof shower curtain and white towelling one too. The wash basin was fitted into a black and gold granite top and part of a freestanding wooden bench, with shelf for toilet bags. A hair drier was in a black linen bag. Free toiletries included a shower cap, bath and face soap and shampoo and conditioner, body lotion and shoe buffer. No shower gel, but we had discovered that was quite common. The natural bath soap was indeed excellent. The towels including face cloths were white and fluffy, but there wasn't anywhere to hang the bath towels!

There wasn't a socket for an electric shaver either, and on asking the concierge if she had the right sized plug, she apologised and said the gift shop sold them! Renaissance lose 2 points!

Restaurants

The main restaurant is called the Patina Restaurant and this was used for dinner and breakfast. We ate two nights in here as the food had been so good and we didn't feel like going out in the rain! Lovely wooden tables in various sizes were spaced out quite well, the top was inlaid with a bronze coloured top. Linen serviettes both at breakfast and dinner pleased me very much, as I hate paper serviettes which slide off.

At breakfast after being seated by the manager, the waiter brought us juice and a complimentary smoothie, and took our order for tea or coffee. We had the buffet breakfast some mornings at $18 for continental and $24 for Canadian. The continental had cereals and a make your own muesli section, yogurts, fresh fruits, bread, muffins and pastries. There was also some cheese and smoked salmon. The cooked breakfast had all the usual sausage, bacon, eggs, mushrooms and French toast.

I tried the pancakes one morning at $14 for a huge stack of 5 pancakes with strawberries and maple syrup, coffee was then extra, a 3 cup flask of Starbucks was $4.25. Cream was served separately, but milk available if preferred. One of the other a la carte dishes which seemed popular was a Portobello mushroom stack, it had a 5oz. sirloin steak, Portobello mushrooms, fried egg, sausage bacon and tomato for £18. To convert to GB£ divide by 2!

One night I had Fresh Alaskan Halibut, Asparagus, crab risotto and Hollandaise sauce for $24. It was absolutely delicious, beautifully cooked and presented. Another night I had Rib-eye steak, wild mushrooms, Jack Fries and tomatoes it was also $24. My husband had Lobster, Scallops and mussels with Roasted tomatoes which was more expensive but still reasonably priced at $40. At the time we were there the exchange was $2 for £1. Wine was fairly cheap and the water was deliciously chilled and free! The restaurant wasn't very busy so plenty of staff who were efficient and friendly. The dessert my husband chose one night had to be cooked it was a Rhubarb cobbler and toffee ice cream, my Orange Pound Cake (no flour!) and pot of chocolat with fruit and coulis was much lighter.

Breakfast on the Saturday was very crowded and there were queues of people waiting for tables. Some people didn't wait though and I saw them returning with a tray of coffee and some bags from Starbucks and Tim Horton's! There was a table set up in the restaurant vestibule for grab a coffee and go, I can't remember the charge unfortunately.

Coal Harbour Bar

Open most of the day you could buy a coffee here or enjoy a cocktail and light meals were also served. The first night as we had eaten a 3 course lunch on the train and then had huge warm cookies and coffee in the afternoon, we ate here and had a light meal. The Avocado salad with hot house tomatoes, salad and a green dressing was only $12 and deliciously light. Not watching his figure my husband had toasted seafood sandwich and fries at $16. Having a light salad, I sampled the warm chocolate cake and banana ice cream , which I thought was a little expensive at $9, but very pleasant, the desserts were the same as in the main restaurant. Service was slow in here but the view was so good it didn't really matter.

Revolving Restaurant

We had heard there was a revolving restaurant, but disappointingly it wasn't open every day , mostly for special functions.

Fitness Centre

This was on the 4th floor, I popped up to look, but didn't use the facilities, as we had been sight seeing and I needed a rest! A fair sized gym with bikes, stair-masters, weight machines, treadmills, and work out machines. There was a sauna, pool and Jacuzzi, and also a children's indoor play area. Towels were free and a water machine, plus a spray and paper towels to clean the machines before or after use. Shower and changing facilities were available and lockers were free.

Other facilities

There were meeting rooms and ballrooms and on the day we left there was a wedding planned. A business centre was available and internet access in the lounge and bar, although it was quieter in your room. The small bar near the lifts was very quiet in the early evening but got busier late at night.
On-site parking, fee: $5 hourly, $21 daily Valet parking, fee $26 daily.
The tour buses and trams stopped opposite the hotel and as Canada Place, the Lookout tower and the shopping centre were all within walking distance this was in a great location. There was an express check out and our bill was delivered to our room early on the Saturday morning, as was a paper every day.

The hotel prided themselves on being disabled friendly and had some rooms especially for disabled people, also strobe lighting for deaf in case the fire alarm was activated.

Verdict?

An excellent hotel in a lovely area, as within a few minutes we could walk along the harbourside , and sit and watch the boats and seaplanes, or turn the opposite way and visit the sights of Vancouver and shops and restaurants. Staff were friendly and helpful, food was first class. The only downside was no fridge in the bedroom, although you could get ice, no towel rail to hang your towels and no razor socket. It was suitable for both business and pleasure due to the excellent location.
With the Olympic winter games coming to Vancouver, this hotel will no doubt book up quickly, as it s close to the building being erected for the media.

Cost

I don't have an exact price for our accommodation, as it was part of a package arranged by our travel agent, but prices seem to be between $173 and $270, or £86 for a night for two people, although the rooms will sleep 4, varying with the time and demand.