OPUS Hotel: Not your typical Vancity accomodations -

Having heard rave reviews about the trendy OPUS Hotel in the heart of vibrant Yaletown, I couldn’t wait to experience the boutique-style accommodations for myself.

The OPUS is the only hotel in Vancouver to receive the coveted Forbes Four-Star rating from 2013 through 2015, and was named “Top 5 Trendiest Hotels in the World” by TripAdvisor.

So, when my mom and I recently decided to find accommodations in downtown Vancouver after our glam mother-daughter glam photo shoot, this boutique-style establishment immediately sprung to mind.

“Ooh, we have to try out the Opus!” I said to my mom, as we clicked through the hotel’s website.

And let me tell you, the unique OPUS experience starts long before your stay.

When you go online to book your visit, you’ll find a choice of rooms and recommendations to fit your personality, ranging from sleek minimalist to eclectic modern, with comfort and style as the unifying elements. Unsure of which one to pick? Allow the Virtual Concierge to direct you to your perfect room match.

Two weeks later, we found ourselves out of ‘the Valley’ and in the hotel’s ultra-chic front lobby.

“Can I offer you a sparkling wine?” asked a friendly young woman at the desk, while the bell boy whisked our luggage to the Deluxe Courtyard room.

“You don’t have to ask me twice,” laughed my mom.

The room, painted a vibrant Hermes orange, was bright, airy and fresh. And while it was modern and the colour took some getting used to, our room still maintained an appealing eclectic and cozy vibe. In fact, it felt like we were staying at someone’s ultra trendy condo rather than a hotel.

We were welcomed with a personalized note, sparkling water and some goodies. There was also a complimentary IPad to use during our stay, which came pre-loaded with everything from music to GPS features. Guests are encouraged to take their iPad out on the town, and explore the beautiful city.

Another impressive perk — the iPads are equipped with a complimentary PressReader, giving you access to over 2300 newspapers in 55 languages.

Having spent the day at a photo shoot, we were both famished and ready for dinner. Fortunately, one doesn’t have to venture far from the hotel to grab a bite to eat.

Perfectly situated, adjacent to picturesque False Creek waterfront and surrounded by the city’s best restaurants and lounges, the hotel boasts one of the best locations in downtown Vancouver — especially for foodies.

We decided to check out the restaurant attached to the hotel called La Pentola.

Inspired by warm memories of sun-soaked rustic dinners in Italy, this popular restaurant features the freshest ingredients straight from farm to table.
We decided to order alla famiglia (family) style so we could try a variety of dishes. Our waitress informed us that the chef uses only the freshest ingredients, and that seasonal produce arrives into the kitchen daily, from locally grown veggies to the finest imported Italian cheese and prosciutto.

Our seven- course menu included three different antipasti dishes, followed by two pastas, a main course and finished with a selection of desserts. Here are just a few of the courses we sampled. Note: I wish I could name each dish, but there was A LOT of amazing wine involved.

Dinner was incredible — I really love how the simple, pure flavours of Northern Italy shin through with each bite.

After dinner, it was time for a nightcap in our room. We were pleasantly surprised to discover the fireplace had been turned on for us and fresh water was poured at our beside. There was also the old- school garbage pail candies left on my nightstand –of course, I had to save those for my girls as a take-home souvenir.

The next morning, we decided to stroll through Yaletown, take a little looksie in some shops and go for brunch — thanks to a late check-out, there was no need to rush.

“This was the perfect getaway close to home,” my mom said on the drive back to ‘the Valley.’

With a striking design, ample personality, and a fabulous location, I couldn’t agree more.

The OPUS is the perfect spot for savvy travelers to hang their hat — especially those who like their lodgings with a little more flavor.