Vancouver Hotels

MBO Vancouver :: Vancouver Hotels

t turns out the rumours were true: the Ritz-Carlton is coming to Vancouver. I’ll give you a moment to exchange your dollar bills.

The world-renowned brand is very choosy about where it puts its hotels. Because of its reputation for luxury and high-end distinction, they don’t want to take a risk by developing a hotel in an area in which it might fail. The decision is a large pat on the back for Vancouver, an affirmation of its status as a world-class destination. This will become only the second Ritz-Carlton in Canada after the one in Toronto opens in 2009. There is also a Ritz-Carlton in Montreal, but it is not officially a part of the brand.

The project is set to be finished in 2011. Think about that for a second. They seem to be a year late. The hotel was originally aiming for a 2010 opening in time for the Olympics, but has decided not to rush things. They’re so confident, that they believe they won’t need the Olympics as extra-incentive to stay at the Ritz. Is that confidence or cockiness?

The hotel will occupy the first 20 floors of a new 58-storey tower being built by local architect Arthur Erickson. The $500 million dollar project, featuring a unique twisting design, will likely become the second tallest building in Vancouver, just after the nearby Shangri-La Hotel and Residences. The rest of the building will contain 123 luxury condos, with prices ranging from $1.4 million to $13 million. I don’t know about you, but that’s a little out of my price range. How much did you think writers make?
-R.T.