The Sutton Place Hotel

Character and identity

The Sutton Place sits in the thick of downtown Vancouver, steps from Robson Street's flagship boutiques and a short walk from the Vancouver Art Gallery. The mood inside is deliberately European: Provencal touches in the public rooms, wood-panelled English club atmosphere at the Gerard Lounge, and old-world décor through the dining spaces. At 350 rooms it's larger than its boutique posture suggests. Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar handles the food side with a locally sourced, seafood-led menu and notable seafood towers. Vida Spa, an indoor pool under a wide skylight, a wine merchant stocking 700-plus labels, and personal concierge service round out the offer.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The pull here is location and atmosphere rather than cutting-edge luxury: a traditional, European-accented hotel planted directly on Vancouver's best shopping block, with a strong seafood restaurant, a clubby lounge and a genuinely good wine shop attached. Book it if you want to walk to Robson Street and the Art Gallery, and consider a suite for the extra space given the classic room style.