Review: Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver

City Guide: Vancouver, British Columbia
Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver
Review: Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver
Review: YVR Maple Leaf Lounge

American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts

When we visited Vancouver for a weekend back in March, Chris, and I wanted to take advantage of American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts' hotel deals so we stayed one night at one hotel and one night at another. If you've never heard of AmEx FHR, it's an awesome program that you get to take advantage of if you're anAmerican Express Platinum card holder. Since the Platinum card comes with a pretty hefty annual fee ($450), I don't have the card myself, but luckily, Chris does. When you book through FHR, you get the following benefits: 

• Noon check-in upon arrival, when available
  
• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
  
• Daily breakfast for two people
• 4pm late checkout
  
• Additional special amenity unique to each property, such as a $100 food and beverage credit or a massage for two people

Depending on how often you travel and stay in hotels, this can be an awesome value. Back in March, all of the big Vancouver hotels were having awesome deals, so AmEx FHR's pricing was extremely reasonable as a result. 

Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver

There are really no words to describe how much I loved the Shangri-La hotel. It was, without a doubt, the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at with the nicest room. It was simply amazing! 

We decided to relocate right after breakfast at the Fairmont so that we could drop our stuff off and take advantage of the noon check-in from AmEx FHR. When you walk in from the street-level, you will see a concierge desk to your left and seating to the left and in front of you. Interestingly, you don't check in here, you have to take the elevator down a level to the front desk. Luckily, the concierge noticed the confused looks on our faces and walked us down to the front desk right away. We got our early check-in and were thrilled to hear that we had been upgraded to a one-bedroom suite. I was in Heaven.

Shangri-La Vancouver Street Level Entrance

Our suite was truly amazing. Located on the 15th floor, you walk in the door to a beautiful wood-paneled hallway with a bench and the minibar, then continue on to the living room, with a couch, desk, and TV. The bedroom itself was beautiful and simple with a gorgeous (enormous) patio off of the room with a table and four chairs (if only the weather had been nicer!). 

Shangri-La One Bedroom Suite Hallway

Shangri-La One Bedroom Suite Living Room

Shangri-La One Bedroom Suite Bedroom

Shangri-La One Bedroom Suite Patio

Without a doubt though, the absolute best part of the room was the bathroom. When we were checking in, the gentleman at the front desk joked that his wife was in love with the bathroom and had told him that she was never leaving. I'm not much of a girly-girl, so I don't get really excited about bathrooms but I laughed politely at the joke and forgot about the bathroom.

That's until I walked in the door. It was stunning. The bathroom was gorgeous and beautifully appointed, not to mention, it was about half the size of the bedroom. It had an amazing rain shower with multiple shower heads, a large tub, a double vanity, and the mirror had a television built in. He was right - I never wanted to leave. 

The toiletries were from L'Occitane and were very nice. There was even a box full of bath salts, which was a nice touch, given that I was never leaving the bathroom and needed to find something to do with my time. In the end, I took several showers and a bath in the one night that we stayed in this room, and I'm not kidding.

Shangri-La One Bedroom Suite Bathroom

Shangri-La One Bedroom Suite Bathroom

Shangri-La One Bedroom Suite Bathroom

Shangri-La L'Occitane Toiletries

Shangri-La One Bedroom Suite Bathroom

The entire time we were at the hotel, the service was totally on point. At check in, the room keys and credit cards were handed back in the traditional Asian style, with both hands, and the staff was discreet but really gave us what felt like special treatment. In the Xi Shi Lounge, the service was impeccable and the waitress even recognized us later in the evening when we came back (had to spend that $100 food and beverage credit somehow). We even received a handwritten note from the hotel's General Manager along with some fruit when we returned from our activities for the day, which was a wonderful touch. 

Welcome Note from Shangri-La General Manager

The next morning, we headed down to MARKET by Jean-Georges for the AmEx FHR included breakfast. Per usual, I ordered  two eggs with bacon, which was prepared perfectly. The eggs were even in a fun circular shape in the middle of the plate and everything was wonderful. Chris ordered the french toast with roasted apples and crispy bacon, which was really amazing as well. In addition to the main dishes, we also received a basket of breads with everything from pain au chocolat to muffins and toast. 

MARKET by Jean-Georges Two Eggs

MARKET by Jean-Georges French Toast with Roasted Apples and Crispy Bacon

Overall, the Shangri-La was just amazing. I could not imagine a more perfect stay and we really enjoyed the hotel. We felt like royalty and loved every minute of it. I would absolutely recommend the Shangri-La if you're in Vancouver and I know that we'll be back!

Happy Travels!