From my corner suite in Vancouver’s OPUS Hotel, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the busy Yaletown neighborhood, its density of sleek buildings anchored by scores of restaurants and bars. I can enjoy the view from my bathroom, if I choose, or from the couch near the fireplace as I pump music from Bluetooth speakers, or even from the king-sized bed. At night, the drapes block out the city’s lights and sounds.
The OPUS skews Yaletown-swanky, with modern furnishings, bright colors and hip street-style art pieces. A cavernous gold light fixture hovers above the lobby desk. Pops of color punctuate the hotel’s entrance, a theme that continues in the guest rooms. Each space is decked in purple, yellow, red, blue or orange walls, and furnishings are similarly bold, featuring colorful patterns and animal prints on pillows, couches and dresser doors.
Two years ago, the hotel rolled out its OPUS Loves Local program, which means the mini bars are stocked with Vancouver-created snacks and booze, and the walls are adorned with up-and-coming local artists’graphic streetscape pieces. Each room is something of an art gallery in miniature; there are no drab, stock art in sight.
Downstairs, OPUS has made a few changes to its restaurant, formerly called La Pentola della Quercia. It’s now simply La Pentola, and it’s headed by chef Travis McCord, who whips up classic Italian dishes centered around handmade pastas, served family style. In the OPUS Bar, McCord oversees an impressive list of wine and cocktails that are served alongside live music and DJ nights. There’s a daily happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. wherein wine, bubbles, beer and snacks from McCord all run at $5. Wednesday sees an all-day happy hour and live music starting at 8 p.m.
OPUS guests also benefit from being cattycorner from the Yaletown-Roundhouse Station of the Canada Line Skytrain, with a final stop at the Vancouver airport. There’s also a Volvo SUV hybrid courtesy car, should you need transit elsewhere.
