Our Brief Stay in Vancouver
- G. Rhodes
- Jun 28
- 5 min read
The contemporary feel of the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver Hotel lobby felt very welcoming after our morning travels from Raleigh. Front Desk Agent Dan checked us in and recognized my Lifetime Platinum Elite status in the Bonvoy Program, which gave us access to the Executive Lounge. He also welcomed us as guests of the American Express Platinum Card Fine Hotels & Resorts Program and explained the various benefits. In addition to a room upgrade and Noon check-in (when available) those included a daily breakfast credit for two, guaranteed 4:00 PM late check-out, complimentary internet and a $100 US food and beverage credit. As part of the package, the hotel had reserved an upgraded Waterfront View Room for us, but it wasn’t ready yet so we opted for a similar City View Room which had already been serviced. Our room on the 15th Floor was comfortable and spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a great view. The 380 square-foot room featured a chaise lounge and ample-sized work desk with plenty of USB and electrical outlets as well as an in-room safe. The marble bath had double sinks and an oversized walk-in shower with great water pressure. All in all, it was a lovely room in which to spend a night before we sailed.
The Marriott is situated near BC Place and Yaletown, providing easy access to downtown Vancouver and its many attractions. The 25-story hotel has 329 guest rooms and suites. It’s notable for being part of a larger complex called Parq Vancouver, a sizable entertainment destination giving guests access to a casino as well as multiple dining and nightlife options. Once we were settled, we met our friends for lunch at Honey Salt Restaurant. According to Destination Vancouver, the eatery is known for its farm-to-table inspired comfort food served in a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. It was all that and my order of fish and chips served with fries was very good, but the service was abysmally and painfully slow. We later took a walk along the nearby False Creek Inlet and enjoyed the sunshine, a welcome sight after the rainy weather we left in Raleigh and Minneapolis. Returning to the hotel, we explored the casino and then headed up to the Executive Lounge.
Open on weekdays from 5:30 in the morning until 10 at night, with shorter hours on weekends, the Executive Lounge stands out for its modern and upscale ambience. It’s a large space and has a modern feel with a sleek contemporary design. The complimentary breakfast is a highlight with guests and offers a variety of popular items. Complimentary snacks, food and drinks are available throughout the day along with evening hors d' oeuvres and cocktails for purchase. The lounge offered a more secluded and tranquil environment compared with the hotel’s public areas and the staff were very attentive and provided excellent service, ensuring that we were well looked after.
With only one night at the hotel, we were anxious to thoroughly investigate the property, so we decided to visit The Victor on the sixth floor. It’s the Parq Vancouver’s rooftop restaurant, which featured a seasonally inspired menu highlighting Pacific Northwest seafood and specialty steaks. An added bonus for us was enjoying the Wednesday performance titled Supper Club by the Agency Singers. This Vancouver-based female vocal trio is known for their vintage-style performances, blending jazz, swing, and ragtime with modern music. They are recognized for their harmonies, character, and style, and performed in long gowns in a glamorous and fun way. We enjoyed our visit to The Victor Restaurant. In fact, we lasted until 10:00 PM Pacific time before returning to our rooms for a well-deserved good night’s sleep.
Thursday morning found me outside the Executive Lounge around 6:15 to grab some coffee to take back to our room, but the entrance was locked until the official 6:30 opening time. There were seven of us waiting in the hallway and when we were granted entry, I noticed the lounge had a very nice spread that included Juices, Teas, Coffees, Breakfast Pastries and Breads, Fruit, Yogurt and Cereals. Chafing Dishes along the buffet held Scrambled Eggs, French Toast, Chicken Sausage, Pork Bacon, and Breakfast Potatoes. It all looked delicious, but we had committed to joining our friends for breakfast later that morning back in the Honey Salt Restaurant on the Lobby Level to take advantage of the Amex Fine Hotel & Resorts Breakfast benefit. Again, the service was ridiculously slow, but my Eggs Benedict with Spinach, Bacon and Hollandaise Sauce was very tasty, and I also enjoyed a few cups of Decaf Cappuccino. We took another walk along the inlet in the sunshine and noted that it was a popular place for the locals to jog and walk their dogs for some exercise. By 1:15 we were checked out of the hotel and on the Garage Level for the short taxi ride to the ship.
Canada Place in Vancouver is a prominent waterfront complex known for its distinctive architecture, cruise ship terminal and convention center. It’s a major city landmark and a hub for tourism, cultural events and stunning city views. As we soon discovered, Canada Place is the busiest cruise ship terminal in Canada, particularly during the Alaskan cruise season. The check-in procedure was SO long. We went up and down numerous stairways and traversed multiple corridors before passing through US Passport Control. The lengthy process was heightened as the terminal personnel requested passengers participate in a time-trail test, if you will. We were given a card with station checks and as we passed each station, a volunteer would enter the time. I thought this was a great idea as they certainly needed to lessen the time required for check-in. Interestingly, Silversea’s Silver Moon was berthed right next to the Silver Nova, but we had to walk the entire length of that ship before finally boarding and accepting our welcome glasses of champagne!
The Silver Nova is a luxury cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises and is known for its sustainable design and focus on destination immersion. It was the first in Silversea's new Evolution-Class and features a hybrid propulsion system aiming for reduced environmental impact. The system uses a combination of liquefied natural gas (LNG), fuel cells, and batteries to minimize emissions. It can even operate emission-free while in port. The ship accommodates 728 passengers and boasts a high passenger-to-guest ratio, with spacious suites, multiple dining options, and various onboard amenities. Our 530 square-foot Medallion Suite was located on Deck 9. It was luxurious and spacious, featuring a generous living area, large private veranda and a separate king bedroom with a custom-made mattress and ample closet space. The marble bathroom was equipped with a double vanity, numerous drawers, a spacious bathtub and a separate shower. The suite came with two large screen interactive TVs along with a Bose sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, and an Illy espresso machine. As with all Silversea accommodations, we enjoyed butler service that even included assistance with unpacking and packing, if so desired, as well as shoe polishing and 24-hour in-suite dining. Silversea's all-inclusive fare covered premium wines and spirits, gourmet cuisine, in-suite dining, butler service, and all gratuities.
I’ve got so much more to share with you. I’ll tell you all about our adventures aboard the Silver Nova in a future post.
Until next time…safe travels.
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The fiv
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