The Loden Hotel

Rooms and decor

Picture a small boutique hotel of just 77 rooms in a sleek curved glass tower on Melville Street in the heart of Coal Harbour — that's The Loden Hotel. It opened in 2009 and carries itself as a luxury boutique that doesn't shout. The exterior reads modern and minimal, blending into a waterfront district full of upscale condos, while the rooms inside are done in warm contemporary tones — dark wood, earthy fabrics and tastefully chosen art. Rooms here run noticeably larger than the central-city boutique average, with soft, comfortable beds and a pillow menu to pick what suits you, handsome marble bathrooms, and big windows on many rooms that pull in light along with views of the city, the bay or the mountains north of town. Plenty of reviews praise the rooms as spotless and warm — more like a room in a home than a big chain hotel. Anyone who likes a private, quiet boutique feel should be very happy here.

Food and amenities

If this hotel has a beating heart, it's the staff service, the thing reviews praise hardest and most unanimously. Many guests describe staff who remember their names, greet them warmly and sweat the small details until you feel like a special guest. That level of care is what earned The Loden a Michelin Key two years running and the number-one ranking in Vancouver on Tripadvisor. The extras that make guests smile are the free in-city house car and bikes to borrow for a ride along the water. There's also a 24-hour fitness room for anyone who doesn't want to skip a workout, plus a small spa to unwind. Off the lobby sits Tableau Bar Bistro, a French restaurant with a warm Parisian-bistro feel that draws praise for both its made-to-order breakfast and dinner, and it's a popular gathering spot for the neighborhood. One more thing animal lovers appreciate: the hotel is pet-friendly, so you can bring a four-legged friend along with no worry.

Location and getting there

The Loden's location is another thing guests fall for. The hotel sits in the heart of Coal Harbour, one of the most upscale and quietest waterfront pockets of Vancouver. Step out the door to clean, orderly streets, upscale condos and the Seawall waterfront path that runs all the way to Stanley Park, the big seaside park that's a city highlight — about an 8-10 minute walk or ride along the water. The bay view, with seaplanes taking off and landing and the North Shore mountains as a backdrop, is the signature image of this neighborhood. Getting around is easy too: Burrard station on the Expo Line is roughly a 7-minute walk and runs you into the city core and on toward the airport, and the Robson Street shopping strip is just a few minutes on foot. If your idea of a trip is waking up to walk the water, sip a coffee and only occasionally ride into town, this location fits perfectly.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. First, The Loden is a small single-building boutique, so there's no swimming pool or the sprawling common areas of a big chain hotel. Anyone planning to cool off with a pool day or wanting full resort-style facilities may need to adjust their expectations. Second, the hidden costs that come with North American city-hotel territory — made-to-order breakfast, valet parking and a pet fee are usually charged separately from the room rate, so it's worth checking these clearly when you book to keep the final bill in budget. Third, the feel of Coal Harbour, which is very quiet — nights are fairly still and shops close early. Anyone after lively nightlife, pubs and bars, or restaurants within constant walking reach has to take a ride or walk farther out to Gastown or Robson Street, which aren't far but aren't right at the door. Overall these limits are more about the hotel's style than real flaws.

Our take

After our team read through hundreds of real reviews, The Loden Hotel is a luxury boutique that nails the mix of warm, friendly service, a Coal Harbour waterfront spot, and thoughtful extras — enough to take the number-one ranking in the city. If the trip in your head is staying in a small hotel where the staff know your name, waking up to ride a bike along the water to Stanley Park, calling the hotel house car to wander into town for free, then coming back for French dinner at Tableau, this is one of the warmest, most memorable choices in Vancouver. But if you're after a big full-service hotel with a swimming pool, grand common areas and nightlife at the door, this quiet boutique may not match your style. Overall we give it 9.0/10, best for couples, solo luxury travelers and business travelers who value friendly service and a waterfront atmosphere over the scale and grandeur of a larger hotel.