Once the shining star among Vancouver hotels, this European-style boutique hotel has been eclipsed in recent years by some of the newer properties. Expect that to change in 2014, though, as the hotel replaces its tired Fleuri restaurant with the exciting new Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar, which will feature some of the top culinary talent in the city. The hotel is still luxurious and comfortable, with attentive service and all the amenities. Its outside may look bland and corporate, but step inside and you’ll find a bright lobby with marble floors, chandeliers, and French-style furniture. That esthetic extends to the guest rooms with their regency-stripe wallpaper, brocade wingback chairs, and botanical prints. The clubby Gerard Lounge is still one of the city’s favorite hangouts, especially for lawyers from the nearby Law Courts. There’s also an exceptional European-style health club and spa, with a big heated pool and sun deck, as well as a tower of apartments for long-stay guests.