The hotel's rooftop bar is a hit among both travellers and locals.


Where: 833 West Pender Street, Vancouver
The verdict: Affordable, stylish rooms right in the middle of the big smoke.
How much: From 380 per room, per night
Explore more: azurhotelvancouver.com
A defunct clothing store in Downtown Vancouver was razed to make way for Azur Legacy Hotel, which opened in September 2023. The 14-storey property is owned and operated by the Sayani family, which owns 17 other hotels in the country - meaning, when you check in to this boutique 104-room address, you're in the hands of true-blue Canadian hospitality and not some ubiquitous hotel chain.
You can't ask for a better location. Azur is just 10 minutes' walk to some of the city's top attractions, including Canada Place, Vancouver Harbour and the historic neighbourhood of Gastown.

Part of the Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio and designed in the art deco style, Azur dials up the wow factor from the get-go. Chandeliers, brass accents and carpets with bold prints set the scene in the lobby, which incorporates the glamorous Dahlia Restaurant & Bar, giving the open-plan space a lively atmosphere. Lots of gleaming stone, big mirrors and large, eye-catching artworks keep the stylish yesteryear theme alive upstairs in the guest rooms.

I'm staying in room number 1304 - the Tanzanite Luxury Tub King Room on the 13th floor. At 29 square metres, it's not overly large, but it has everything I need: a king-sized bed, a work desk, a massive TV with Chromecast, a Nespresso machine and a galley robe that leads to a very glamorous black-marble ensuite with L'Occitane amenities, twin sinks, a deep standalone bathtub, a rain shower and - the ultimate luxury - heated floors. Motorised blinds open to reveal city views. I'm surrounded by other downtown high-rises, but the room still feels private. The best thing? The hotel is set on a compact block, which means your room is never too far from the elevator.

I didn't get a chance to check Dahlia Restaurant & Bar - too many places, not enough time. But there was no way I was going to miss Lavantine Rooftop Restaurant & Skybar, located on the top (14th) floor of the hotel. Due to local laws that prohibit restaurateurs from opening rooftop bars unless they have a significant investment in the host building, there are not too many rooftop hangout zones in Vancouver, which makes Lavantine a rarity in a city known for gobsmacking views. A retractable glass ceiling makes Lavantine weather-proof year-round. During my visit in September, the weather was perfect - the sky was clear, the breeze balmy. The food was just as memorable - hummus topped with crisp chickpeas, and kibbeh bursting with beef and mozzarella for starters; followed by lamb shank tagine and tiger prawns with jalapeno-coconut sauce for mains. But the best part of the restaurant was the atmosphere. Even though it was a weeknight, the place was heaving with locals (mostly young professionals working in the CBD), which is always a good sign.
Guests get complimentary access to YWCA Health and Fitness club, with a gym and a pool, across the road. For everything else, the best of Vancouver is right out the door. And if you want to go further afield, the hotel also offers complimentary car service within the Downtown area to all guests - and not just the ones in the top suites.
The rooftop bar and restaurant. Book a table even if you're not staying at the hotel.
The writer was a guest of the hotel

Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.
My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.
Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.
My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.




