OPUS Vancouver

Rooms and decor

OPUS Vancouver opened in 2002 at 322 Davie Street in the heart of Yaletown, in a 7-storey building by Robert Lemon Architect — Vancouver's first boutique hotel built around personality design. There are just 96 rooms, split across 5 personalities (Bill/Susan/Mike/Pierre/Dede), each styled to its character: Bill in red for the sociable extrovert, Susan in purple for the romantic, Mike in blue for the quiet introvert, Pierre in green for the adventurous, Dede in orange for the creative. Rooms start at a 28 sqm Standard — smaller than the 4-star norm — and run up to the 110 sqm OPUS Penthouse. Every room gets a spa bathroom with a heated floor, soaking tub, separate rain shower and Aveda products, plus Hypnos beds from the UK, fast Wi-Fi, a 50-inch Smart TV and a Nespresso machine. Real reviews on Trip.com (9.1/10) and Booking (9.0) mostly praise the bright design, the unstuffy mood and the upscale bathrooms.

Food and amenities

The heart of OPUS is Capo Italian, the main restaurant that opened in 2019 — wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta from chef Jefferson Alvarez, with a Sunday Brunch at CA$45 a person that's the most talked-about in Yaletown. The Spritz cocktail bar pours Italian aperitivo drinks (Aperol Spritz, Negroni) from 16:00 to 01:00 daily, and the lobby bar does afternoon tea at CA$45 a person. Free electric bikes are there for guests — cross Cambie Bridge to Granville Island in 15 minutes, or ride the 10 km False Creek seawall. There's a free fitness pass to a nearby gym and no pool of its own, though you can use the Yaletown Community Centre close by. The concierge also runs a free 1-hour neighbourhood tour of Yaletown daily. Overall score: 9.0/10.

Location and getting there

OPUS sits at 322 Davie Street in the heart of Yaletown, Vancouver's best-known restaurant and nightlife district. Yaletown-Roundhouse SkyTrain is a 2-minute walk, which puts BC Place 1 stop away (5 minutes, at Stadium-Chinatown). The Canada Line from YVR runs 25 minutes (CA$9.45) and drops you at Yaletown. David Lam Park is a 5-minute walk, and Granville Island is a 5-minute ferry from the Yaletown dock or a 15-minute ride on the electric bikes. Stanley Park is SkyTrain plus a 15-minute walk, and YVR International Airport is 13 km out, a 25-minute drive — Uber runs CA$45-55, or take the Canada Line, which is easiest.

Things to know before booking

Some honest notes to help you decide. First, the entry-level rooms are small at around 28 sqm — tighter than the downtown 4-star norm; if you want space, the Junior Suite (40 sqm) adds about CA$100-150 a night. Second, the lobby catches bar noise in the evening: The Spritz runs until 01:00 and Capo is busy every night, so ask for a high floor (5+) facing into the building to stay clear of it. Third, there's no pool — if you want to swim, look at Westin Bayshore or Pacific Rim; OPUS gives you a free pass to a nearby gym instead. Fourth, parking is CA$45 a night and valet only, so if you're driving, EasyPark Yaletown at CA$25 a night is a 3-minute walk away.

Our take

OPUS Vancouver is the most well-judged pick for boutique design in Yaletown — bringing together pop-art across 5 personalities you won't find anywhere else, a spa bathroom with a heated floor in every room, free electric bikes out to Granville Island, and SkyTrain to BC Place just 1 stop away. It's good value starting around $270 a night. If the trip in your head is a couple of working foodies who want to eat and drink their way through Yaletown, a creative designer type, or someone heading to a game or concert at BC Place on a 4-star budget, this is the answer that fits best. But if you're after white-glove service or a hotel pool, Pacific Rim or Westin Bayshore will suit you better. Overall we give it 9.0/10 — best for working couples and foodies who want Yaletown at the door, and designers who like a boutique with real character.