Rosewood Hotel Georgia Vancouver

10 years ago, well before starting this blog, I worked in Vancouver as an actor and spent between 4 and 6 weeks in the city.  It was around this time that the Hotel Georgia, originally built in 1927, reopened under the Rosewood moniker and gained the reputation as one of the best in the city. Ever since then I’ve wanted to stay at the historic property and this past week, when I returned to Vancouver I took the opportunity.

I booked the Rosewood Hotel Georgia using American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts which triggered my Amex Platinum $200 hotel credit and made for a great 1 night stay. Let’s take a look at the property, how the credit works, and all the benefits included in our stay.

Stay Details:

• When: December 2021
• Where: Vancouver
• Rate: $325 + tax
• Room: Superior
• Upgrade: not really
• Benefits: See Below

Location:

The location is superb, located across the street from Vancouver Art Gallery and within walking distance to numerous shops and sites. If you’re looking to walk down to the harbor, you’ll find it to be roughly 5 to 10 minutes. Stanley Park is 15 to 20 minute walk. It’s a fantastic part of town.

Booking with American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts

Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts is an outstanding cardmember benefit that provides a litany of benefits when booking via the program.

Cards that qualify:

• American Express Platinum
• American Express Business Platinum
• American Express Centurion and Business Centurion

Benefits included at the Hotel Georgia:

Upon arrival we received a letter that outlined the following benefits:

• Noon check-in when available
  • We were able to check in at 1130
• Room upgrade
  • We were still in a superior room but given a different distinction like preferred, but at the end of the day we overlooked the courtyard and were next to the elevator
• Daily Breakfast
  • We received a $30 USD credit per person
• 4pm late checkout
• $100 USD Property Credit

Triggering the $200 Hotel Credit via Amex Platinum

One of the benefits of the Amex Platinum card is the $200 Hotel credit which can be triggered via Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection. This requires an advanced booking via Amex FHR portal or calling to book.

The total for the hotel was $408 for a single night and this knocked that down to $208 and populated the day after.

Check In and First Impression

We entered via Georgia Street next to the Hawksworth restaurant. My immediate impression was that we were in for an old school, dark wood, refined 5 star experience. I love hotels like this and couldn’t have been more pleased to feel the hotel’s vibes.  This is distinctly a 5 star hotel, and there was this little hiccup that I’d note.

While I’m very much a carry my own bag to my room sort of guy, there isn’t a ramp and the doorman wasn’t stationed on Georgia street when we arrived. My wife had been in the city for a month working, and we were carrying quite a few bags.  It kind of meant struggling with several bags through the entrance while people queued to get into the restaurant. This isn’t the sort of thing that bothers me a great deal, but if you enter via this entrance just be prepared to carry your own bags down a few stairs and into the lobby.

The first thing you’ll notice is the dark wood, gold trim, and enormous chandalier.

The public spaces were beautifully decorated for Christmas and achieve the essence of being both grand and intimate concurrently.

Check was swift, we were given a rundown of the benefits, a welcome pack, etc. One thing to note: The two restaurants on Georgia street are 3rd party and don’t trigger the $100 credit.

The Room:

We were in 718 overlooking a courtyard and the roof of the Reflections Terrace. Even with the proximity of the elevator the room was very quiet and offered modern amenities yet classic luxury. I was impressed – this hotel was renovated over 10 years ago and is in great shape.

Another thing to note: It seems to me that the hotel had recently updated their tvs and entertainment systems with easily accessed streaming features. We watched Netflix from our phone without any issues.

The Bedroom:

Small entrance hall which had a closet on the left with two terrycloth robes, slippers, and a safe

A fisheye view of the room which featured 2 windows. Plenty of light in the roughly 350 sq ft room

The Desk featured hidden outlets, a bose stereo and then Nespresso machine and a safe down the hall

At night we got turn down which was fantastic and a rare perk – water and sugar cookies came with:

Bathroom:

Who doesn’t love a bathroom dripping in marble? I thought the Hotel Georgia really killed this bathroom design. The focus was a massive soaker tub flanked by a large walk in rain shower and two vanities. The floors were even heated.

Plenty of Gilchrist and Soames bath products as well.

Dining:

As I mentioned up above, the $100 USD credit isn’t valid at Hawksworth or Bel Cafe so while they looked very nice, we ended up grabbing pre-dinner drinks at 1927 Lobby Lounge which I loved. The service during drinks and breakfast was impeccable.

A sidenote – you’ll need to show proof of vaccination at restaurant or dine inside venue.

1927 Lobby Lounge

This is also where breakfast is served. I ordered the Salmon Lox – they were incredible.

A look at the breakfast menu in CAD…note we received $60 USD and the full breakfast was comped on the bill. My wife ordered oatmeal, a smoothie, and a latte.

Reflections Terrace

One venue that I’d love to try out on another visit is Reflections Terrace located on the 4th floor. I loved how festive it looked.

Hawksworth – located on the main level off Georgia Street

Pool, Spa and fitness center

If you’re looking to use any of these amenities, you’ll need to make a reservation since there are capacity controls.

Overall

All in All we had a lovely time at the hotel, the service was impeccable, and I’d love to stay again in the future.  The Rosewood Hotel Georgia isn’t cheap tho, but…with the $200 Hotel credit included, we ended up accruing $360 in credits on a $408 room rate. Not too shabby.