Our Story
Where Ancient Mystique Meets Modern Elegance
It all started when the Runeshroud family landed in Vancouver with nothing but a vision and some old-world recipes. They weren't just building a hotel - they wanted to create something that felt like you'd stepped through a portal into another era. The cornerstone they laid? Still there, hidden behind the concierge desk if you ask nicely.
Prohibition was happening south of the border, but we won't talk too much about those secret passages. Let's just say our cocktail lounge has some pretty interesting history, and yeah, those aren't decorative doors in the basement. This era brought jazz musicians, writers, and folks who appreciated the finer things.
We almost didn't make it through the '60s. The family debated selling, but Eleanor Runeshroud - she was fierce - convinced everyone to renovate instead. She brought in architects who understood that you could add modern comforts without gutting the soul of a place. The spa? That was her idea, way ahead of its time.
We spent two years digging through archives, finding original blueprints, and tracking down craftspeople who still knew how to work with century-old techniques. Every piece of crown molding got restored by hand. We even found the original stained glass windows in a warehouse - can you believe it? They're back where they belong now.
We're still family-operated, still obsessed with the details. The fourth generation Runeshrouds walk these halls daily, and honestly, they'll probably stop you in the lobby to chat about the antique chandelier or ask how your stay's going. That's just how we roll here.
Look, we're not gonna feed you the usual "commitment to excellence" spiel. Here's the real deal - we've got this incredible building that's seen over a century of stories, and we think that matters.
Every suite's got its own personality. Room 412 has the original fireplace from 1892. Suite 701 has that crazy view where you can see the mountains AND the city. We don't do cookie-cutter - each space tells you something about the building's past while keeping you comfortable with everything modern you'd expect.
Our chef trained in Paris but grew up in Vancouver, so yeah, the menu's interesting. The dining room's got this vaulted ceiling from the original design - it's pretty stunning when you're trying to decide between the duck confit and the wild salmon. And the lounge? Come for happy hour, stay because you found those secret passages we mentioned earlier.
Eleanor's 1967 brainchild has evolved into something special. We've got therapists who actually listen when you say your left shoulder's been acting up. The steam room uses the building's original heating system - updated for safety, obviously - but there's something about those old pipes that just hits different.
We've hosted everything from corporate takeovers to intimate weddings. The grand ballroom's got original hardwood floors that we refinish by hand every few years. Your presentations look better with hand-carved moldings in the background - trust us on this.
We've got doormen who've been here 30 years and can tell you which guest room is haunted (spoiler: it's not, but the story's fun). Our concierge team knows Vancouver like they built it themselves - because some of their families kinda did. When you call down for room service at 2am, you're probably talking to Marcus, and yeah, he'll judge your late-night food choices, but he'll still bring it up with a smile.
West Georgia Street isn't just an address - it's kinda the heartbeat of downtown Vancouver. We're close enough to everything that matters but tucked away enough that you won't hear street noise at night. Stanley Park's a fifteen-minute walk, the business district's right there, and the harbor views from our upper floors? Yeah, they're worth it.
We're not trying to be the biggest or the flashiest hotel in Vancouver. We're just really into what we do - preserving this piece of history while making sure you've got fast WiFi and a comfortable bed. The building's got stories, we've got the hospitality down to a science, and honestly, we think that combination's pretty hard to beat.
Come see what 130+ years of learning how to treat guests right looks like. We've had some practice.
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