Drinks

Enjoy a Holiday Lounge Crawl at these Fine Vancouver Hotels

There's no place like these local hotels for the holidays when you need a little Christmas cheer

By Dawn Chubai /

Credit: Flickr / Pimthida

Hotels for the Holidays

You don’t need to travel to the North Pole to find the festive spirit. Whether you’re looking for a cosy venue with carols, or somewhere to sip a few Christmas-y cocktails, these Vancouver hotels have plenty to offer this holiday season.



Credit: Bacchus at the Wedgewood Hotel

Bacchus at the Wedgewood Hotel

The Wedgewood brings a discrete and elegant European-holiday vibe to their decor. Admire the hand-picked ornaments and decorations that have travelled from Paris, London and Venice with owner Eleni Skalbania while enjoying one of their many holiday-inspired cocktails. The Festive Negroni will inspire you to sing along with the lunchtime carollers and nightly music.



Credit: Shangri-La Vancouver

1,001 Nights at Shangri-La

1,001 Nights, a resurgence of the Islamic Golden Age, will emerge at the Shangri-la Hotel this season. Much like the Arabian folk tales themselves, 1,001 Nights at Shangri-La combines elements from the Middle and Far East. Guests can share a traditional mezze, sip spicy and sweet cocktails, and enjoy music and entertainment in Xi Shi Lounge well into the New Year.



Credit: Hawksworth Restaurant

Hawksworth Cocktail Bar, Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Hawksworth Cocktail Bar gets into the holiday spirit with the addition of sparkling white and silver decorations to the already elegant decor and eye-catching artwork. Nibbles by Canada’s Chef of the Year David Hawksworth complement the expertly crafted cocktails that run the gamut from the pre-Prohibition era to modern day. The “Shotgun Wedding” cocktail, dusted with gold flakes, is perfect on a long winter’s night.



Credit: OPUS Hotel

OPUS Bar at the OPUS Hotel

Yaletown’s super-stylish OPUS bar gets Christmas chic with silver stars dangling from the ceilings and shimmering pink wreaths decorating the walls. Handcrafted cocktails lead the way with tonics and ginger beer bottled in-house alongside house-made, barrel-aged drinks. Want to end up on Santa’s “nice” list? Save him some dinner from La Pentola della Quercia.



Credit: The Gerard Lounge

Gerard at Sutton Place Hotel

A busy day shopping on Robson calls for some holiday cheer! Come through the hotel entrance and peruse professionally decorated trees for the “Home for the Holidays” fundraising event, then make your way to the Gerard Lounge. The classic bar is sure to make the season bright with its many festive cocktails, including the Poinsettia and Winter Wonderland Martinis.


Dawn Chubai is a host on Breakfast Television and an award-winning jazz vocalist. Look for Dawn’s newest CD Under the Covers in January!