Drawing inspiration from a former era defined by the romance of rail travel, elaborate garments, and brocade fabrics, the luxurious Hotel Vancouver suites feature contemporary designs married with the hotel’s rich heritage.

To update the luxurious Fourteenth Floor Heritage Suites, the CHIL Interior Design team drew inspiration from a former era defined by the romance of travel, visiting monarchs, elaborate garments, brocade fabrics, and royal tapestries. The design commemorates the city’s monumental Royal Visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, who stayed at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver during its grand opening in 1939.

A Luxurious Hospitality Experience in the Heart of Vancouver
Restoring this heritage property required a meticulous and thoughtful approach. Traces of its prominent past as a premiere railway hotel can be found in simple details and elegant flourishes. It was imperative the design celebrate the property’s historical significance while selectively updating elements to their original grandeur to appeal to the sensibilities of today’s modern traveler.

The design vernacular is decidedly intricate, opulent, and sumptuous. Guests are immediately enchanted upon arrival at the refurbished elevator lobby, which features the gates originally used to secure the King’s and Queen’s quarters. Updates to the corridors include new carpeting and marble flooring, fresh wall coverings, restored millwork, and updated lighting fixtures.

“We wanted to capture the romanticism surrounding the luxury of travel and royal visits,” said Adèle Rankin, Principal and Design Lead at CHIL Interior Design. “The design language is rich, ornate, layered, and highly detailed – a one-of-a-kind experience that honours the hotel’s history and reputation.”

The floor’s two main master suites – the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite and the Royal Suite – are each uniquely distinct in their design aesthetics. Adorned in gilded and lacquered finishes, bespoke furniture, rich fabrics, layered carpets and wallcoverings, warm woods, and custom millwork, the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite borrows many of its design influences from Art Deco stylings. The art of entertaining is unmistakable in this suite, which was historically used for official meetings and social gatherings.

By contrast, the Royal Suite presents a lighter, regal, and classically contemporary atmosphere. A royal, saturated colour palette paired with opulent and sophisticated finishes provides the ultimate luxury hospitality experience for guests. Its spacious master bathroom is outfitted in marble, providing a tranquil spa-like experience and an area of respite from Vancouver’s kinetic energy.

Preserving a Cultural Treasure
Careful attention was paid to preserve the hotel’s extensive list of heirlooms which included: its guest room doors, made in 1939 of English harewood with bronze inset doorplates; the elaborate bronze hallway doors; the African Sapele wood-paneled walls of the elevator lobby accented with solid bronze inlay strips; and the English black walnut veneer-paneled walls of the Lt. Governor Suite originating from a single walnut tree and so skillfully matched that the same markings may be traced symmetrically around the entire room.

Expert craftsmen were brought in from Quebec to reside on the property while they meticulously restored the rooms, creating seamless transitions between old and new. Their craftsmanship extends so far as to recreate heritage architectural elements such as the elegant crown mouldings that were found in the Royal Suite bedroom but not the master ensuite bathroom.

“The Fourteenth Floor is the foundation of Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s identity, and holds great historical significance both for the hotel and the city of Vancouver,” comments Adam Laker, General Manager, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. “CHIL Interior Design was able to retain the character of the suites while infusing modern amenities, giving the feeling of travelling between past and present. Hotels aren’t built like this anymore and we are proud to have invested in our ongoing legacy.”