Our Story
Where dreams took root and tradition found its home
Back in 2008, Elena Quinthyros stood on this very corner of West Georgia Street with nothing but a worn notebook and what some folks called an "impossible dream." She'd spent twenty years traveling the world, staying in everything from monasteries in Tibet to palaces in Morocco, and she kept thinking - why can't we have a place that honors the old world's soul while embracing what makes us comfortable today?
The building you see today wasn't always this grand. Actually, it was a near-abandoned heritage structure that most developers wanted to tear down. But Elena saw something different - she saw bones that told stories, architectural details that whispered of craftsmanship we've nearly lost, and potential that just needed the right touch.
Every great place has its twists and turns - here's ours
Elena found the building during a rainy October morning walk. Most saw decay, she saw potential. Took her three months just to convince the owner to even discuss selling. The guy thought she was nuts, honestly.
After two years of permits, meetings, and more red tape than you'd believe, restoration finally began. We brought in craftspeople who actually remembered how to work with heritage materials. Some of them came out of retirement just for this project - said they couldn't resist being part of something real.
Not gonna sugarcoat it - we hit a wall. Literally found structural issues that nobody anticipated, and funding got tight. Elena nearly lost everything. But the community rallied, investors who believed in the vision stepped up, and somehow we pushed through. Those were some long nights.
We opened our doors to the first guests in May. Just twelve rooms at first while we finished the upper floors. Those early guests became like family - they watched us grow, gave feedback, and some still come back every year. They're the real MVPs of this story.
Grand opening with all rooms, the spa, restaurant, and event spaces complete. The Vancouver heritage society gave us an award that made Elena cry (happy tears, obviously). Critics who'd been skeptical suddenly called it "visionary." We just called it home.
Named one of Canada's top boutique hotels. Added the wellness center after guests kept asking for more holistic services. Turned out people really did want that blend of ancient wisdom and modern comfort Elena had envisioned all along.
We're still here, still evolving, still holding onto what makes us special while staying relevant. Elena's daughter Sofia joined the team last year, bringing fresh ideas while respecting the foundation. The story continues, and honestly, we think the best chapters are still being written.
"I've never been good at doing things the easy way. When I first told people I wanted to save this building and turn it into a hotel that honored craftsmanship, tradition, and wellness all at once, they looked at me like I'd lost my mind. Maybe I had. But sometimes the crazy ideas are the ones worth chasing."
Elena grew up in a family of artisans - her grandfather was a stonemason, her mother a textile artist. She learned early that things made with care and intention carry a different energy. After years in the corporate hotel world, she got tired of places that felt like they could be anywhere, look like anything, mean nothing.
These days you'll find her walking the halls every morning with her coffee, chatting with guests, checking in with staff, making sure the place still feels alive. She's convinced that hotels should have souls, and she's spent fifteen years proving it's possible.
Years of Excellence
Thoughtfully Designed Rooms
Dedicated Team Members
Happy Guests & Counting
No corporate speak here - just what guides us every day
If something's worth doing, it's worth doing right. We'd rather take longer and create something lasting than rush through and make garbage.
Rules have their place, but humans aren't robots. Our team's empowered to make judgment calls that put genuine care first.
We're part of this community and this planet. That means supporting local artisans, minimizing waste, and actually giving a damn about our impact.
We're not stuck in the past, but we won't abandon what makes us special just to chase trends. Growth should enhance, not erase.
Every guest adds to our story. Some stay a night, some come back for years. Either way, you become part of what makes this place alive. We'd love to have you.