Vancouver may come off as all Lulu and laid-back lifestyle, but this coastal city nestled between the sea and sky does have a glamourous side. Great food, entertainment and glitzy night scenes can be found in the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district, at Parq Vancouver.

My gal pal and I are checking in for a weekend escape. Rolling our luggage past the valet, I look up, struck by the size of the complex. There’s nothing like it anywhere else in the city.

Opened in 2017, Parq Vancouver and its shiny copper-toned glazing reflects downtown’s tall towers and the mountains beyond. Parq is a small city-state, with two hotels, five restaurants and three lounges, casino, fitness centre and spa. It’s located in the city’s downtown Yaletown neighbourhood, steps from the CanadaLine station, BC Place Stadium, and close to historic Chinatown.

It has everything a girl and her BFF or significant other could need for a long weekend of culinary tastings, wellness experiences and pampering. Maybe even a few games of poker.

We check into The Douglas Autograph Collection Hotel, one of two hotels at Parq. The boutique property has brought the outdoors in, with a large Douglas Fir log serving as the reception desk and cosy wooden paneling and plaid accents throughout.

The Douglas was recently awarded a coveted Michelin star, one of eight given out to Vancouver hotels. In addition to having the most Instagrammable elevator in the city, the hotel’s D6 Bar is a hot spot of nightlife with a fantastic outdoor patio that comes alive on summer evenings. 

We sip D6’s signature Douglas Fir Gin Cocktail and people watch before heading to dinner at The Victor, Parq’s fine dining restaurant.

Inspired by the bounty of the Pacific Northwest and reflecting Vancouver’s cultural diversity, The Victor features sushi, seafood, and a meat lover’s choice of steak, alongside decadent comfort dishes like mac and cheese waffles and stacks of onion rings. We sample a bit of everything and finish with light-as-air crème brulee donuts crowned in maple cotton candy.

Luckily, the 24-hour fitness centre located in the JW Marriott Hotel tower is accessible to all Parq hotel guests. We pop in for a morning run before heading down to breakfast at in-house bistro, Honey Salt.

We slide into a green velvet booth and enjoy oat milk lattes while reviewing the extensive breakfast menu. There’s everything from light starters of yoghurt and granola to pancake stacks and eggs Benedict. I choose a light frittata and note there’s a full brunch on weekends, including Brookie cookies, an irresistible combination of brownie and cookie. It’s a good thing we packed our stretchy pants.

Nothing says girlfriend getaway more than booking self-care sessions. We don comfy robes and head to the Spa by JW on the 17th floor to choose from a selection of body treatments like massage, facials and mani-pedis. My airy treatment room overlooks downtown Vancouver; my friend enjoys a pedicure with scenic views of False Creek. 

We could get used to this kind of pampering. I relax on the table as the masseuse gets to work, grateful to enjoy a taste of the glamourous life on the edge of the Pacific.