WTF, You Deserve A Staycation in Downtown Vancouver!

It all started with Book Lovers by Emily Henry…

But instead of identifying with the driven, cut-throat, city girl protagonist like I usually do, I was more of a Libby Stephens, the protagonist's fun-loving, pregnant sister.

Long story short, the Stephen sisters embark on a trip to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina much like what my sister and I did: go on a sisterly trip…

to Downtown Vancouver.

Before your jaw drops from the sheer exoticness of this experience, simply spurred on by a romance novel, let me break it down for you.

I used to think that spending money on a Vancouver Staycation was pointless. I live 20-minutes away from Vancouver’s downtown core. I can just go back home to the luxuriously, chill nest I’ve built with WTF Hubby, make a gin cocktail, and slip into a soaker tub of bubbles. Why do I need a hotel?

Then I became a Mom, and I understood.

I understood the teeter-tottering between needing a break from:
-rubber ducks popping my bath bubbles
-speed showers to the cacophony of baby cries
-ew, meal planning
-interrupted sleep
-letting my baby know that she’s not a skilled masseuse. She’s actually a skilled martial artist, kicking and headbutting my body all night long.

I also understood not wanting to be far in case of:
-an emergency and my baby needs me
-missing my baby so much that I need an escape from my escape! Let’s face it, my little human is pretty cool, which was why my sister had to talk me out of taking the baby to the hotel with us.

Sorry it came to that, sis.

View overlooking Hotel Blu’s front lobby. They’re ready for Love Day!

It’s Like You Woke Up and Chose Chaos!

Words uttered by my own sister during our staycation!

What can I say? I’m a novelty-seeker. Too much time in comfort zones cause me discomfort. Which was probably why I checked into Hotel BLU around 6pm, completely out of breath.

Check-in was at 4pm, friends.

Turns out, wrestling your baby into a car seat that she has declared to be public enemy number one takes time. Some days she’ll sit in it and chum it up. That staycation day was not one of them.

I looked at the two glass infuser jars, dripping with condensation in the lobby’s warm ever glow, and peeled my eyes back to the front desk.

Look at that aquarium!

Entertaining the possibility that I was a caffeinated shark in my past life, because I chose Hotel BLU for the pool and in-room Nespresso machine. You can’t and nor should you ever, take a Mom away from her coffee.

Welcome home is right! Unwinding with an iced Volluto Decaffeinato? Say no more!

Sister Telepathy Strikes Again!

This time, in Hotel BLU’s high-ceiling lobby. My sister turned to me and said, "I’m getting water!" She speculated between the fruit-infused, iced-waters across from the front desk area and gets my choice right. The Gala apples nestled between the infuser jars got our attention, so we each took one up to our room…

… where they sadly laid, forgotten in my bag.

One of the first things we see inside our room

Chupa Chups?! Is Hotel BLU taking me on a nostalgic ride? Did anyone else eat a bunch of these Chupa Chups lollipops to collect Spice Girls stickers in the 90’s?!

Welcome to Hotel BLU

I embarrassingly didn’t read this Hotel BLU card until the next day. It’s a classy touch to an already efficient and friendly check-in process. If lying next to a couple of lollipops wasn’t sweet enough, this card sweetened things up further by containing discounts to nearby establishments (top inside card panel, not shown)!

Inside Our Deluxe King Room

Lollipops aside, let’s look inside our deluxe king room!

This 300-square-foot marvel packed a punch with contemporary flair and eco-conscious features that made my inner minimalist swoon!

Our door swung open into this hallway. You can catch a glimpse of the bench my sister laid claim to and the closet, which housed our coats, extra pillows, robes, slippers, and a safe, stealthily tucked within - because even a tiny haven like this deserves proper security, right?

Not going to lie… I was a little obssessed with the bathroom

It was separated from the sleeping area by a chic glass wall, privacy shades included, of course. Love, love, love this design feature!

Truly a layout that made TV-watching easy for whoever is in the shower, but at the risk of your roomie watching you shower as if you were a TV show. This wasn’t our intention, so the shades stayed closed for the duration of our stay.

Nothing screams quiet luxury like a rainfall shower… unless it’s a rainfall shower paired with luxury skincare products! They’re pretty much bathroom besties.

Hotel BLU offers ELEMIS, a British skincare brand with over 30 years of research and commitment to skin health. I noticed a difference right away, after using the Revitalise-Me Hand and Body Lotion!

Offering their indulgent shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, hand wash, and body lotion in larger-sized bottles, instead of the typical minis, speaks to the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.

Below the flat-screen TV, you’ll find things that illustrate the extent of my culinary prowess:
- the Nespresso machine (Do I live on coffee? yes)
- kettle (for making tea or scalding the common enemy - germs)
- glass water bottle and ice bucket (super handy when you need water or ice from the machine located on every floor!)
- all the cups I have loved before (WTF Hubby hates all my cups at home hahah)
- microwave (bless)
- mini fridge (to house Uber Eats leftovers)

Because we were celebrating my birthday for the hundredth time, the microwave and fridge got the night off.

With the city's vibrant energy just beyond Hotel BLU’s doors at Robson and Cambie street, we were free to experience a carefree evening of entertainment, fine dining, and exploration, soaking in the bustling atmosphere before coming back to the comfort of our retreat.

Here are pictures from our dinner that you didn’t ask for.

Imagine stepping out of the shower and into a fresh hotel towel, wrapping yourself in this woven robe, and sliding your feet into the embrace of cozy slippers… and having your nose holes caressed by Fern & Petal’s natural essential oil blends.

Elevating my staycation ensemble in this robe!

Sadly, Hotel BLU ran into an aroma-ergency and didn't have enough diffusers to go around, so I can’t give my two scents about their complimentary in-room aromatherapy program. Perhaps next time, the air will be filled with the sweet smell of success.

Closing Time, One Last Call For A Dip in The Pool

After our chilly, after-dinner walk, a lazy soak in the hot tub was such a treat!

One massage via whirlpool jets coming up!

10 PM Pool Time Magic Hour

Free from the daytime bustle, the hot tub and pool were ours to command. Seeking solace in the hot tub, the massage of the jets was a welcome respite from my daughter’s nightly headbutts. A daring move into the pool at first proved chilly, but that changed after a round of “volleyball”.

The sauna (located to the left of the pool), a testament to the allure of late-night relaxation, was a growing hub until the clock struck 11.

Productivity, Rest, and Rejuvenation at Hotel BLU's Second Floor Amenities

Our nighttime dip brought us a sense of deep calm, as we slipped back into our robes to make the short trek back to our room from the second floor at Hotel BLU.

I noped my way past the fitness centre with its treadmills, elliptical machines, and yoga mats (“Is that a Peleton?!” My sister was impressed) and into an area that housed a vending machine, ice machine, and laundry machine.

Fighting off the siren call of the vending machine snacks was no small feat, but I was distracted by the 24-hour business center, which was equipped with a copier, printer, and comfy seating area. With a fresh Nespresso in hand and crisp apples by your side, powering through work can actually be satisfying. I wouldn’t mind writing my novel in this room!

HoteL BLU's second floor is really where convenience and creature comforts meet.

And because lounging is an art form, Hotel BLU has carved out a space for a chaise, ensuring you can recline in style. I prefer nooks like these, because it ensures I’m not falling asleep while writing.

Next up on the staycation saga, choosing between my writing or indulging in some much-needed rest. As if striving for that elusive "me time" wasn’t enough of a conundrum! Sigh.

After juggling calls to WTF Hubby, navigating the ice machine escapade (don’t ask), and showering until I pruned, all roads led to the irresistible pull of guilty pleasure TV shows. The writing ambitions took a rain check, but hey, I couldn’t resist TV time!

I might have missed the mark on packing efficiently, but there's no such thing as too many face masks… Right?

Thoroughly relaxed with my chosen face mask, my sister told me I was powerful and rolled off to the side to sleep around 1AM. It was close to 3 before I fell asleep.

In a nutshell, this 4-star urban escape is where contemporary design meets eco-friendly sensibility. Some might call it "stupid" to stay put, but I call it a stroke of genius. Picture this: you wake up in a luxurious hotel, step outside, and you're instantly surrounded by a vibrant urban playground, shops, ambient cafes, and sumptuous cuisine at nearby hotspots - all without the hassle of long flights or passport drama.

So go ahead, indulge in a night of pure comfort on your next staycation in downtown Vancouver.

Hotel BLU
177 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2A8
(604) 620-6200
www.hotelbluvancouver.com