Subtly Asian as behooves Vancouver’s location facing west, not to mention the brand’s Hong Kong roots, the distinguished Shangri-La Vancouver draws gravitas from its placement between mountain and sea. Lording over the city’s top shopping streets, it was designed by Vancouver-based architect James Cheng to soar 646 ft toward the sky with arresting results. You’ll feel its power in the Orchid Balcony Suite, the hotel’s 1,395-sq-ft premier hideaway. The only unit at the hotel with an enclosed kitchen awash in amenities (full-size fridge, Nespresso espresso maker, stove, dishwasher and more), the elegant sanctuary has room for three, but it could also be a romantic bolthole a deux or solo nook for one writer trying to finish that elusive next novel.