First Look: Azur Legacy Collection Hotel

Nestled among the highrises at the corner of West Pender and Howe in downtown Vancouver, a former clothing store has reemerged as the Azur Legacy Collection Hotel, the debut of a new hotel portfolio.

Taking inspiration from art deco and shades of blue, the hotel’s owners, mother-daughter team Farida and Sofia Sayani, worked with Vancouver-based architect Shoghig Tutunjian of Studio One Architecture and Judy Henderson of Inside Design Studio on the interior.

The intimate lobby with black-and-white marble flooring, curved sofas, and a floor-to-ceiling copper wall panel surrounding a gas fireplace contrasts with the lobby restaurant/bar, Dahlia, which embraces shades of blue from its walls to the curved chairs in the dining area and the bar stools, and is lit by an oversized chandelier. With a menu influenced by British Columbia’s seasonal ingredients and French Riviera cuisine, Dahlia also offers an enviable collection of rare whiskys, cognacs, and scotches. In warmer months, there is a streetside terrace, and opening in spring 2024, Lavantine, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant/lounge with indoor and outdoor space featuring lush greenery and a fountain, will serve cuisine inspired by the flavours of the Middle East.

In the rest of the hotel, opulent touches abound, such as blue-suede panels and marble in the elevators, satin-brass accents, and hallways featuring elegant silk wallcoverings and patterned rugs designed by the owners. The hotel’s extensive art collection, also chosen by the owners, is on display in the corridors as well as in the property’s 104 rooms, suites, and penthouses. The artwork, different in every room, includes pieces by Indonesian-born, U.S.-based artist Novi Lim and South African photographer Gabriela Slegrova.

Drawing on their knowledge of the hotel industry gained from managing the family business, Executive Hotels and Resorts, the Sayanis included several tech amenities in rooms, such as touch panels for lighting and drapery, an embedded wireless charging base in the night table, and a do-not-disturb alert activated by a button. The desk/dressing table also has the necessary charging station, discreetly hidden behind a sliding panel. The palette is a calming mix of white, grey, and brass with subtle touches of blue, and king beds feature a padded headboard with embedded sconces.

Elegant barn doors lead into a spacious walk-in closet made from high-lacquer cabinetry with LED lighting and with drawers lined in black velvet, as well as to the expansive marble bathroom with heated floor, double sink, rainshower, and freestanding tub. Additional amenities at Azur include a steamer and Nespresso coffee.