Another bedroom at Versante Hotel. Photo / Supplied
Another bedroom at Versante Hotel. Photo / Supplied
Can a hotel really be luxurious and boutique but also minutes from the airport? Jenni Mortimer checks into the Versante Hotel in Richmond, British Columbia, to find out.
A charming character hotel and a major international airport aren’t usually two things that go hand-in-hand.
But the Versante Hotel in Richmond, British Columbia is oozing with charm, vibrant rooms and suites, stylish finishing and an absolute prime location.
It’s Richmond BC’s only luxury boutique hotel and comes with its fair share of surprising extras.
Location: Located just a few minutes from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver. The hotel also offers complimentary transfers by luxury vehicle to and from the airport and within the nearby areas.
Perfect For: If you are a travelling foodie, this is the one for you. Not only does the hotel have exceptional dining options, but it’s also right next to the bustling Richmond Night Market - an absolute must-do when in town.
Room interior at Versante Hotel. Photo / Supplied
First impressions: Check-in was seamless, with friendly staff making sure it was a quick and painless process after the 13-hour flight. The reception area was bright and full of art and installations that added to the hotel’s charm.
The room: The100 rooms are all slightly different, with unique art and decor throughout. My superior king room came with a super-comfy plush pillowtop king bed, a pillow menu and high-quality linens. The room also had a desk with USB ports and wireless charging ports, a minibar, a Nespresso coffee maker, safe, iron, umbrella and View Smart tinted windows for privacy. There was also a large wall-mounted TV with loads of steaming options, as well as a comfy chair area to relax.
Bathroom: The bathroom was a highlight, with a huge freestanding soaker tub sitting in front of the (thankfully) tinted picture window. I managed two soaks in the epic tub, despite only having a short stay. The bathrooms were fully equipped with double vanity, a rain shower head, heated floors, Red Flower bath amenities, bathrobes, slippers and Dyson hair dryers.
The impressive bathroom at Versante Hotel in Richmond. Photo / Supplied
Facilities: The hotel is home to a 24-hour gym complete with a Lululemon Mirror for guided workouts, a rooftop pool, free Wifi/internet access, complimentary airport transfers as well as conference rooms. The hotel can also sort your bike rentals and is pet-friendly.
Food and drink: The room service menu was loaded with tasty choices after my long flight. I went for clam linguini and a green salad with Diet Coke. For breakfast, I opted to eat at Bruno onsite and had the smoked salmon benedict with a flat white, both of which were packed with flavour.
The Versante has multiple food concepts under one roof, including Bruno, with sustainability as its focus; Alaïa, a monochromatic penthouse event space and bar lounge; Cast, serving an endless array of single malts, bourbons and blended whiskies; and Yandoux Patisserie, which offers French pastries and high tea with a modern twist.
The impressive pool at Versante Hotel in Richmond Canada. Photo / Supplied
In the neighbourhood: As well as being close to the airport, there’s also loads to do nearby, including the Richmond Night Market - an easy two- to three-minute walk. For those who like to shop, the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Mall is five minutes away and, golfers rejoice, Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club is a short drive. There’s also the Richmond Olympic Oval for those wanting to get out and stretch their legs. And historic and charming Steveston Village is about 20 minutes away by car.
Accessibility: Versante offers 5 ADA Accessible Rooms that are wheelchair accessible and meet a specific set of disability design standards.
Sustainability: The hotel has refillable wall-mounted amenities in the shower as well as refillable water bottles in the rooms. Bruno restaurant has sustainability at its core focus, sourcing from local producers and using artisan ingredients to help support sustainable practices.
Jenni Mortimer is lifestyle and travel editor. Jenni started at the Herald in 2017 and previously worked as an education publication editor. She’s also mum to a 5-year-old son who she loves taking on adventures across the globe.
