A Story Worth Telling
Every corner here whispers tales from another era - and honestly, we wouldn't change a thing
Look, we're not gonna feed you some polished marketing story. The truth? This place started as a modest boarding house when Vancouver was barely more than a lumber town. William Warspire had this wild idea that the city would boom - and boy, was he right.
By the early 1900s, we'd grown into something nobody expected. Railway magnates, gold prospectors, theatrical performers... they all passed through our doors. Some stayed for weeks, others made it their permanent residence. The original guest registry reads like a who's who of early Canadian history.
We've survived two major fires, the Great Depression, and enough renovations to make your head spin. But here's what hasn't changed - that commitment to making folks feel like they've stepped into something special the moment they walk in.
Explore Our TimelineWilliam Warspire opens a 12-room boarding house on what was then a dirt road. His wife Margaret insisted on crystal doorknobs for every room - an extravagance that had neighbors talking for months. Those same doorknobs are still on our heritage suites today.
After striking a deal with the Canadian Pacific Railway, we expanded to 87 rooms and added what was then Vancouver's most luxurious dining room. The hand-painted ceiling murals took Italian artisans eight months to complete - you can still see 'em in the Chronicle Restaurant.
Jazz bands in the lobby every Friday night, champagne flowing despite prohibition, and Hollywood stars sneaking in through the back entrance. Our guest book from this era is locked in a vault - let's just say some stories are better left untold.
The war ended and Vancouver transformed overnight. We hosted countless reunions, welcome-home parties, and even a few hasty weddings in our lobby. The oak tree in our courtyard was planted by a returning veteran - it's over 80 feet tall now.
Officially recognized as a provincial heritage site. This wasn't just an honor - it meant we couldn't tear down walls or 'modernize' things without approval. Turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to us.
A meticulous three-year restoration brings us into the present while honoring every bit of our past. We added modern amenities where they made sense but kept the soul of the place intact. The original marble floors, restored stained glass, brass fixtures - all staying put.
We've dug through boxes of old photographs, letters, and newspaper clippings. These snapshots capture moments that made us who we are.
Our founding staff of twelve - some families still work here four generations later.
The renovated Chronicle Restaurant's debut. Over 300 guests in their finest evening wear.
Back when the street was lined with maples and traffic was... well, there wasn't much.
Hosting everything from debutante balls to political fundraisers. That chandelier weighs 800 pounds.
Before the renovation. Notice the rotary phone and that glorious floral wallpaper.
Nearly 100 years of service. Former guests traveled from across the continent to celebrate.
We've kept just about everything over the years. Original guest ledgers, skeleton keys from rooms that no longer exist, menus from dinners served decades ago, even a few love letters left behind in desk drawers.
Our heritage tours give you access to pieces not on public display - including the original blueprints and William Warspire's personal correspondence. It's like walking through a time capsule, except everything's real and you can actually touch most of it.
Book a Heritage Tour
These are actual excerpts from guest letters and registry entries. We've got hundreds more tucked away in the archives.
"Spent three months here while conducting business in '23. The Warspire isn't just a hotel - it's become my Vancouver home. Mrs. Warspire's Sunday dinners are legendary, and the concierge knows more about this city than anyone I've met."
"We held our wedding reception in the Grand Ballroom last spring. My grandmother stayed at the Warspire on her honeymoon in 1945, and having our celebration in the same space felt like continuing a family tradition. The staff treated us like royalty."
"I've stayed in fancy hotels around the world, but there's something different here. Maybe it's the creaky floorboards in the hallway or the way afternoon light hits that stained glass window. This place has soul - you can feel it."
This isn't some museum where you look but don't touch. You're staying in rooms where history actually happened. Walking halls that've seen over a century of stories. Having drinks in a bar where prohibition-era deals went down.
We're not trying to recreate the past - we're just refusing to let it go. Every modern comfort you'd expect, wrapped in the kind of character you can't fake or build from scratch.
View Our Suites Plan Your Visit