Take a Helicopter to British Columbia’s Wine Nation from This Vancouver Lodge

It is no shock {that a} metropolis as spectacular as Vancouver is stuffed with unimaginable luxurious lodges, and for the final 15 years, the Shangri-La Vancouver has been certainly one of them.

Located within the tallest constructing within the coronary heart of downtown, spectacularly surrounded by metropolis, mountains, and sea, the Western Canadian lodge marks the group’s first of two Northern American lodges, the second being the Shangri-La Toronto. (It is also the second-smallest property within the group — second solely to Paris — with simply 119 rooms.) British Columbian model melds with Shangri-La’s Asian heritage throughout 15 flooring of visitor rooms and suites, Carlino restaurant, and the Chi spa and health heart that opens as much as the out of doors pool and sizzling tub.

Now, to kick off and have fun the momentous fifteenth anniversary, Shangri-La Vancouver has partnered with iconic British Columbian vineyard Phantom Creek Estates to create a four-day, three-night keep and bundle for 2 that encompasses all Shangri-La and British Columbia have to supply.

In June, I checked in for just a few days to be one of many first to expertise what the lodge calls “luxurious at new heights.”

Day one of many bundle begins with a peaceable, stress-free arrival and check-in to the lodge’s stylish and opulent Orchid Balcony Suite.

Clocking in at a little bit over 1,300 sq. ft with floor-to-ceiling home windows wrapping across the room, this premier suite offers unobstructed panoramic views of downtown — excellent for gazing out whereas unpacking and having fun with a day tea service within the suite. On a pleasant night, you’ll be able to get pleasure from your tea out of your outsized non-public balcony earlier than ending the night by hopping into the unimaginable deep-soaking marble tub. Nothing says stress-free and luxurious fairly like an iconic bathtub second.

Get up on day two, your first official full day in British Columbia, and head into downtown Vancouver, the place you, your visitor, and your individual private photographer will get into a non-public Skyluxe helicopter.

Don your headset and dwell out your “Prime Gun” fantasy for the hour-long flight over picturesque mountains, rivers, and lakes. Then, you may contact down within the Okanagan Valley on your day spent at Phantom Creek Estates. Wine-loving dabblers and fanatics alike will get pleasure from a non-public tasting and tour of the sculptures, vineyards, and vineyard, the place you’ll be taught all concerning the Okanagan’s distinctive terroir whereas sipping on upcoming releases thieved from the barrel proper in entrance of you.

End your tour within the Founder’s Cellar eating room, the place you’ll be eating in a glass room surrounded by barrels for an unforgettable multi-course lunch and wine pairing. The Estates culinary staff gives an expertise with contemporary, native, seasonal components like no different. Distinctive customized keepsakes, like a bottle of their Phantom Creek Winery Cuvée (my favourite of the day), signed by the makers, will commemorate your day among the many vines. (Insider tip: You can not go away with out getting a scoop of gelato from the cart within the tasting room, belief me.)

With a full stomach, you’ll return to your helicopter for one more journey by the clouds. The remainder of the night is yours. Head downtown to dine at Black+Blue steakhouse or Coast, or in the event you’re seeking to keep near house, there’s Shangri-La’s personal Carlino, which serves up comforting but elevated Northern Italian meals with a beautiful wine program in the event you’re nonetheless thirsty.

After an exhausting day of flying round in helicopters, wine tastings, and wonderful delicacies, naturally, a four-hour spa day is all however required, and the Shangri-La and Chi spa staff are all too glad to make that occur for you. Since nothing says luxurious like a lavish spa, visitors experiencing the Luxurious at New Heights bundle may even benefit from the Alchemist’s Retreat.

First, get pleasure from a restful soak within the infinity tub, adopted by an exfoliating scrub and thermal mud masks. Then, you’ll hop right into a eucalyptus-filled steam bathe to wash your self off on your facial and full physique therapeutic massage. Your entire spa retreat is sequestered in your private “mini spa.” All the pieces out of your tub, bathe, and therapeutic massage desk is in an elegant therapy room with a little bit lounge and hearth. As a spa lover, I discovered at the present time to be the right and phenomenal last full day.

Use your free morning or afternoon to get pleasure from all Vancouver has to supply, from nice purchasing and eating to underrated neighborhoods value exploring.

I liked wandering round Gastown, a neighborhood alongside the harbor with streets lined with cute outlets, eating places, and cafes. If it’s a gorgeous day, head all the way down to the marina, the place little ferry boats are consistently crusing, and hop aboard to Granville Island.

You can see Vancouver by water and soak within the metropolis skyline earlier than stopping on the Granville Island Public Market, which is stuffed with artisan markets, produce and farmer stalls, eating places, bars, and leisure.

Make sure you save room in your suitcase for all of the memorable keepsakes as you wrap up your stick with a leisurely late afternoon try the next day. I indulged in a field (or two) of Northern Bars Nanaimo bars as a result of when in British Columbia, do and snack because the British Columbians do, proper?

The Luxurious at New Heights expertise bundle, priced at $22,690 for 2 visitors, is out there by November.