Frequent flyers might be familiar with Starwood’s environmentally friendly Element hotel brand in the U.S. Now the hotel giant is set to open its second Canadian location right here in Burnaby.
Element Vancouver Metrotown, on the corner of Kingsway and Willingdon, is Western Canada’s first taste of the renowned brand. The 18-storey Westin hotel – inside Bosa’s 45-storey Sovereign Tower, the tallest building in Burnaby – boasts 169 elegant green-inspired rooms, decorated in earth tones with a Zen-like feel from top to bottom.
“I like to call it eco-chic,” said Ken Boyd, director of sales and marketing at Element by Westin Metrotown. “This project has been three years in the making.”
Element offers studio and one-bedroom accommodations for the most eco-conscious travellers. With the goal of being a zero-waste hotel, Element provides in-room recycling and composting, among its other environmental initiatives.
Each room comes with a swiveling flatscreen TV, along with a large desk and shelf space, and the well-equipped kitchen has a full-size fridge, microwave and dishwasher. The bathrooms come with an invigorating rain shower and dual-flush toilets, and the patios offer scenic views of Burnaby and Vancouver.
But perhaps most appealing – and appetizing – is the hotel’s food and restaurant offerings, from dine-in to takeout.
“One of the reasons why we think it will be a flagship is we’ve partnered with Glowbal,” said Boyd, touting the restaurant group’s 280-seat Trattoria restaurant at Element. Its home-style Italian fare includes exquisite pizzas, seafood cannelloni and their mouthwatering famous meatballs made with Kobe beef.
“The buzz, what I hear right now, is that Burnaby is so excited to have a nice, new restaurant in town. I anticipate they’ll be just as busy as they are at their other locations, but it is a nice size restaurant.”
Additionally, Glowbal will also operate the upscale Mini Bar lounge – a great place for an after dinner glass of wine – and the quick-paced Nosh, formerly known as Italian Kitchen 2 Go.
“Nosh, essentially, does good food to go – paninis, fresh salads, fruit parfaits, gourmet coffees, all those types of things.”
Element also provides travellers with its Motion fitness centre to get their sweat on, or its sauna, whirlpool and indoor pool to relax. They can also unwind in one of the hotel’s community spaces or the fifth floor garden terrace, or get some work done at the business centre or in a boardroom.
Each stay also gets travellers WiFi and a breakfast buffet, featuring a variety of fresh fruit and healthy meals, along with Element’s signature smoothies.
It’s clear that Starwood wants Element Vancouver Metrotown to stand out as a green alternative to Burnaby’s other accommodations, and to environmentally aware travellers, it’s a welcome addition to the city’s skyline.
“Burnaby is one of the fastest growing business communities in British Columbia and our Element will fill a growing need, offering healthy amenities and a balanced lifestyle to both the business and leisure traveller,” said Paul Gallop, general manager of Element Vancouver Metrotown. “We are proud to promote a healthy lifestyle and to be built green from the ground up.”
The grand opening for the Element Vancouver Metrotown is scheduled for April.
