Concierge.com's insider take:

When the Loden opened in late 2008, it poached regulars from both the super-cool Opus and the traditional Sutton Place, promising a boutique hotel experience that's contemporary and stylish without being trendy. Located in the quiet residential neighborhood of Coal Harbour, the 14-story, 77-room property is just blocks from Stanley Park, Robson Street shopping, and the financial district. Designwise, the Loden is all about serenity and discretion—blink and you'll drive right past the hotel's understated signage—which may be why celebs like Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have stayed here. The extensive use of glass on the facade mimics the nearby ocean; massive wooden front doors lead to a lobby centered on a double-sided zebra onyx fireplace. At just over 400 square feet, the guest rooms are compact, but floor-to-ceiling windows flood them with natural light and a sliding wall opens the bathroom to the sleeping area. The look is modern but not minimalist: Coral velvet chaises and blond wood cabinets stand out against boldly patterned carpeting and, in the bathrooms, chocolate brown marble. Ask for a high room to get a sliver of a mountain or ocean view, or a garden room for a step-out patio; rooms on lower floors look out onto buildings and construction cranes. The Voya restaurant serves West Coast cuisine in a cosmopolitan, forties-style dining room. You'll feel virtuous if you have head bartender Jay Jones whip up his Harvest cocktail for you—it contains Prairie Organics vodka; carrot, ginger, and apple juices; and bitters.—Kasey Wilson