The Loden, Vancouver

With its modern design, incredible location and impeccable service, The Loden is a boutique gem.

Situated downtown in the coal harbour district, the Loden in Vancouver is everything you would ever want from a hotel nestled between the Pacific and Coast Mountains: modern design inspired by the surrounding outdoors, an incredible location, impeccable service and a boutique feel that makes it a bit of a secret find.

Whether you are stopping for just one night on the way to Whistler, or enjoying a long break in Vancouver, this high-end gem will not disappoint. The moment I walked in through the double doors, I knew I was going to love it. The lobby was all stunning marble, mirrors, a palette of chocolate brown mixed with pink corals, and seriously friendly and helpful staff.

Three (jetlagged) minutes later, and one swipe of our keycard in the elevator gave us secure access straight up to a corner room on the ninth floor. Having just arrived off a nine-hour flight, it was a case of pointing my head straight at the pillows (possibly the most incredible, largest and fluffiest I've ever experienced) and falling asleep.

When I woke up the following morning, not only were those pillows still amazing (no longer biased with time-zone confusion), but now there was time to marvel at the vast floor-to-ceiling windows, too.

More marble and mirrors greeted me when I eventually forced myself out of bed and into the bathroom. From the charming - a waterfall spigot in the centre of the mosaic'd wall - to the high-tech - speakers hooked up to the 42-inch flat screen TV next door - I'd have been happy spending the whole trip ensconced in the bath!

Clean and refreshed, I discovered a yoga mat in the wardrobe, should I feel the need for a morning stretch (there is a 24-hour yoga channel taking you through the moves) and then it was down for breakfast at Voya, Loden's signature, chic, retro-glamour designed restaurant, which later on in the day, serves up French-Asian cuisine by locally lauded chef Marc-Andre Choquette.

Should you be stuck for somewhere to go in the evening then the lounge and bar at Voya draws quite a crowd and, with its sand-blasted, back-lit bar, marble fireplace, large but low tables and rich dark wood, this is a pretty sexy place to be seen.

The hotel is thoroughly modern, extremely luxurious but also very very comfortable. Stanley Park is on the doorstep as well as the shopping on Robson Street. Want to go a little further but public transport in foreign cities makes you a bit nervous? Fear not, Loden has a complimentary car service in the form of a London black taxi, which will take you wherever you need in the downtown area.

If all that wasn't enough, The Loden was apparently Hugh Jackman's home from home when he filmed X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Well, if it's good enough for Hugh...!

Details: Rooms start at C$209. Loden Vancouver, 1177 Melville Street, Vancouver B.C. 604 669 5060 (www.theloden.com)