Site Visit: Hotel Indigo in Vancouver

Overview

The hotel is 12 miles from Portland, Oregon and only nine miles to downtown Portland. I would recommend this hotel as one of the best options for visitors coming to Vancouver, as an upscale option for an overnight layover or as an interesting alternative to a central Portland hotel. It's great for travelers looking for a clean, contemporary design in a safe and fashionable neighborhood with a variety of great food and beverage options on site and within walking distance.  

Style

The sleek, stylish interiors in the rooms and public spaces give this hotel a luxe urban feel. The muted color palette, interesting use of materials and design elements reflect a contemporary Pacific Northwest vibe. There is a recurring leitmotif of mountains and fir trees around the property, appearing in unique ways, such as on the celling of the boardroom and on the entire wall behind the beds - very PNW - and a wonderful way to incorporate a sense of place.

Rooms

The modern design aesthetic and layout really appealed to me. I love the large windows, which allow so much natural light to come streaming in. There's everything you would need in a boutique hotel room and more. There’s a coffee maker, mini fridge and microwave in each room. The large and well-appointed bathrooms have a pared-down luxe feel, with single-basin vanities and rainfall showerheads.

This hotel is ideal for solo leisure and business travelers, couples, families with older children, friend groups and girls’ weekend getaways.

There are no mini bars, but I think they’ve come up with an even better idea for those wanting to relax in their room with a drink or two (see below).

Food & beverage

The Liquor Cabinet: Located inside the lobby, The Liquor Cabinet is a bright and inviting retail store which sells a large variety of craft beer, wine, spirits and cocktails. It’s open every day from 10am-10pm (closing at 4pm on Sundays).  

Evoke Winery: The tasting room for this award-winning Oregon winery is part of the upscale Kirkland tower complex the hotel is situated in. Many travelers will appreciate the selection of wines accompanied by small bites located steps away from their room.

13 Coins Coffee Shop: Inside the hotel lobby is a grab-and-go café with a selection of breakfast pasties, sandwiches and friendly baristas ready to serve fresh-brewed and specialty coffees, hot teas and more. 

13 Coins Restaurant: A Seattle staple, known for its exhibition kitchen, Italian and American menu and signature high-backed leather booths. Breakfast is served from 7am and the restaurant stays open until 11pm on weeknights and 2am on weekends. A great place for night owls!

Witness Tree Lounge & Bar: Having a cocktail and watching the sunset from this rooftop bar is not to be missed. The high-end interior design and sophisticated vibe make this my favorite part of the hotel.

Location

The riverside location is just minutes away from downtown Vancouver and 15 minutes from central Portland. Along the waterfront is the iconic Grant Street Pier, open spaces including walking and biking trails, fountains, public parks and natural habitats. 

There are plenty of restaurants and wine-tasting rooms along the Vancouver Waterfront as well as bars, coffee shops and The Yard ice-cream parlor. The food options cater to all tastes and budgets. DosAlas Latin Kitchen + Tequila Bar and Willamette Valley Winery are my favorites.

Things to do nearby

The Rrverfront renaissance five-mile trail is right outside the hotel. This fully paved pathway is great for biking, running or a leisurely stroll. It leads to a unique land bridge toward the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Officers Row. 

Downtown Vancouver eateries, eclectic boutiques and the weekend farmers' market are an easy five- to 10-minute walk from the hotel. 

Day trips I recommend that are two hours or less from the hotel include Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Cedar Creek Grist Mill, Lucia and Mouton Falls, Cape Horn Overlook and the cute town of Stevenson on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. 

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Vancouver. In need of further inspiration? Check out Dahlia Swerdloff’s guide, A Family Guide to Vancouver and Whistler.