Review: JW Marriott Parq Vancouver

Due to work obligations, I found myself in need of a hotel in Downtown Vancouver for one night in November. After taking a look at options in the city, and reading a great review by Josh of other on-site hotel located adjacent to the JW Marriott, The DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection, I thought it would be worth it to check out the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.

Booking & Check-in

Prices for a night at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver can vary between $270-$340, with the exception of major events and concerts like Taylor Swift’s Era’s Tour. See how Danny used his miles and points to see Taylor Swift in Europe!

Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver typically can cost anywhere from 60,000 to 75,000 points per night, which is expensive compared to the cash rates. If you do end up booking a cash rate, ensure you use a card that offers a spending bonus on your stay, such as the American Express Marriott Bonvoy card.

Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card

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Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card offers benefits that include an annual Marriott Bonvoy free night certificate and 15 elite qualifying nights towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Check out our American Express Marriott Bonvoy card review for more details.

OFFER
50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

MINSPEND
$1,500

EST. VALUE
$450+

ANNUAL FEE
$120

FOREX FEES
Yes

EXPIRY
–

I had originally booked a King Guest Room, however, a day before check-in I noticed that I had been upgraded to a 1 King Bed, 1-Bedroom Suite instead without even having to use any Nightly Upgrade Awards.

Upon checking in, I inquired about doing a late checkout. However the latest time they had available was 1 PM, even with Titanium Elite status which can normally extend check-out to 4 PM.

Location

With convenience to sporting events and fine dining in Yaletown, the JW Marriott is close to nearby attractions and activities. Expo and Canada Line trains are within a 15-minute walk, with similar walking times to Robson Street and other shopping areas.

Parking

Parking is available on-site, $50 a day to self-park or $55 a day when using the valet service. They have electric vehicle charging stations available as well.

Room – 1 King Bed, 1-Bedroom Suite

The door to the suite is a little secluded from the main hallway, making it feel more private than just having a door. 

Entering the suite, the room is divided with the living room and workspace on the left and the bed and bathrooms on the right. The living space is spacious with ample seating for 5 or 6 guests on the couch plus a small workspace area with an illy coffee maker.

From the living room, you can also see the 17th-floor outdoor pool and patio area, with False Creek in the background.

The stunning views from both the living room and bedroom face BC Place with the rest of Downtown Vancouver in the background.

There is a moderate amount of storage for the room, including a closet between the bed and bathroom. You can find bathrobes, slippers, an ironing board as well as a small safe in the drawers.

The bathroom is quite standard for a luxury hotel, with the option for either a bath or a shower. Water for the shower did take a little bit longer than anticipated to heat up but otherwise, everything worked as it should. I’ve heard complaints about Marriott incorporating sliding bathroom doors into the design of newer properties, which includes this JW Marriott.

Some extra amenities like an exfoliating pad, hairnet, and mouthwash were also provided.

Restaurants & Bars

Being a casino property, there is a good selection of restaurants available on the Parq Vancouver site. A cool fact about JW Marriotts is that they have a JW Garden, where herbs and vegetables are grown and used as ingredients for the hotel’s restaurants.

Honey Salt

The first restaurant you’ll see when entering the JW Marriott Vancouver is Honey Salt, a casual restaurant with dishes inspired by locally sourced ingredients. You can take a look at their menus here.

The Victor and D/6 Bar and Lounge

If you’re looking for an upscale and fancier dining experience, The Victor features seafood and steak cuisines. D/6 offers an Izakaya-like menu with Japanese-inspired small plates and drinks.

Located on 6th floor, the entrance to The Victor is accessed by walking outside through the outdoor terrace. The terrace also allows access to the DOUGLAS lobby which is where the D/6 Bar and Lounge is located.

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Complimentary Breakfast

In the morning, I was eligible for the Marriott complimentary breakfast benefit in the Executive Lounge with my Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite Status. A small selection of popular breakfast and bakery items can be found in the small buffet.

There was also a large variety of different breads, including a gluten-free option. The lounge was quite busy when I was there for breakfast around 9:30 AM on a Sunday.

Facilities

JW Marriott Executive Lounge

As mentioned earlier, with my elite status, I had access to the executive lounge. Throughout the day, snacks and a mix of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were available. Alcoholic drinks were not complimentary, however. An evening hors d’oeuvres service was also offered, with small places of hot food.

The lounge was very spacious, with lots of seating and room to move. The size was very comparable, if not larger, to what I saw at the Nagasaki Marriott, with less formal seating and entertainment like couches and TVs.

Fitness Center

The fitness center was spacious with a variety of equipment and scenic views of Downtown Vancouver.

Lockers are also available just outside the door to the gym.

Pool

On the hotel’s web page, it mentions the property having a swimming pool. However, it was actually an outdoor rooftop hot tub. There was a lot of patio space and lots of lounge chairs available, though I stayed during a rainy winter night so I wasn’t inclined to stay out long.

Spa

A spa is also available on the same floor as the fitness center, as well as the rooftop patio and pool. From massages to pedicures and waxing, a variety of services are offered.

Parq Vancouver

Considered Vancouver’s premier gaming destination, Parq Vancouver Casino hosts a variety of gambling tables and slots, restaurants, and music. Being only steps away from the JW Marriott lobby, it’s very convenient to get to without having to leave the building.

Besides the restaurants mentioned earlier, the casino has food and drinks at any time of the day. There are also some shops on the ground floor. The on-site convenience store, Parq Market (operated by Daruma), is Japanese themed with a variety of Japanese snacks and drinks.

If you’re an avid golfer, Par Tee Golf is a luxury golf store located next to the JW Marriott Lobby. 

Conclusion

The JW Marriott Parq Vancouver offers a luxurious experience for guests. Whether you’re a local or a visitor to Vancouver, this property offers many upscale amenities and features that guests will appreciate. Additionally, the hotel is very accessible to nearby sports venues, dining, and shopping areas.

Overall, the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver provides a luxurious stay with close access to nearby attractions and entertainment.