Every great place has a beginning. Ours started with a vision, some incredible lakefront property, and a belief that luxury doesn't have to be stuffy.
Margaret and Thomas Drakario bought this old waterfront property – everyone thought they were crazy. The place was practically falling apart, but they saw something nobody else did.
After five years of restoration work, we opened our doors with just 45 rooms. The Vancouver Sun called it "ambitious" – we took that as a compliment.
Expanded with state-of-the-art conference facilities. Turns out, business folks like meetings with lake views just as much as vacationers do.
Added our wellness center because, honestly, guests kept asking where they could get a massage. Seemed like a good idea to keep 'em here instead of sending them elsewhere.
We've grown to 180 rooms, but we're still family-owned and operated. Margaret's grandson runs things now, and yeah, he's got some of her stubborn streak when it comes to quality.
Look, we could fill this page with corporate speak about "exceeding expectations" and "world-class service." But that's not really our style.
Here's the deal – we've got this amazing spot right on the lake, and we figured the best thing we could do is not mess it up. That means comfortable rooms that actually feel like rooms (not museum displays), food that tastes like someone's grandma made it (in the best way), and staff who'll give you real recommendations, not just hand you a brochure.
Whether you're here for a conference, a wedding, or just need to get away from it all for a bit, we've tried to create the kind of place where you can relax without all the pretense. Fancy when it needs to be, laid-back when it doesn't.
Respect the Location: This lakefront is stunning, and we're just lucky to be here. We don't try to compete with nature – we frame it.
Keep It Real: Luxury shouldn't mean uncomfortable. You can have nice things and still feel at home.
People First: From our team to our guests, everyone deserves to be treated like they matter. Because they do.
Each one with a view worth waking up for
And we're still learning something new every day
From intimate dinners to massive conferences
The real reason this place works
Margaret and Thomas Drakario took a huge risk back in '87. Here's how it all started...
Margaret was working in hotel management in Toronto when she first visited Vancouver. She fell hard for the city and even harder for a rundown lakefront property everyone else ignored. Her background in hospitality told her it could be something special, but it was pure gut instinct that made her convince Thomas to take the leap.
"People said we were nuts," she'd tell you with a grin. "They were probably right, but it worked out anyway." Now in her 80s, she still drops by for Sunday brunch and isn't shy about letting us know when something's not up to snuff.
Thomas came from a construction family, which turned out to be incredibly useful when they bought a building that needed basically everything fixed. He handled the renovation side while Margaret dealt with the hospitality vision. The two of them made a perfect team – she'd dream it up, he'd figure out how to build it.
Thomas passed away in 2019, but his influence is everywhere – from the hand-selected wood in the lobby to the attention to craftsmanship details most guests never even notice. That's exactly how he would've wanted it.
We're honored to have received these over the years. Though honestly, the best reward is seeing guests come back.
BC Tourism Awards
2023, 2021, 2019
Canadian Hotel Association
2020-2025
Vancouver Dining Guide
2024, 2022
Meetings & Events Canada
2023
Environmental Leadership
2018-Present
WeddingWire Couples' Choice
2025, 2024, 2023
These are the folks who make everything happen. They're the real deal.
General Manager
Margaret's grandson. Grew up running through these halls, now he's running the whole operation. Still gets scolded by grandma at brunch.
Executive Chef
Trained in France, came back to Vancouver for the seafood. Her lakeside bistro menu changes with whatever's fresh at the market that morning.
Chief Concierge
Been here 18 years. Knows every restaurant, trail, and hidden spot in Vancouver. Guests trust his recommendations more than Google.
Spa Director
Left a fancy downtown spa to work here because she wanted her clients to hear birds instead of traffic. Can't really argue with that logic.
Event Director
Has coordinated over 500 weddings and somehow never gets flustered. If something goes wrong, you'd never know it from her face.
Facilities Manager
Worked with Thomas on the '92 renovation. Knows every pipe, wire, and beam in this building. Nothing stays broken for long on his watch.
Front Desk Supervisor
The first face most guests see. Somehow remembers everyone's names and their kids' names and what room they stayed in last time.