Some artists paint, others sculpt, carve or weave.  Stanley Park Inn Proprietor Bob Chapin’s artistry is collecting intriguing pieces of their art and craft and sharing them in beautiful places that he has refurbished. The Stanley Park Inn is his masterpiece, set facing the cherry trees and flowerbeds of a city garden in Vancouver’s historic West End.

The Inn has a very Upper East Side Manhattan sensibility. It’s also a feast for the senses, with hand-carved woods, silk, brocade, tapestry, linens, fine china, Persian carpets, and treasures such a Louis XV gilded clock with matching candlesticks, a prie Dieu and Versailles style crystal. Every piece has a story that Bob, a born raconteur, former teacher and vice-principal, and experienced hotelier, is happy to tell.

The Inn’s blend of private and shared spaces also sets it apart from the ordinary B&B. Each of the three bedrooms has a four-poster bed and ensuite, as well as its own its own distinctive décor and a garden view.  The master bedroom has an adjoining sitting room with fireplace; its en-suite granite bathroom has a large whirlpool bathtub and two showerheads. Common areas on the main floor include a magnificent parlour and dining room. Upstairs, there is a library and a study, where Bob serves sherry and port in the afternoon and evening. There is also high-speed wireless.