It had been years since I visited the Vancouver Art Gallery and I was excited about their Grand Hotel Exhibit. As a traveler and someone who loves galleries and museums, I was thrilled this was showing while I was in Vancouver. I went on a Tuesday evening when the VAG is opened until 9 pm and after 5 pm admission is by donation. This is perfect for anyone who’s on a budget or wants to bring a whole crew or family!

Here is a little excerpt from the gallery’s site:

“The exhibition’s four main themes—travel, design, the social and culture—consider the vital role of travel and design in the development of the hotel, as well as the hotel’s important role as a site of social interaction and cultural production. Each theme speaks to a critical force that has given shape and meaning to the hotel. Together they tell the collective story of this important built form, elucidating its prominence in the public consciousness and reflecting the nature of the hotel itself: engaging, innovative, provocative, ephemeral. Quite simply, the hotel is a veritable laboratory of modern life.”

I loved learning about the history of particular hotels like Chateau Marmont, the Beat Hotel, Palace D’Orient; seeing the architectural models of amazing hotels like Marina Bay Sands and Raffles in Singapore and the Westin Bonaventure in LA and seeing modern furniture by some of my favorite designers. I also loved the hotel gift shop that was perfectly curated by Ace Hotel. The store included collaborative items by Ace + brands like Incase, Pendleton and one of my favourite Vancouver brands Reigning Champ (expertly designed by one of my friends, Kenta who also designed my new logo!)

If you are in Vancouver or visiting Vancouver, I highly recommend going to the VAG. This exhibit is on until September 15th, 2013. Just over a month to go!!

Here are a few images I took from the exhibit:

Exhibit entrance

Cafe Imperial in Vienna

LLayers Llove Hotel Room 307

Chandeliers in the foyer

The Waldorf Astoria architectural model

Marina Bay Sands – on my bucket list

Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel architectural model

Another Singapore Hotel, Raffles’ architectural model

Ace Hotel’s Pop-Up Gift Shop with items by Pendleton

Ace Hotel’s Pop-Up Gift Shop with items by Incase, Tanner Goods, Billy Kirk, etc.

Pearl+ Detox Soaps from Portland exclusively made for Ace Hotel

Did you go to the Grand Hotel Exhibit at the VAG? What did you think?