Room service, fresh sheets and a lobby bar - what's not to love about hotels?

And while we use them for travel and the occasional watering hole, hotels are about much more than thread count. Grand Hotel: Redesigning Modern Life, the expansive new exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery, explores the value and impact of hotels in culture, tourism, architecture and art.

The show is a mix of mediums and full of fascinating pop-culture stories (Katherine Hepburn being tossed out of the Claridge's lobby for wearing pants) and curious historical facts (like Pan-Am Airlines founding InterContinental Hotels to expand influence in South America). The hotel as a creative hub is explored in depth, with photos and works of writers, poets, musicians and filmmakers who've made spots like the Chelsea in New York City and the Chateau Marmont in LA infamous to this day. 

Also inside the exhibit is a stellar Ace Hotel pop-up shop. Part exhibit, part boutique, many of the custom items with Grand Hotel/Ace branding are for sale, including post cards (People Come and Go / Nothing Ever Happens, a line from the exhibit's inspiration, 1932 film Grand Hotel, $1.50), Tees and leather hold-alls.

Time to check in.

Grand Hotel: Redesigning Modern Life on now at the Vancouver Art Gallery, www.vanartgallery.bc.ca

See more photos from the exhibit on our Editors' Diary.

(Photo by Rachel Topham for Vancouver Art Gallery)

They made waves at Coachella: these artists’ new releases will be our summer playlist.

Kurt Vile, Wakin on a Pretty Daze

Compared to the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, this longhaired rocker brings rock and roll back to its basics: just a man and his guitar. It turns out that’s all we really need.

James Blake, Overgrown

With his angelic voice, James Blake seduced Coachella goers into a late afternoon trance. This dub-step wunderkind’s second album features surprising cameos by RZA, proving once more that hip hip goes with just about anything.

Daft Punk, Random Access Memories

The 2-minute trailer shown at Coachella for the new single “Get Lucky,” featuring Pharrell Williams, created more cheers and buzz than any of the festival performers, spawning rumours of the French duo’s surprise appearance. It didn’t happen - sigh - but until the album’s May 21 release, it’s “Get Lucky” on repeat.

Major Lazer, Free the Universe

Released in between two Coachella weekends, Major Lazer’s sophomore album, Free the Universe, which features, oh, everybody (Tyga, Flux Pavilion, Bruno Mars, Wyclef Jean, to name a few), is bound to make nightclubbing rounds this season.

Janelle Monáe, The Electric Lady

The newest Cover Girl gave a performance of a lifetime at Coachella, and just released the single “Q.U.E.E.N." with the incomparable Erykah Badu. Her long anticipated album, The Electric Lady, is slated for a summer release, and sure to make her a household name.

—Anya Georgijevic

For more Coachella acts, check out a playlist by Kelsey Dundon, click here.

We pride ourselves on dishing out the latest and greatest to our awesome readers 5 days a week (and even on the weekends, for those in the ankle-biter set).

But now we want to know all about you! Where you shop, where you live, and most important, which Canadian Ryan you prefer, Gosling or Reynolds.

Take our subscriber survey now and you'll be entered to win one of 10 Joe Fresh gift cards (just in time for a spring shopping spree).

So come on, give us all the news that's fit to print - and then some!

Take the survey (it's quick and fun, we promise) here. 

Jurassic 5 will be bring the nostalgia, Phoenix will bring their new album, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will bring, one can only hope, socks. What will you bring to Coachella? A playlist made up of these five favourites.

Wild Nothing

Theirs is the kind of 1980’s-influenced music Sofia Coppola would put on a soundtrack. And speaking of stars, their video for Paradise features Michelle Williams. www.myspace.com/wildnothing

Jamie xx

His group The xx will be at the festival, but Jamie xx’s solo work leans toward more upbeat dinner party-worthy tunes. www.jamiexx.com

Ben Howard

For something even more laid-back, this British singer-songwriter’s guitar-heavy sound is perfect for backyard BBQs. www.benhowardmusic.co.uk

Purity Ring

This Canadian duo is beloved by critics. And for good reason. They’re like a more relaxed, more listenable Crystal Castles. http://purityringsongs.com

Grimes

The Vancouver native’s album topped many “best of” lists last year. If you haven’t yet been playing pop-y synth-y Visions on repeat, now’s the perfect time to start.
www.grimesmusic.com

—Kelsey Dundon

PS: Our Vancouver editor Anya Georgijevic will be blogging, tweeting and instagramming her way through the first weekend of the festival. Watch this space for all the denim cut-offs you can handle.

Reason #8,356 we're addicted to our latest gadget: library downloads.

Since we discovered Vancouver Public Library's huge eBook selection, available with the download of an app, we've been hooked on this free and convenient service. You'll need your library card number and PIN (hint: try the last four digits of your phone number) to log in, and you can browse hundreds of eBooks, audiobooks, plus download samples and place holds (you'll be notified by email when your title is available). And no walking around with overdue books: when the lending period is up, the title is pulled from your virtual bookshelf.

All that's missing is a librarian to shush us, just for old times' sake.

For instructions visit http://guides.vpl.ca/ebooks_audiobooks

Whether you're planning to watch in your pjs or rolling out the red carpet for friends, here's 5 ways to make your Oscar viewing an A-list experience.

1. See the movies

Gone are the days of long lags between theatrical and video release - iTunes has a section dedicated to the nominees, including all 9 Best Picture contenders, which makes deciding who to root for much easier.

2. Gossip Watch

We'll keep on eye on the red carpet with eTalk, and then follow up on the backstage scoop at LaineyGossip.com, where the post-Oscars coverage gives us the details we really want to know (like who snuck out for a smoke and which couples were putting it on for the cameras). 

3. Swag Bag

Along with the traditional ballot, you'll need door prizes for the winners: snack-of-the-stars Popchips, the Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair and a cheeky selection of celeb-endorsed products like Chanel No. 5 samples (Brad Pitt) and Smartwater (Jennifer Aniston).

4. Dish it Out

While the celebs will be preparing for the red carpet with an all-air diet, you can serve guests something much more substantial. Our husband-in-residence Murray Bancroft (who runs his test kitchen out of the VitaminDaily.com Vancouver office) has simple and impressive recipes, all available via Western Living: adult lollipops, paprika spiced almonds and - don't forget the drinks! - raspberry infused vodka.

5. Social Media

Pop culture expert and managing editor Maria Tallarico will be live tweeting the red carpet and the ceremony: follow along @vanvitamindaily.

The 85th Annual Academy Awards, Sunday, February 24, watch the live stream at http://www.ctv.ca/Oscars.aspx

From the street style bloggers to iconic fashion archives, our editors and bloggers are always first on the scene (with camera in hand). Here's our top 10 blogs of 2012. And remembering, sharing is caring: Support your favourite blogger with a Like on Facebook and hit the Tweet button on any blog post to share it with your followers.

1. Bloggers run the world: The Sartorialist was in town for an event at Secret Location, and sat down for an exclusive interview (click here to read his thoughts on interesting hair cuts).

2. Man Repeller knows how to draw a crowd: the smart and insanely stylish Leandra told her the secret to true man repeller style (think plaid). Read it here.

3. Ombre, reverse ombre and the magic of twist dry are all part of our chat with hair stylist extraordinaire Mark McLeod. Read it here.

4. Canada takes Manhattan! Well, Joe Fresh at least. The Canadian brand made us proud with its store opening on 5th Avenue (we were there rubbing elbows with supermodels and the NYC literati). Read it here.

5. Does the camera make my bag look fat? Canadian trailblazer Tommy Ton collaborated with Club Monaco on a bag fit for the busiest on-the-town women. Read it here.

6. We spent the day with American Idol alum Adam Lambert just as his album hit #1 in Canada. He's as sweet as he is famous - read more here.

7. We talked freckles and Celine Dion with chart-topping Canadian songstress Kay. Read it here.

8. Ain't no mountain high enough… for us to scale. We hit the top of Whistler mountain on a rugged and adrenaline-inducing climb. Read it here.

9. We love to support a local industry - especially when it's the wine industry. Check in with our boozy Okanagan weekend here. 

10. We swooned over street style in Paris - and caught a glimbse of a very famous designer seated next to us at a cafe. See our candid photos here.

Boxing Day is made for three things: shopping, leftovers, and watching movies in our pajamas. To that end, our movie rental list (all available on iTunes) for a well-deserved couch potato day.

A sweet tooth isn’t the only thing we’re indulging during the holiday season: the sappy romantic in us needs a little love (and Jude Law) from our go-to movie The Holiday. —Christine Laroche

Between the soundtrack, the costumes and the locations, I could spend every day of the break watching Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. The parties and bonbons feel very appropriate this time of year, don’t they? – Kelsey Dundon

It’s not Christmas without a classical musical from my childhood. This year it’s My Fair Lady that’s on continuous play. My daughter loves the scene when grimy flower girl Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) is given a bath. —Athena Tsavliris

Moonrise Kingdom tells the hilarious and quirky story of two 1960s pre-teens on their quest for maturity and love. A Wes Anderson film, it is pretty much guaranteed that this film is chock-full of delicious costumes and props, beautiful panoramas, ridiculous wit and a big-name cast. —Kait Kucy

Sure you know what it's about (male strippers), but did you know Magic Mike was made for a relatively low-budget $7 million, catapulted Channing Tatum to A-list status and earned Matthew McConaughey a Best Supporting Actor  award from the the New York Film Critics Circle? Don't be surprised if this film bumps-and-grinds its way to an Oscar nomination. —Maria Tallarico

'Twas the day before Christmas, when all through downtown
Not a creature was resting, for last minute gifts were abound
The Wolford stockings were hung in our bathroom shower;
While we scampered and fretted over the quickly passing hour

The children were fighting over the iPad's last 10 per cent,
While I tried to discern on whom my favourite wrapping was spent;
And friends in their finest and me in a hat
Had just settled down for a winter nightcap

There's much more to this story, as you ladies know,
But with the clock ticking down, we really must go.
But not before we wish you the most peaceful holiday scene
With plenty of health and fortune in 2013

May your morning be filled with laughter, and a coffee mug spiked with Baileys
And a very Happy Christmas from Vitamin Daily.

While the Eastside Culture Crawl is traditionally associated with artists, there are a huge number of artisans, designers, and craft geniuses displaying and selling their product. Here are five studios worth visiting; with items are under $200, you can check a few names off your Christmas list.

Melk Design is a husband and wife team that creates pieces from upcycled and recycled wood. We love the Noon Birds Clock ($95, pictured) made from Landyachtz longboards, and the up-cycled walnut Axe Belt buckle ($60.) Location: D10 - 936 Clark Dr., Vancouver, www.melkmelk.com

Grace Lee, the talent behind Eikcam Ceramics, makes birch bud vases ($52) and lovely barn owl ornaments ($18) but our favourite is the cloud series bowl and spoon ($50 for the set) featuring freehand drawings. So pretty, we can excuse the fact that they aren’t dishwasher safe. Location: Studio #2 - 965 Vernon Dr. at The Mergatroid, http://eikcam.com/

Oona Clothing Company does the cutest handmade boys’ and girls’ underpant sets, featuring matching tees, bright colours, and naïve handrawn graphics. Great incentive for toilet training. Pieces start at $7. Location: Studio #14  at William Clark Studios, www.oonaclothing.com

If you’re looking to complete a very minimal garden, then Espiritu Design Studio’s Dadi Bird House ($200) is a must-have. And for your apartment dwelling friends, they also have beautiful cups and vases, although don’t expect any blue jays to come and say hello. Location: Unit 130, 288 East Georgia St., Vancouver, http://espiritudesignstudio.com

If you are looking for something chic and elegant, check out Su Foster’s jewelry. Featuring delicate silver and gold pieces, we’ve got our eye on the long stick earrings, $85-$95 a pair. Location: 1177 Parker St., Vancouver, http://sufoster.com

—Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Eastside Culture Crawl, November 16-18, for a full map and more details, check www.eastsideculturecrawl.com