The Vancouver room boom just moved up another notch. Herewith, the cool things that have us considering long-term hotel living at the Fairmont Pacific Rim:

1. Stunning installation by UK artist Liam Gillick that spans 17 floors of the building’s exterior with the phrase “The clouds looked no nearer than when I was lying on the street.”

2. Marble-clad lobby lounge that serves up afternoon tea, cocktails and raw seafood.

3. Live entertainment  on a $225,000 hand-crafted white Fazioli piano with 18 carat hinges.

4. Astonishing 180-foot origami light sculpture by Vancouver’s Joseph Wu that extends the length of Oru, the hotel’s Pan-Asian bistro.

5. Granville Island Florist outpost located within that means never going without fresh roses.

6. Discovery Theatre, a private movie theatre with 18 plush leather seats you can book for slumber parties. Just don’t watch The Shining.

7. Expansive Willow Stream spa with women’s steam room and lounge, and an ocean-view terrace with and forthcoming Jacuzzis and meditation pods.

8. State-of-the-art 4,000 square foot gym with a studio for yoga and Pilates.

9. Serene, spacious rooms—many with balconies—that feature espresso makers and 100 square foot spa bathrooms with embedded mirror televisions.

10. A sixth floor rooftop pool, inspired by the Bel Air in Los Angeles, ready in time for spring.

For more information visit www.fairmont.com/pacificrim

Wonder what the Burton snowboarders are up to this week? Why they’re practicing their swan dives in the rooftop pool at The Keefer, a high-end residence hotel just opened in Chinatown.

Each of the four floors comprises its own super-suite, with views over the classical Chinese gardens to the south and mountains to the north.

Rounding out the fun is the glass bottomed pool in the penthouse, specially commissioned art by Douglas Coupland, plus a sexy “Apothecary Bar” at street level serving up drinks made with Chinese medicinal herbs and tinctures.

We’ll take a dose of that.

The Keefer, 133 Keefer St., Vancouver, 604-688-1983, www.thekeefer.com

The Fairmont Pacific Rim is only days old and already it's getting major buzz for celebrity guests,  seriously spacious rooms, and stunning views.

But the secret gem for us locals is the 41-seat Italian cafe Giovane. We recommend the Berkshire ham sandwhich on sourdough ($10) for takeout, or dine-in on nine choices of pizzas ($11 each) and charcuterie plates (three selections, $14).

Lunch anyone?

Giovane (open 6 a.m.-8 p.m.), 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, 604-695-5501, www.giovanecafe.com

The greenest city in the U.S. is a perfect mix of laid-back cool and thrilling buzz. An ideal weekend getaway, here are our picks for the City of Roses.

sleep
The Nines is a chic space with an impressive modern art collection.You may find yourself sharing the elevator with one of the L.A. Lakers at this downtown hotel that’s popular among the It crowd. From $159 per night. The Nines, 525 SW Morrison, Portland, 1-877-229-9995, www.thenines.com

shop
A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, Portland-based Modi Soondarotok worked for Peter Som, Donna Karan and Armani before launching Idom, her line of colourful, vintage-inspired pieces. We swooned over every dress at her charming boutique.  Idom, 827 NW 23rd Ave. Portland, 503-477-6818, www.idomdesigns.com

eat
Named as one of the “Top 10 Best New Restaurants in America” by GQ, Ping lives up to the hype. Its menu is packed with mouth-watering “multi-Asian” fare. Start with a selection of the skewers (from $2) and you'll be dreaming about the laksa nonya coconut noodle soup ($12) long after the last bite. Ping, 102 NW Fourth Ave., Portland, 503-229-7464, www.pingpdx.com

sip
Portland is known for its coffee fanaticism and Stumptown Coffee Roasters indeed serves one of the best cups we’ve ever had. Stumptown Coffee Roasters, www.stumptowncoffee.com

swirl
When it’s time for a stronger bevy, head to the Doug Fir Lounge where you’ll find hipsters of all ages listening to live acts like Sloan or St. Vincent while enjoying local brews. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 East Burnside, Portland, 503-231-9663, www.dougfirlounge.com

Let the athletes have their protein shakes, and we’ll have their performance-enhancing cocktails and chow.

Just for the games, Yew has debuted a host of new drinks and dishes. Our pick of plates is the Olympic Burger ($40), which lives up to its name by holding one pound of Kobe and Alberta beef, chanterelle mushrooms, double smoked bacon and Agassiz Farm House cheddar between its buns.

Meant for sharing among six friends, just a sliver left us stuffed. But if you manage to finish it on your own, you deserve gold.

Yew restaurant and bar, 791 West Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-692-4939, www.fourseasons.com/vancouver

Should Madonna and Jesus (as in the pop icon and her male model companion) come into town and want a plush private room to dine in with their disciples, we’ve got just the place.

The Moda Hotel now has a secluded spot for dinner parties and important meetings. With gold high-back chairs, marble flooring and a grand, hand set chandelier from Italy, the sexy round-shaped room is fit for a star, but reservable by you. It seats 12 and serves food and wine from the Cibo Trattoria menu.

Book it soon and you’ll have beat the Material Girl to the table.

Moda Hotel private room books through Cibo, 900 Seymour St., 
Vancouver, 604-602-9570, www.modahotel.ca

The next time your BFF comes into town on business, tell her to tack on a weekend and pack lighter.

It sounds backwards, but not if she stays at the Georgian Court Hotel, which in its recent renovations added the Orchid Floor suited solely to the needs of female travelers. For no additional charge the 18 rooms include a flat iron, curling iron, ample-sized Aveda toiletries and a ladies-only emergency kit stocked with neutral nylons, sewing kit, hair spray, nail polish remover and all important products for that time of the month.

There are even style magazines and a yoga mat, so she can multitask picking her Proenza Schouler Spring 2010 with posing in Sun Salutation.

From $127 per night, Georgian Court Hotel, 773 Beatty St., Vancouver, 1-800-663-1155, www.georgiancourt.com

Sometimes charm trumps square footage. Herewith, our favourite boutique hotels.

With gold-leaf mahogany beds, French tapestries and Louis XV-glam, it’s impossible not to get the lovey doveys at Auberge Pierre du Calvet. Built in 1725, celeb fans include Aidan Quinn and Benjamin Franklin. From $295, www.pierreducalvet.ca
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

The perfect hotel for party people and culture vultures, Toronto’s Drake Hotel hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. In fact, it’s hipper than ever with ‘What’s in the Box,’ a Boxing Week music festival that celebrates the best of 2009. Five bands, five nights, five bucks. From $189, www.thedrakehotel.ca
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

The 15-room Hotel Deseo in Playa Del Carmen is beachy minimalism at its best. And it’s the little touches that make it magical, like classic Mexican movies projected on the exterior wall and the phrase ‘away from you’ that reflects up from the bottom of the pool. From US$178, www.hoteldeseo.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

For understated luxury check into the Hotel Raya on Italy’s Aeolian Islands. Playing briscola and sipping Campari on a whitewashed terrace at sunset is pure bliss. From $450, www.hotelraya.it
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

For its warm ambiance and fine design, Le Petite Hotel is an ideal spot to hide away and forget about the world with your man. From $140, www.petithotelmontreal.com
Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor

Trade winter’s chills for sunny thrills with our luxe (for less bucks) itinerary.

stay
With up to 1,900 square feet, a new private villa at The Hyatt Grand Champions may be bigger than your apartment—only it's got butler service, an outdoor Jaccuzzi, and mountain views. Two bedroom villa from $409, www.grandchampions.hyatt.com

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Explore the romantic grounds of La Quinta, a 1920s health ranch turned hotel (note the casita where Frank Capra wrote You Can’t Take It With You). Sit outside at the authentic Mexican Adobe Grill and sip one of their famous organic margaritas. It’s good for you, really. www.laquintaresort.com

spa
Plan to spend the whole day at the Spa at Desert Springs, with its own outdoor saltwater lap pool and loungers overlooking the golf course and mountains. Listen to classical music and order a light lunch from the spa restaurant between trips to the two steam rooms and spa treatments using local dates and cacti. www.spa.desertspringsresort.com

do
Grab the girls and attend one of the daily $20 golf clinics at the soothing and scenic Westin Mission Hills. The strapping pros have the patience of Job as you hit dead air or divot their green, but it’s amazing how quickly you can improve with their simple pointers. www.westinmissionhillsgolf.com

Looking for more luxe for less bucks? Check out our recent Palm Springs itinerary.

Grab your bikini and your besties, we’re off to Palm Springs for a retro retreat!

stay
The Parker is where Angelina lays her head come film fest, noshing at French brasserie Mister Parker’s and perhaps bowling on the pea gravel boules court near the “adult” lemonade stand. Boasting a stately spa called the Palm Springs Yacht Club (PSYC) in Givenchy’s old haunt, this luxe, sprawling property feels more like the private estate it once was. “Parker Princesses” rate from $99. 4200 East Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-321-4620, www.theparkerpalmsprings.com

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Art Style Innovation is a brand new design store opened by the L.A. event design duo behind The Oscars and Grammys. Find stunning creations in every shade of acrylic imaginable (think transparent fluorescent trays and vases) plus custom chairs that turn your house into gala central. 668 North Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-322-3344,  www.artstyleinnovation.com

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Stock up on Minnetonka Moccasins at amazing prices ($25-$50) but beware the Japanese girls buying 20 pairs at a time. This season’s hot style is the “Tramper.” 182 North Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, 760-320-2339.

do
Rent a beach cruiser from the new Bike Palm Springs and follow one of their free touring routes or explore the surrounding movie colony neighbourhood where mid-century star-chitecture abounds. Look for Frank Sinatra’s estate (now owned by Vancouver’s Jimmy Pattison). $25/day. 625 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-832-8912, www.bikepsrentals.com