Serene Local Escape

The Westin Bear Mountain is in the midst of a major renovation that is set to bring the prominent mountainside hotel’s already luxurious main building to new levels of opulent. These upgrades will see key areas of the hotel completely redesigned to reflect a lighter, more contemporary aesthetic with details reminiscent of the art deco and art nouveau styles.

Eschewing the traditional, the lobby will now feature a striking front desk display by renowned Vancouver artist and furniture designer, Brent Comber. Here, as much art installation as functional décor, a collection of Comber’s ethereal illuminated shattered spheres will greet guests as they arrive, and set the tone for the rest of the impressive ornamentation. Lighting by the historic bohemian manufacturer Preciosa will also be featured throughout the hotel, with a custom chandelier installation by the esteemed house of glass and light showcased in the lobby as a wave of coloured fragments undulating through the air. In addition, the illustrious Italian design studio, Baxter has been chosen to provide comfortable and stylish furniture that aligns with the glamorous interior.

Ushering guests into the new restaurant, an imposing central bar will be crowned by a complex parametric lighting façade, its airy woven aesthetic a theme that will continue throughout the space. To maximize the dining space and extend guests’ enjoyment of the hotel’s incredible views year round, OpenAire has been contracted to install a massive retractable roofing system over the current patio to allow for year round usage of one the best areas in the hotel.

Alongside the new restaurant and bar, a magnificent private wine room is also in the works featuring an arched and coffered ceiling and yet another otherworldly custom chandelier. In support of these new gastronomic escapes, a state-of-the-art kitchen is also being introduced with plans to offer a regularly rotating menu.

Keeping with this undoubtedly grand vision, the ballroom will also undergo a complete facelift and will feature a mammoth video wall by LG. Set to be one of the largest in the world, this 70-foot wide display will no doubt impress and give guests and conference goers a viewing experience like no other.

This redesign is being undertaken by a trio of award-winning, BC-based design and construction firms. Established in 1989, with offices in both Victoria and Vancouver, WA Architects is lending their extensive experience in large-scale green residential and commercial developments to the project. Familiar and praised projects by WA Architects include the boutique residences at 930 Fort Street in Victoria, and the dynamically architectural Fairwynd building in Langford.

Vancouver-based interior design studio CHIL specializes in grand hospitality design and re-visioning with a portfolio that spans the globe. Some of their notable projects include Vancouver’s Hotel Belmont, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, the Hong Kong City Garden Hotel, and the Shangri-La in Toronto.

Bringing the vision of the designers to life is trusted local builder Verity Construction, recognized many times over for their excellence in residential and commercial projects, customer service, and green building expertise. Some of their prominent projects include the new Langford Aquatic Centre, the Westhills residential development, and Langford’s BC Ambulance Dispatch & Communications Centre.

The first step in this renovation journey is already complete. Dubbed Amatista, the Spanish word for amethyst, the hotel’s spa has undergone a nearly $2-million dollar update. The new space is inspired by the use of gemstones in traditional medicinal practices, with the deep purple hue of amethyst a recurring highlight of the pristine retreat.

Open now, this modern luxury spa offers guests an immersive sensory wellness and beauty experience featuring state-of-the art equipment, and hospital-grade hygiene and safety precautions never before introduced to Vancouver Island. Bright and serene, a multitude of private rooms afford privacy to guests who are also privy to the stylish fireside lounge and its lovely outdoor patio and mountainside hot pool.

The spa’s customizable packages are intended to incorporate a variety of luscious essential oils and sumptuous aromatherapy blends alongside a selection of world-renowned and locally sourced products to further enhance every visit. In addition, the spa itself is now offering its own line of BC-made signature wellness products based on pure, natural ingredients.

Once complete, there is no doubt the Westin Bear Mountain will be the heart of luxury on Vancouver Island.