The Journey of Glaiven Valorium
2008
The Beginning
Started with a simple dream - create a space where people could actually relax without feeling like they're in some cookie-cutter chain hotel. We bought this historic building on West Georgia and honestly, it was a bit of a mess back then.
2010
Grand Opening
After two years of renovations, we finally opened our doors. Twenty-eight suites, each one designed with actual personality. Our first guest was a writer from Toronto who ended up staying for three months - said she'd never felt more inspired.
2014
Spa Expansion
Guests kept asking about wellness services, so we listened. Added a full spa and wellness center - hired the best therapists we could find. Our hydrotherapy pools became kind of legendary around Vancouver.
2018
Culinary Excellence
Brought in Chef Marcus Chen from Montreal. He transformed our restaurant into something special - farm-to-table before it was trendy. His cedar-plank salmon is worth the trip alone, trust me.
2023
Award Recognition
Got named one of Canada's top boutique hotels. Pretty cool moment for us. But honestly? The best reward is seeing guests leave happier than when they arrived.
Meet Elena Glaiven
Founder & Creative Director
I'd been working in hospitality for almost fifteen years before starting Glaiven Valorium, and yeah, I was pretty burnt out. Stayed in hundreds of hotels across Europe and North America, and they all started blending together - same beige walls, same generic art, same soulless vibe.
Vancouver's my hometown. Grew up here, went to UBC, worked at some of the big hotels downtown. Always thought this city deserved something more intimate, you know? A place where you're not just another room number.
When I found this building on West Georgia, it was love at first sight. Sure, it needed work - a lot of work - but it had character. High ceilings, original hardwood, these gorgeous windows that let in the most amazing light. I could see what it could become.
Our philosophy's pretty straightforward: treat people like actual humans, not transactions. Remember their names, their preferences, their stories. Create spaces that feel more like a friend's really nice apartment than a hotel. Serve food that you'd actually want to eat. Hire staff who genuinely care.
We're not trying to be the biggest or the flashiest. Just want to be the place where people feel at home, even when they're far from it. That's what keeps me going after all these years.
"Creating Glaiven Valorium wasn't about building a business - it was about building a sanctuary where elegance doesn't mean stuffy, and luxury doesn't mean impersonal. Every detail here has a story, and every guest becomes part of ours."
- Elena Glaiven
