Our Story - Brimora Quinthal Hotel

It Started With a Dream

Back in 1987, Margaret and Thomas Quinthal were strolling down Robson Street when they spotted this old building - kinda forgotten, honestly a bit run-down, but it had something. That unmistakable character you just can't fake.

Thomas, who'd grown up in his family's inn back in Nova Scotia, turned to Margaret and said, "This is it." She thought he'd lost his mind at first. The place needed everything - new plumbing, electrical, you name it. But they saw past the peeling paint and creaky floors.

What they envisioned was a place that'd feel like coming home after a long journey. Not one of those cookie-cutter hotel chains, but somewhere with soul, with stories in its walls.

The Journey

Three decades of welcoming guests, creating memories, and honestly learning as we go.

1987 - The Beginning

Eighteen months of renovations that nearly broke us, honestly. We kept finding "surprises" behind every wall. But Margaret insisted on preserving the original crown molding, the hardwood floors, even those quirky stained glass windows on the third floor. People told us we were crazy spending so much on restoration when we could've just gutted the place.

1992 - The Restaurant

We added our dining room after guests kept asking where they could get a proper meal nearby. Thomas hired Chef Pierre Moreau, who'd just moved from Montreal. Pierre had this vision for Pacific Northwest cuisine before it was even a thing. Our soft opening was... let's just say we learned a lot that first week about managing a restaurant.

2001 - Going Green

Way before it was trendy, we started our sustainability program. Margaret read about this hotel in Sweden doing eco-friendly practices and got totally inspired. We switched to energy-efficient systems, started composting, partnered with local suppliers. Some guests didn't get it at first - "Why don't you have those little plastic bottles?" - but most appreciated what we were trying to do.

2008 - The Spa

Our biggest expansion came when we acquired the building next door. The timing was risky - right when the economy was tanking - but the space was perfect for a wellness center. We brought in treatments inspired by Canadian traditions, using local ingredients like cedar, lavender from the Fraser Valley, and sea salt from Vancouver Island.

2015 - New Generation

Emma and David Quinthal, Thomas and Margaret's kids, came on board after years of working in hospitality abroad. They brought fresh ideas about technology and guest experience while respecting what made Brimora special. That balance between honoring tradition and embracing change? That's been our sweet spot ever since.

Today

We're still family-run, still figuring things out, still learning from every guest who walks through our doors. The building's got its quirks - that one elevator that's a bit slow, the radiators that clank on cold nights - but that's part of who we are. We've hosted everyone from honeymooners to business conferences, from celebrity guests to families celebrating graduations.

What We're Really About

Look, we're not gonna pretend we're perfect. Sometimes things go wrong - a room's not quite ready on time, the wi-fi acts up, whatever. But what sets us apart is how we handle it. Our team genuinely cares, and they'll bend over backwards to make things right.

We've got staff who've been with us for twenty-plus years. Carlos at the front desk knows regulars by name, remembers if you prefer a higher floor, keeps notes about your coffee order. That's not from some corporate training manual - that's just who he is.

Margaret always said, "We're not just providing a bed for the night. We're creating a moment in someone's story." Every anniversary celebrated here, every business deal closed over dinner in our restaurant, every family reunion in our conference room - we're honored to be part of those memories.

That's what keeps us going after all these years.

Our Values

Authenticity

No fake smiles or scripted responses. Just real people treating you like we'd want to be treated.

Heritage

We're custodians of something special - this building, our reputation, the trust guests place in us.

Community

Vancouver's our home. We support local artists, suppliers, charities. This city made us who we are.

Come Write Your Chapter

Whether you're here for business, celebration, or just need to get away for a bit - we'd love to have you. Every guest adds something to our story, and we can't wait to be part of yours.

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