How We Got Here
Building upward wasn't just architecture - it was about creating moments that literally take your breath away.
2017 - The Vision Takes Shape
When Elena Thornbridge first sketched her idea on a napkin at a downtown cafe, people thought she was crazy. A luxury tower that doubles as an observatory? In Vancouver? But she'd spent years traveling, staying at the world's finest hotels, and something was always missing - that connection to something greater than ourselves.
2019 - Breaking Ground
Two years of planning, permits, and persuading investors later, we broke ground on Observatory Drive. The construction team had never worked on anything quite like this - floor-to-ceiling windows that could withstand Pacific storms while offering crystal-clear stargazing. Some nights, Elena would camp out at the site, just staring up at what would become.
2021 - The Spire Rises
Our signature spire reached its full height on a clear October morning. Standing at 47 stories, it wasn't the tallest building in Vancouver, but it was definitely the most purposeful. Every angle, every material choice, every suite placement was designed to maximize that relationship between earth and sky. The city started calling it 'that tower with the golden crown' before we'd even installed the lights.
2022 - Opening Night
March 15th, under a perfectly clear sky, we opened our doors. The first guest, a retired astronomer from Seattle, cried when she saw her suite. She told us she'd never thought she'd feel that close to the stars again without a telescope. That's when we knew we'd nailed it.
2023-2025 - Recognition & Growth
The awards started rolling in, but honestly? What matters more are the proposals that happen on our rooftop, the business deals sealed over celestial cocktails, the families who make it their yearly tradition. We've become part of Vancouver's story, and that's worth more than any plaque on our wall.
Meet Elena Thornbridge
She'll tell you she's not a visionary, just someone who noticed what was missing. After 15 years in luxury hospitality across three continents, Elena kept hearing the same thing from guests: hotels were beautiful, sure, but they felt disconnected. Insulated. Safe but soulless.
So she did something about it. Elunareth - the name comes from an old word meaning 'star watcher' - became her answer to that disconnect. A place where you can have your five-star luxury and your humbling cosmic perspective too.
"We wanted to build something that reminds people they're part of something massive and beautiful," she says. "Every night here, you can see that truth written across the sky."
These days, you'll still find Elena walking the halls, usually around sunset when the light hits the windows just right. She knows most of the regular guests by name and remembers their favorite constellations.
Recognition & Awards
Look, we're not gonna lie - it feels pretty great when people notice what you've built. But these aren't just trophies on a shelf; they're validation that what we're doing actually matters to folks.
Architectural Digest Excellence Award
2023
"Innovative Design Integration" - for blending observatory functionality with luxury hospitality
Canadian Luxury Travel Awards
2023 & 2024
Best New Luxury Hotel & Best Unique Stay Experience - two years running
Five-Star Forbes Recognition
2024
Achieved on our first eligibility year - something Elena still can't quite believe
Guest Choice Awards
2024
This one means the most - voted by actual guests who've stayed with us
Our Philosophy
We believe luxury isn't about isolation - it's about elevation. Sure, you'll get the thread count, the service, the attention to detail you'd expect. But you'll also get something you might not find elsewhere: perspective. Every suite, every space, every moment here is designed to remind you that you're both incredibly important and wonderfully small. It's a paradox that works beautifully at 500 feet above the city.