Hot spots: Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver

Having opened its doors in 1927, the 12-storey hotel, in downtown Vancouver, Canada, is a designated heritage structure that has been brought into the 21st century with a recent makeover. The guestroom size was greatly enlarged when its 315 became just 156.

The Georgia has long been known as a grand historic hotel and the art deco-tinged Georgian revival lobby has been retained, essentially intact - part of the flooring is the polished original marble. Against wood-panelled walls, decorative cornices and a working fireplace, modern impact is delivered by contemporary art-work - part of a permanent collection of mostly Canadian pieces on display throughout the hotel. Motifs and the overall palette reflect the 1930s.

In honour of Elvis Presley's stay, in 1957, his favourite sandwich - fried peanut butter and banana - appears on the room service menu. In the 40s, actress Marlene Dietrich ordered food from the restaurant to be eaten in her Georgia suite, in the process becoming something of a room-service pioneer. Crooner Nat King Cole, who wasn't welcome in every hotel at the time due to the colour of his skin, visited in 1958 and his reports on the Georgia's friendliness spread quickly in entertainment circles. Overseas entertainers and British royalty have also stayed here.