At this former Trump hotel, no one wants to talk about the Donald

I’m sniffing around for ghosts of presidents past, namely one with a papaya complexion and a wild ginger comb-over. The former president’s association with the 147-room Paradox Hotel Vancouver may still linger but this swanky boutique property is working hard to leave the Trump connection in the past.

Handing me my room key, a staff member tactfully changes the subject when I mention the former president. The concierge, pointing out a McLaren sports car wrapped ridiculously in the Dogecoin symbol out front, laughs awkwardly when I bring up the D word (Donald that is). It’s understandable.

From the moment it was announced that the planned 63-storey, $CA360 million ($412 million) condo and hotel complex was to be called Trump International Hotel and Tower Vancouver it polarised Vancouverites. Its soft opening in 2017 – amid his controversial presidency – attended by Trump and three of his children, saw protesters carrying signs reading “Love Trumps Hate” and “Deport Racism”. Vancouver’s then mayor Gregor Robertson and other City Council officials boycotted the opening after asking the developers to remove the Trump name from the project.

The partnership between Malaysian developer Joo Kim Tiah and Trump ended in 2020 when the operator of the 15-floor hotel filed for bankruptcy, citing the pandemic as the cause. All Trump branding was removed a little over a year later before the hotel reopened under the Paradox Hotel Group banner with the name Paradox Hotel Vancouver on April 1, 2022. A further seven of Trump’s branded hotels and buildings have since removed the 45th president’s name since 2017 while countless others have been cancelled or not completed.

Rising from the ashes, The Paradox offers a complete brand refresh, exemplary customer service and a prime downtown locale where it’s an easy stroll to the Coal Harbour seawall or to Stanley Park. Located on Georgia Street, the main lobby is found behind between Bute and Thurlow Streets (confounding even the savviest taxi driver). Despite the seemingly back-to-front entrance, the welcome is warm in the soaring lobby with its fireplace and view of the hotel’s wine collection.

Contemporary rooms (including 16 suites and one penthouse) offer floor-to-ceiling windows with no two views alike due to the iconic twisting tower designed by renowned Canadian architect and late local luminary Arthur Erickson. Rooms feature European oak hardwood floors, Nublado Italian marble bathrooms with heated floors, freestanding baths, multi-lingual touch pads and curved balconies with harbour, skyline and park vistas (dependent on your room). Minibars are stocked with locally sourced snacks. There’s also an indoor pool, gym, spa and lauded Chinese restaurant (independently run).

If there’s anything to dislike from the hotel housed within Vancouver’s second-tallest building it’s the lack of an onsite restaurant (a room-service menu is offered) and the loud music emanating from the dimly lit Karma Lounge. Many guests find themselves walking through the lounge bar (there’s also a nightclub with Vancouver’s only day and night pool bar), having mistaken the Georgia Street entrance as the lobby. It’s perhaps the only place where I feel the lingering presence of Trump – imagining him in a dark corner contemplating his next move.