Why Luxury Hotels Should Invest in Green Landscaping
By Darrell Smith – Owner of DH Garden Centre and DH Landscape Solution
Not long ago, I stood in the courtyard of a boutique hotel in downtown Vancouver. The architecture was stunning, the rooms immaculate—but something was missing. The space, though elegant, felt sterile and lifeless. It lacked greenery. It lacked soul.
That moment reminded me of one powerful truth: in luxury hospitality, landscaping is not just decoration—it’s transformation.
Over the past 25 years working in landscaping and over a decade in customer service at DH Garden Centre, I’ve seen how the right landscape can turn a good hotel into an unforgettable one. Today, more than ever, high-end travelers are looking for meaningful experiences. And a lush, thoughtfully designed green space speaks directly to that desire.
Let me walk you through why luxury hotels—especially in eco-conscious cities like Vancouver—should treat green landscaping as a cornerstone of their brand identity.
1. First Impressions Start with the Landscape
In the world of luxury hospitality, this saying couldn’t ring more true. Long before a guest slips into a plush robe or sips their welcome drink, their journey has already begun—from the moment their car rolls up to the entrance.
As a landscaper and plant lover, I’ve watched this unfold again and again: a breathtaking approach framed by lush greenery can stir something in people. It doesn’t just impress—it soothes, excites, and elevates the entire experience. A beautifully manicured driveway lined with blooming hydrangeas in soft blues and purples… a rooftop garden draped in vines and edible herbs… a vertical green wall at the hotel entrance that feels more like an art piece than a planting installation—all of these aren’t just decorative flourishes. They’re emotional anchors. They tell guests right away, “This place cares.”
Care about detail.
Care about aesthetics.
Care about the environment and about the kind of experience they’re offering.
Landscaping, when done with intention, sets the tone. It tells a story about who you are and what you value before a single word is exchanged. It’s not simply about curb appeal—it’s about creating a lasting, emotional impact.
In a city like Vancouver, where nature is both our backdrop and our identity, this matters deeply. Guests coming to the West Coast don’t just want to stay somewhere—they want to feel connected to the environment. They crave that blend of urban luxury and natural beauty. And when your hotel’s outdoor spaces reflect that harmony, you’re already one step ahead.
That’s why green landscaping is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s a non-negotiable. It’s the difference between a place guests remember—and one they never want to leave.
2. Sustainability is the New Luxury
The days when sustainability was seen as a bonus or a marketing gimmick are long gone. Today’s luxury travelers—especially those visiting conscious cities like Vancouver—are not only more informed, but also more intentional. Over 80% of global travelers now actively seek accommodations that align with their personal values, especially when it comes to environmental impact.
They want to know:
Where does your food come from?
What energy are you using?
What are you doing to reduce waste, carbon, and water usage?
And yet, despite all the attention given to in-room innovations—like energy-saving appliances, reusable amenities, and zero-waste kitchens—landscaping often remains the most overlooked element of sustainability. Ironically, it’s also one of the most powerful, visible, and sensory ways to make a bold, green statement.
A well-designed garden doesn’t just beautify—it functions. It performs.
A truly eco-conscious landscape can:
Reduce the urban heat island effect by lowering surrounding temperatures naturally
Improve air quality through increased oxygen production and pollution filtration
Support native pollinators and biodiversity, offering food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and birds
Mitigate stormwater runoff and protect water sources through permeable soil and smart rain capture
Invite mindfulness, creating peaceful, calming spaces for guests to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with nature
These aren’t just side benefits—they’re central to the experience modern guests are seeking. And they come alive through intentional landscaping.
But not just any landscaping will do. You need a partner who understands the soil, the seasons, and the subtle differences that make Vancouver’s West Coast climate so unique.
That’s where DH Garden Centre comes in.
Located right here in Kitsilano, we specialize in low-maintenance, native, and drought-tolerant plants that are born to thrive in our coastal weather patterns. We don’t just offer greenery—we offer resilience, longevity, and beauty that serves a purpose. Whether it’s salal, sword ferns, ornamental grasses, or evergreen shrubs that anchor your year-round design, we help hotels select the right plants for the right space—and teach them how to maintain it.
We believe that when you design with nature in mind, you don’t just create beautiful gardens. You build healthier hotels, happier guests, and a more sustainable future for our city and beyond.
3. Green Spaces Enhance Guest Wellness
Let’s be honest: guests don’t choose luxury hotels just for a bed—they choose them for the feeling.
We live in an age of burnout and screen fatigue. More than ever, people crave calm, healing spaces. The simple act of walking through a lush courtyard, sipping tea beside a koi pond, or stretching under an olive tree on the rooftop can be deeply restorative.
Studies have shown that being around greenery reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), improves sleep, and even enhances memory. That means your hotel isn’t just a stay—it becomes a sanctuary.
Imagine the added value of promoting your hotel as a wellness destination, complete with:
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Herb gardens for on-site culinary use
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Quiet meditation nooks framed by climbing jasmine
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Lavender walkways leading to the spa
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Native plant gardens attracting hummingbirds and butterflies
It’s all possible—and we help make it happen.
4. Boosting Property Value and Operational Efficiency
Green spaces aren’t just good for the heart—they’re great for the bottom line.
Investing in professional landscaping can increase property value by up to 20%. But that’s not all. When you design with sustainability in mind, you also cut down on long-term maintenance costs.
At DH Landscape Solution, we focus on smart design strategies such as:
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Xeriscaping – landscaping with minimal irrigation needs
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Permeable pavers – reduce runoff and protect the building foundation
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Layered plantings – minimize weed growth and support soil health
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Seasonal planning – ensuring your landscape looks stunning all year long in BC’s diverse seasons
Your landscaping shouldn’t be a constant cost. Done right, it becomes a self-sustaining asset.
5. Telling Your Brand Story Through Plants
In luxury hospitality, everything tells a story—from the wine list to the artwork. So why should your outdoor space be any different?
When guests arrive at your hotel, they’re not just looking for a place to sleep—they’re looking for a narrative, a feeling, a sense of place. Every detail they encounter, from the textures of the furniture to the aroma in the lobby, weaves a silent story about who you are as a brand. Your landscape, believe it or not, is one of the most expressive elements of that story—and one of the first your guests will ever experience.
Unlike furniture or menus that can be swapped out seasonally, your outdoor space is a living, breathing canvas that evolves over time. And when it’s done right, it becomes an immersive part of your identity.
Your landscape isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a declaration.
It says:
“We care.”
“We know who we are.”
“We’ve thoughtfully designed this space for you.”
Imagine this:
🌿 A wellness-focused retreat where winding garden paths lead through beds of chamomile, echinacea, and lemon balm. Guests can pluck herbs for their tea or stop and meditate beside a small water feature designed for stillness and reflection.
💜 A boutique hotel with French heritage, graced by rows of lavender that perfume the air, geometrically clipped boxwoods lining quiet courtyards, and rustic gravel walkways that evoke the charm of Provence—without ever leaving Vancouver.
🌾 A modern, minimalist city hotel with sleek, architectural lines. Here, the landscape mirrors the design ethos: tall ornamental grasses, sculptural evergreens, smooth basalt stones, and contemplative Zen-style layouts that make the outdoor areas feel like natural extensions of the suites.
Each of these spaces tells a different story. And the plants, textures, pathways, and layouts are the language in which it is written.
At DH Garden Centre, we don’t do generic. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all designs pulled from a catalog.
Instead, we take the time to understand:
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Your brand values and what makes you stand out
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Your clientele and what kind of experience they seek
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Your location, soil conditions, and microclimate—because a great design must also thrive in real-world conditions
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Your operational needs, including maintenance capacity and seasonal fluctuations
From there, we hand-select every plant, design every curve in a path, and consider every focal point with intention. We collaborate closely with hotel GMs, architects, and hospitality teams to make sure the final result is not just a landscape—it’s a living brand experience.
Because when your landscape tells the same story as your interiors, your values, and your vision… that’s when guests stop seeing it as décor—and start remembering it as part of the reason they’ll return.
6. Supporting the Local Economy & Tapping into Authenticity
When luxury hotels source plants, materials, and landscaping services locally, they’re not just reducing their carbon footprint—they’re building relationships.
Guests notice when a hotel champions its local community. Whether it’s featuring native plants, supporting Vancouver-based growers, or creating garden spaces that reflect West Coast ecology, green landscaping makes your hotel feel rooted and real.
It also opens the door to partnerships with local artisans, chefs, florists, and garden centres (like ours!), creating a network of sustainable, authentic value that travelers appreciate deeply.
7. Instagrammable Moments = Free Marketing
Let’s be practical. We all know the power of a good photo.
Greenery creates aesthetic magic. Think of cascading vines on balconies, bougainvillea draping over café patios, or a moonlit courtyard under flowering cherry trees. These are the spaces guests love to photograph—and share.
That’s marketing you didn’t have to pay for. And when you’re in a competitive market like luxury travel, every image counts.
Final Thoughts from Darrell
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of transforming many hotel spaces—from cozy garden corners in Kitsilano B&Bs to larger resort courtyards across the Lower Mainland.
Every time, I’m reminded that landscaping isn’t just about plants. It’s about people. It’s about giving your guests a sense of wonder, your staff a healthier work environment, and your brand a legacy of care.
So, if you’re running a luxury hotel in Vancouver, now is the time to invest in green. Let’s work together to craft a space that’s not only beautiful—but meaningful.
Come visit us at DH Garden Centre, or get in touch for a landscaping consultation with DH Landscape Solution. Whether it’s a rooftop garden or a full-scale hotel redesign, we’re here to bring your green vision to life—one plant at a time.
Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together
📍 3742 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6R 2G4
📞 604-929-7335
🌐 dhgardencentre.com
📷 Instagram: @dh.garden.centre
🎥 YouTube: The Plant Doctor Official
