Burrard Hotel
MAP 1: 1100 Burrard St., 604/681-2331 or 800/663-0366, www.theburrard.com
S Listel Hotel $$
Original artworks adorn the lobby, corridors, and guest rooms at the low-rise 129-room Listel Hotel on Vancouver’s main downtown shopping street. The “museum” rooms feature works by First Nations artists, while staff from a local gallery decorated the eclectic “gallery” rooms. The retro-designed standard units on the second floor are simpler but less expensive. You can work out in the small fitness center or request a complimentary pass to a nearby health club. Overall, the hotel is a comfortable and classy choice. On-site restaurant Forage (604/661-1400, www.foragevancouver.com), which emphasizes B.C. ingredients, is a bonus. The Listel charges an additional 6 percent fee to cover Wi-Fi and North American phone calls.
MAP 1: 1300 Robson St., 604/684-8461 or 800/663-5491, www.thelistelhotel.com
Barclay House B&B $$
Each of the six guest rooms at the Barclay House B&B, in a yellow 1904 Victorian home in the midst of urban Vancouver, is decorated differently. The bay-windowed turquoise-accented Beach room has a queen bed and a cozy sitting area, while the Peak room, under the eaves on the top floor, has skylights and a claw-foot tub. Guests can mingle in the lounge or games room, both furnished with a mix of contemporary and antique pieces. Rates at this West End inn include parking, Wi-Fi, and a full breakfast.
MAP 1: 1351 Barclay St., 604/605-1351 or 800/971-1351, www.barclayhouse.com
Blue Horizon Hotel $$
Built in the 1960s, the Blue Horizon Hotel was Vancouver’s first high-rise. These days, all 214 rooms in this skinny 31-story downtown tower are corner units, with private balconies and city views, as well as flat-screen TVs, minifridges, Keurig coffeemakers, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The family suites on the 29th floor have a separate living room with a queen bed and double sofa bed, as well as a king bedroom. Other amenities include an indoor lap pool, a hot tub, and a sauna. Prices rise as you get higher in the building.
MAP 1: 1225 Robson St., 604/688-1411 or 800/663-1333, www.bluehorizonhotel.com
Century Plaza Hotel & Spa $$
The apartment-style Century Plaza Hotel & Spa isn’t fancy, but the studio and one-bedroom units have kitchen facilities and free Wi-Fi. Outside the busy summer season, you can often find good deals here. The 240-room hotel has a fitness center, indoor pool, and a branch of the local Absolute Spa chain, and you’re just a short stroll from most downtown attractions.
MAP 1: 1015 Burrard St., 604/687-0575 or 800/663-1818, www.century-plaza.com
Moda Hotel $$
In a restored 1908 building downtown, the boutique Moda Hotel has 67 cozy rooms. The smallest measure just 150 square feet (14 square meters), while standard doubles are 300-350 square feet (28-32 square meters), but they’re smartly designed, with red accents, updated baths, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi and North American phone calls. You don’t have to go far to eat and drink: Uva Wine & Cocktail Bar (604/632-9560, www.uvavancouver.com), Red Card Sports Bar (604/689-4460, www.redcardsportsbar.ca), and Cibo Trattoria (604/602-9570, www.cibotrattoria.com) are all on the lobby level.
MAP 1: 900 Seymour St., 604/683-4251 or 877/683-5522, www.modahotel.ca
Sunset Inn and Suites $$
On a residential West End block, steps from lively Davie Street, the Sunset Inn and Suites, in a 1970s former apartment building, has 50 unpretentious studios and one-bedroom units (with sofa beds), all with full kitchens and handy features like multiple outlets and USB ports by the beds. Rates include lots of extras: Wi-Fi, a light continental breakfast, and free parking. The cheapest units overlook the back alley; the priciest have views toward False Creek. The tiny fitness room has just three cardio machines, but get outdoors: you’re a short stroll from the Seawall.
MAP 1: 1111 Burnaby St., 604/688-2474, http://sunsetinn.com
Sylvia Hotel $$
Sure, the ivy-covered Sylvia Hotel, constructed as a West End apartment building in 1912, is a little old-fashioned. But all 120 units, from basic queens and kings to larger family suites, have free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs; some have kitchens, and the best rooms have million-dollar views of English Bay. Even if your room doesn’t, you can walk out the front door to the beach, Stanley Park, and plenty of dining spots.
MAP 1: 1154 Gilford St., 604/681-9321 or 877/681-9321, www.sylviahotel.com
Gastown and Chinatown Map 2
S Skwachàys Lodge $$
At Skwachàys Lodge, Canada’s first aboriginal arts and culture hotel, aboriginal artists worked with hotel designers to craft 18 distinctive guest rooms in an early-20th-century brick Victorian. In the Poem Suite, poems and pencil drawings dance across walls; in the Moon Suite, artists painted a golden moon face on the ceiling watching over the bed below. An aboriginal-owned company created the hotel’s bath products; Wi-Fi and both local and international calls are included in the rates. Guests can participate in sweat lodge or smudging ceremonies with an aboriginal elder, with advance reservations. An added benefit: Hotel profits help subsidize housing for First Nations artists.
Skwachàys Lodge
MAP 2: 31 W. Pender St., 604/687-3589 or 888/998-0797, http://skwachays.com
Delta Vancouver Suites $$
Managed by Marriott, this 23-story tower caters to business travelers, but with separate sitting and sleeping areas, many of the 225 all-suite rooms at the Delta Vancouver Suites accommodate families, too. Minifridges, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi are standard, and the floor-to-ceiling windows make rooms feel larger.
MAP 2: 550 W. Hastings St., 604/689-8188, www.marriott.com
Victorian Hotel $$
The 47-room Victorian Hotel is a European-style boutique property in two brick buildings, dating to 1898 and 1908. While the least expensive rooms are tiny and share hallway baths, others are more spacious and have private baths. All tastefully mix period pieces and modern furnishings, with pillow-top mattresses, robes, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks. Rates include Wi-Fi and continental breakfast.
MAP 2: 514 Homer St., 604/681-6369, www.victorianhotel.ca
Yaletown and False Creek Map 3
S Opus Hotel Vancouver $$$
A clear contender for the title of “Vancouver’s coolest hotel,” the boutique Opus Hotel Vancouver outfitted its 96 guest rooms in eye-popping lime greens, magentas, purples, and vibrant oranges. Many of the spacious baths have a window into the bedroom, while in others, bath windows face outside (don’t be shy!). Rooms aren’t huge, though they come with high-tech toys like flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and iPads that you can use throughout your stay (with free Wi-Fi, of course). Staff greet guests with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine; to get around town, book the hotel’s complimentary car service or borrow a gratis mountain bike.
MAP 3: 322 Davie St., 866/642-6787, http://vancouver.opushotel.com
Hotel BLU $$
This contemporary 75-room lodging sits at the foot of Robson Street, within shouting distance of B.C. Place, and at Hotel BLU, there’s plenty to keep you active: an indoor pool with a courtyard patio, 24-hour fitness room, morning runs with a personal trainer, and complimentary bicycles. Guest rooms are technology-friendly, with tablet computers, free Wi-Fi, handy USB ports, and plenty of electrical outlets. Other amenities include minifridges, microwaves, teakettles, and one-cup espresso makers, and many of the modern bathrooms have glass walls into the showers. The building also has a self-service guest laundry.
MAP 3: 177 Robson St., 604/620-6200 or 855/284-2091, www.hotelbluvancouver.com
YWCA Hotel Vancouver $
One of Vancouver’s best options for travelers on a budget is the modern YWCA Hotel Vancouver. The 155 rooms range from basic singles with either a hall bath or a semiprivate bath (shared between two rooms) or doubles with hall, semiprivate, or private facilities to larger units that accommodate three to five people. All have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and free Wi-Fi. Guests can prep meals in one of the three commo
n kitchens or grab a snack in the lobby café.
MAP 3: 733 Beatty St., 604/895-5830 or 800/663-1424, www.ywcavan.org
Granville Island Map 4
Granville Island Hotel $$$
To stay right on Granville Island, book a room at the waterfront Granville Island Hotel. The 82 guest rooms and suites are all furnished differently; the nicest ones take advantage of the island location with balconies and water views. Wi-Fi is included, and the hotel has a small fitness room—but for a more interesting workout, you can run or walk along the Seawall.
MAP 4: 1253 Johnston St., 604/683-7373 or 800/663-1840, www.granvilleislandhotel.com
Kitsilano Map 5
Corkscrew Inn $$
Glass artist Sal Robinson has outfitted the Corkscrew Inn, the B&B that she co-owns with her husband, Wayne Meadows, in a 1912 Craftsman-style Kitsilano home, with her original art deco-inspired wine-themed stained glass. You’ll see her work in the sitting areas, dining room, and the five guest rooms, which also have custom-designed baths; one features tiles that Robinson designed to depict the Empire State Building. The inn also takes its name from Meadows’s collection of antique corkscrews, which he displays in a tiny “museum” on the lower level. Rates include a family-style hot breakfast, which might feature a wild salmon frittata or lemon ricotta pancakes.
MAP 5: 2735 W. 2nd Ave., 604/733-7276 or 877/737-7276, www.corkscrewinn.com
UBC and Point Grey Map 5
West Coast Suites at UBC $$
On the University of British Columbia campus, West Coast Suites at UBC are modern one-bedroom apartment-style suites. Units have a king bed in the bedroom, a living room with a small dining table and a sofa bed, and a full kitchen. Other amenities include flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and U.S. and Canadian phone calls. Open year-round, the suites are located a short walk from the UBC bus loop.
MAP 5: 5959 Student Union Blvd., 604/822-1000 or 888/822-1030, http://suitesatubc.com
HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach $
Fancy a cheap sleep by the beach? Hostelling International runs this seasonal hostel in a former military barracks, a short walk from the shore in Point Grey. The dorms remain true to their origins, with each room sleeping 14 to 18 people in curtained-off four-person “quads,” each with two bunk beds. Updated private rooms, with shared baths down the hall, accommodate two to four. There’s also a private room with a queen bed and an en suite bath, as well as two family rooms, each sleeping 2-4 and sharing a kitchen and bath.
The hostel has a kitchen for guests’ use, complimentary Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, bike rentals, and a small café. The nearest commercial district, with a grocery store, liquor store, and several restaurants, is along West 4th Avenue near Alma Street, about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the hostel. Buses run along West 4th Avenue toward downtown (20-25 minutes) and the UBC campus (10 minutes).
MAP 5: 1515 Discovery St., 604/224-3208 or 778/328-2220, www.hihostels.ca; May-mid-Sept.
Pacific Spirit Hostel $
More student dormitory than classic travelers’ hostel, Pacific Spirit Hostel offers summer-only budget accommodations in Place Vanier Residence, a UBC residence hall. Sleeping options include basic private single or double rooms; you get a bed, a desk, and a storage cabinet, but not much else. There are shared baths and a TV lounge on each floor. Although complimentary Wi-Fi is available, you can access it only in the lobby, not in the rooms.
The hostel is open only during the university’s summer break, May through mid-August. From the UBC bus loop, walk west on University Boulevard and turn right onto Lower Mall; it’s about a 10-minute walk.
MAP 5: 1935 Lower Mall, 604/822-1000 or 888/822-1030, http://suitesatubc.com; May-mid-Aug.
Richmond Map 8
Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel $$$
You can’t stay closer to the departure gates than at this luxury lodging inside the terminal at Vancouver International Airport. At the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, the lobby sits above the U.S. departures hall, yet despite the bustle below, this contemporary property feels surprisingly quiet. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the 392 guest rooms, many of which overlook the runways, are triple-glazed to keep out the airplane noise; pillow-top mattresses and white duvets cover the king or queen beds. To unwind before or after your travels, swim in the lap pool, work out in the fitness facility, or book a treatment at the spa.
Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, head for the Jetside Bar (11am-1am Mon.-Sat., 11am-midnight Sun.) for refreshments. You can watch the planes come and go over drinks and light meals while waiting for your flight.
MAP 8: 3111 Grant McConachie Way, subway: YVR Airport, 604/207-5200 or 866/540-4441, www.fairmont.com
River Rock Casino Resort $$
This Richmond entertainment complex houses B.C.’s largest casino, a 1,000-seat theater, a free-form indoor saltwater pool with a 70-foot (21-meter) waterslide, and two hotels. The main hotel, River Rock Casino Resort, has 203 spacious and contemporary one- or two-bedroom suites with separate sleeping and sitting areas. West-facing units look out to the Fraser River. Across the street, the Hotel at River Rock has smaller, less expensive, but still comfortable rooms. In the hotel building, the Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant (8888 River Rd., Richmond, 604/232-0816, www.seaharbour.com; 10:30am-3pm and 5pm-10pm Mon.-Fri., 10am-3pm and 5pm-10pm Sat.-Sun.) serves excellent dim sum.
MAP 8: 8811 River Rd., subway: Bridgeport, 604/247-8900 or 866/748-3718, www.riverrock.com
The North Shore Map 9
Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier $$
Convenient to mountain activities, eight-story Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier has panoramic views across the water to the Vancouver skyline. Of the 106 modern guest rooms, with Wi-Fi included, those on the harbor side have small step-out balconies, and if you open the bath blinds, you can take in the vistas while you soak in the tub. City-side rooms glimpse the mountains. In the health club, you can enjoy the seascape from the cardio and weight machines, waterside sundeck, or indoor Olympic-size pool. The hotel is a five-minute walk from Lonsdale Quay and a 12-minute ride on the SeaBus to downtown Vancouver.
Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier
MAP 9: 138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, 604/986-7437 or 877/986-7437, http://pinnaclepierhotel.com
VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND
Highlights
Victoria
Nanaimo
The West Coast
British Columbia’s capital city mixes historic and hip, while the island’s Pacific coast lures ocean lovers with surf, sand, and rainforest trails.
Vancouver Island offers lots of ways to relax, from enjoying a cup of tea or a glass of wine to snorkeling with seals, watching whales, and catching waves.
British Columbia’s capital city, Victoria, is located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, across the Strait of Georgia from the city of Vancouver. You can easily spend a day or more taking in the sights along the Inner Harbour, venturing offshore for whale-watching, or enjoying traditional afternoon tea. A boom in contemporary restaurants, craft breweries, and cool cocktail bars means that you’ll eat and drink well, too. Just outside of Victoria, the Cowichan Valley is a growing wine region, where you can sip and sample what’s new at the winery tasting rooms.
Fairmont Empress, Victoria
North of Victoria, Nanaimo is an alternate ferry port between Vancouver and the island; it’s the most convenient route between Vancouver and Tofino on the island’s west coast. Besides an attractive waterfront and historic sites, Nanaimo is worth a stop for a unique adventure: snorkeling with a colony of seals who live near the city’s harbor. Be sure to sample a sweet Nanaimo bar, too.
Vancouver Island’s striking west coast is the region’s ocean playground. You can explore the beaches and rainforest trails in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and unwind in the sand-and-surf communities of Tofino and Ucluelet. Day-trip to remote hot springs, kayak to a First Nations island, or go on a whale- or bear-watching excursion. Oceanfront resorts and fine casual restau
rants (seafood is a specialty) keep you comfortable when you come in from the sea.
HIGHLIGHTS
S VICTORIA’S INNER HARBOUR: Buskers, ferries, floatplanes, and travelers all converge on Victoria’s waterfront, where the city’s major sights are located (click here).
Victoria’s Inner Harbour
S ROYAL BRITISH COLUMBIA MUSEUM: Trace British Columbia’s roots at this museum of cultural and natural history (click here).
S BUTCHART GARDENS: Elaborate floral displays and holiday lights make these gardens one of Vancouver Island’s most popular year-round attractions (click here).
S WHALE-WATCHING: You may spot orcas, humpbacks, or gray whales from the whale-watching boats that depart from Victoria (click here).
S SNORKELING WITH SEALS: Suit up and snorkel up close with harbor seals on this unique half-day adventure from Nanaimo (click here).
S PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK RESERVE: Explore the rainforest and beaches in this lush oceanfront national park (click here).
S TOFINO: This funky town on Vancouver Island’s far west coast has beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and a chill surfer vibe, plus lots of on-the-water excursions (click here).
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