 |
|
|
Best Hotel Bets
Best Historic Hotel: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 W. Georgia St. (tel. 800/441-1414 or 604/684-3131) harks back to a more gracious and traditional era. Even with all the modern amenities and services you could wish for, it wraps you up in old-fashioned charm and comfort.
Best for Business Travelers: The Westin Grand, 433 Robson St. (tel. 800/937-8461 or 604/602-1999), in addition to having some of the nicest modern interior decor and marvelous day and nighttime views from rooms on its high floors, offers comfortable desks with dataports, high-speed and wireless Internet access, lots of electrical plugs, plus speakerphones, cordless phones, easy access to fax/laser printer/photocopiers, and in-room safes big enough for your laptop.
Best Boutique Hotel: In trendy Yaletown, the stylish Opus Hotel, 322 Davie St. (tel. 866/642-6787 or 604/642-6787), a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, has an array of room types set in luscious colors, with superb beds, and an overall contemporary aesthetic that sets it apart.
Best for a Romantic Getaway: The Wedgewood Hotel, 845 Hornby St. (tel. 800/663-0666 or 604/689-7777), the only boutique hotel downtown, has a comfy, romantic, European elegance that brings out the romance in everyone.
Best for Families: The Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel, 838 Hamilton at Robson Street (tel. 800/661-8870 or 604/689-8033), offers two-bedroom suites, a Treasure Chest in the lobby, and toys kids can enjoy in the pool.
Best Inexpensive Hotel: With all the facilities of a convention center plus cheap, comfortable rooms, The University of British Columbia Conference Centre, 5961 Student Union Blvd. (tel. 604/822-1000), is the best inexpensive choice in the city.
Best B&B: Built in 1905 by two Vancouver photographers, the West End Guest House, 1362 Haro St. (tel. 888/546-3327 or 604/681-2889), is not only filled with the artists' work and a collection of Victorian antiques, but you also get fresh-baked brownies or cookies with your evening turndown service.
Best Location: Everyone's definition of a great location is different, but the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina, 1601 Bayshore Dr. (tel. 800/937-8461 or 604/682-3377), is just steps from Stanley Park and Denman Street, with easy access to the seawall and only 10 blocks from downtown.
Best Views: So many Vancouver hotels have outstanding views that it's difficult to choose just one -- so how about two? There's something special about the upper floors at the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, 300-999 Canada Place (tel. 800/937-1515 in the U.S., or 604/662-8111), where the harborside rooms have unimpeded views of Coal Harbour, Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge, and the North Shore's mountains. Just as spectacular, and with windows that you can open to savor the freshness of the air along with the magnificence of the water/mountain/park views, is the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina, 1601 Bayshore Dr. (tel. 800/937-8461 or 604/682-3377).
Best Art: Let's face it, the artwork in most hotel rooms tends to be embarrassing, forgettable, or both, but not at The Listel Hotel, 1300 Robson St. (tel. 800/663-5491 or 604/684-8461), where public spaces and rooms are adorned with artwork from Buschlen Mowatt Gallery, Vancouver's preeminent gallery for contemporary art.
Best for Sports Fans: The Georgian Court Hotel, 773 Beatty St. (tel. 800/663-1155 or 604/682-5555), has the closest beds to all the action. B.C. Place Stadium is right across the street, and GM Place is just a few blocks away.
Best Bathrooms: Every large, marble-clad bathroom at the Wedgewood Hotel, 845 Hornby St. (tel. 800/663-0666 or 604/689-7777), has a deep, soaker tub and a separate, marble, walk-in Roman shower.
Best Spa: The Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, 300-999 Canada Place (tel. 800/937-1515 in the U.S., or 604/662-8111), opened its new, luxurious Spa Utopia in 2005.
The Best Splurge Hotels
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (900 W. Georgia St.; tel. 800/441-1414 or 604/684-3131; www.fairmont.com): A landmark in the heart of Vancouver, this grand hotel was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway and opened in 1939. The château-style exterior, the lobby, and even the rooms -- now thoroughly restored -- are built in a style and on a scale reminiscent of the great European railway hotels.
Opus Hotel (322 Davie St.; tel. 866/642-6787 or 604/642-6787; www.opushotel.com): A contemporary boutique hotel that's cool without the attitude, Opus has an offbeat location in hip Yaletown, an array of room types, luscious room colors and finishes, and a luxurious but nontraditional aesthetic -- plus good dining.
Pacific Palisades Hotel (1277 Robson St.; tel. 800/663-1815 or 604/688-0461; www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com): Large rooms decorated in apple greens and lemon yellows; a lobby of bold, bright colors; a scene restaurant; and thoughtful freebies like the use of yoga gear make this West End high-rise one of the top choices for hip hotel aficionados.
Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver (300-999 Canada Place; tel. 800/937-1515 or 604/662-8111; www.panpacific.com): Perched atop the Canada Place cruise-ship terminal and convention center, the Pan Pacific features rooms with stunning water, mountain, and city views; a great health club and spa; and first-class service.
Wedgewood Hotel (845 Hornby St.; tel. 800/663-0666 or 604/689-7777; www.wedgewoodhotel.com): The only boutique hotel in downtown, the Wedgewood is the most comfortably luxurious in that European style we love so much. Fabulous marble-clad bathrooms and a cozy bar/restaurant invite relaxing and romancing.
The Best Moderately Priced Hotels
Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites (1763 Comox St.; tel. 800/663-1144 or 604/688-7711; www.coasthotels.com): A former high-rise apartment building, the Coast offers large rooms with walk-out balconies and marvelous English Bay views, right in the heart of the West End.
West End Guest House (1362 Haro St.; tel. 888/546-3327 or 604/681-2889; www.westendguesthouse.com): Built in 1905 by two Vancouver photographers, this highly regarded B&B in the thick of the West End is filled with the artists' work as well as an impressive collection of Victorian antiques.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
|
|
|
