Every city’s got to have its revolving restaurant, and Vancouver’s is located here at the Empire, a 42-story tower with an uninterrupted panorama of city, sea, and mountains. Predictably, the food at Cloud 9 isn’t actually all that great, but it’s a good place for a drink while you take in the beautiful view. As for the hotel itself, it’s the sort of place that’s popular with tour groups and as a result is a bit beige and anonymous despite a recent makeover. (The executive guest rooms at least have a few funky touches, like curvy, colorful modern accent chairs.) What sells it is the location: on popular Robson Street, near busy Denman and the entrance to Stanley Park. Note that there are a handful of smoking rooms still available, making this a real rarity in a city that was among the first to adopt a no-smoking policy.