Vancouver travel

[CityHunter]

Had a blast when I went...didn't get to go to everything that I wanted to, but whatevs.

Got to check out Inventory, Old Faithful Shop, Haven, and Gravity Pope. Very impressive! Bummed I didn't get to go to Lark this time around. Holt Refrew was kind of disappointing, label-wise. Spied some Yukutens on sale for $139, but realized they were all like size 8 or something.

As for eating, the only places I remember (I guess worth remembering?) was Japadog, Cafe Medina and Salt Tasting Room. A little disappointed with the dim sum that I had. Conversely, the Chinese soup noodles were great! Do all the Chinese restaurants in Vancouver make their own noodles? That is awesome. Had some drinks at the Irish Heather then won some CAD at Edgewater Casino while a Vietnamese concert was going on upstairs. Never in my life have I seen so many slutty Vietnamese middle aged women before, and I frequent Westminister (for those that don't know, Westminister is a famously Vietnamese area in Orange County).

And I would like to point out the amount of beautiful women who live in Vancouver. OMG. I had like an eternal boner while walking around. If you don't agree, maybe I was just out during a good day. Or they were all tourists as well.

70% off all 2010 Winter Olympics merchandise = gifts for the co-workers =)

 

[Axelman 17]

Does anyone have any good Vancouver hotel recommendations?

We tend to like up-market boutique type hotels in interesting (read: not touristy) areas. For example, in Portland, we liked where the Ace hotel was located much better than the Heathman. In Seattle we are staying at Hotel Alexis.

Within reason, budget is generally open.

 

[tattersall]

Loden, Opus, Wedgewood, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Shangri-La.

 

[Stazy]

Originally Posted by tattersall

Loden, Opus, Wedgewood, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Shangri-La.
I stayed at the Loden a couple weeks ago and wasn't overly impressed. Overpriced comes to mind. I'd reccomend The Fairmont Pacific Rim. Although not really a boutique hotel so much as a luxury one, the design is pretty amazing. Their cafe has the best sugar buns of all time. Haha. Axelman, tablethotels.com is a great resource for searching out boutique type places.

 

[sonick]

Originally Posted by Axelman 17

Does anyone have any good Vancouver hotel recommendations?

We tend to like up-market boutique type hotels in interesting (read: not touristy) areas. For example, in Portland, we liked where the Ace hotel was located much better than the Heathman. In Seattle we are staying at Hotel Alexis.

Within reason, budget is generally open.

Moda Hotel. Not far from the touristy area around Canada Place but still far enough, definitely boutique, and just a block or two from Yaletown, a higher end yuppie neighborhood with good restaurants and shops.

 

[Axelman 17]

Originally Posted by sonick

Moda Hotel. Not far from the touristy area around Canada Place but still far enough, definitely boutique, and just a block or two from Yaletown, a higher end yuppie neighborhood with good restaurants and shops.

Thanks for the recommendation. Any other thoughts? Moda looks interesting but I am not sure that the decor appeals to me, its a lot of red.....

 

[edinatlanta]

I stayed at the Sheraton for a month and was sad to leave.

For whatever that is worth.

 

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Axelman 17

Thanks for the recommendation. Any other thoughts? Moda looks interesting but I am not sure that the decor appeals to me, its a lot of red.....

Opus is fantastic...... for what it's worth anything downtown is withing a 20 minute walk.

 

[blueprint]

Originally Posted by Axelman 17

Does anyone have any good Vancouver hotel recommendations?

We tend to like up-market boutique type hotels in interesting (read: not touristy) areas. For example, in Portland, we liked where the Ace hotel was located much better than the Heathman. In Seattle we are staying at Hotel Alexis.

Within reason, budget is generally open.

A couple posters already mentioned it but The Fairmont Pacific Rim is great and in my opinion, the best hotel in Van.

If you want boutique, I really like the L'Hermitage. It's great value compared to Loden or Opus etc.

 

[unjung]

And don't forget to stop by Wreck Beach.

 

[Axelman 17]

Leaning towards Loden. While it is expensive, the rooms look nicer than Opus and more modern than L'Hermitage. Fairmont Pacific Rim looked like the best of the bunch but was too expensive.

We are getting our list of restaurants and activities together. Friends keeping recommending a trip out to Victoria. If we are only in the area for two days, is it worth making the trip out there?

 

[sonick]

Originally Posted by Axelman 17

We are getting our list of restaurants and activities together. Friends keeping recommending a trip out to Victoria. If we are only in the area for two days, is it worth making the trip out there?
If you only have two days, personally I'd say no.

 

[tattersall]

My wife was at the Loden last week for the third time. Apart from the Pac Rim, it is probably one of the nicest places to stay in Vancouver.

If you've only two days I wouldn't bother with Victoria since travel there by car and ferry will take three hours each way. Floatplane or helijet is only 30 minutes but then you're limited to 'downtown' Victoria and while there are some fine restaurants, you need a car to get to Sooke Harbour House which has some of the finest dining on the island. Good dining in Victoria, if you go, can be had at Camille's, Zambri's, and Brasserie L'Ecole.

If you're looking to eat well in Vancouver, my personal favorites are Tojo's, Vij's, Chambar, West, Blue Water, and Bishop's.

What activities are thinking of or interested in?