Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
charm and is located just steps from Stanley Park. Along corridors lined with old prints
of yesteryear Vancouver, its budget rooms - most with shared bathrooms - are clean,
cozy and well maintained, although some furnishings have seen better days. The pricier
rooms are correspondingly prettier, while the eastside rooms are brighter. The front
desk is friendly.
There's also a comfy guest lounge, and other extras include storage facilities for
bikes and skis as well as handy laundry machines. Wi-fi costs $2 per day. If you're
driving, there's some free parking around the neighborhood, or you can pay $10 to park
overnight at the hotel. There are many midrange dining options nearby, including a
charming Italian restaurant at the base of the building.
HI VANCOUVER DOWNTOWN
HOSTEL
$
( 866-762-4122, 604-684-4565;
www.hihostels.ca/vancouver
;
1114 Burnaby St; dm/r incl break-
fast $42/108; ; 6)
It says 'downtown' but this purpose-built hostel is on a
quiet residential West End side street. Popular with older hostelers and families, the
dorms are all mercifully small and rates include continental breakfast. Private rooms
are available. There's also bike storage, a full kitchen, and TV and games rooms, plus
twice-weekly tours from April to November with legendary local guide Erik.
The most 'institutional' of Vancouver's three HI hostels, the front-deskers are espe-
cially friendly here. Book well ahead for private rooms.
TIMES SQUARE SUITES HOTEL
APARTMENT
$$
( 877-684-2223, 604-684-2223;
www.timessquaresuites.com
;
1821 Robson St; ste $225;
; 5)
Superbly located a short walk from Stanley Park, this excellent West End
hidden gem (even the entrance can be hard to spot) is the perfect apartment-style Van-
couver sleepover. Rooms are mostly one-bedroom suites and are spacious, with tubs,
laundry facilities, full kitchens and superbly well-maintained (if slightly 1980s) decor.
Rates include access to a neaby gym. There's a supermarket just across the street.
Choose a back suite if you want to be away from the busy road. Up to three adults
can be accommodated in each suite (all are equipped with sofa beds). Make sure you
visit the shared rooftop patio: the ideal place to while away an evening with a glass of
wine, it has a communal barbecue if you fancy grilling a few burgers. There's often a
two-night minimum stay in July and August.
