Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Greenbrier Hotel (1393 Robson St., 604/683-4558 or 888/355-5888,
www.greenbrierhotel.com , $149-189 s or d) looks a bit rough on the outside, but each of
the33unitswasrefurbishedforthe2010WinterOlympicGames,andeachhasalargeliv-
ingarea,flat-screenTV,andseparatebedroom.Someroomshaveamicrowaveandfridge,
while others have a full kitchen. Rates are reduced to under $100 October-April.
One block farther toward Stanley Park, the Riviera Hotel (1431 Robson St., 604/
685-1301or888/699-5222, www.rivieraonrobson.com , $128s,$148d,$198one-bedroom
suites s or d) offers similar facilities, as well as harbor or city views from the upper floors.
All rooms are large, comfortably furnished, and have a kitchen and work desk.
Built at the turn of the 20th century, public areas of the West End Guest House (1362
Haro St., 604/681-2889 or 888/546-3327, www.westendguesthouse.com , $149-219 s or d)
are decorated with photographs of early Vancouver and the Klondike gold rush taken by
theoriginalowners.TodaythepropertyhasbeenlovinglyrefurbishedinVictorian-eracol-
orsandfurnishedwithstylishantiques toretain itsoriginal charm.Eachofthesevenguest
rooms has a brass bed complete with cotton linens and a goose-down duvet, an en suite
bathroom, a television, and a telephone. Guests can relax either in the comfortable lounge
or on the outdoor terrace and have the use of bikes. After dishing up a full cooked break-
fast (included in the rates), the friendly owners will set you up with a wealth of ideas for a
day of sightseeing. Parking and use of bikes are free.
Overlooking English Bay and the closest beach to downtown, the old-style funky M
Sylvia Hotel (1154 Gilford St., 604/681-9321 or 877/681-9321, www.sylviahotel.com ,
$149-229 s or d) is a local landmark sporting a brick and terra-cotta exterior covered with
Virginia creeper vine. Built in 1912 as an apartment building and named after the owner's
daughter, the eight-story Sylvia was the tallest building on this side of town until 1958. It
went upscale in 1954, with the opening of Vancouver's first cocktail bar. Today it's pop-
ular with budget travelers looking for something a little nicer than a hostel (although the
lessexpensiveroomsarefairlysmall);themoreexpensiveroomsfeaturefantasticviewsof
EnglishBay,separatebedrooms,andfullkitchens.Ratesoutsideofsummerrange$95-245
for single or double rooms. The Sylvia also has a restaurant and lounge.
One block from Stanley Park and nestled among towering apartment blocks is English
Bay Inn (1968 Comox St., 604/683-8002, www.englishbayinn.com , $179-279 s or d), a
quiet retreat from the pace of the city. The decor is stylish, in an old-fashioned way. High-
lights include a lounge area with log fireplace and a small garden out back.
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