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.