ESSENTIALS - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 759

for accommodations in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, on Vancouver Island, and on Haida
Gwaii.
Making Reservations
While you have no influence over the seasonal and weekday/weekend pricing differences,
how you reserve a room can make a difference in how much you pay. First and foremost,
when it comes to searching out actual rates, the Internet is an invaluable tool. Most ac-
commodation websites listed in Moon British Columbia show rates, and many have online
reservation forms. Use these websites to search out specials, many of which are available
only on the Internet.
Don't be afraid to negotiate during slower times. Even if the desk clerk has no control
over rates, there's no harm in asking for a bigger room or one with a better view. Just look
for a Vacancy sign hanging out front.
Most hotels offer auto association members an automatic 10 percent discount, and
whereas senior discounts apply only to those over 60 or 65 on public transportation and at
attractions, most hotels offer discounts to those over 50, with chains such as Best Western
also allowing senior travelers a late checkout. “Corporate Rates” are a lot more flexible than
in years gone past; some hotels require nothing more than the flash of a business card for a
10-20 percent discount.
When it comes to frequent flyer programs, you really do need to be a frequent flyer to
achieve free flights, but the various loyalty programs offered by hotels often provide bene-
fits simply for signing up.
BED-AND-BREAKFASTS
Bed-and-breakfast accommodations are found throughout British Columbia. Styles run the
gamut from restored heritage homes to modern townhouses. They are usually private res-
idences, with up to four guest rooms, and as the name suggests, breakfast is included.
Rates fluctuate enormously. In Vancouver and Victoria, for example, they range $60-180
s, $70-210 d. Amenities also vary greatly—the “bed-and-breakfast” may be a single spare
room in an otherwise regular family home or a full-time business in a purpose-built home.
Regardless, guests can expect hearty home cooking, a peaceful atmosphere, personal ser-
vice, knowledgeable hosts, and conversation with like-minded travelers.
Reservation Agencies
The British Columbia Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Guild ( www.bcsbestbnbs.com ) rep-
resents over 100 bed-and-breakfasts across the province. The association produces an in-