Va-Va-Vancouver

Canada has gotten a bad rap for being filed with beer-drinking yahoos and -- worst of all -- having unbearably cold weather, but one visit to the West-coast wonder that is Vancouver will change your mind about our neighbors to the North. Nestled on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in the shadows of majestic mountains, Vancouver boasts clean, safe streets, friendly people and an all around world-class travel experience.

When planning your Vancouver stay, there’s only two hotels worth booking if “upscale luxury” are your travel keywords. The Opus Hotel is a boutique hotel set in historic Yaletown. Opus has won glowing reviews from Conde Nast Traveler, LA Confidential and Wallpaper Magazine for its 98 stunning guest rooms featuring a variety of color schemes, spacious suites and ceiling-to-floor windows. And if you’re lucky, you can hook up a pretty swell room for only $269 CAD per night. Not to be outdone, the Pan Pacific sits right on Vancouver’s harbor front, offering visitors a fantastic view of the waters below, the cityscape or the mountains. If you’re looking for something a little less spendy but with a boutiquey feel, The Wedgewood Hotel is a fabulous alternative. Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Wedgewood offers 83 luxury rooms, an award-winning restaurant and a fantastic spa to ease your travel-frazzled nerves. Starting at $199 per night, it’s a steal.


Once you’ve checked in to your fabulous hotel you’re going to want something to do, and you’ve got plenty to choose from. If shopping is your game, then Robson Street is your best bet. With a mixture of cost-effective chain stores mixed in with high-end boutiques, Robson offers mainstays such as Bebe, Mac and a Virgin Megastore mixed with Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton and Coach. If you’re more of the nature-loving type, take a hike up Grouse Mountain. Provided you’ve had your coffee, you might want to try the Grouse Grind – known as mother nature’s stairmaster, the Grind is 1.8 miles straight up the mountain. Average completion is 90 minutes, though pros have been known to do it in as little as 45 minutes. The reward? A great rest at the top of the mountain, giving you fantastic views of the entire city. If hiking isn’t up your alley but you still want to experience the view, you can pay $20 for a tram ride up the mountain. Want a workout but don’t want to get it scaling a hill? Then head to Studeo 55, the most exclusive fitness club in Vancouver. Meaning “strive” in Latin, Studeo is owned and operated by Nathan Mellalieu, who also acts as Hollywood North’s celebrity trainer for tinseltown mainstays such as Calista Flockhart, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. Another fun way to spend an afternoon is by visiting Vancouver’s famed Stanley Park, which features the Vancouver Aquarium. There’s always tons of activities beyond watching the marine life, so check the website for details before your trip.


After all that activity you’re probably going to be really hungry, and lucky for you, Vancouver has tons of amazing restaurants for you to choose from. Yaletown is filled with many fantastic eateries, but if seafood is a must, then make the Blue Water Café tops on your list. With fantastic seafood and terrific ambience, it’s no wonder the Blue Water Café is a celebrity hotspot, with diners including Smalville’s Kristin Kruek and Harrison Ford. Wild Rice is another delicious eatery, featuring an eclectic menu of modern Chinese cuisine unlike any other that you’ve ever tasted. If you’re more interested in Italian, Cin Cin, located on Robson Street, has the best Dungeness Crab Risotto you’ll ever taste. If divey is a little more your speed, try the Irish Heather Pub in Gastown. With a whiskey bar in the back called Shabeen, the Irish Heather features an all Irish menu and boasts the best fish and chips in town. But for the best all-day breakfast, Joe’s Grill on Davey Street is hands down the winner. Their “Basic Breakfast” has bacon, sausage or ham, two eggs, hash browns and toast. How much do you pay for all that? A mere $5.95. With that kind of pricing, you can’t lose.


What better way to follow up dinner than with a night on the town? The best spot for dancing is Yaletown-area Bar None, which spins great dance music all night long. Another hotspot is Sky Bar, which is situated downtown and boasts beautiful city views and the best martinis in town. If nightclubbing isn’t your scene, check out the Orpheum Theatre for plays, or if you’re in more of a musical mood, the Vancouver Opera has both opera and symphony to choose from. Of course, if you really want to rock the night away, GM Place always has something concert-like going on, but it’s best to check Ticketmaster.ca to find out who’s playing when.


Whatever your pleasure, Vancouver has plenty to offer to ensure that your visit to the Great White North is more than memorable.