Anne and I are just a few weeks from our tenth anniversary.
And so we’re planning a much-needed getaway, just the two of us, away from all of the fantastic friends, the great jobs, the beauty and energy of Seattle. We need to disappear.
We want to go to Vancouver B.C., and made reservations last night at what looked like a great hotel. But then a friend from the area dissuaded us from celebrating in that particular neighborhood of the city.
So now we’re back to square one: Where to stay? It must be quiet. Comfortable. Within reach of downtown so we can eat our favorite meals. And it needs to be affordable… I’m talking less than 200 a night. (Frankly, on our budget, anything over 100 a night makes us want to chew our arms off, but, well, this is the tenth anniversary.) Our runner-up destination would be Victoria, but there’s that added ferryboat cost….
Any recommendations?
Well, I’d use Hotwire or Priceline to get a good hotel for a good rate. My wife and I stayed in Toronto last month in a four-star hotel for something like $80 a night (instead of the $240 or so going rate).
I’ve never been, but there’s this bed and breakfast place that seems nice. Situated in historic Steveston Village, about 25 minutes from Downtown. Too far?
http://www.abercrombiehouse.ca/index.html
Or this is closer to Downtown Vancouver…in Kits (Kitsilano).
http://www.camelotinnvancouver.com/index.html
Humboldt House in Victoria is the most romantic getaway spot in North America if you ask me. After Sept. 30 you get offseason rates, and they’ll do specials on rooms anytime they have a cancellation or just need to get a room booked. And the innkeeper, David Booth, is an Over the Rhine fan. Drive to Port Angeles and take the Coho; it’s a good cheap boat.
Two years ago we stayed at a great B&B in Vancouver run by a South African lady, and now I can’t remember the name of the place…
OK, found it: Twin Hollies. Enthusiastically recommended, and well within your budget.
My favourite Vancouver hotel:
http://www.granvilleislandhotel.com
Steveston is nice, an old fishing village nestled on the Fraser River. It is a hike to downtown Vancouver though.
The Granville Island suggestions is a good one, as you can take a little ferry across False Creek and you’re on the downtown penninsula.
Another option is the Lonsdale Quay Hotel. It is in North Vancouver on top of the public market. Next door is the SeaBus, which takes you into the heart of the downtown core.
If you do pick Vancouver, enjoy! At this point in my life, I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
Clive
I might as well recommend my favorite Vancouver restaurant, which I stumbled into one afternoon on the way back from Pacific Theatre.
Hope you’re taking lots of notes, Jeffrey.
Oh we are, believe me. Thanks for all of the help!
I’m late getting to this, so you may have already made your decision, but you could do a lot worse than the Sylvia Hotel, on English Bay, not far from downtown. http://www.sylviahotel.com/
It’s not four-star fancy, and it’s often booked far ahead during the summer, but it’s a very nice older hotel in a great location.
Have a great anniversary wherever you stay.
We *adored* our stay at http://www.isabellasbb.com/ in Victoria – and there’s about a two dozen crazy good places to eat within walking distance (if you end up here, we can give you details). Plus, your stay comes with a breakfast at Willie’s Bakery, which is just downstairs. The bakery rivals the best bakeries I’ve ever been privileged to patronize — and I know you two love a good bakery : ) Isabellas fills up fast though…so if it doesn’t work for this trip, consider it for one sometime down the road.