Experience Vancouver: A Business Traveller’s Guide to the City

Young, innovative and situated amongst the world’s most spectacular scenery, it comes as no surprise that Vancouver is recognized as one of the top meetings and conventions destinations in the world. Whether you’re hosting a global conference, intimate incentive getaway or one-on-one meeting, read on and begin planning your next business stay in Vancouver.

Image of bathroom overlooking ocean
Fairmont Hotel by James KM Cheng Architects; Westbank

Sweet Stays: Vancouver boasts more than 13,000 hotel rooms in the heart of downtown Vancouver alone, many of which are located within walking distance to the Vancouver Convention Centre. From luxe hotels like the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver and Trump International Hotel & Tower to eclectic stays at boutique properties such as OPUS Vancouver, Listel Hotel and The Loden, guests are sure to find an option appealing to their traveller type. View a full list of Stay Vancouver Hotels’ properties here.

Exterior of Parq Vancouver
Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver

Unique Venues: The list of venues continues to grow, with the newest addition including the highly anticipated Parq Vancouver, which opened in late 2017. The destination resort features two luxury hotels (JW Marriott and the DOUGLAS); eight delectable restaurants and lounges; a 30,000-square-foot park (perfect for hosting outdoor minglers and post-conference parties); a spa and casino. Parq also features the city’s largest hotel ballroom, with more than 60,000 square-feet of flexible event space. Vancouver’s diverse mix of venue options includes cultural spaces like the Bill Reid Gallery and Museum of Anthropology, as well as ultra-savvy spaces such as the internationally award-winning, double LEED Platinum Vancouver Convention Centre.

Group of zipliners at Grouse Mountain
Photo courtesy of Grouse Mountain | Tourism Vancouver

Attractions and Tours Galore: From landmark attractions to interactive walking tours, Vancouver boasts a wide selection of year-round offerings. Increase team morale by making your way to Grouse Mountain, the Peak of Vancouver, where your team can soak up fresh mountain air and epic city views while ziplining between mountain tops. Or opt for an evening of intrigue, and explore Vancouver’s back streets and alleyways on a walking-tour-meets-theatre-piece with the Lost Souls of Gastown.

 

Image of aburi sushi in Vancouver
Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver | Miku Restaurant

A True Foodie’s City: Of course, no visit to Vancouver is complete without experiencing the city’s thriving culinary scene. Try Ancora, where diners indulge in Peruvian and Japanese cuisine with a West Coast flair. Celebrity Chef David Hawksworth’s Nightingale and aptly named Hawksworth restaurants are a favourite amongst business travellers, who come for the award-winning, ingredient-led, contemporary Canadian cuisine. Get a taste for yourself and check out why Vancouver is recognized as the top sushi destination outside of Japan, and sample local favourites like Miku Restaurant – the pioneer of Aburi (flame seared) sushi in Canada – and the city staple Tojo’s Restaurant, named one top 1000 places to visit before you die. Looking to cater? From dinner parties to working lunches, Railtown Cafe is a go-to option for many, providing the freshest that Vancouver has to offer featuring seasonal ingredients from local farms and vendors.

Ready to book your next meeting in Vancouver? Take advantage of our Business Traveller package and receive a $50 Visa gift card and $25 Starbucks gift with a one-night booking. www.stayvancouverhotels.com

Luxury Getaway Guide to Vancouver

The cosmopolitan destination of Vancouver is home to a unique array of luxury experiences along with some of the most lavish dining, shopping and accommodation options that North America has to offer. If you’re pining for a pampering getaway, it’s time to start planning your itinerary as we reveal our top recommendations on where to eat, play and stay in the sophisticated city of Vancouver.

Sablefish dish at Hawksworth Restaurant | Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver \ Hawksworth Restaurant

Eat 

Vancouver boasts some of the most innovative and highly rated restaurants in Canada, with its culturally diverse and constantly evolving food scene. When in search for the most important meal of the day, settle in at the elegant Chambar, which serves a daily breakfast of modern Belgian cuisine in a refined downtown setting. By the time lunch rolls around, grab a private waterfront table at Peruvian-Japanese hot spot Ancora: here, you can take in Vancouver’s famous views with a glass of Champagne in hand, and treat yourself to premium cuts of sashimi or an exclusive caviar tasting. Pre-dinner, delight in curated wine flights at the romantic hidden gem, Salt Tasting Room, or sip on extravagant herbal-infused cocktails at Botanist, located at the opulent Fairmont Pacific Rim.  For a truly memorable night out, savour Vancouver’s renowned Chinese cuisine at Mott 32, the award-winning Hong Kong-based restaurant located at Trump International Hotel and Tower, or spend an evening at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s award-winning Hawksworth Restaurant – a true icon of Vancouver fine dining.

 

Couple taking a selfie in front of Harbour Air seaplane
Harbour Air flightseeing tour | Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver \ Harbour Air

Play

Shop until you drop on Vancouver’s Alberni Street, also known as ‘Luxury Road’ and deemed as one of the most prestigious retail addresses in North America. Here, the blocks are lined with lavish storefronts that are home to high-end global fashion brands like Prada, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, De Beers and more. Rest up after shopping at the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver’s sublime Spa Utopia, which features 11,500 square feet of total indulgence including relaxation lounges, essential oil-infused steam rooms and a lush VIP suite. Top off your itinerary with a once-in-a-lifetime Vancouver Panorama Experience by Harbour Air Seaplanes, and take in breathtaking aerial views of the city via an exclusive flightseeing tour.

Photo of downtown Vancouver's Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Stay

Luckily for visitors, Vancouver provides a varied selection of luxe accommodation options, all located conveniently in the downtown core. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which opened its doors in 1916, is known as the ‘Castle in the City’ and reflects the timeless luxury and history of the booming metropolis. For a prime seaside location and upscale resort-like experience, check in to the Westin Bayshore, just steps away from the world-renowned Stanley Park and seawall. Tucked away on a tranquil downtown side street is the boutique Wedgewood Hotel, a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux and one of the only hotels in the city with private balconies that open up to sweeping urban views.

Visitors who book The Luxury Package through Stay Vancouver Hotels will receive a $50 hotel credit (toward food & beverage and spa services used during your stay); free room upgrade; free Wi-Fi; and the best rates at a number of Vancouver’s luxurious participating hotels. Or, try our Discover Downtown Package, where you can choose from a number of top downtown Vancouver hotels and receive a $25 gift card, free room upgrade, free parking and free Wi-Fi.

Experience Vancouver’s Cherry Pink Spring

Spring has sprung, and Vancouver’s 40,000-plus cherry trees are now blossoming throughout the city – brightening up the streets, attractions and parks with the vibrant hues of more than 35 varieties of cherry trees. From exploring the city’s array of majestic gardens to checking out the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy the best of spring.

 

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from April 3 to 29. Attendees can soak up the beautiful blossoms, lively musical performances, colourful artist demonstrations, guided cherry walks and more. Highlights include the Sakura Night Gala, where Vancouver’s top restaurants come together for an evening of Asian-fusion flavours and Sakura-inspired cocktails; musical performances at the Cherry Jam Downtown Concert; and hands-on workshops on calligraphy, origami and other Japanese arts and crafts at the Sakura Days Japan Fair.

 

Image of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival's Cherry Dam Concert
Photo courtesy of Matt Brennan

 

Bike and Walk the Blossoms

Locals and visitors can decide whether they want to picnic, walk or bike under a pink canopy using the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Bloom Map. This interactive map allows viewers to find out what’s currently in bloom, where to spot their favourite blossom variety, and which of the 2,680-plus locations to choose from. For those who want to join a group bike tour, check out the Bike the Blossoms event – a free, cherry blossom bike ride taking place on April 28.

 

Image of Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver
Photo courtesy of Ms Ana Douglas

Explore Vancouver’s Gardens

Considered one of the top Japanese gardens outside of Japan, Nitobe Memorial Garden boasts cherry trees, streams, a reflecting pond and rare authentic tea garden with a ceremonial teahouse. VanDusen Botanical Garden’s tree-lined paths, vibrant flower gardens, peaceful lakes and colourful birdlife are worth a visit alone, and in spring months visitors can view a variety of cherry trees, flowering bulbs, early rhododendrons and more. Next, make your way to Vancouver’s historic Chinatown neighbourhood for Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese GardenBuilt by 52 master craftsmen from Suzhou China, this is the first garden of its kind outside of China, and features delicate blossoms intertwined in a landscape of weathered rocks, peaceful paths and a jade-green pond.

Ready to plan your trip to Vancouver? Check-in to one of our 36 downtown Vancouver hotels, and take advantage of the unique hotel offers only available here.

 

Image of Nitobe Memorial Garden bridge and pond surrounded by cherry blossoms
Photo courtesy of Ruth Hartnup | Flickr