Vancouver is home to some of British Columbia's best golf courses, including the Greenacres Golf Course and the Vancouver Golf Club, said to be one of the most prestigious of its kind inf the Pacific Northwest. After a round of golf at a nearby course, head to downtown Vancouver to discover the world-class shopping, dining and entertainment that made this vibrant city the destination for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Revelers will find several hotels in downtown, many of which are boutique, family-run operations. Each offers its own take on Vancouver's hospitality scene.
Century Plaza
The family-owned Century Plaza is centrally located on Burrard Street, just steps from the crowded shopping districts of Robson Street. Choose from three types of suites, all with separate living and sleeping quarters, private balconies and a full kitchen equipped with a stove and fridge.
Request a room above the hotel's 12th floor for a spectacular view of downtown Vancouver and the nearby mountain ranges. After a day of golf, massage those sore muscles at the on-site Absolute Spa, a popular spot for local residents and celebrities.
Century Plaza
1015 Burrard St.
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y5
(604) 687-0575
century-plaza.com
Granville Island Hotel
Granville Island is a tiny island on the edge of downtown Vancouver's waterfront. It boasts a large arts community, boutique shopping and outdoor theater performances. The Granville Island Hotel puts you right in the middle of the action.
Every room is different, featuring furnishings and amenities like marble floors, imported Persian rugs, and free high-speed Internet for catching up with work or emails. When you've worked up an appetite golfing, return to the hotel's Dockside Restaurant. You'll find a 50-foot-tall aquarium, floor-to-ceiling windows framing Granville Island's scenic marina, and fresh seafood prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Granville Island Hotel
1253 Johnston St.
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9
(604) 683-7373
granvilleislandhotel.com
Shangri-La Hotel
Vancouver's Shangri-La Hotel is the first North American destination for this Hong Kong-based hotel company and it's located in Vancouver's tallest building. Guests can choose from 119 luxury rooms and spacious suites, decked out in modern Asian-influenced decor. Step outside and enjoy Vancouver's temperate weather and breathtaking landscape on your private balcony.
Inside, you'll be greeted with Italian hardwood furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows and the largest hotel bathrooms in the city. The hotel's restaurant, MARKET, led by Michelin 3-star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten-, and its lobby lounge attract residents as well as tourists searching for world-class dining, fine cocktails and piano music.
Shangri-La Hotel
1128 Georgia St. West
Vancouver, BC V6E 0A8
(604) 689-1120
shangri-la.com
About The Author
Joshua Duvauchelle is an editor and journalist who has been writing since 2000. His work has appeared in various national and international magazines, including "Honolulu Magazine." Duvauchelle graduated with honors from Trinity Western University, holding a Bachelor of Arts in professional communications, and he earned a certificate in applied leadership and public affairs from the Laurentian Leadership Centre.
