Vancouver - British Columbia's Gateway Airport

Gateway Airport: Vancouver

Vancouver is located on the mainland in the south-west corner of British Columbia. It is currently Canada’s third largest city with over 2 million people in Greater Vancouver and over 550,000 in the downtown proper.

Weather

Warmed by the Pacific Ocean currents and protected by a range of mountains, Vancouver enjoys mild temperatures year-round. From low 20c in summer to a mild 0c to 5c in winter, the climate is always hospitable.

Transport within Vancouver

There are many rental car companies, an excellent transit system within Greater Vancouver (bus, seabus, skytrain), and ferries available to Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, etc. 

When in Vancouver the Vancouver Trolley Company is an excellent way to get around the city and see all the attractions. Hop aboard one of the signature bright red Vancouver Trollies for a fun and informative tour of the city.  The best part is that guests have the option to get on or off at any of the 23 stops along the way to explore the attractions and neighbourhoods of interest.

Accommodation: Rosedale on Robson, Vancouver

A warm welcome, miles of smiles and caring staff are the hallmarks of the Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel, located in downtown Vancouver in the heart of the sports and entertainment district and just a few blocks away from fantastic shopping opportunities.

If you want comfortable rooms with, a fully equipped kitchen, in a great location, relaxation, entertainment, water and mountain views, the Rosedale on Robson has it all!  The Rosedale offers 250 spacious one and two bedroom suites, some with balconies, for the price of a standard hotel room.

The suites offer you all the comforts of home with a comfortable lounge and fully equipped galley kitchens. Need to relax? - enjoy the indoor swimming pool and sauna or the second floor garden terrace. Fitness on your mind? - the second floor exercise area is a  fully equipped Fitness Facility.

Room Amenities

• Furnished and designed to contemporary standards
• Color TV's with in-room movies and Nintendo games
• High Speed Internet/Dataport/Fax/Voice Mail/WiFi
• Fully equipped galley kitchens
• Comfortable lounges
• Complimentary in suite tea/coffee
• Room Service (from 7am to 11pm)
• Guest Laundry/Valet Services
• Porter/Luggage Assistance/Wake Calls

Hotel Amenities

• In-house Restaurant/Pub “ROSIE'S” (open 6am to midnight)
• Indoor Swimming Pool
• Sauna/Steam Bath/Whirlpool
• Fully equipped Fitness Facility
• Secretarial and Business Support
• Fax/Computer with Printer/Internet/Ample Workspace

Dining

An extensive variety of cuisine is available representing the multicultural flavour of the city with a particular emphasis on Asian cuisine. Vancouver is also well known for its high quality white and red wines.

West Coast cuisine: “West Coast” or “Pacific Northwest” cuisine means making the most of the freshest and finest local ingredients – fresh produce, seafood, organics, etc.

Chefs: A dynasty of home-grown chefs has emerged in British Columbia, and they’re leading the charge in Canada. They have access to the freshest, finest ingredients, and they reinforce the supply industry that provides it.

Attractions

Vancouver has an endless supply of things to see and do - from cycling around Stanley Park, strolling the Pacific beaches, fabulous shopping and five-star restaurants, to catching an ice hockey game. It is even possible to ski, golf and sail all in one day.

Some attractions not to miss include:

Granville Island

Part farmers market, part artist studio and part magnet for the creative and flamboyant, Granville Island is one of the busiest spots in Vancouver.

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is 400 hectares (1000 acres) of woodlands, gardens, flowers, trails, lakes, benches and wildlife. It is home to the Vancouver Aquarium, 11km seawall promenade, huge Douglas firs, totem poles, a lagoon and a Cricket Club.

Vancouver Aquarium

Vancouver’s award-winning aquarium introduces guests to the wonders of the underwater world and living displays from the oceans around us.  Beluga whales, seals, sea lions, otters and fish by the millions.  Check out the sloths, big snakes and pirhanas in the steamy Amazon Gallery.  The aquarium is open every day of the year.

Chinatown

Savour the sights, smells and tastes of Vancouver’s Chinatown - the third largest in North America after the Chinese communities in San Francisco and New York. 

Grouse Mountain

Experience the Grouse Mountain Skyride, offering a panoramic view of the city and harbour.  Winter: skiing, skating, sleigh rides; Summer: hiking, sightseeing and gourmet dining.  Be sure to visit orphaned grizzly bear cubs “Grinder” and “Coola” at the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife. 

Storyeum

A magical history tour – relive British Columbia’s past on an 80-minute, enchanting “virtual” journey of live performances and storytelling.  Storyeum transports you through time to stroll past a salmon stream into an ancient forest, stop at a Long House, board a tall ship, and experience a gold rush community and a railroad town.  Move from one dramatic movie set to the next and absorb our regions’ dramatic history.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

This spectacular suspension footbridge is linked with a native Indian carving centre and restaurant.  New to Capilano is “Treetops Adventure”.  Treetops is a thrilling West Coast rainforest experience offering visitors a squirrel’s eye view of a thriving coastal forest, as they venture from one Douglas fir tree to another via a series of elevated suspension bridges (some reaching as high as 80 feet above the forest floor!).

Museum of Anthropology

The museum, housed in a spectacular building, owns one of the world’s finest collections of Northwest Coast Indian art.  The concrete and glass structure, which echoes the mood and tradition of the longhouses of the Northwest Coast First Nations, displays huge totem poles, canoes and feast dishes in its Great Hall from the artisans of the Kwakwaka’wakw, Nisga’a, Gitksan, Haida and Coast Salish peoples.  The setting opens onto an outdoor sculpture complex where tribal house and memorial poles stand against an expanse of sea and mountains.

Shopping

Whether you’re searching for designer labels, Cartier jewellery or Italian shoes, Robson Street in downtown Vancouver has it all.  Other neighbourhoods such as Yaletown, South Main, South Granville and Kitsilano also offer eclectic buys.

Yaletown

Check out the hip microbreweries, pubs, art galleries, antique stories and restaurants in a revitalised neighbourhood of old brick warehouses.

Outdoor Adventure

There is adventure to be found at every turn in Vancouver.  Try out kayaking in False Creek, skiing or snowboarding on one of the North Shore Mountains, sailing in English Bay, biking or rollerblading around the Stanley Park seawall, world-class golfing with a spectacular view of mountain and ocean, or some of the best cold-water scuba diving in the world.  There really is something for everyone!

Ski Resorts in British Columbia»