Things we love about hotels: comfy beds, great locations, friendly staff, eco policies, and if we’re lucky, making new best mates.
We used our go-to Canadian wholesale provider, Stuba, to search their extensive Vancouver listings for the city’s hippest hotel. Our pick? Former 1950s motel, The Burrard.
THE BURRARD SKINNY
Image: Martin Tessler
The 3-star Burrard is not the grungy kind of motel vibes you’re seen on TV, but instead downtown Vancouver’s crisp, modern version. Renovated a few years back (like a mega-bucks investment) the owners modernised the outdated furnishing and original 1956 retro-tones and converted everything into one of the city’s most talked about boutique properties.
It feels part old-Hollywood, part flamingo Florida, with the added Canadian affability you only find up this way. It’s even Green Key certified (Canada’s eco stamp of approval). The Burrard also gains brownie points for its location. It is a 10-minute walk to the gorgeous Sunset Beach, and it’s also super central to the Robson Street shopping area and Granville Entertainment District.
SMALL BILLS & MANY FRILLS
Image: Martin Tessler
The Burrard offers no-frills pricing with… well, plenty of frills. Each of the 72 rooms has a Nespresso machine and other perks include free Wi-Fi and North American calls, and day passes to the Steve Nash Fitness Center. And no need to turn your undies inside out; there are laundry facilities on site.
Your pooch can stay (for a fee) and in winter there is ski storage – fabulous given the Grouse Mountain slopes are only 15 minutes away. The Burrard just gets what’s travellers need.
LIKE A LOCAL
Image: Martin Tessler
To explore like a Vancouverite, you’ve got to get outdoors. Go on foot, or borrow The Burrard’s free beach cruisers. As they are on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s worth getting up early so you can whisk yourself away to the city’s best beaches, bikeways, and hidden treasures at your own pace.
Really into salmon museums, ugly neon signage or other oddities? Ask the super-friendly team manning the retro-cool lobby for their local low-down on how to maximise your Vancouver stay, no matter how kooky.
READY TO MINGLE
Image: Martin Tessler
Like any great courtyard, The Burrard’s draws a crowd. Grab some vino, hang out, and mingle with your neighbours. The landscaped courtyard seems to open people up (or maybe it’s the wine?) for great conversation – even more so when it gets chilly enough for a fire.
DO IT FOR THE ‘GRAM
We love a good selfie, particularly when we can do it a place like The Burrard. Their perfectly ‘grammable retro vibes and vibrant tones pretty much guarantee likes. Check out the Burrard’s page here and you’ll notice no influencers sitting in a pool on a unicorn inflatable (well, there is no pool), but instead heaps of Vancouver inspiration to get you amped for your trip. The food and coffee at the onsite Elysian or Burgoo also seem to be presented just square enough for a #foodporn pic.
GREAT STAYS
Image: Martin Tessler
Not everybody wants to stay in a 5-star hotel and would much prefer staying in a place with a cool vibe and local knowledge. What Stuba does differently is help you identify the most appropriate properties for you. Whether they are looking for romance, business, luxury or up to 20 human needs & characteristics.
‘Finally!’, we hear you say! It’s the filter search you never knew you needed – try it out for yourself and let the suggestions impress you. Stuba not only understands what you want but it shows us what we need and that’s simply a perfect holiday.
To view all the other properties STUBA offers in their network visit the site here.
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