Mountains, Water, and the City come together: The Best of Vancouver!
Written: Oct 04 '02 (Updated Oct 04 '02)
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Pros: Picturesque setting. Relaxing resort that pretty much has it all.
Cons: May be too costly for an extended visit.
The Bottom Line: When in Vancouver stay at The Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina. Beautiful views and accommodations to suit any need!
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| LauraSunflower's Full Review: The Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina |
When my husband and I booked a Pacific NW vacation one of our desired destinations on our trip was the beautiful city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
As dedicated Starwood Preferred Guests (Sheraton®, Westin®, The Luxury Collection®, St. Regis®, W® and Four Points® by Sheraton) we'd earned a free night through a recent promotion. We could pick any hotel and stay for free. When browsing our choices in Vancouver in the Starwood line of hotels, my husband and I both agreed The Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina was the place to stay. (The Epinions photo of the Westin Bayshore just does not do it justice!) The Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina is proudly a Condé Nast Traveler's 2002 Gold List winner.
The Westin Bayshore is truly wonderful. "Surrounded by Vancouver's vibrant, urban culture and high-rise buildings, The Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina offers a rare city retreat. At every turn, you'll find luxury, elegance, and a sense of peace." (Starwood.com) This couldn't be more true! We'd stayed one night at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, which was a lovely place, but this one was amazing with it's location in the city and a fantastic natural view of Coal Harbour, the Coastal Mountains and steps away from the 1,000 acre Lord Stanley Park. The hotel sits right on the shores of Coal Harbour with sprawling views of the boats in the marina and surrounded by mountains. It is a unique setting that boasts not only a natural and beautiful setting, but also the ease of being within the city of Vancouver.
The seawall which is structured around the hotel allows for jogging, walking, bicycling, roller-blading, and easy access to Lord Stanley Park which houses many lovely trails, the Vancouver Aquarium, beaches, and play areas for children.
My husband and strolled along the seashore and gawked at the yachts, boats, and charters all docked in the marina. It was an impressive sight to see boats from all corners of the globe docked in the marina. Opportunities are offered via the hotel for chartering a yacht for fishing, sightseeing, dinner cruises, and overnight adventures. We also watched ski planes take off and land in Coal Harbour. That was quite a sight to see! There is much in the way of restaurants, shops, and other features nearby. We enjoyed taking small walking tours of Vancouver from the resort's location.
Althought our trip was all pleasure and no business, this resort would be an ideal location for meetings and conferences. The "brand new conference facilities feature the largest hotel ballroom in western Canada - the 15,521 square foot Bayshore Grand Ballroom." (Starwood.com) In addition there are 23 other conference rooms and gathering areas. For business travelers, it is the only downtown resort and conference center in Vancouver.
There is ample parking in the structure near the resort as well as lots of room in front of the resort for unloading and loading luggage into the car.
The lobby was breathtaking. Floor to ceiling windows showcased the scenery in which the resort is a part of. Fireplaces, local artwork, sitting areas and comfortable couches made the lobby inviting and warm. I particularly enjoyed this as I walked into the hotel. It was not the least bit generic or stark in decoration. The setting was the focal point of this area. They flanked easy-access check in and departure booths on each end of the lobby. We were welcomed on our arrival with complimentary coffee, tea or juices by resort staff.
We arrived several hours before our assigned check-in to the hotel. We were warmly greeted by the staff and invited to use the recreational features of the resort while they readied our room. We were given full access to the resort indoor and outdoor pools, workout center, sauna, steam room, and spa areas of the hotel. These areas were well-kept and attended by staff regularly to collect towels, maintain facilities and address any needs of the resort customers. With a well-stocked bathhouse, my husband and I were able to change into swimming and workout clothes quickly and easily. We enjoyed the pools and whirlpool spending several hours there before we checked into the hotel.
The hotel features several restaurants, Currents at Bayshore, Seawall Bar & Bistro, and Stanley Perks.
We grabbed a quick snack at Stanley Perks, a lovely snack stand on the lobby level that featured coffee, pastries, tea, yogurt, light nibbles and fresh fruit. Although the lines were long, it was worth the wait. My husband and I enjoyed our snack there and we were easily able to charge any expenses to our room. The resort also offers 24 hour in room dining. Although we didn't partake in that offering, who wouldn't love the option of getting a late night snack?
Several stores also are available in the lobby area including an open late small store with snacks, books, papers, trinkets, and other items handy to those on the go. Special features and offerings were in place for members of the Westin Kids Club and well-advertised around the hotel. Kids had activities of their own to attend to if their parents were involved on a business trip to the resort. In addition, pets were allowed if advance notice was given when booking.
Our room featured a Harbour view with a balcony. We'd selected that view from the choices of Pool, Park, or Harbour views with each room having a patio or balcony. It was worth it! With a sliding glass door and windows floor to ceiling, we both spent a great deal of time just gazing at the beauty of the location. It was a fantastic view throughout the entire day. The sunset was particularly magical with the warm tones of the sun and cool colors of the water and mountains.
Our room was comfortable, clean and well-furnished. Tones of caramel, tan, and ebony kept in tune with the colors throughout the entire resort. A large chair and a seating area provided additional areas to relax and enjoy the setting. Internet access, voice-mail messenging, mini-bar, Starbucks coffees, tea, and in-room movies completed the accommodation features. There was an ample supply of health and beauty items as well as thick and thirsty towels and plenty of pillows. Our only complaint was that our room lacked a bathroom fan. After showering, the bathroom got pretty toasty and took several minutes to cool down.
For such a bustling hotel with much going on, it was an extremely relaxing stay. There were several conferences and business meetings going on during our stay. We found even though the resort was busy, it did not take away from us enjoying a relaxing stay. We had ample room to stretch out at the pool, walk along the shore and were seated instantly the next morning for a wonderful brunch. It was a well-run resort with staff that is attentive to guest's needs. The staff was pleasant and helpful. We asked if we could enjoy a later check-out than the usual noon time posted. They stated, "Sure!" This was fantastic - we stayed two hours later and enjoyed more time at the pools and walking around the marina. We really felt like valued guests.
Since our room was free due to our Starwood Preferred Guest free night I'd say the only drawback from a return visit would be cost. For our Harbour view room with a balcony was about $220 (CDN) dollars. With the exchange rate a room would be about $150.00 (American) for a Harbour view room with a balcony.
I vouch that this resort is worth it. My husband and I found that it wasn't just a place to stay. It offered a great deal to do and take in while visiting. It certainly showcased the best and beautiful elements of Vancouver.
Vancouver is a jewel of a city - and this resort is its shining gem!
The Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina
1601 Bayshore Drive Vancouver, V6G 2V4 Canada
Phone (604) 682-3377 Fax (604) 687-3102
http://www.spg.com/
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
LauraSunflower
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Member: Laura
Location: Hockeytown
Reviews written: 57
Trusted by: 46 members
About Me:
Busy raisin' kiddos.
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