Where to stay
Since its completion in 2010, Fairmont Pacific Rim has offered a modern oasis, looking out across Coal Harbour waterfront. In the heart of Vancouver’s financial district, it boasts five-star facilities, locally sourced food, and is the go-to destination for those seeking the best of contemporary Canada. For a more intimate feel, the Opus boutique is consistently recognised as one of Vancouver’s trendiest stopovers. It offers in-room massages and personal lifestyle concierges to tailor your stay in the city.
Where to eat
In the historic neighbourhood of Gastown, in a lovingly restored nineteenth-century building, critically acclaimed Wildebeest serves a banquet of meats. The restaurant works with local farmers to ensure ingredients are top quality. Their Premeditated Gluttony option is a group feast with slow-roasted lamb leg and charred cabbage hearts. However, if whole-animal cookery isn’t for you, local favourite Vij’s has served the region’s best Indian cuisine since its establishment in 1994.
Where to drink
Steadfastly committed to beer, Alibi Room showcases the best local beverages from the province and beyond, with craft-brewed treats aplenty. But man cannot live on beer alone and, fortunately, this modern tavern’s wine and cocktail lists are similarly adventurous. For a decidedly more exclusive affair, Ginger Sixty Two asks guests keep it classy if they’re to mix with Vancouver’s upper crust inside the sexy, lounge-type bar. Live music and cushy interiors mean you’ll be happy here for the whole night.
What to see
A careful few steps over Capilano Suspension Bridge are a must for those visiting Vancouver. The precarious walkway spans 450ft and overlooks the stunning Capilano River 230ft below. Elsewhere, Vancouver’s Art Gallery houses a great collection of contemporary art and the Museum of Anthropology is a spectacular sight both inside and out. To soak up the city and all its glory, the Vancouver Lookout stands 430ft tall and offers unparalleled views of the city’s skyline.
