This Vancouver hotel stay will give you a totally new perspective of our city
When you’ve been living in the same city for a while, it’s easy to assume you need to travel elsewhere to experience something new and exciting. But — as we’re learning this year — this simply isn’t the case.
Although international travel is off the cards right now, there is plenty to explore safely at a local level. I realized this personally during a staycation at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel.
From the mobile check-in process to dining, every aspect of guest safety is thoughtfully considered. This gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on getting some R&R. Despite its central downtown location, the locally-owned Wall Centre Hotel boasts a unique sense of tranquillity — something that’s often hard to come by.
In just a night, I discovered how a change of pace and scenery can foster a completely different and refreshing perspective of our city.
Room with a view
If, like me, you’ve spent most of your time at home in the last few months, chances are you’re getting tired of looking at the same four walls (and doing laundry in between work tasks).
Spending a night or two at the Wall Centre Hotel gives you the vacation vibes you’ve been dreaming about (comfy king-size bed and spa-like shower included). For one, the hotel is home to the iconic One Wall Centre, the North Tower — a 518 ft polarized blue masterpiece amid the cityscape and one of only 19 buildings in the world to win the Emporis Skyscraper of the Year Award.
From my corner guest room on the 25th level, floor-to-ceiling windows allowed natural light to beam in as I pulled back the curtains. The panoramic view encompassed the city, the North Shore Mountains, Kitsilano, Jericho Beach, Spanish Banks, and right down the coast.
A clear summer’s day made the views even better, offering a glimpse of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, too.
To mark the start of our staycation, my boyfriend and I each enjoyed a glass of BC’s Sandhill Rosé — which is available to order directly to your room. You can also order from Café One, the on-site restaurant that specializes in West Coast fare.
Catríona Hughes/Daily Hive
I highly recommend dining al fresco for lunch at the cafe’s new spacious outdoor area. It’s a hidden gem with a relaxing ambiance. Order summer-perfect dishes, like the hearty Santa Fe Chicken Salad or the Dungeness Crab Cakes, and enjoy as you look out on the lush gardens.
Base to explore
Staying at the Wall Centre Hotel gives you the perfect base to rediscover the city and surrounding areas — without needing to take your car or transit. If you plan to do a spot of shopping, Robson Street is a short walk away. You’ll find everything from high street fashion stores to designer boutiques.
Granville Street and Yaletown are also easily accessible from the Wall Centre Hotel’s Burrard Street location. In Yaletown, I visited a sunny rooftop patio for the first time that I never even knew existed. As I sipped on an elderflower cocktail during happy hour, it made me wonder what else I had yet to discover in Vancouver.
The Wall Centre Hotel’s prime location saves you travel time, making new discoveries effortless. Sunset Beach and English Bay are also within walking distance from the hotel, giving you all the inspiration you need to catch the sunset or dip your toes in the ocean.
Peace of mind
Staying local and exploring Vancouver this summer lets you simultaneously support local businesses. For over 25 years, the Wall Centre Hotel has been dedicated to the health and safety of its guests and associates. Today, it’s working to ensure that guests have peace of mind with new COVID-19 protocols.
All associates are undergoing health screenings before every shift and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during work. The hotel has physical distancing indicators throughout and high traffic areas are designated as one-way passages. Everyone is required to wear a face-covering in public areas of the complex. And upon entering your guest room, you’ll even find a PPE package containing gloves, a mask, sanitizer, and wipes for your use.
Cleaning protocols have ramped up at the Wall Centre Hotel and all hard surfaces in guest rooms are being sanitized with medical-grade disinfectants. The soft items (like the mattress, pillows, chair, drapery, and carpets) are being steamed between guests as well. Should you need anything during your stay (from a blow dryer to a coffee machine), simply phone reception — most items have been removed from rooms to reduce high contact transmission points.
Breakfast in bed
Since no staycation is complete without room service, you can sleep in, put on one of the super soft robes provided, and order breakfast directly to your door. Room service at the Wall Centre Hotel respects the current situation, with all food and drinks being served in recyclable containers. This, however, doesn’t take away from the scrumptious eats.
I chose the Buttermilk Pancakes with a side of bacon, and it tasted even more delicious with each bite. With a coffee in hand and views of The Lions mountain peaks before me, I couldn’t have imagined a more blissful start to the day.
The Wall Centre Hotel is doing their part to ensure that you can safely and confidently enjoy the beauty that Vancouver has to offer — from an entirely new, refreshing, and beautiful perspective. To experience this for yourself, book a staycation using their BC Residents Rate to save 30% off your stay and receive complimentary parking.
Branded Content
Follow Channels and Categories