Vancouver’s Granville Island is one of the most visited sites in Canada, trailing the massive Niagara Falls for the busiest landmark in the country. Tucked into the bustling city of Vancouver, the island is a maze of artisans, independent shopping, buskers, the Emily Carr School of Art, the Arts Club Theatre, dining, playgrounds, docks and much more. The whole is anchored by the Granville Island Public Market, a bustling, stall-saturated market with annual and seasonal vendors. In the height of summer the island is filled with music, families, diners, shoppers, locals and tourists, taking in the scents and colors of the region’s producers.
You’d never guess it though from the peace of the Granville Island Hotel. This little island oasis is nestled on the banks of False Creek, overlooking the bustling waterfront and downtown Vancouver across (a quick and easy Aquabus ride away). Recently renovated, the hotel offers visitors waterfront accommodation in a comfortable, casual and relaxing atmosphere—quite a feat amidst such a busy scene. No two rooms are alike; some have water views, others have private balconies. All, however, have deluxe mattresses and duvets, access to the roof-top hot tub and speedy room service from their Dockside Restaurant—though if the weather is nice, I highly recommending sipping a local microbrew on their waterfront patio.
Other friendly amenities include on-site bike rentals (the ideal way to explore Granville Island and nearby ‘hoods), the hotel’s health club or next door’s False Creek Community Centre’s tennis and basketball courts. Various boardrooms and meeting rooms make this a hot spot for conferences and groups, or for business travellers needing to fit some work in between the play.
Granville Island Hotel || 1253 Johnston St, Vancouver || granvilleislandhotel.com
Follow on Facebook: Granville Island Hotel
Track on Twitter: @gi_hotel
