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Source:
Moon Handbooks
British Columbia,
8th Edition
"Businesses do not pay for inclusion in
these
books, nor they are listed on this website in exchange for reciprocal links. In
the course of updating my travel guides I have personally inspected each of
the recommended accommodations and in my unbiased opinion they offer the very best value
your traveling dollar can buy."
—Andrew
Hempstead
About this guidebook
Purchase
details
Summary and reviews
Chapter and map list
About the author
Highlights of
British Columbia
Introduction
Totem poles
Whistler
Okanagan wineries
Queen Charlotte Islands
Tips for Travel to Canada
Getting to Canada
Getting around Canada
Where to Stay
Visas and Officialdom
The Seasons
Information and Services
Money
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British Columbia Accommodation
The text on this page is from the printed version of Moon Handbooks British
Columbia.
It is just
a sampling of accommodation recommendations pulled from chapters on the province's biggest cities and
most popular tourist destinations.
For general information on the various types of
accommodation in Canada, click through to the
Travel Tips section of this website.
Kelowna Accommodation
Beaver Lake Resort
Beaver Lake Road
tel.: 250/762-2225
internet: www.beaverlakeresort.com
open: May-October
summer rates: $35-125
High in the hills northeast of Kelowna, Beaver Lake Resort is very different
from the beachy resort complexes down on the valley floor. Set in a forest on
the edge of a lake
 famed
for rainbow trout fishing, the resort comprises restaurant, a horseback riding
operation (with afternoon pony rides for kids), and fishing shop. Boat rentals
are well priced at $45 per 24 hours, inclusive of gas. Canoes, kayaks, and belly
boats are $30 per day. Cabins range from tiny “camping cabins” that share
bathrooms ($35 s or d) to peeled log chalets with full kitchens ($125). Cabin #9
is typical—it’s rustic, but enjoys an absolute lakefront setting, a private
floating dock, big deck, full kitchen, log fireplace, one bedroom, and a
loft—and costs about the same as a room at the Best Western downtown. Make cabin
reservations well in advance—locals know a bargain when they see one and book
their favorite up to a year in advance. To get there, head north to Winfield,
then 16 km (10 miles) east on Beaver Lake Rd.
Hotel
Eldorado
500 Cook Road
tel.: 250/763-7500
internet: www.eldoradokelowna.com
summer rates: $169-219
The Hotel Eldorado was built in 1926 and moved to it present lakeside
location in the 1980s. This delightful lakeside accommodation offers just
20 rooms, each furnished with antiques and many offering a lake view and
private balcony. Hotel facilities include a lakefront cafe, a restaurant,
a lounge, and a marina with boat rentals. Summer rates range $169-219,
with only the more expensive rooms having water views. In the off-season,
these same rooms are discounted to $69-99 s or d.
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to top
Nelson Accommodation
Dancing Bear Inn
171 Baker Street
tel.: 250/352-7573 or 877/352-7573
internet: www.dancingbearinn.com
summer rates $17-46
Right downtown, the Dancing Bear Inn offers clean and comfortable accommodations
at a very reasonable price. It features a cozy lounge area with a TV, reading
material, information on local attractions and restaurants, and a cupboard full
of board games. Other facilities include Internet access, kitchen, laundry, and
lockers. The dorm-style rooms are spacious, with a maximum of six beds in each.
A few doubles and a single room are also available. Members of Hostelling
International pay $17 per night, nonmembers $20; private rooms are $40-46 d.
Sen Tosa
Bed and Breakfast
402 Observatory Street
tel.: 250/354-1993
summer rates: $65 s, $75 d
The pick of Nelson's many bed and breakfasts is Sen Tosa B&B. It offers
three comfortable guest rooms and particularly delicious breakfasts.
Guests have use of a communal living area and a pleasant garden with an
outdoor hot tub. Rates are $65 s, $75 d.
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Prince Rupert
Accommodation
Eagle Bluff Bed and Breakfast
201 Cow Bay Road
tel.: 250/627-4955 or (800) 833-1550
summer rates: $55-100 s or d
My favorite Rupert accommodation is the Eagle
Bluff Bed and Breakfast. The house is built out over the water, overlooking the
marina and harbor, and lies within easy walking distance of cafés and
restaurants. Rates are $55 s, $65 d for a shared bath; $70 s, $80 d for a
private bath; and $100 for a large suite sleeping five. A cooked
breakfast—complete with freshly baked muffins—is included.
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Revelstoke
Accommodation
Samesun
Backpacker Lodge
400 2nd Street. W
tel.: 250/837-4050 or 877/562-2783
internet: www.samesun.com
summer rates: $20-45 s, $50 d.
Samesun Backpacker Lodge provides a true home away from home. This
heritage house has been fully restored, complete with hardwood floors and
comfortable beds with linen. The rooms share bathrooms, kitchen
facilities, a laundry, free Internet access, and a game room. Summer rates
start at $20 pp but for winter travel check the website for what is
probably the least expensive ski & stay package anywhere in North America
($30 per night).
Powder
Springs Inn
200 3rd Street W
tel.: 250/837-5151 or 800/991-4455
internet: www.catpowder.com
summer rates: $70 s or d
Powder Springs Inn has regularly revamped motel rooms, a hot tub, and a
restaurant/bar. The rooms are great value year-round; $70 s or d in summer
($79 d with breakfast) and $49 s or d in winter. This motel is owned by
the local downhill resort and winter packages equate to free skiing.
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Tofino Accommodation
Middle
Beach Lodge
Middle Beach
tel.: 250/725-2900
internet: www.middlebeach.com
summer rates: $120-320 s or d
Out of Tofino to the south are a number of oceanfront resorts, including
Middle Beach Lodge. It comprises two distinct complexes: "At the Beach,"
more intimate, with its own private beach (lodge rooms $120-160 s or d
including a big, healthy breakfast), and the other, "At the Headland,
"with luxurious self-contained chalets ($180-320 s or d) built along the
top of a rugged headland. A short trail links the two, and guests are
welcome to wander between them.
Cable Cove
Inn
201 Main Street
tel.: 250/725-4236 or 800/663-6449
internet: www.cablecoveinn.com
summer rates: $160-205 s or d
Cable Cove Inn overlooks a small cove yet is only a couple of hundred
meters from the center of town. Well-furnished in a casual yet elegant
style, each of the six rooms features a private deck and a fireplace. The
least expensive room is $160 s or d, while the others, ranging $185-205,
each have a hot tub.
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Vancouver
Accommodation
Kingston Hotel
757 Richards Street
tel.: 604/684-9024 or 888/713-3304
internet:
www.kingstonhotelvancouver.com
summer rates: $50-98 s, $60-115 d
The three-story Kingston Hotel dates to the early 1900s but has been extensively
renovated. The small “sleeping rooms” (shared bath) are exactly that, but
well-priced at $50 s, $60 d. Moving up in size, rates range $68-98 s, $78-115 d,
with the more expensive rooms having a private bathroom. Amenities include a
laundry, a TV room where old-time movies are screened each evening, and an
adjacent parkade (parking extra). All rates include a light breakfast.
Sylvia
Hotel
1154 Gilford Street
tel.: 604/681-9321
internet: www.sylviahotel.com
summer rates: $95-205
Overlooking English Bay and the closest beach to downtown, the Sylvia
Hotel is a local landmark sporting a brick and terra-cotta exterior
covered with Virginia creeper. Built in 1912 as an apartment building,
today it provides excellent value as rates range $95-205 s or d (the less
expensive rooms are fairly small), with more expensive rooms featuring
fantastic views and full kitchens. The Sylvia also has a restaurant and
lounge.
Beautiful
B&B
428 W. 40th Avenue (off Cambie Street)
tel.: 604/327-1102
internet:
www.beautifulbandb.bc.ca
summer rates: $125-235 s or d
South of downtown, on the southern edge of upscale Shaughnessy, Beautiful
B&B is a Colonial-style two-story home on a high point of land where views
extend across the city to the North Shore Range. Both Queen Elizabeth Park
and VanDusen Botanical Garden are within walking distance. The house is
decorated with antiques and fresh flowers from the surrounding garden. Two
rooms share a bathroom ($125-160 s or d) while a third comes with a
fireplace, panoramic views, and a huge en suite bathroom complete with
soaker tub ($235 s or d).
Days
Inn-Vancouver Downtown
921 W. Pender Street
tel.: 604/681-4335 or 800/329-7466
internet:
www.daysinnvancouver.com
summer rates: $155-195
Most downtown accommodations in this price range are scattered between the
central business district and Granville Island. Least expensive of these
is this Days Inn. The 85 rooms are small, and surrounding high-rises block
any views. But each room is decorated in bright and breezy pastel colors,
and hight-speed Internet access is provided along with other niceties like
coffee-makers and a daily paper.
Beachside
B&B
4208 Evergreen Avenue, West Vancouver
tel.: 604/922-7773 or 800/563-3311
internet: www.beach.bc.ca
summer rates: $175-250 s or d
If you're prepared to book well ahead, <B>Beachside B&B<P> (4208 Evergreen
Ave., West Vancouver, 604/922-7773 or 800/563-3311, www.beach.bc.ca) is an
excellent choice, with views extending across Burrard Inlet to Stanley
Park to downtown. The two larger suites have water views, semi-private
patios, and Jacuzzi tubs; $250 s or d. The smallest of the three rooms,
which opens to a private patio, is $175 s or d.
Marriott
Vancouver Pinnacle Hotel
1128 W. Hastings Street
tel.: 604/684-1128 or 800/236-2427
internet: www.marriott.com
summer rates: from $309 s or d
The centrally located Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Hotel is a full service
property with 434 spacious rooms, each with stylish furniture, elegant
bathrooms, a writing desk full of office supplies, two telephones
(including a cordless) with voice mail and Internet access, a coffeemaker,
ironing facilities, and also an umbrella for Vancouver's occasional rainy
days. Guests also enjoy complimentary use of the hotel's health club,
which features a big indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a large outdoor
patio area. Advertised rates are from $309, discounted to $199 and $219
outside of summer.
Pan
Pacific Vancouver
Burrard Place
tel.: 604/662-8111 or 800/327-8585
internet: www.panpac.com
summer rates: $490 s or d
For all the modern conveniences along with unbeatable city and harbor
views, head for the sparkling Pan Pacific Vancouver. It's part of the
landmark Canada Place, whose Teflon sails fly over busy, bustling
sidewalks and a constant flow of cruise ships. Each of the 504 spacious
rooms boasts stunning views, contemporary furnishings, a luxurious marble
bathroom, and in-room video checkout. Rooms start at $490 s or d, while
weekend rates outside of summer are under $300.
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Victoria Accommodation
Finding a room in Victoria can be
difficult during the summer months, when gaggles of tourists compete for a
relative paucity of rooms. If you’re after a regular motel room, check the
provincial accommodation guide. If you’re after something a little more
special, you won’t go wrong at any of the following places.
Selkirk
Guest House
934 Selkirk Avenue, Esquimalt
tel.: 250/389-1213 or 800/974-6638
internet: www.selkirkguesthouse.com
summer rates: $50-85 s or d
Selkirk Guesthouse is right on the Gorge Waterway three km (1.9
miles) from the Inner Harbour. The only thing separating the house from
the water is the manicured garden, complete with a hot tub that sits under
an old willow tree. Three of the guest rooms share bathrooms and a kitchen
while the more spacious Rose Room has an ensuite bathroom, patio,
fireplace, and its own kitchen. Breakfast is an additional $5
pp.
Dominion
Hotel
759 Yates Street
tel.: 250/384-4136 or 800/663-6101
internet: www.dominion-hotel.com
summer rates: $119-139 s, $129-149 d
Away from
the water, but still just one block from Douglas St., is the 1876
Dominion Hotel. Millions have been spent restoring the property
with stylish wooden beams, brass trim and lamps, ceiling fans, and marble
floors reliving the Victorian era. Yet staying at the Dominion is still
reasonable. Off-season
deals here are especially attractive, such as one night's accommodation
and a three-course dinner for $99 d.
Gatsby Mansion
309 Belleville Street
tel.: 250/388-9191 or 800/563-9656
www.bellevillepark.com
summer rates: $235-309 s, $245-319 d
Right on the
Inner Harbour, Gatsby Mansion has the most central position of any
local bed and breakfast. Dating to 1897, this 20-room inn has been
elegantly restored, with stained-glass windows, a magnificent fireplace,
lots of exposed wood, crystal chandeliers under a gabled roof, and
antiques decorating every corner. Afternoon tea is served in a comfortable
lounge area off the lobby, and the restaurant has a nice veranda. Through
summer rooms start at $235 s, $245 d; the biggest and best of these, with
a king bed and harbor view, is $309 s, $319 d. Packages offered make
staying at the Gatsby Mansion more reasonable, or visit in winter for as
little as $129 s, $139 d.
Haterleigh Heritage Inn
243 Kingston Street
tel.: 250/384-9995
internet: www.haterleigh.com
summer rates: $230-375 s or d
A few
blocks back from the Inner Harbour, but still within pleasant walking
distance, Haterleigh Heritage Inn has been beautifully restored to its
early 1900s' glory, complete with period furnishings and stained glass
windows. Each of the six spacious rooms features a luxurious en suite
bathroom
Back to top
Whistler Accommodation
Whistler's
accommodations range from a hostel dorm beds to luxury resorts. It's just
a matter of selecting one to suit your budget and location preference.
Skiers and boarders may want to be right in Whistler Village or by the
gondola base in Whistler Creekside so they can walk to the lifts, but
you’ll be paying for the privilege. (The term "slopeside" describes
accommodations within a five-minute walk of the lifts.)
If you plan
on skiing or golfing, a package deal is the way to go. These, along with
room-only accommodations can be booked through the Tourism Whistler
reservation service (604/664-5625 or 800/944-7853,
www.mywhistler.com)
HI-Whistler
5678 Alta Lake Road
tel.: 604/932-5492
internet: www.hihostels.ca
summer rates: $21-25
HI-Whistler is on the western shore of Alta Lake, boasting magnificent
views across the lake to the resort. It's relatively small (just 32 beds),
with facilities including a communal kitchen, dining area, and big, cozy
living area. Bike and canoe rentals are available. It's understandably
popular year-round; members $21, nonmembers $25. Check-in is 4-10 p.m. To
get there from the south, take Alta Lake Road to the left off Highway 99
and watch for the small sign on the lake side of the road.
Coast Whistler Hotel
4005 Whistler Way
tel.: 604/932-2522 or 800/663-5644
internet: www.coastwhistlerhotel.com
summer rates: from $189 s or d
On the edge of the village and adjacent to one of the valley's best golf courses
is Coast Whistler Hotel. Each of the 194 rooms is simply but stylishly decorated
in pastel colors. Facilities include a heated outdoor pool, exercise room, hot
tub, restaurant, and bar. Summer rates start at a reasonable $189 (under $100 in
spring and fall), with lots of online packages deals. The winter rate of $285 s
or d is a little steep considering you're away from the ski lifts.
Delta Whistler Resort
4050 Whistler Way
tel.: 604/932-1982 or 800/515-4050
internet: www.deltawhistler.com
summer rates: $179 s or d
This 288-room hotel has a full-service health club with an outdoor pool,
two restaurants, and a bar. Rack rates through summer are from $179 s or d. The
village's other Delta property is Delta Whistler Village Suites (4308 Main St.,
604/905-3987 or 888/299-3987,
www.delta-whistler.ca), which combines the conveniences of a full-service
hotel with more than 200 kitchen-equipped units--the only such property in
Whistler; from $180 s or d outside winter. In both cases, check the website for
promotional deals.
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