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April 26, 2026 In Travel

Vancouver Trip

When did we go….

  • Apr 23-26, 2026

 

Why did we go…

  • we were connecting with our friends Tad & Philly who flew up from Dallas and visiting local friends Clemm and Laura

 

How did we get there…

  • 1.5 hour flight to Vancouver
  • half hour ride from the airport to our hotel

 

 

Where did we stay…

  • Hyatt Downtown Vancouver Alberni
  • located in the middle of the downtown core
  • beautiful hotel and spacious rooms but very loud street noise
  • nice outdoor fifth floor pool, jacuzzi and relaxation area
  • the basement pick up point was very confusing for Uber drivers, so that was a constant challenge

 

Where did we eat:

  • Acuyu (lunch, Mexican, new and nicely appointed with excellent food despite an innocent order screw up for Marilyn’s meal, funky African dude sitting beside us in colorful shorts and a suit jacket)
  • Nuba (dinner with our friends Gregg and Laura, we went to the wrong location initially in Gastown instead of Yaletown, very nice place with a fun server and very tasty Indian food)
  • Caffe Villaggio (breakfast every morning, nice 15 minute walk from our hotel, promenade beside the Westin Bayshore with a beautiful harbor view, enjoyed Americano’s and jumbo Morning Glory muffins)
  • Sandbar (lunch, Granville Island, outdoor patio overlooking False Creek, one of our go to spots, excellent food and service)
  • Carlino (dinner, hotel restaurant lounge, very nicely appointed with fun servers and excellent food and drinks)
  • Hapa Izakaya (dinner, Asian, Yaletown, had a nice visit with the owner and our new friend ‘stuntman’ Larry who bought up a huge bottle of sake

 

 

What did we do…

  • walked along the inner harbor on a beautiful spring day and along Robson Street but struck out on finding anything unique to buy
  • relaxed by the pool and hopped in the jacuzzi on the 5th floor of our hotel
  • had several visits with our friends Tad and Philly and Philly’s daughter Maria and her partner Trent (the kids were in from Seattle)
  • walked over to Granville Island including the sea bus across False Creek and poked around in some of our favorite stores
  • went to Circle Wellness hydrotherapy spa on Granville Island (private pods in a serene inner city setting)
  • also went to Tevah Wellness (new hydrotherapy spa in Yaletown with a massive sauna and cold tubs, very well appointed and a nice experience)
  • walked along English Bay Beach, into Stanley Park by Lost Lagoon and into Coal Harbour for a latte at Caviar Bistro, along the promenade and back to our hotel
  • attended the Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Colorado Rapids soccer match at B.C. Place

 

 

Background:

  • one of Canada’s densest and most ethnically diverse cities
  • greater Vancouver population of 2.6M

 

What did we not do that is on the agenda for next time:

  • check out more neighborhoods and new restaurants
  • do a food tour
  • do a driving tour with Wild BC Tours

 

Final thoughts:

  • the weather was terrific, and all the blossoms were coming out, while it was snowing and cold back in Calgary
  • Vancouver is a fun city with very eclectic people

 

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