When I found out that my Alaska Princess Cruise would end in Vancouver, I was really excited because I had always wanted to visit the city — especially after watching the 2010 Winter Olympicson TV. I decided that I would spend the weekend there with my friend Rebecca, who was going on the cruise with me. Not knowing much about Vancouver, I had trouble deciding where in the city would be the best location to book a hotel. I ended up in the West End, where I had a very enjoyable stay as a guest of Sunset Inn and Suites at the end of June.
When choosing a hotel, I often think it’s location, location, location. If I’m in a city, I like to be able to walk to as many places as possible. Vancouver turned out to be a very walkable city, and I liked the location of Sunset Inn and Suites (pictured left). The famous Granville nightlife strip (pictured right) was just a few short blocks away, as was Yaletown and Robson street. And it was even close to Sunset Beach, where our water taxi dropped us off after we explored Granville Island.
Sunset Inn & Suites is on a quiet residential street — it made me feel like less of a tourist, a welcome feeling after taking a cruise. In fact, Sunset Inn used to be a residential building, but it was converted to an all-suites hotel a few years ago. Our room was tastefully decorated and impeccably clean. We were actually staying in a one-bedroom suite, and it felt like a real apartment (and a spacious one by NYC standards).
This was also a nice change after taking a cruise, because while our mini-suite with balcony on the Coral Princess was lovely, it felt a bit small for two friends after a week. Now we both had our own space, as I took the bedroom (thanks Rebecca!) and Rebecca took the fold-out couch in the living room, which she told me was very comfortable.
There was also a dining area and full kitchen, of which we only used the refrigerator to store some incredibly fresh cherries bought at the market at Granville Island. There are too many great restaurants in Vancouver to eat in when you’re only there for a short amount of time.
Sunset Inn and Suites offers free wifi, and it actually works. (All too often, I’ve found that “free wifi” doesn’t work, which translates into “no wifi.”) They have offer a complimentary breakfast in the lobby, which is my second favorite hotel perk, with my first favorite being free wifi. There was also a small gym off the lobby but we didn’t need that — with only a weekend in Vancouver, we were walking non-stop.
Comped But Never Compromised: I received a complimentary stay at Sunset Inn & Suites, but I am free to write whatever I want.
