O' Canada
Westin Bayshore Vancouver - July 2024
Westin Bayshore Vancouver - July 2024
The Westin Bayshore Vancouver
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 25 years since I made my first site inspection trip to Vancouver.
My first stop was the Westin Bayshore.
There was a lot to like, but it didn’t excite me.
The high point was the hotel’s location on Coal Harbor, with Stanley Park less than a quarter mile away.
Fast forward to 2024 and updates and refurbishments have taken place that build on the Bayshore’s early potential bringing the hotel to life, transforming it into an exciting resort in the city with so much of the outdoors so close and easy to experience. The way it was meant to be.
The lobby is light and open, exhibiting an energy and sense of place to be enjoyed and appreciated, making a positive first impression for the first-time guest and a welcome home vibe for returning visitors.
As you make your way to your room you’ll pass a large, wall-sized monitor featuring images of the hotel and local highlights, serving as a gateway to light-filled pre-function space fronting ballrooms, all with high ceilings and soothing colors. The clean lines and light-filled space check all the boxes.
One in your room, the updated product is everything you might expect: spacious and well-appointed.
My harbor view room, facing Stanley Park and Coal Harbor, brought the outdoors, with harbor cruise and float plane comings and goings, so close that you felt like you could reach out and touch them.
The friendly vibe continues poolside, with plenty of lawn chairs and firepits. If you’re craving a beverage or a bite to eat, attentive servers are there to take your order.
And you have access to Trailer Vic’s - pun intended - a playful nod to the resort's legacy as having been home to an icon from another era, Trader Vic’s. I like that.
A quick note about dining on property - not only did the outlets display the warm hospitality you often hope for but don’t always get, but the attention to delivering a great product was also all you might hope for.
Side note: My wife and regular travel partner, Michele, can be picky, so her declaration that the waffle fries were the best ever - consider that high praise.
One last comment: an important aspect of the property has always been the quality of the sales team, and that remains true today with my personable and knowledgeable sales contact, Paola Leavy, Sr Sales Executive.
Having the right person in place truly makes a difference.
We all know that an engaged staff makes all the difference in the guest experience.
Everyone we encountered at the Westin Bayshore over-delivered with service and personality.
We win!
Fun Fact:
In early 1972, a long-haired and bearded old man shuffled into the lobby of what was then known as the Bayshore Inn. Wearing an old bathrobe and sandals and while surrounded by personal security, he announced “This is pretty nice,”.
It was billionaire Howard Hughes, arriving unannounced on his private float plane.
Requesting exclusive access to the hotel's top four floors, he declared he would buy the hotel if his request wasn’t granted, having previously done just that when the same request was denied at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas.
And so began his months-long stay at the Bayshore Inn.
Dining…
Just out the back door of the Bayshore is Lift. Built out over the waters of Coal Harbor, Lift is a spot that, for me, sets the tone for any visit to Vancouver.
Their rooftop deck, with a commanding view of Coal Harbor and Stanley Park, is a favorite. Watch rowing club practice, float planes, harbor cruises, and pleasure boats as they come and go, all backed with coastal mountain views. A relaxing lunch or cocktails at sunset are my two favorite times to enjoy lift. That said, I’m not sure there is a bad time.
Another never-fail option - Seasons in the Park is located in Queen Elizabeth Park, about 12 minutes from downtown.
My go-to move is to sit out on their deck and take in the view of the downtown skyline, North Vancouver, and Grouse Mountain while enjoying great food and service.
And don’t worry about the weather—the deck is covered, with three fireplaces and multiple ceiling-mounted heaters to ward off any chill.
Activities…
A short 5-minute walk from the Bayshore sits a local treasure - Stanley Park. Opened in 1888, the Park is known for its 6.2-mile walk, jog & bike path along the sea wall, and almost 17 miles of forest paths and trails, plus an aquarium featuring otters and beluga whales, First Nation crafted Totem poles, the Prospect Point Lookout, the 9 o’clock gun and… well, you get the idea. There’s a lot to see and experience.
And if you’ve taken the time to watch and listen to this episode on my Youtube channel - My Incentive Life
(https://youtu.be/SQtod9c0L6s?si=jykmX-EagSff-Ocz)
Then you’re aware that I’m using Canadian artists for virtually all of the music in this series. Yes I know you can’t hear it right now, but if you follow the link above, I think you’ll enjoy hearing Boulevard, an award-winning Canadian band - shout out to my amazingly talented friend Andrew Johns, Boulevard keyboardist.
And to close things out it’s Grammy Award-winning Canadian icon Shania Twain.
Listening to Shania, I have to wonder - is she talking about me?
Want to know more about Vancouver or other destinations in Canada? Or anywhere, for that matter? I'm always happy to share my experiences, so don't hesitate to contact me with questions.
And don't forget that the team at GlobauxSource, and our partners, stand ready to help you make an informed decision, and ensure your and your group's satisfaction. Let's talk.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog, hop over to my Youtube channel to have a look, listen, subscribe, like, and share.
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