Well, Vancouver never disappoints. We did the usual itinerary: Granville Island (very delightful on a rainy day), dinner on Robson street, stroll down Denman and Beach Avenue to the English Bay. The hotel we stayed at as Cascadia Hotel and Suites, it is OK, nothing exciting. The next morning, we strolled down Davie to Stanley Park and the English Bay beach. After a delicious lunch, we took our 3-year old to a West End Community center Kids Zone where we ran into people I know from 20 years ago in Kazakhstan. I liked the Sushi Mart on Robson, although it was a bit heavy on salt. The highlight of the trip was discovery Spanish chocolate at Dulcinea on Denman and having martinis and people watching at the Central Bistro also on Denman. Fodor's is a bit light on Canadian trip reviews, so I thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth.

Thank you for your 2 cents worth. Always enjoy reading about Vancouver. It's a great city and I agree it won't disappoint.

Dulcinea is a wonderful little spot for chocoholics

http://www.dulcineachocolatecafe.ca/

Acacia Filo Bar across the street is also quite popular with locals.

http://www.acaciafillobar.com/

Thanks, RainyDay, for your trip report, and thanks to Sam for the links - both will be helpful in my trip in August!

(I'm really curious - the Acacia web site mentions elk-free beer. Maybe it's a stupid question, but why would elk be involved in beer at all?! Google had no answers for me...)

Just returned from Vancouver and Victoria last night. Other than the rain we also found it delightful...AGAIN although I cannot begin to tell you how much I wish we had made ferry reservations for BOTH WAYS Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay but other than those crazy drivers whizzing by as we faithfully followed the speed limites (when they were posted!) it was great....well worth a trip IMO no matter the weather.

"<i>the Acacia web site mentions elk-free beer</i>"

I think '<i>elk-free</i>' might be Bulgarian for alcohol free

Aaaaahhhhh.

rainyday09-I see you mention Granville Island was delightful on a rainy day....looking for an option if we to get fowl weather--we are visiting for our 1st time leaving tomorrow (yeah!!)...will be there 3 nights at the Fairmont (the old one)...

Hi rattravlers, the weather is supposed to be OK this weekend. Perhaps, a bit cloudy, but not too bad. Granville Island is fun to wonder around. In fact, that is my most favorite thing to do in Vancouver is just to wonder without a specific destination. The city definitely has that je ne sais quoi. Just get umbrellas if it is raining

If you get the foul weather then you definitely need to hit up one of the spas. There are quite a few big ones down town but http://www.dorismayspa.com can come to you in your hotel.

My favorite touristy attraction has to be stanley park though! Nothing can beat cycling or roller blading on a nice sunny day.

We went on another trip to Vancouver and, unfortunately, Dulcinea on Denman is closed already. Too bad, it served hot Spanish chocolate and various yummy chocolate treats.

Going back again for the President's day weekend. My 8 year old calls it "his home away from home."

Looking forward to discovery new places to eat and new adventures. We never stay long enough but we go at least once a year.