couple shopping for shoes
Everyone deserves to pamper themselves now and then, whether it’s indulging in a little retail therapy, letting your troubles melt away at the spa, or sipping on a cocktail by the sea. With all the advantages of a major urban centre fused with the laid-back atmosphere of the West Coast, Vancouver is the perfect destination if you want to give yourself the VIP treatment. Don’t forget your wallet at home, it’s time to treat yourself.
Day One
A DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE
Start your trip by booking a room at one of the many boutique luxury hotels downtown, like L’Hermitage or The Loden. You’ll be steps away from the entertainment district and some of the best street shopping and malls in the city.
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Spend a morning walking along Robson Street, the retail heart of downtown, and be sure to visit Nordstrom in Pacific Centre where you can wander through multiple levels of clothing, shoes, beauty products, and home decor. Grab a bite for lunch at Bistro Verde, a full-service restaurant with impeccable cocktails located within Nordstrom. Once refreshed, gather your shopping bags and head a couple blocks over for couture finds at the Holt Renfrew flagship store. Spend the rest of the afternoon browsing through three levels of designer goods, from fashion and fragrance to accessories and cosmetics. Think you’ll run out of strength carrying all your designer loot? Book a personal shopping experience and take a load off.
Photo Credit: COURTESY OF THE LODEN
COCKTAIL HOUR
After all that shopping, quench your thirst and at one of the restaurants close to Robson Street. The rooftop patio at Black and Blue will give you a view of downtown while you sip on a cocktail, or take a seat in their dining room for a classic steakhouse dinner. For a menu engineered by a world-renowned chef, reserve a table at Hawksworth in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia for a glamorous and elegant experience and splurge on classic cocktails and upscale cuisine.
Day Two
AROUND YALETOWN
Yaletown is known for its one-of-a-kind stores and sunny patios. Explore the rows of independent shops and break for lunch and a cold beer at one of the many restaurants and bars with outdoor dining, like Yaletown Brewing Co., or walk over to Provence Marinaside by for a calming view of the water and a glass of wine.
RELAX AND DINE
To cap off the day and unwind for the night, book a treatment at the Spa by JW at JW Marriott Parq, conveniently located at the edge of Yaletown. You won’t need to go far for dinner and drinks after–the Parq is home to several dining establishments, including Honey Salt, an upscale but cozy restaurant with an emphasis on locally and regionally sourced ingredients that highlight British Columbia’s natural wonders.
Mainland Street Yaletown
Day Three
COFFEE AND COUTURE
No retail therapy weekend is complete without a visit to Gastown. Pick up a coffee at Milano and explore historic Gastown for unique and elevated shopping, ranging from local arts and gift stores to high-end clothing, eclectic shoes, beauty and fragrance.
GASTOWN GASTRONOMY
Gastown is also famous for its culinary scene and history. Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, settle in at the old-fashioned bar at the Pourhouse for a classic cocktail and marvel at the feeling of traveling back in time. The 100-year-old building that houses the restaurant was built in 1910, home to the Leckie Boot Company. For a dining experience with a local twist, L’Abbatoir pays homage to being in the city’s original meat-packing district, and combines French cuisine with a West Coast flair. To reflect the menu and the history, the refurbished brick and beam building features classic French tile work with industrial fixtures. The restaurant offers a bar and lounge setting, elevated dining room and a sunny atrium.
Gastown
INSIDER TIPS
- Reserving a table at Hawksworth? The Rosewood Hotel Georgia also features a spa, for a full day luxury experience.
- For visitors to the city staying outside of downtown, the Canada Line SkyTrain stops directly in Yaletown and at the edge of Gastown.
- South Granville, located 5 minutes from downtown, has blocks of outdoor shopping and dining.
Source Inside Vancouver
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