Our winter season started off a little shakey with a dusting of snow and hail in October, but the weather today is incredibly beautful. It’s +8C (46F for our American friends) under blue skies with sunshine forecasted for the next few days.
February always seems to have a warm spell to it as well… I’m not saying anything but is winter over? 
See you in the summer!
You can now Tweet us on Twitter @ManorGuestHouse
In a recent tourist survey carried out by ORC International, it was found that Americans know very little about Canada (only 29% knew what city is the capital of Canada.)
So in the spirit of education and enlightenment, here are the answers to questions our American guests ask us most frequently: 
1) Do we have to have Canadian money while in Vancouver?
Yes. We have Canadian currency, which at the moment is worth a little more than U.S. currency. So yes, it’s a good idea to have some Canadian walking around money. You can charge most things on your credit card.
2) If we use our U.S. credit card in Vancouver how will we get charged?
The U.S. bank that holds your credit card will charge you according to the rate of exchange on the date of the transaction. The bank will do the conversion and you will be charged in U.S. dollars.
3) When we arrive at the airport, how will we get to the Manor?
Vancouver is a big city of over 2 million people. There are lots of taxis at the airport. They are all bonded and they all have meters. It’s about a 20 minute drive from the Vancouver International Airport to the Manor Guest House.
4) Can we use our cell phones in Canada?
Yes, you can, but roaming charges may apply. Check with your service provider. At the Manor Guest House we do offer free local and long distance calls anywhere to the U.S. or Canada, so if your service provider will ding you, we won’t.
5) If we’re coming to Vancouver for a long weekend, will we have enough time to visit Banff?
It may look close on the map, but Banff is actually about 850 miles away.
6) We’re coming to Vancouver in July. Will it be cold?
Vancouver is in the Pacific Northwest, 150 miles north of Seattle, so we have pretty much the same weather as they do. We have a temperate climate. Days in the summer are generally warm, not humid, (75 degrees) and it gets cooler in the evening, so it’s always advisable to bring a sweater or a jacket. It will not be cold. You’re also not likely to swelter.
7) Do we have to bring an electrical currency converter to Vancouver?
No. All your appliances will work here. We’re on the same wavelength.
We learned French in school. Will we get a chance to practice in Vancouver?
The short answer is, unlikely. Although both English and French are the official languages of Canada, French is not spoken much beyond the province of Quebec where you find the cities of Montreal and Quebec City. But you’ll be able to read French on anything you can find that has packaging. And if you really are dying to speak, ask for Brenda who’s the general manager of the Manor Guest House. She’s from Montreal and she’d love to speak French with you.
9) Will we get to see the Queen of England?
It’s true that Vancouver is in the province (not providence) of BRITISH Columbia. But that’s just the name of our province. The Queen lives in England. We have extended an invitation to Her Majesty to stay at the Manor. We’re waiting to hear.
And by the way, the capital city of Canada is Ottawa.
A recent travel study shows that there has been a huge increase in the number of people booking furnished suites for vacation rentals. The reasons cited are more space, big cost savings as suites come with kitchens so eating out all the time is not necessary, and there is an opportunity to spend time more meaningfully. Preparing food and eating it together can be a lovely bonding experience.
As we head into summer bookings at the Manor Guest House we’ve noticed this to be particularly true for families with children, 3 generations and extended families travelling together. Our one and 2 bedroom furnished suites are very much in demand because they are reasonably priced and come with great kitchens – all the comforts of home.
People are also telling us that Vancouver is a wonderful city for family holidays because there really is something for everyone, and it’s also a major point of departure for Alaska cruises, or travel to other parts of British Columbia.
We’re so pleased that the Manor Guest House can be part of this new trend.
Are you coming to Vancouver for the Dragon Boat races, June 10, 11. 12. Would you like to stay at a lovely well priced large bed and breakfast near the False Creek site? We can accommodate large groups and we offer very comfortable beds, great breakfasts to keep you fueled, and good hot showers – everything to support you in being in top form for the races. You’ll pay a little more than you would at a youth hostel but you’ll get a lot more elegance, quality, and comfort. If you feel you deserve to give yourself the best for the races, then come and stay at the Manor Guest House.
Granville Island is one of the brightest jewels in Vancouver’s crown. It’s also one of Vancouver’s top attractions to visit. It began life as a sand bank, was later turned into an industrial area and by 1980 was transformed into a people friendly site with various uses, from parks to housing to public spaces. Today it is a favorite spot for Vancouver locals and tourists alike, to live, eat, shop and to be entertained.
Located right in the heart of the city of Vancouver under the Granville Street Bridge, Granville Island offers something for everyone. Perhaps it is best known for its large, enclosed Public Market (great activity for rainy days). Prepare to have your senses stimulated at the sights and smells of a huge variety of glorious food, from artistic presentations of fruits and vegetables, to cheeses, fish, meats, breads and pastries, and soups to international choices in the food court, which accurately reflect Vancouver’s proud multi-cultural makeup.
There are also many artisans in the market who sell homemade foods and unique handicrafts – no big box stores on Granville Island.
Outside the Public Market but still on Granville Island you can find a community of craft studios such as jewellers, art galleries, glassblowing studio, a sake maker, B.C. Potters’ Guild Gallery, and a woodworking studio, a boutique hotel,a water park for children, and a university, to name just a few.
Then there are 2 major theatres, a marina where you can rent a boat, anchor your own, or just watch the action, a brew pub, a wine store, and fine restaurants.
And almost any time you visit Granville Island, you’re likely to catch a free performances of some very high quality entertainment. Buskers (licensed) are a main attraction and include magicians, musicians, and jugglers. Perhaps best of all, there’s sitting outside on a sunny day and just watching the world go by.
Granville Island is really easy to get to. It’s a nice walk from downtown or from the Manor Guest House. There are also the False Creek Ferries and the Aquabus that provide ferry service from downtown Vancouver, the west end and Kitsilano.
Word of caution: when you go to Granville Island, be prepared to be wowed.
Eighteen years ago, when I first opened a bed and breakfast in downtown Vancouver and called it the Manor Guest House, I decided that since my family and I are vegetarians, we would serve only vegetarian breakfasts. However, though we implemented this decision, we never advertised it. We didn’t deny it either. We would often post recipes on our website, or sample breakfast menus, all of which indicated that we don’t serve meat (we do serve eggs, smoked salmon and cheese), but we never came right out and said it.
Truth to tell, we were concerned that it would turn people off. We needn’t have worried.
As it turned out, guests loved the variety of our buffet breakfasts and constantly ask us for recipes. And the odd thing was that in 18 years only one person commented to us on the absence of meat, and it was not in the nature of a complaint. So we quietly continued with our meatless ways.
In the course of time it became very natural for us to cater to vegans, or to people with special dietary needs, such as grain free, gluten free, dairy free or nut free food. We also discovered that once observant Jews and Moslems discovered we were vegetarian, they were more comfortable choosing us as a Vancouver bed and breakfast because they didn’t have to be concerned with meat that was unacceptable to them.
Another of our breakfast policies that I kept secret was that we offer low fat options. As a somewhat fanatic weight watcher myself, I felt that I couldn’t in good conscience offer people what I wouldn’t choose myself, namely dishes made with heavy cream sauces, such as Eggs Benedict, which are standard fare at many bed and breakfasts. I was afraid that if I made this policy public, people would avoid us because they might think our breakfasts might be skimpy and unappetizing.
I am also a food vigilante and I read labels, so that I stay away from foods that have additives and preservatives. What happens is that I end up making just about everything from scratch – which is exactly what we do at the Manor. So to please everyone, (including me) we offer a buffet with richer food choices as well as low fat choices such as fresh fruit salad, low fat, probiotic yogurts, and breads and muffins made with whole grains. And David, our very own Red Seal chef, dazzles with his creative brilliance.
How times have changed! We no longer have to keep our food policies secret. We are proud to say that we are the only vegetarian bed and breakfast in Vancouver! Always keen gardeners, as time went on it became “natural” for us to grow our own vegetables and herbs. Our produce is organic: we don’t use pesticides or chemical fertilizers. We can honestly say that we offer healthy choices.
With everyone so conscious of getting good value for their hard earned money, the Manor Guest House is a sensible choice. What do you get for your money?
1) A great location. We’re on the edge of downtown in the City Hall-Cambie Village area. Downtown is walking distance, and public transit, excellent restaurants and shops are within 2 blocks.
How to choose a Bed and Breakfast
For many travellers seeking accommodations, the bed and breakfast option is an appealing one. Some of the motivating factors are the opportunity to meet other travellers, to have direct access to the knowledge of the host and in general to be in a more intimate environment and to experience the uniqueness of the establishment. It is fair to say that no two bed and breakfasts are the same. Yet it is precisely the lack of standardization that can make choosing a bed and breakfast somewhat overwhelming. Here are some guidelines that can help you, based on our experience as bed and breakfast owners in Vancouver.
CHOOSE AN ACCREDITED ACCOMMODATION
Bed and breakfast is the ultimate cottage industry. Especially since the advent of the internet, anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a bed and breakfast. Find out if the bed and breakfast you are considering has any accreditation. Do they belong to a local bed and breakfast association? Are they certified by a government agency? Does the local tourist bureau know about them? If you get a positive answer you can know with some certainty that at the very least basic standards are being adhered to. Travel publications are a somewhat useful guide, especially those that offer critical evaluations, such as Frommer’s and Fodor’s. However, many excellent establishments are often not mentioned in these publications simply because their writers don’t know about them. Books such as the “Bed and Breakfast Encyclopedia” and “Lanier’s Guide to Bed and Breakfasts” are not critical guides. Bed and breakfasts pay to be listed and write their own descriptions, so there is no guarantee that what you read is what you get.The best thing to do is to invest in a phone call and have a chat with the innkeeper.
CHOOSE A PROFESSIONALLY RUN ACCOMMODATION
Just because a bed and breakfast is accredited, there is no guarantee that it is well run. When you call during regular business hours do you get a helpful, courteous person at the other end or do you get voice mail? If you do leave a message on voice mail is your call returned promptly? If you e-mail the establishment do they answer you quickly? Personal service and attention are what make bed and breakfasts special. If these traits are perceived to be lacking in your initial encounters, you have to ask yourself how you’ll be treated if you were to be a guest in that establishment.
CHOOSE A BED AND BREAKFAST THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS
It’s important to be very clear at the outset as to what your needs are, so that you can ensure in advance that you won’t be disappointed. The more you can narrow the gap between expectation and reality the likelier you are to have a positive bed and breakfast experience. Here are some major considerations, not in any particular order of significance.
The following photos were taken by Kyron Nograd, a budding photographer and our house guest. Read more »
