Where else can you stroll on a beach, dine outside, and ski in the same day? Vancouver has it all.

Photos taken in Stanley Park, the jewel in Vancouver’s crown.

If you stay at the Manor for 2 nights or more during the weekend of the Marathon, and you enter the Marathon (you don’t have to finish) we’ll give you a bottle of  Tinhorn Creek Merlot, one of the very best wines from the Okanagan Valley. That way you have nothing to lose, and if you must, you can drown your sorrows.

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!

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.

8) 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.

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.

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.

2)     A room with king or queen bed and private bath will run you $135-165CDN per night. That includes a full buffet breakfast, internet, off- street parking, local and long distance calls, and the use of a fully equipped guest kitchen. And that’s for 2 people!

3)     Speaking of breakfast, we offer vegetarian options, low fat options, and we cater to all dietary needs. We also grow all our own herbs and most of the vegetables that go into the making of your breakfast.

4)     Beautiful gardens and decks, both in the front and the back, where you can relax with a glass of wine or a good book – truly your oasis in the city.

5)     You get to experience the elegance of a big old Craftsman mansion, built in 1900, and lovingly restored, and perhaps even improved.

6)     Knowledgeable, helpful staff who will answer your questions, make recommendations, reservations, book your tours, and in short, do whatever they can to make your stay in Vancouver an enjoyable one.

7)     Now isn’t that good value?

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.

1) Location
Where do you want to be? Do you require a location in or near downtown? Do you want to be some place quiet and secluded? In addition to checking with the innkeeper, or the inn’s website or brochure, it’s also a good idea to refer to Mapquest or similar sites. Once you’ve established the location, it’s then easier to determine if you’ll need a car, or if you can get by with public transportation. If you do need a car, you’ll want to make sure that adequate convenient parking is available. Most bed and breakfasts offer free parking.

2) Special needs
Do you have food allergies or dietary preferences such as low fat, vegetarian or vegan? Are you allergic to feathers or animal hair? Do you have difficulties with stairs? Do you need a particular kind of bed or bed arrangement? Are you a smoker or an anti-smoker? Do you require a refrigerator for special food or medication? Do you require internet access or a phone in your room? Will you be arriving/leaving very late or very early? Will you be needing a very early or late breakfast, or will you be missing breakfast altogether? These are all matters which should be discussed with your host prior to your arrival.3) Environment
Are you a morning person who loves to chat with strangers at the breakfast table, or are you a reserved person who prefers privacy and solitude? It’s a good idea to find out what the breakfast arrangement is in advance so that you won’t feel deprived or inconvenienced. Also on the subject of environment, how important is décor to you? Will you be bothered by a more feminine style of décor with frills, pillows and stuffed animals, or do you insist on simplicity?

4) Children
Many bed and breakfasts are adult oriented, but if you have a preference to not being around children it’s best to ask what is the policy of the particular bed and breakfast you are considering. By the same token if you are travelling with children, you must tell the innkeeper in advance, or risk being turned away when you arrive.

5) Price
Everyone loves a bargain, but if a bed and breakfast is priced very low you’ll want to be circumspect. Perhaps the room is small, or the bathroom is shared with several rooms, or it’s not well located or well maintained, or breakfast is of no significance. By the same token, a high priced bed and breakfast should offer amenities worthy of the price. Also with regard to money, make sure that you will be able to pay for your accommodations in a manner that is convenient to you. For example, some bed and breakfasts ask for a credit card to secure the reservation, but then ask for cash or traveller’s cheques to settle the account. It’s always best to know in advance.

MAKE A RESERVATION
Although there is a lot to be said for spontaneity, it is always best to make a reservation. Some people think that a bed and breakfast may not be as busy as a hotel and they can just turn up and get a room. Often this is not the case, especially during the height of a busy tourist season or a major event such as a big convention.

To sum up, know what you want, ask the right questions, and enjoy. It’s hard not to have a memorable time when the way you’re treated makes you feel special. And that’s what bed and breakfasts are all about.

The following photos were taken by Kyron Nograd, a budding photographer and our house guest.