On a business trip to Vancouver: a vibrant city with a Dutch touch!
Whoever says Vancouver does not immediately think of a city with a Dutch touch. A thought that even I - Femke de Hond, Business Travel Consultant - did not have when I visited Vancouver. This Canadian city is beautifully situated between the natural beauty of the sea and the mountains and has an amazing skyline due to its many modern high-rise buildings.
Besides being a much-visited tourist destination, Vancouver is also a true business mecca. For example, Vancouver's port is one of the most important in the world and in recent years the city has also become more important for software developers, biotechnology and especially the film industry! Because of this, Vancouver is also known as "North Hollywood. In this blog I will take you to this interesting (business) travel destination!
(Dutch) history of Vancouver
How do our Dutch roots end up in this Canadian metropolis? The city was named after English Captain George Vancouver, a descendant of the Dutch noble "Van Coever. George Vancouver's ancestors came from Coevorden in the province of Drenthe. The surname Van Coever was changed to Vancouver in the United Kingdom when his great-grandfather settled in Norfolk.
Hotels in downtown Vancouver
Whether you want to stay in a luxury hotel or prefer a mid-range hotel, Vancouver has a great range of hotels and there is a suitable place to stay for everyone's needs! Below we give you three hotel tips:
- Hampton Inn & Suites By Hilton ***: This hotel is within walking distance of the harbor and bustling downtown and just 3 kilometers from Stanley Park. In addition, the Hampton Inn has meeting facilities, an airport transfer and free area shuttles. For those who want to explore Vancouver and/or Stanley Park by bicycle, the hotel offers complimentary bicycles ?
- The St. Regis Hotel ****: Centrally located in the city, this recently renovated boutique hotel has not only a blissful restaurant, but also a cocktail bar/lounge and a hip coffee shop/café. Free full breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour business center are some of the other pleasant amenities.
- Living Shangri-La Vancouver Hotel *****: In the heart of Vancouver stands the tallest skyscraper with a whopping 62 floors (201 meters high)! The first 15 floors of this building contain the Living Shangri-La 5-star hotel. The other floors are for mixed use, such as offices and apartments. Want to relax in the hotel? Then this is quite possible with the fitness, sauna, an outdoor swimming pool between the buildings or the use of the Spa & Wellness Centre (for a fee). The hotel also features a meeting room, easy access to luxury stores, trendy restaurants and bars. Not to mention: Living Shangri-La is about 500 meters from the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Living Shangri-La Vancouver Hotel.
Sightseeing alongside your business appointments in Vancouver
If you have some spare time and don't want to sit in your hotel room, Vancouver has many places to explore. We share a small sampling of the options that are located near downtown, so...easy to get to on foot or by bus!
- Vancouver Look out: Here you will find the best view of the city! The 360° view is achieved by a short 40-second ride on a glass elevator on the outside of the building. This elevator takes you to a height of 168 meters, where you can enjoy a unique view of both the city and the parks. Besides a great experience ansich, perhaps the view of the city will give you more ideas to undertake in the city?
- False Creek Seawall & Stanley Park: Another option that I personally really enjoyed is to walk or bike along the False Creek Seawall (a walking and biking path that connects English Bay to Science World, Granville Island and Kitsilano Beach) like a true Dutchman exploring Stanley Park. In addition to the amazing views of the Vancouver skyline, the nine totem poles at Brockton Point are well worth seeing (location: about 2 km from downtown).
- Capilano Suspension Bridge: For those who also enjoy the tranquility of nature and are not afraid of heights, be sure to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This suspension bridge with a length of 137 meters hangs at a height of no less than 70 meters. The bridge is located in a large park with various other activities such as walking between treetops, a footpath above a cliff and an information center (location: about 9 km from downtown).
Getting to Vancouver
Metro:
Vancouver Airport has its own subway network called SkyTrain (most of the route on an elevated track). From the airport, the SkyTrain runs every 12 to 20 minutes between 05:00 in the morning and 01:00 at night. This will get you to Vancouver City Centre Station in just 25 minutes. Simply follow the Canada Line signs at the airport for this.
Rental car:
Are you not only staying in the city of Vancouver, but also going to visit other places? Then renting a car is an excellent alternative. It gives you the freedom and flexibility to go wherever you want. Just be aware of wild animals that may suddenly cross the road and, of course, the speed limits:
-
- 50 kilometers per hour in built-up areas;
- 80 kilometers per hour on main roads;
- 100 kilometers per hour on highways.
One downside is that there is no free parking to be found in Downtown Vancouver. Some hotels offer the option of parking there, however, there is often a charge for this as well. If necessary, select in our online booking tool UBI that you are only interested in hotels with parking or check with our Travel Consultants for hotels with a free airport shuttle.
Walking:
In the city itself, it is easy to walk to most attractions, the Convention Center, stores or eateries in or near downtown.
Aquabus:
The colorful rainbow boats on False Creek are very recognizable and easy to use. There are a total of 8 stops and the boats leave every 5-15 minutes. It gives you the opportunity to explore Vancouver in an inexpensive and relaxing way. If you know you want to take the Aquabus/water cab back as well, buy a return ticket right away. This is cheaper than paying for a one-way ticket twice. Tickets can be purchased on board from the driver.
Eating and drinking establishments in Vancouver
Want to grab a nice coffee in between your appointments, grab a lunch or dine extensively? Or would you like to take or meet your business appointment over lunch or dinner? Below we would like to give you some restaurant suggestions:
- Revolver: Start the day with delicious freshly roasted coffee or grab a full cappuccino with a freshly made snack on the go. At Revolver in the Gastown neighborhood, you've come to the right place! The fine ambiance, experienced baristas and diverse coffee menu make this a great coffee spot!
- Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House: A place where you can eat high-quality seafood is, of course, a must in a waterfront city! Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House is an incredibly popular spot, with guests from all over the world coming to this iconic restaurant to experience the seafood grill. A restaurant with an extensive menu (including meat), award-winning wine list and high-end personal service.
- Granville Island Public Market: This is an indoor food market that is open all week and is located on Granville Island. It is a versatile and cozy market where you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits and handmade products outside of eateries. We highly recommend taking the water cab to Granville Island.
- Dinesty Dumpling House: Taste the flavors of Asian influences in Vancouver! The dumpling restaurant on Vancouver's most famous and vibrant shopping street. The restaurant is known for its steamed dumplings and soup dumplings. A special attraction belonging to this restaurant is that they also make dumplings live on the street.
Note: Keep in mind that it is customary in Canada to pay a tip of 15 to 20 percent in restaurants.
After reading this blog, curious about travel options for your future business trip to Vancouver? Then feel free to contact with us for a customized quote!
Travel Well!
Femke de Hond
Business Travel Consultant
Update: This blog about your business trip to Vancouver first appeared on Oct. 06, 2021 and was updated with new information on May 22, 2022.
