Home from home

The Pan Pacific is so very at home in Vancouver harbour and is considered by many, including locals, as one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. It is a landmark that is almost always featured in any images of Vancouver that you may see. As the tall, blue mirrored hotel pertrudes into the Pacific ocean it is made even more striking by the huge white IMAX theater attached to the lobby, making the scene slightly futuristic.

Centrally located, the area feels safe and is within close walking distance to downtown Vancouver, including Robson Street and what is probably its best selling point, adjacent with magnificent views over Stanley Park.

The hotel lobby is breathtaking with marble floors and a lounge that features romantic music played for guests on a grand piano with panoramic views over the Pacific.

The rooms are equally fantastic with floor to ceiling views over the city, Stanley Park, harbour, or ocean. Everyday you will also see large cruise ships dock for an afternoon or night, you can see this from your hotel window or even from the outdoor heated swimming pool or spa. I cannot recommend this hotel enough for a romantic getaway or any visit to central Vancouver.

Vancouver is by far the best shopping in Canada. A shocking, unsubstantiated statement? No, I would gladly put money on it. Vancouver is a harbour city and therefore very varied and split between many districts and areas. There are of course the many shopping malls that North America bursts at the seams with, but in Vancouver there is a whole world beyond this for the budget-conscious or, well, the big-spenders.

Robson street is sort of an outside mall, a central downtown 'strip' with all the mall like shops you would expect like Banana Republic, Virgin Megastore, and FCUK, along with the extra designer boutiques such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel. However, the great thing about this street is it is open very late in the summer and attracts all sorts of locals and tourists for shopping or just people watching in a late-night bar. It is in the tiny mall just off Robson Street that you will find 'Purdy's'. This could possibly be the best chocolate I have ever tasted, and somewhat of a local secret. As a recommendation, have an ice cream dipped in their warm chocolate with sprinkles. The one thing to watch on Robson Street, and not to be off-putting, but Vancouver as a whole, is there is that there are quite a few homeless people on the streets, and although they won't hassle you, they may come and ask for money.

Moving on though, Gastown is also a very understandably popular area. Very laid-back and great for a coffee and a shopping area for mostly hand made art and momentos.

A walk, a drive or even a sea bus will take you to Granville Island, set amongst beautiful waterside gardens and scenery (which is great for a walk or rollerblade after or between shopping) is Granville Island markets. It is here that you can also find the Kids Only Market, which is great for presents to take home and kids of all ages love it. Filled with huge kites, puzzles and toys and so much more it is a fantastic place for anyone, I personally loved it when my parents took me there when I was a kid and thaought it was still great last time I went (I was 20). It would be after this that a good sit down is due and the food, especially the fresh fish, is too good for words from Granville Island market where you can eat outside and watch the performers and jugglers there. This huge indoor market has every food you can dream of and many more local shops dotted around outside. These are just some of the places to shop, but I could carry on forever, I would obviously recommend the summer for activities like this as the weather makes the city look even more fabulous.