I dislike traveling solo and also dislike being alone when I am in a destination city, even when I’ve been there before and have no difficulty getting around it. Granted, I was last in this vivacious city for the 1976 Expo, but, as I discovered, it had not changed so much that it was unfamiliar to me. I really like to SHARE travel experiences even as I have them, and the appeal of writing for IGOUGO stems from my feeling experiences deepen in meaning when I share.

The first night, sleeping on the pullout living area couch was unpleasant; cold air drifted in from the open sliding glass window that I couldn’t close. My right ankle was throbbing, as I’d banged my suitcase against it as I was leaping off the Toonerville bus a full hour and a half behind expected arrival time. But, the next morning, the adept roommate (a licensed private pilot) quickly fixed the sliding door’s catch so it closed. She’d also started the coffee machine and had stocked the fridge with V-8. Lady Luck had paired me with an intelligent, resourceful young lady who didn’t dislike being with someone old enough to be her mom. We visited the Sun-Yat Sen Garden and Lonsdale Quay together that Friday, but on Saturday I did my own thing, wandering around Robson, catching sight of the Abbott House, and surveying all the cafés and other neighborhood amenities.

Snoopy me did check the kitchenette equipment: one pan and skillet, service for four in plates, cutlery, cups, and glasses. You couldn’t cook a minimal meal, but with the microwave and stovetop, you could easily reheat takeaway items and prepare snacks. A suite is NOT like the apartments I’m used to renting in Europe; kitchenette accurately described what you got here.

In the basement was a heated pool, sauna, and changing rooms, which Harry used the first night to relieve the tension of her long, delayed-en-route flight that resulted in her missing the reception. Jason at the front desk was helpful in helping us keep tabs on each other and on Saturday night when the hotel was full and we needed clean towels. Check Idler’s review of this hotel, as her room was smoke-filled, though she had booked a nonsmoking one. We had a fresh-smelling room and even had a good balcony view.

What was most appealing was that for a budget hotel room price, we got a simple one-bedroom apartment. Four people could conceivably share the apartment, though I think it would be a bit cramped. With one of us taking the bedroom and the other the sleeper sofa, we had plenty of room to spread out. Great views from the large, floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room added to the sense of space.

Although the décor was a bit dated, the housekeeping staff did an excellent job. Every wood, tile, or glass surface sparkled. The apartment had a slightly retro feel, with the swirling pastels so popular in the '70s offset by dark green carpeting. Artsnletters proclaimed the sleeper sofa, which had undeniably seen better days, as being reasonably comfortable, while I found the firm double bed very much to my liking. The bathroom, though not large, had plenty of counter space and a spacious tub. We made ourselves right at home, enjoying the sense of privacy the apartment afforded, yet, at the same time, enjoying our epic late-night gabfests. We found TV cable coverage of the weather reports and baseball games another "make yourself at home" touch that we appreciated.

What I liked best, though, was the gleaming white kitchen, which I promptly stocked with breakfast essentials and snack foods. Two coffee packets were supplied each day, which was generous, though for some reason, dishwashing liquid was not. I enjoyed getting up in the morning, making a pot of coffee, then sitting with a bagel and juice and looking out over the city, still in my jammies. This routine fed into one of my favorite illusions when I travel: that I live in the place rather than just visiting it.

Our one grouse was that, although I had requested a nonsmoking room, we were given a smoking one. This was partially my fault, as when I arrived, I made a big deal about each of us needing a key. For some reason there was only one suite available with two keys. I think the pleasant desk clerk simply overlooked the fact that that suite wasn’t nonsmoking. However, I had already unpacked by the time I realized the room smelled faintly of cigarette smoke. Rather than requesting another suite, I simply opened the large windows and aired the place out, but it might have been an issue if it had been too cold to do so.