Most of the hotels and motels serving Vancouver International Airport are clustered in the southern suburb of Richmond, some 15 miles south of downown, as is this Best Western. Much larger than most Best Westerns I’ve stayed at, this is more a conference center than just a hotel; it occupies three mid-rise towers and shares a large parking lot and small strip shopping mall with an adjoining Marriott.

My room was relatively large, but had what was probably the least desirable view from among the three towers --- a major traffic artery and parking lot. On the other hand, it was extremely well-equipped: Two king-size beds, spacious bathroom, large TV, coffee maker, hair drier. (Why would a guy appreciate a hair drier? To be able to take a late-night swim and still pack a dry bathing suit in the morning.)

A large unheated swimming pool and small heated jacuzzi were set in a large garden courtyard with well-landscaped walking paths and enough flowers and shrubbery to shield adjoining rooms from pool noise.

The main cocktail lounge --- featuring ‘100 brands of Scotch whiskey’ --- was closed when I arrived after 8:30 p.m. on a Sunday night. A large alternative bar, apparently a venue for live music on livelier nights, was open and serving a few patrons. Sandwiches and other short-order food service were also available here. Late bar and food service could also be had in a ground-level coffee shop opening off the swimming pool court.

I had a very good (and ample) breakfast buffet for CDN $10 --- about as good as it gets in a name-brand hotel that doesn’t include breakfast in the room rate. That room rate was a little higher than I like to pay for a hotel outside of a major city center, but when arriving late at night, a hotel that’s only a few minutes from the airport and provides free van service is worth a premium.