30 www.pgcitizen.ca | Saturday, May 16, 2009 travel Visiting Vancouver? the vacation airline The city's Pan Pacific Hotel offers visitors some sublime views Laura Robin Canwest News Service OTTAWA -- The story goes that when Elizabeth Taylor stayed at Vancouver's Pan Pacific Hotel, she didn't leave her room. She sat there all day, looking out the window. Which sounds weird, until you see the windows. The knee-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows in the Pan Pacific's rooms give you an eagle's eye view over what is surely one of the world's most beguiling scenes. Boats motor busily in and out of the sparkling harbour. Sea planes - looking like toys - are constantly taking off or landing. Joggers and cyclists travel along the path beside the seawall. In the distance, you can see cars threading their way through the densely green Stanley Park beside the cabled peaks of Lions Gate Bridge, all framed by snow-topped mountains. In otherwise fairly beige rooms, the hotel has placed velvety, plumbrown chaise longues squarely in front of each room's windows. I was tempted to stay there all day myself. The Pan Pacific's million-dollar location not only offers great views, it also puts you right in the midst of the action. Want to visit the Vancouver Art Gallery or go shopping on Robson Street? Both are a 10-minute walk away. Rent bikes to cycle around Stanley Park? That's 10 minutes the other way. Departing on an Alaska cruise? That's right below you - the hotel's bellhops will even deliver your luggage to your ship's stateroom. In the height of cruise season, you may see as many as four cruise ships docked below the hotel, beside the iconic sails of Canada Place. The hotel also offers a yearround outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi, with the same view (though lower than most rooms), restaurants from casual to upscale and lovely fuzzy bathrobes and slippers in each room (yet another reason to stay on the chaise longue). In April, the hotel unveiled a new level of rooms on its two top floors: luxury suites with even bigger, more spectacular views, 300-count Egyptian cotton linens, 42-inch TVs and complimentary breakfast and hors d'oeuvres served daily. If money is no object, consider "The Royal" suite, which has a 270-degree view, three bedrooms and a dining table that seats 10. The Pan Pacific is not an option if you're hoping to attend the Olympics - all the rooms have already been reserved, mostly for media (the broadcast media centre is in the convention centre next door). It is, however, a great choice if you're going to Vancouver this summer and you appreciate OldWorld art. From May 10 to Sept. 13, the Vancouver Art Gallery will be presenting the largest exhibition of 17th-century Dutch masterpieces ever shown in Canada, including works by Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer. The Pan Pacific has teamed with the gallery to offer a good deal. Rates starting at $149 per person, based on double occupancy, get you one night's accommodation, breakfast for two in the hotel's Cafe Pacifica (overlooking the harbour), tulips and Dutch cookies in your room, express entrance for two to the gallery and a Vancouver map and information on where to sample the best of Dutch culture in the Vancouver area. WIN YOUR HOLIDAY Book your Transat all-inclusive vacation to Puerto Vallarta with us and you could win your holiday next year. Some restrictions apply. See agent for details. 00651039 BC Reg. No. 28982 102 - 1840-3rd Avenue · 564-8116 · 1-866-358-7285 www.cruiseshipcenters.ca/princegeorge The Pan Pacific is at the heart of Vancouver action, just a few minutes from Stanley Park, shopping and the Art Gallery. Last month, the hotel unveiled luxury suites featuring Egyptian cotton linens and daily complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Cruise ships that ply the waters to Alaska, dock right on your doorstep. Canwest photo ENTER TO WIN $6,000 contest! OAD R t Tes9 0 20 TOWARDS YOUR PURCHASE OR LEASE OF A NEW VEHICLE How it works: Anyone test driving a new vehicle at a participating dealership between Friday, May 1st to Saturday, May 16 will receive an entry form to enter a draw to win $6,000 towards the purchase or lease of a new vehicle. The winner decides which participating dealership they will purchase a vehicle from. · Promotion period runs from Friday, May 1 to Saturday May 16 · Draw date Tuesday, May 19 Winnner must agree to have name and photo published. Additional rules may apply. See dealer for details. Deadline for transaction: May 25, 2009 661103 *The Citizen reserves the right to redraw if winner doesn't qualify to purchase. No cash value. Must be 19 years or older. Vehicle transaction must be completed before May 25, 2009. SEE PARTICIPATING DEALERS FOR DETAILS 00650192