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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — Miss604's stay was compliments of the Westin Bayshore. Opinions and views are that of the author. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
I always say the Westin Bayshore is the best place in Vancouver for locals and visitors so stay for a real vacation vibe while still experience the best of city. The resort has activities, pools, spa, and restaurants while you’re still just steps from downtown, the park, and the waterfront. You can enter to win a Westin Bayshore Staycation!
Westin Bayshore Vancouver Staycation
The Westin Bayshore rooms are comfy and spacious, with thoughtful amenities (soaps, lotions, shampoo, hair dryer), lots of places to recharge your devices or take a quick work call if you’re not fully disconnected (boo!) and lovely views of either the city, the courtyard, or the harbour. I knew they’d have an umbrella in the room, robes, and I actually needed a sewing kit too which is such a classic yet handy amenity to have at a hotel. The in-room fridge also came in handy for storing our leftovers from dinner since we were so full from the feast.
Dining Options
As a local, I’ll pop into T & Co Café for a coffee and wrap when I’m out on the Seawall, book a dinner at H2 Kitchen + Bar during their seasonal events, graze the extensive breakfast buffet, or enjoy an evening on the patio with local live music. During my stay a few weeks ago, I enjoyed a meal at H Tasting Lounge, which had a variety of vegetarian options for me to pick from.
H Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore
Located just off the lobby, and also right on the Seawall, H Tasting Lounge offers creative cocktails complemented by tasting plates. I ordered the Fake History (0% mocktail) with vanilla rooibos tea, smoked plum, frankincense, non-alcoholic bitters. For the table we ordered a variety of sides like roasted garlic mushrooms, sautéed vegetables, and I had a delicious mushroom gnocchi. I can’t spot the exact meal I had on the menu on the website anymore since they use in-season ingredients and the menu has been updated for summer so you know you’ll be getting the freshest and best of the season on your plate.
Bayshore bees’ honey served at the H2 Kitchen + Bar breakfast buffet
Pro Tip: My sister was craving ice cream when we got back to the room after a sunset walk and while it wasn’t on the regular in-room dining menu, the kids menu had a mango sorbet that hit the spot.
On select mornings, H2 Kitchen + Bar is transformed into a giant buffet room with hot and cold items, fresh fruit, juices, and smoothies, cereals, and an omelette station. During our visit they also had congee, all the breakfast meats you could desire, and house-baked goods.
Activities
Take your pick of an indoor (with hot tub) or outdoor pool (with sauna), book a treatment at Vida Spa sign up for a liquid yoga class, or use the complimentary guest bikes to explore the area. Walk the grounds and visit the apiary where the Bayshore honey comes from, or chill on the lounge chairs by the firepit on the lawn near the pool.
The runWESTIN experience is powered by the Strava app and you can join a Run Concierge guided run Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Surrey-based nonprofit organization Options Community Services (OCS) hosts the Building Hope Gala Concert with Jann Arden, a fundraiser for their second affordable housing build for the community.
Ticketholders will enjoy performances by award winning Indigenous folk duo Twin Flames, Surrey-based Ranj Singh and The Discriminators, and multi-platinum, award-winning Canadian singer and songwriter, Jann Arden.
Surrey-based media personality, and Virgin Radio morning host and producer, Nira Arora will MC the Building Hope experience and guests will enjoy a live auction led by Howard Blank, Auctioneer & CEO, Point Blank Entertainment.
A variety of ticket options are available for purchase. Tickets start at $200, with various ticket levels, up to the $,1000 VIP tickets which include VIP seating, a hosted bar, and more. All proceeds go towards the OCS affordable housing initiative.
About the Fundraiser
Having just completed Habitat@81st in Surrey, mixed income affordable housing building with onsite supports, OCS is now stepping up to support others in the community. Habitat@81st was supported by the Women of Options campaign (which Miss604 was a part of). Its 100 units are now home to many individuals and families in the community.
Britannia Mine Museum presents the return of Old Town, New Queens, a Pride night drag event on June 22nd. Hosted at the Museum’s 20-storey Mill No. 3 building, a National Historic Site, the stage is set and will be transformed for two incredible shows featuring an expanded performer lineup of some of the most amazing 2SLGBTQIA+ drag artists from the Lower Mainland.
Pride at the Britannia Mine Museum
Dates: Saturday, June 22, 2024 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Act I: 7:15pm; Act II: 8:15pm
Location: Britannia Mine Museum (150 Copper Dr, Britannia Beach)
45 minutes north of Vancouver on the picturesque Sea-to-Sky highway
Includes two 45-minute drag performances in the Mill as well as access to the Museum’s summer exhibit and the Museum’s lower site permanent exhibits, including the gold panning station.
To tie into this year’s summer exhibit Rock Solid: Safety in Mines theme, local Squamish drag superstars Dust Cwaine, Homo Hardware and Sativa the Diva will lead an all-star cast of drag queens, drag kings and drag things through fierce lip sync numbers inspired by all things ‘mine safety’.
In addition to returning superstars Dolly Hardon, Dust Cwaine, Flemme Fatale, Homo Hardware, and Sativa the Diva, the 2024 cast will include Acacia Gray, AndrogynAss, Justin Abit, and Theo Rhetical for their Old Town, New Queens debuts. This year’s cast has focused on bringing more drag kings and non-binary performers to the spotlight.
The Baba’s House Kitchen food truck will have food and non-alcoholic beverages available on site. Local community organizations Pride Squamish and Sea to Sky Allies will also be present at the event.
As with previous years, some performances may include ‘grown up humour’ including stronger language and edgier content; however, audiences of all ages who are looking to celebrate Pride are welcome. The Britannia Mine Museum recommends pre-purchasing tickets online as events tend to sell out.
About Britannia Mine Museum
The Britannia Mine Museum provides unique and memorable experiences that engage visitors of all ages. Enjoy fun exhibits and crowd favourites like the underground mine train, gold panning, the historic 20-storey concentrator Mill building and its BOOM! special effects show, the minerals and gem gallery, the gift shop and the Beaty Lundin Visitor Centre.
BC Place is set to host Vancouver’s largest licensed outdoor patio at Terry Fox Plaza on long weekends this summer with a capacity for over 1,000 guests.
Entry to the pop-up patio on Terry Fox Plaza is free and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Canada Day long weekend: June 28th to July 1st from 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Ahead of the Whitecaps Indigenous Peoples Celebration Match on June 29th visit the artisan market and enjoy performances from Land Back Records artists including Hayley Wallis.
BC Day long weekend: August 2nd to August 5th (TBD check online)
Labour Day long weekend: August 30th to September 2nd (TBD check online)
The Patio will have food offerings from five different stations, and a variety of limited edition menu items at great value, distinct from the existing BC Place menu. Visit the build-your-own Ceasar Bar, the Oh Canada Smoked Brisket Sandwich, Tempura Maple Gelato, and Indigenous dishes, including a Salmon Bannock Burger, a Bison Slider and Candied Salmon, created in collaboration with Chef Andrew George.
A live entertainment stage showcasing music from local talents including Marie Hui, DJ Christina Sing, Antonio Larosa, NaRai Dawn, and more. Enjoy lawn games, and enter to win tickets to The Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds tour at BC Place on July 5, 2024.
“At BC Place, we are all about bringing people together. This summer we’ll be extending the vibrant and entertaining atmosphere we’re known for by creating our own special event, The Patio, to bring together our community,” says Chris May, GM of BC Place. “We’re incredibly proud of how we continue to transform our space into an engaging place where memories and connections are made.”
Enter The Patio near BC Place Gates A and H. Guests are encouraged to take public transportation as parking will be limited.
Photo courtesy of BC Place
Update! Enter to Win Taylor Swift Tickets
The patio is open for the long weekend and they have an exciting update:
The Patio at BC Place will open at 2:00pm daily from August 2-5.
Guests who visit The Patio at BC Place can enter to win two tickets to Taylor Swift The Eras Tour at BC Place – just by showing up and emailing a selfie on the patio to [email protected].
The first 100 guests on each day will receive a free hot dog! Vegetarian option available.
New food and beverage specials will be available including a Rainbow Smashed Burger and Field Roast Vegan Sausages, plus the fan favourites from the last Patio, including $5 beer and White Claw.
Hi foodie friends! We have once again curated a list of our current and upcoming culinary favourites and notable limited edition menus in Vancouver and surrounding areas, into one convenient spot for the Foodie Friday June feature. Here are our updates for all foodies alike:
Foodie Friday – Father’s Day in Vancouver, Collabs, and New Menus
Bottomless Brunch at Fairmont Waterfront for Father’s Day , photo by: Leila Kwok
