Vancouver Furnished Accommodations
This is the place West Coast vacation memories are made of - an idyllic paradise with skyscrapers soaring high, mountains soaring higher and at ground-level, everything from bistros to bars to beautiful beaches.
This is a cosmopolitan outpost, a new Gotham on the old frontier with all the vitality and energy of an alive and kicking world-class metropolis.
There's only one drawback: the vacation accommodation-scene is more reminiscent of the London Underground -- overpriced at best, over-capacity at worst.
But what can you do? With the city's ever-growing popularity as a vacation and commercial destination, it's no surprise that your lodging dollar gets devalued amid the glam and glitter of the millions of hotels, all boasting more stars than the American flag.
Factor in the overflow to hotels of lesser astronomical volume and suddenly, you're at the back of the check-in line in some marble mezzanine with Vancouver's homeless situation feeling a little too close for comfort...
Take heart! There's an entirely different side to this city's lodging scene that bears exploring before you trundle your name brand luggage down to the nearest YMCA.
It's called Furnished Vacation Rentals.
It's easy, it's equitable and it comes courtesy of several fantastic companies who manage every step of your booking.
These property management gurus have accumulated an impressive range of properties, implementing a strategy that not only removes the sting associated with pre-booking attempts at packed, generic hotels, but also providing the most bang for your accommodation buck with ridiculously beautiful properties at non-ridiculous prices.
Gone are the days of pseudo-sympathetic bellboys and condescending concierges.
Here's a taste of the kind of furnished vacation rentals that Vancouver companies are offering.
Bet you won't ever find yourself in a hotel lobby again...
Looking for West Coast opulence at its finest? Look no further than the breathtakingly beautiful suburb of West Vancouver.
This elite suburb celebrates sophisticated Vancouver living with properties situated on acres of parkland, many boasting south-facing aerial panoramas of the city and Vancouver Island -- front-row seats for watching luxury cruise ships come and go from the Port of Vancouver.
But with many of these upmarket properties, it's what's inside that counts.
Many have up to three complete levels of living space with off-the-chart features like American Cherry and limestone flooring, controlled solar blinds, custom cherry wood kitchen cabinets, custom glass fireplaces, indoor/outdoor foyer Koi ponds, oversized hot tubs, limestone slab showers and multi-head steam baths.
If you're party is comprised of 8-10 individuals with a taste for the finer things, this part of Vancouver might be right up your alley...
Less fat-cat? More family-oriented? Descend into the city to the popular residential neighbourhood of Renfrew Heights, home of unforgettably urban vacation experiences.
Comfortable rentals in the range of 2,000 square feet can accommodate upwards of six guests.
Many of the properties near Clinton Park feature coved ceilings, original hardwood floors and large, modern kitchens, not to mention gas fireplaces and DVD home theatre setups.
This area is all about ambient Vancouver living -- experiencing the city from the perspective of its lucky locals.
From the amazing snow-capped North Shore mountain vistas right down to the cherry tree-lined streets.
(and if you haven't seen them in the Springtime, covered in bright pink blossoms, you haven't really seen them!) As with every city, Vancouver boasts its share of cool enclaves but none is quite so popular as Kitsilano, the trendy beachfront community just south of the city centre.
Stylish penthouses abound, featuring some truly astounding architectural details such as crown mouldings, ten-foot ceilings, arches and skylights.
Of course, the strolling proximity to beaches like Kits Beach and Jericho Beach are a highlight as well but one thing beats out these sandy front row seats to the Burrard inlet: Broadway.
Unlike its New York counterpart that's famous for its numerous theatres, Vancouver's Broadway is an eclectic mix of shops, bars, bistros and restaurants.
Several blocks are affectionately referred to as Greektown and an afternoon among its souvlaki stands, pizzerias and Aegean bakeries is an absolute must.
Of course, if Vancouver hits you with some of its trademark wet weather, condo in-house features like gas fireplaces, High Definition flat screen TVs, Ipod compatible stereo systems and a luxurious tubs will almost have you praying for more rain! Watch a movie, have a soak, turn on some tunes and enjoy a glass of wine in your housecoat -- the city and mountain views from Kitsilano's balconies are sensational, rain or shine.
For fans of the big city, Yaletown, Vancouver's newest up-market downtown neighbourhood, will surely impress.
Having evolved from warehouse district to World's Fair venue to real estate development, Yaletown today is a pleasant maze of brewpubs, bistros, boutiques and cafes with amazing condos peppered throughout for good measure.
The best part about lodging in this part of the city is your proximity to Vancouver's best sites and attractions; the Theatre District, the Granville Street Entertainment District, the shopping on Robson Street and in Pacific Centre, BC Place Stadium, General Motors Place, the Vancouver Art Gallery...
the list goes on.
But while these properties' most amazing feature has to be location, they score massive points on luxury and style too.
Many include hot tubs, gyms, granite and stainless steel accents and even 24-hour security.
Whether you're jet-setting in the hills of West Vancouver, catching up on family time in the suburbs of Renfrew Heights, sipping a martini in Kitsilano or launching shopping sprees from Yaletown, there's a furnished vacation rental in Vancouver for you.
This vacation, leave hotels behind.
You deserve a home.