|  TOP REASONS TO STAY IN AN ABORIGINAL HOTEL IN BC May 13, 2015  Most of the time when you’re on vacation, your hotel room is just where you keep your clothes, toiletries, and lay your head at the end of the day. Unless you’re staying in some fabulous and swanky luxury palace, most hotel rooms are unremarkable. Pretty much every regular hotel room looks like every other regular hotel room whether you’re in Cleveland, Cancun or Las Vegas. But, when you stay at an Aboriginal-owned hotel, lodge or B&B in British Columbia, your accommodation actually becomes part of an unforgettable experience as you become immersed in a vastly fascinating culture. Why stay in the same old room when you could be sleeping in a comfy eco-yurt, cabin, or Aboriginal art-filled room being lulled to sleep by the tones of the ocean? It’s more than just interesting Aboriginal-themed accommodations. You also get to experience authentic Aboriginal hospitality and get a glimpse at the legends, lifestyle, and culture of Canada’s First peoples. Here are our top 5 reasons to stay in an Aboriginal-owned hotel, lodge or B&B in British Columbia: Local Cultural Knowledge Your hosts will be able to tell you the history of the surrounding area and its ancient myths, helping you to connect to a place like never before. Unique Photography Tips Your hosts will tell you stories of the local culture and wildlife and show you the best places to snap a local cultural photo or a wildlife picture or scenic nature shot.
Authentic Cultural Experiences Many Aboriginal-owned hotels also pair with or offer personalized and authentic Aboriginal guiding services, allowing you to further explore their heritage and lifestyle while on an unforgettable adventure.
Amazing Aboriginal Cuisine Foodies will appreciate getting the chance to sample Aboriginal-inspired cuisine like bannock or salmon prepared in a variety of traditional ways.
Support Local Culture Staying in Aboriginal-owned accommodation also means you’re supporting a local entrepreneur, the community, and sharing in not only the Aboriginal hospitality, but also the vibrant First Nations cultures and traditions. On your next vacation in British Columbia, enhance your experience by staying in an Aboriginal-owned hotel, lodge or B&B. Click here for our list of Aboriginal-owned accommodations in BC.  CANADA'S FIRST ABORIGINAL ARTS HOTEL TO LAUNCH IN VANCOUVER  May 14, 2014 The 18-room boutique arts hotel features distinctly cultural accommodations, built within two floors of the Vancouver Native Housing Society, between Gastown and Chinatown. The building includes an aboriginal art gallery and 25 residential units for the artists. This experiential hotel, designed by six aboriginal artists and Vancouver-based interior design firms, includes unique themes such as animal spirits, indigenous carvings, blankets and paintings. The property also features a sweat lodge and gathering places, including an artist’s workshop, smudge room (a room for religious ceremonies) and guest lounge. Skwachŕys Lodge’s historic brick exterior is crowned by a traditional longhouse with a 12-metre-high totem pole, called the "Dreamweaver", shooting toward the sky, and a video display celebrating First Nations culture sitting half-submerged in a glass sidewalk. Guests at Skwachŕys will also have the opportunity to meet with local aboriginal artists and express their own creativity through hands-on First Nations experiences, such as carving, weaving and painting classes. With experiential-style hotels ‘with a conscience’ gaining popularity worldwide, Skwachŕys is a great example of a sustainable business which provides social benefits to the local community. The Lodge and Gallery were originally conceived as social enterprises to provide support and housing for urban Aboriginals and to accommodation to aboriginal guests coming from remote areas for medical purposes. RESIDENCE INN VANCOUVER DOWNTOWN RECEIVES TOP HONORS FROM TRIPADVISOR When it comes to the hospitality industry, one opinion matters more than anyone else's and that is the customer's. For this reason, TripAdvisor's prestigious Certificate of Excellence is an enviable achievement, as it is awarded only to those properties that earn consistently high marks among travellers. This year, the Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown earned this distinguished accolade. "We are honoured to receive a Certificate of Excellence," says Suzanne Allemeier, General Manager. "Customer service is a top priority for Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown, and this award confirms we're living up to our valued guests' expectations." TripAdvisor awards Certificates of Excellence only to the top-performing 10 percent of businesses worldwide. This translates to maintaining a rating of four or better (out of a possible five), being listed on TripAdvisor's website for at least 12 months and receiving a competitive number of reviews. Considering the clean-lined comfort of the Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown, the recognition is hardly surprising. The hotel offers guests a wide variety of spacious suites and studios that include amenities like fully equipped kitchens and ample workspace. Beyond the hotel's doors, guests can easily access nearby attractions, such as the Vancouver Seawall and Grouse Mountain. Located an easy distance from the Vancouver International Airport, the hotel is a preferred destination among business travelers. Source = Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown Grand Railways Hotels and other, Famous Doors of Hospitality
by Jerry W. Bird
 Canada is dotted with famous hotels, inns, lodges and resorts; a few having existed since pioneer days, while others are but faded memories. Some of my favourite haunts remain as attractive and popular as ever, keeping up with the times, yet retaining their unique charm - those built during the hey day of Canada's two great continental railways. Victoria's elegant Empress, the Hotel Vancouver, the palatial Banff Springs and Chateau Lake Louise, Edmonton's Macdonald, Saskatoon's Bessborough, Regina's Hotel Saskatchewan and Calgary's Palliser are all prime examples.
Further east, there's Winnipeg's Fort Garry, Toronto's Royal York, Quebec's Chateau Frontenac, Montreal's Queen Elizabeth and Ottawa's Chateau Laurier. How can one forget the Algonquin, a tudor style resort on the Bay of Fundy at St. Andrews by the Sea, a pleasant bus ride from St. John, NB. We enjoyed the Mother of all Lobster Feasts on the grounds of that historic property during a convention I helped stage for CGA-Canada. We have participated in many such events, worked on projects or enjoyed memorable stays at most of these superb hotels, the Banff Springs in particular. For several months, a suite in Edmonton's Macdonald Hotel served as our advertising agency's branch office.
Romantic Dream Vacation: Coast to coast rail trip, with overnight stops at several of these nostalgia-inspiring properties, including Victoria's Imperial Empress, Banff Springs Mountain Majesty and Quebec's charming Chateau Frontenac. It's a romantic, fairyland vacation for folks of any age. From Vancouver or Halifax. Train connections by Via Rail Canada, Royal Canadian Pacific and Rocky Mountain Rail tours. Contact Railways of the World Tours; fax (604) 681-6595, airhwy@dowco.com Harrison Hot Springs Resort, near Vancouver also 'springs' to mind. It recalls a legend of CPR's glory days, when high rollers, from movie stars to royalty rode the Canadian Pacific Railway, staying at hotels and resorts at or near the main line. I am touched by that same spirit with each visit to The Harrison. And its always a happy return. We launched Air Highways Magazine there, when the BC Aviation Council selected me to speak at its 1996 Conference. Our publishing group is working on a history of that great resort and others for our Suite 2001 Program.
Reservations and information on many of the above mentioned hotels, including those in the fotomation sequence and vintage hotel posters are available from Fairmont hotels www.fairmont.com Canada's Hotels continues with "Hotels along the Yukon" Fotomation- series of souvenir posters available
at Canadian Pacific Stores. Catalogue: http://www.cphotels.ca Hot Trends and Thriving Spas
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