May 23, 2004 Before we arrive at Pacific Central Station, Brian visits us in Bedroom F and points out that our lengthy train will be split into two segments before we get off; this will make our walk into the station much shorter.
After waiting to collect our checked luggage, we proceed to the front of the station where a simple sign, “Please queue up here for taxis” eliminates the kind of confusion created a few days ago in Prince George.
The taxi driver tells us that the “Canadian” has been arriving late frequently.
Travel Tip: Don’t book a same-day flight home from Vancouver after arriving on the “Canadian”. However, if you plan to take the Pacific Coach Lines bus/ferry to Victoria, your plans need not be disrupted by a late arrival since those depart every hour during the summer season from the train station; every two hours at other times of the year.
While we book many of our clients who want a lower-priced Vancouver hotel at the Pacific Palisades, this will be our first stay. The hotel is right around the corner from busy Robson Street. So if you want to enjoy sidewalk cafes, hip clothing stores, and people-watching, you’re just a few steps away.
Vancouver is at her most glorious today under sunny skies, at 67 degrees. And everyone is walking along Robson Street. The multi-cultural diversity of this vibrant city is on display, and many residents are walking in company with their cell phones, their friends, their dogs – and, in one case, with their cat! Trendy new outfits, such as sheer, ruffled summer dresses worn over blue jeans, are on parade.
If your mood changes and you prefer a stroll on a quiet, tree-lined residential street, it is right in front of the hotel.
Everything about the style of the Pacific Palisades, despite its calmly landscaped fountain courtyard; shouts, “This is the hip place, the happening place!” The interior is a brand-new interpretation of 1950’s Art Deco, but unlike the décor on VIA’s low-keyed “Canadian”, the hotel goes in for brilliant colors -- orange and yellow and turquoise and chartreuse. Although the hallways are unusually narrow, the guestrooms themselves are quite large and provided with sumptuous duvets, comfortable overstuffed furniture, and two luxurious terry-cloth bathrobes – exceeding our expectations for a lower-priced hotel in overpriced Vancouver – at about $160 US per night before taxes.
Our first impression was that this was too “now” for our rather sedate clientele; but after we’d been there for a few hours and enjoyed an outstanding meal at an Indian restaurant across the street, we changed our minds.
It’s early to bed tonight; we’ll be taking the 5:45 AM Amtrak Thruway Bus to Seattle tomorrow morning.
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