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Concierge tells all: Vancouver

Favorites from Stephane Mouttep, Senior Concierge at Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver

Photo: Pan Pacific Hotels

Pure Canada: Where’s the most romantic spot in Vancouver to grab a late-night bite?

Stephane Mouttep: In the summer, you can’t beat the view overlooking English Bay from the Sequoia Grill in Stanley Park. In the winter, Bacchus Piano Lounge has a beautiful fireplace and plush, comfortable chairs. For more formal dining, West, on Granville offers innovative cuisine in a bistro-type setting that’s also very cozy and romantic.

PC: Where’s the best view of the cityscape?

SM: Take the Skyride up Grouse Mountain, enjoy a bite to eat and then ski down! On a clear day, views of the downtown skyline and Stanley Park are amazing.

PC: Who makes the best latte?

SM: Caffè Artigiano makes a great latte; they have many locations in the downtown area. Mum’s Ice Cream on Denman also makes really good cappuccinos and lattes. It’s a little more rustic, but it’s right by English Bay: the perfect setting for eating an ice cream cone and watching the sun set over the ocean.

PC: Where do you get back to nature within the city?

SM: Stanley Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the world, is within walking distance from downtown. Vancouver also has a lot of beautiful beaches. I really like Wreck Beach, right by the University of British Columbia with a great view of the Georgia straight. On a clear day you can see Vancouver Island. There’s also the Spanish Banks, from where you can get a really nice view of the downtown skyline. Closer to downtown is Kits Beach, which also has a swimming pool nearby it if you don’t feel like swimming in the ocean.

PC: What’s your favorite room in the hotel?

SM: The Pacific Suite on the 22nd floor with views of Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains. The best part of the suite is the window in the bathroom: Look out onto the bay while relaxing in the tub or brushing your teeth. We also provide a set of binoculars so you can really take advantage of the view…

Getting here

Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, Suite 300-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C., 604-662-8111, panpacific.com/Vancouver
Sequoia Grill, Ferguson Point, Stanley Park Dr., Vancouver, B.C., 1-800-280-9893, vancouverdine.com/sgrill
Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge, Wedgewood Hotel, 845 Hornby St., Vancouver, B.C., 1-800-663-0666, wedgewoodhotel.com/hotel/bacchus.html
West, 2881 Granville St., Vancouver, B.C., 604-738-8938,
Grouse Mountain, 604-984-0661, grousemountain.com
Caffe Artigiano, locations across Vancouver, 604-990-0542, caffeartigiano.com
Mum’s Ice Cream, 855 Denman Street, Vancouver, B.C., 604-681-1500
Tourism Vancouver, 1-877-826-1717, tourismvancouver.com
Tourism British Columbia, 1-800-HELLO-BC (1-800-435-5622), hellobc.com