Whilst I love travelling and discovering new cities, there have only been a handful of places I’ve visited that I felt instantly at home and the thought ‘I could live here’ has crossed my mind. Vancouver is one of those places.
I had long wanted to visit Canada’s West Coast and instinctively knew I would like Vancouver. I love being by the water, but also love mountains and exploring the great outdoors. Vancouver has both. It’s a vibrant waterfront city, but just 20 minutes from downtown and you can be hopping on a gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain. Venture a bit further north (just a couple of hours) and you’ll find yourself in the year-round mountain resort of Whistler.
I can now understand why Lois Wallis, UK representative for Destination Vancouver and our host for the recent UK Spring fam trip to the city is one of the most positive people in the industry, being able to call such a beautiful place home. Whilst we didn’t make it to Whistler (giving me a good reason to return), we did manage to pack a lot into our all-girls May Bank Holiday trip.
A Friday afternoon departure with Air Canada from Heathrow (big thanks to the airline for the lounge passes) got us into Vancouver late afternoon local time, where we checked into The Sutton Place Hotel and, after a quick refresh, enjoyed a relaxed evening getting to know the team, exploring the property and sampling some delicious light bites. (See our Venue of the Week feature for more on the hotel)
Saturday morning began with a 6am yoga class for those that were inclined (I took a rain check as I’m more of a Pilates girl myself, and the beds at Sutton Place were just too comfortable and cosy to drag myself up). After a lovely, hosted breakfast in our own private dining room at the hotel’s Boulevard Restaurant, we were off out to experience what the city has to offer meeting and incentive groups.
The short answer is a lot. Here’s a little more about what we got up to.
Day 1
Our first stop for the day was Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – just 15 minutes from the downtown skyscrapers and you are transported to the beautiful, natural tranquility of the temperate rainforest. The bridge itself stretches 140m across the canyon, with the Capilano River 70m below. For those who love a quirky fact – if you put the Statue of Liberty in the canyon, the bridge would reach her shoulder – so it’s pretty high! And very wobbly. But a must-see attraction, and the Rainforest Canopy Walk across the other side is an enjoyable experience, as is the Cliffwalk – both offering different perspectives of the rainforest and canyon.
From there, we headed to lunch at Tap & Barrel Shipyards – a great relaxed vibe and delicious food that we somehow found space for, despite still being full after a big breakfast. Then we headed to Grouse Mountain, another of Vancouver’s most popular attractions, which also happens to be owned by the same owners of The Sutton Place Hotels.
It’s a short but enjoyable gondola ride to the top, where there is all manner of activities available. These include lumberjack shows and ranger talks, guided eco-walks, First Nations and wildlife experiences, zipline and mountain ropes adventures and more.
We headed to the híwus Feasthouse, an authentic Pacific Northwest Longhouse to meet Grouse Mountain’s resident Squamish First Nations Elder and educator, William “Kwel-AA-Nexw” Nahanee, better known to everyone as Willie. Using stories, songs and dances, Willie continues the First Nations oral tradition of passing on important history and teachings through word of mouth. His pride in his roots was clear to see, and it was a wonderful way to learn more about the Squamish culture.
We also got to meet Grouse Mountain’s resident bears, Grinder and Coola, albeit from a safe distance. The pair have called the mountain home since they were found orphaned around the same time and later rescued. To cap off a brilliant day, we were among the first to ride the new Grouse Gravity Coaster, which had opened just the week before and was great fun.
Dinner was on the rooftop at Black & Blue, which managed to be both buzzy and relaxed, making it the perfect backdrop for our Saturday night out.
Day 2
After an early morning stroll in search of coffee, we headed out for a bike tour of the city with Cycle City. Vancouver is an incredibly cycle-friendly city, with an extensive network of dedicated bike lanes, making it a surprisingly easy place to explore on two wheels, even for those who don’t cycle regularly.
Our guide kept us on track while sharing stories and insights along the way, stopping at various points to take in some of the city’s landmarks. One of the highlights was a stop in Stanley Park for Talaysay Tours’ Talking Trees experience.
Led by Talaysay Campo, who runs the business alongside her mother, the tour offered a fascinating insight into Indigenous knowledge and culture. As we wandered through the forest, Talaysay explained how First Nations communities have traditionally used different plants for food, medicine and practical purposes. She was an exceptional guide: engaging, knowledgeable and passionate.
Back on our bikes, we continued through the city and by the end of the tour had worked up quite an appetite. Thankfully, food was next on the agenda.
We hopped aboard a False Creek Ferry for the short crossing to Granville Island, which turned into a mini sightseeing tour, before meeting our guide from Foodie Tours for a Granville Island Market Tour.
Well worth a visit or a tour, the Granville Island Public Market is packed with colourful produce stalls, artisan food vendors and local makers, it’s a feast for the senses. We sampled our way around the market, tasting everything from freshly baked breads and cheeses to cured meats, seafood and pickles, before finishing with a well-earned doughnut after a morning of cycling and walking.
Not content with one mode of transport for the day, our next adventure saw us pulling on full-body suits for a Zodiac boat tour with Vancouver Water Adventures. It was fast, bumpy and enormous fun. The fresh sea air and adrenaline certainly helped keep any lingering jet lag at bay.
After a quick refresh back at the hotel and the chance to catch our breath, we headed to Yaletown for a site visit at Opus Vancouver, a stylish boutique property that’s well suited to smaller meetings and incentive groups. Yaletown itself is one of Vancouver’s coolest neighbourhoods. Once an industrial warehouse district, it is now home to trendy restaurants, cocktail bars, independent boutiques and lively outdoor terraces that buzz with activity on sunny evenings.
Dinner was at Chambar, where we rounded off another packed day with excellent food and plenty of conversation.
Day 3
Our final day didn’t quite go according to plan, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
We started with breakfast and a site visit at Pan Pacific Vancouver, located on the waterfront beside Canada Place cruise terminal. The hotel boasts spectacular views across the harbour and mountains, along with 503 guestrooms. Its location adjacent to the Vancouver Convention Centre makes it particularly appealing for conference delegates and event groups.
Sadly, our planned seaplane tour was cancelled due to poor weather, but we made the most of the unexpected free time with an impromptu shopping trip around Gastown before heading to the Vancouver Convention Centre for a site visit.
It is genuinely one of the most impressive convention centres I have visited. Situated right on the waterfront, the building makes extensive use of Western red cedar, creating a warm, natural aesthetic that feels perfectly in keeping with its Pacific Northwest surroundings. Inside, the light-filled spaces, outdoor terraces and floor-to-ceiling harbour views create an environment that feels very different from many traditional convention centres.
The venue is equally impressive from a sustainability perspective. The extensive use of locally sourced materials, marine-based heating and cooling systems, and its vast six-acre living roof helped it achieve LEED Platinum certification. We also heard about ongoing efforts to make its catering more sustainable and sampled a selection of vegetarian canapés that would impress even the most demanding delegates.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a cosy farewell lunch at Social Corner Coal Harbour, a beautiful waterfront restaurant where we could easily have whiled away the entire afternoon had our flights not been waiting.
Before long, it was time for one final spot of shopping and then the journey home.
Everyone we met throughout the trip was incredibly warm, welcoming and passionate about their city. Combined with a brilliant group of female event professionals, it made for a memorable few days that I won’t forget in a hurry. Several people in the group were already talking about bringing clients and events to Vancouver before we’d even reached the airport.
As Kitty Small, founder of MYVA (My Venue Assistant), reflected on LinkedIn: “I’m always thinking about the wider delegate experience, not just the meeting space itself. Vancouver feels incredibly relevant for corporates looking to deliver impactful events while also encouraging healthier, more balanced experiences for attendees.”
She added: “What really sets Vancouver apart is how easily delegates can connect with nature alongside their event programme. From hiking and waterfront walks to skiing and outdoor activities all within easy reach of the city, it’s a destination that makes it easy to incorporate wellness, movement and memorable shared experiences into a corporate event.”
Vancouver will be in the spotlight over the coming months as it hosts FIFA World Cup matches and prepares to welcome the SITE Global Conference next March, giving it the perfect opportunity to showcase its diverse events and incentive offering to the world.