We could write about Vancouver for forever, but to keep this list short and sweet without overwhelming you with a ton of choices, every category only has 3 suggestions. Trust us, this was super hard to narrow down, but subscribe to our Vancouver Guide if you want the full run-down!

Getting to Vancouver is pretty easy. Tons of ways in on the highways, via boats and cruises, seaplanes, regular planes, trains, and bus. Vancouver is also a complete treat if you come by plane, because there is a train service that runs from the airport directly into downtown. It’s 9.20$ and takes about 30 or so minutes. Depending on how far your hotel is from the various skytrain stations located downtown, it’s worth taking it for the convenience and the ability to avoid traffic. Parking is pretty expensive in Vancouver, and a little pricey at the hotels too. You’ll just want to do valet because the price difference with self park is marginal.

Places To Stay

Definitely stay downtown if it’s your first visit to Vancouver, or if you planned on not having a rental car. We love the Pan Pacific, the Fairmont Pacific Rim, and the Sheraton. All of these hotels are in great locations, the hotels themselves are really nice, and have lots of amenities like a gym, spa, or pool. People like to stay at airbnb but this city struggles with housing affordability, so they crack down often on illegal airbnbs. There are a lot of stratas (think HOA) in downtown Vancouver that do not permit short term stays so your host could cancel your booking without any notice. So in my opinion, it’s too risky to book airbnb in Vancouver.

• Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, central location close to lots of restaurants and shopping. We also love this hotel because its DOG-FRIENDLY!!
• Fairmont Pacific Rim, luxurious stay with beautiful rooms and views, and especially for the the spa lovers. The BEST spa with rooftop lounges, hot tubs, and sauna.
• Pan Pacific, beautiful view and great amenities. Pan Pacific also has a roof top spa and it’s higher and closer to the water views than compared to the Fairmont. Huge hotel and views of the North Shore or city.

Where To Eat

There are so many places to eat! These are the ones I recommend, because I love interesting menus, food quality, and great restaurant vibes.

Breakfast

• Medina, there is no other place for breakfast, lunch, or brunch. It’s worth the lineup, trust us.
• Pier 7 (North Van) – great brunch menu and views of downtown Vancouver.

Lunch

• The Poke Guy, filling and healthy lunch of poke with your choice of fixings!
• Festal, they call themselves a Paleo cafe. We think healthy comfort food. I like the turkey chilli with the cassava focaccia bread.
• MeeT in Gastown, vegetarian and vegan fare! Nice ambience, great menu selection.

Dinners

• Nightingale, modern Canadian cuisine. I always order the roasted cauliflower and grilled arctic char
• Copper Chimney, Indian inspired west coast cuisine. Order the platter so you can try all their tandoori.
• Blue Water Cafe, the best place to go for seafood in Vancouver.

Best Places To Eat With A View:

• The Teahouse in Stanley Park, west coast cuisine. You’ll have a view of the water and Burrard Inlet.
• Cardero’s, another seafood restaurant. For a view of Stanley Park and a place to eat nearby.
• Cactus Club Coal Harbour, this is a “chain restaurant” but it started in Vancouver, and their menus are awesome. In the summer this location opens up their windows and you have the most stunning view of Stanley Park, in what feels like a very intimate setting.

Happy Hours

I love a good happy hour, especially on vacation. These are my favourites because of the vibes, food menu, buck a shuck (more like 1.50$) oysters, and drink selection.

• Joe Fortes, in the summer be sure to hit up their rooftop patio
• Fanny Bay Oyster Bar, very low key and quiet, a great hidden gem.
• The Keg in Yaletown, again with the rooftop patio! Great happy hour food and beverages.

All Things Sweet (Desserts)

• Thierry Chocolates, hands down my favourite Patisserie. The tiramisu or mille feuille are divine.
• Ladurée Robson, Yes! Vancouver has one! Macarons are flown in from France.
• Nero Belgian Waffle Bar, for authentic Belgian Liege waffles.

Things To Do

• Bike or walk around Stanley Park on the seawall! This is a must-do! Try to hit up English Bay and stay in the seawall and to False Creek and Olympic Village. You could even make it to Granville Market, which is another must-do.
• Granville Island Public Market, a huge farmer’s market. Love this place for food, bread, treats, arts and crafts.
• Steamclock in Gastown, and then then hang out/shop/eat in Gastown too!

The post 3 Days in Vancouver BC – The Ultimate List appeared first on The Lifestyle Of Us.

However, one of the options offered to us was the Westin Mission Hills. The price was right, and it was one of the options that allowed dogs. Originally, our plan was to stay at the JW Marriott, but that property does not allow pets. Upon reviewing online ratings for the hotel, the ratings were a mixed bag. On the hotel’s website, they have a rating of 3.7/5, and a quick Google search shows a rating of 4.4. But, given the options of being in the snow versus being in the desert, we booked it anyway. Also, with the recent acquisition of Starwood hotels by Marriott, we were hoping to use some of the benefits of our Marriott Rewards gold status at the property.

Pet Fee

After the booking, I called the property to ask about the pet fee (as nothing was listed on the website), and I was informed that there was no pet fee! Huge win in our books, as we have paid pet fees of up to $75 per night per dog (looking at you Cosmopolitan Las Vegas). We appreciate that there was no money grab dog fee at this property.

The Hotel

Fast-forward to the trip and the property, the place is huge. Nestled on Dinah Shore drive, the property is home to a Gary Player and Peter Dye golf course. We did not indulge in playing the course this trip, but definitely will the next time we visit. When you pull up to the resort, there is a large unloading area. Guests have two options for parking: free self-park and valet. Considering the size of the resort, you would want to elect for self-parking, otherwise, you would be doing a ton of walking back and forth to the main building. Several of the areas of the main building are compartmentalized and are separated from one other. The main lobby (which houses a resident dog that is up for adoption) is connected to the fireside lounge. There are also concierge services that distribute “coupon” packs, but also push a timeshare meeting.

Check-In

Check-in was fast and easy. We arrived at 5:00pm and did not have to wait in any lines. With our Marriott Rewards gold tier, we were upgraded from our standard room, to a golf course view. Highly recommend the upgrade, as you will see the photos below. One item that did throw us off was the $35 resort fee. Some resort fees actually give you value, but this one just feels like a cash grab. For $35 a day you get one set of drinks (one time), access to a pool that is somewhere, a shuttle to the Aqua Caliente casino, and golf bag storage. We can buy our own drinks, it was 10 degrees celsius outside (so multiple pools is out of the question), and we weren’t golfing, so I’m not really sure what they were offering with this resort fee.  Internet is covered if you are a rewards member, and the fitness center was not even a part of the fee.

TIP: Unless you are golfing, ask to have the resort fee waived.

Going to our room felt like we were on a trip to Mexico. The large resort with the winding walkways really gave it an exotic feel. When we got to the room, we were stoked. Not only were we facing the golf course, but we were on the first floor, which made it super easy to take out the dogs. The only downside is that we noticed a fair bit of noise from the upstairs rooms (the buildings are only two stories). I went out to have a look, and expected to see a ruckus, however, there was nothing… Just some people three rooms down having a drink on the patio. The noise in the room was there, but it really didn’t persist throughout the night. If noise from other rooms bothers you immensely, we recommend staying on the top floor. We elected to stay on the bottom floor, as we’d rather have a little noise than having to carry the dogs up and down the stairs every time.

Exploring the property, there are little nature habitats everywhere, specifically rabbits and turtles near the main lobby. They also offer fishing in the ponds near the golf course at 4:00 pm during the weekdays. The grounds of the property are gorgeous. We spent one morning simply walking along the golf course with the dogs, enjoying the sunshine and the views. Nothing beats the expansive greens with the mountains nestled in the background.

Fitness Center

One of the great benefits about staying at a Westin is their fitness centers. The WestinWORKOUT Studio at this property was amazing, as it faced the golf course and had a great selection of workout options, including a Peloton bike. This was the first time we had actually been able to use a Peloton bike, and is what got us hooked on their workout programming. The gym was busier than what we had expected, and was about 80% full every morning, so get there early if you need some space for your workout.

Meals

For breakfast every morning, we dined at Pinzimini. Prices are average for your hotel breakfast (17-20 USD), and the food was quite good, although portions were small. Coffee was about another $3 USD on top of the entrees. The first two days we ordered off the menu, but then switched to the continental breakfast buffet for $17 USD. There is also a full warm buffet for $30 USD. The continental breakfast buffet is your best bet, as your coffee and juice is included, and they have an awesome spread. All pastries are made in house, and are kept warm. Pairing their croissants with some smoked salmon was a great way to start each day.

But, what was even better than the croissants was the service. Luis and Abdul went out of their way to make sure that our party had a great time every morning, and that included the dogs. The great part about this property is that the dogs are allowed on the patio in the restaurant. So, not only can the humans enjoy, but the dogs can hang out too. What really set this property apart was the great service that we enjoyed. The kicker was when Abdul would bring Louie and Mia bacon in the morning, as well as a Westin Heavenly dog bed. Not only were we spoiled here, but the dogs were too.

The other spot we enjoyed was the fireside lounge. We were going to hit up their happy hour, but elected on getting a bottle of wine instead. Being around the massive fire pit (hence fireside lounge) was an awesome way to end the day of local sightseeing.

Overall our stay at the Westin Mission Hills was spectacular, and we cannot wait to return to experience it again, and to play a round of golf!

TIPS:

• Avoid resort fee
• Self park
• Upgrade to golf-course view
• Continental Breakfast at Pinzimini
• Get a Peloton workout in at the WestinWORKOUT studio

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The post Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa: Palm Springs, CA appeared first on The Lifestyle Of Us.

• STAY: Westin Mission Inn Gold Resort and Spa
• DO: Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve
• EAT: Bubba’s Bones and Brews

Traveling for the holidays can be total bliss, or a total nightmare. You hear about the flights that were delayed from Cancun, where passengers are stranded on the plane, in what seems like a weird “Lord of the Flies” scenario. It has been a few years since we traveled far for the holidays, and not the traditional road trip down to Portland. We were not planning on it up until a month out, but then a Black Friday seat sale to Palm Springs popped up, and we jumped on the deal and treated ourselves. Welcome to our Winter Getaway Guide to Palm Springs!  

Palm Springs

Palm Springs had been on our radar for a long time. We had heard great stories about how dog-friendly the resorts are, how great the food is, and the laidback lifestyle. We were finally convinced to go check out Palm Springs. Now, the trick to booking flights when flying with two doggos is to call ahead to make sure that there is room on the flights for the dogs. We have never had issues with this in the past, but we made sure to play it safe. Well, it was a good thing that we did, as it was harder to get dog flights to Palm Springs than human flights. Ultimately, we had to shuffle around our dates a little bit, but it ended up extending our stay a bit longer. Oh well, worse inconveniences could happen.

Going into this trip, we didn’t read too much about what to do in advance and decided to research what to do when we arrived in Palm Springs. When we first arrived, we were surprised by the airport, as it is not your standard arrivals hall. Similar to Hawaii and other tropical destinations, the airport is open air. Louie and Mia enjoyed the dog amenities at the airport. After flying for the day in their in-cabin carriers and one layover, they enjoyed the inviting dog culture as soon as they land.

Westin Mission Hills

When it comes to accommodation, several hotels in the valley are dog-friendly. We chose the Westin Mission Hills as it offers expansive grounds in a resort-style setting. Further, as loyal Marriott-SPG members, we usually stick to their properties for their excellent treatment of their rewards members. This stay was no exception.

Upon check-in, we were treated to a golf-course view room. Note: the hotel does charge a $35/day resort fee. Unless you are golfing, this fee gives you nothing of value other than a free drink. Internet is included, but it is free if you are a Bonvoy member (formerly Marriott Rewards). Using the Marriott App, we were able to message guest services and have this fee removed. Another big plus is that parking is free on the property, and there is no additional pet fee! Make sure to check out my separate post that highlights the unique features of this property.

Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve

During our six days in Palm Springs, we enjoyed a mix of relaxation, shopping, exploration, and great eating. One of our favorite places that we visited was the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve. The preserve was about 30 minutes away from the hotel and is a beautiful, sandy hike. It is relatively flat and boasts a gorgeous landscape of the Coachella Valley. Be advised that this is not a place to take large groups. Parking is limited, so arrive early. The doggies got to enjoy the hotel while we went on this little trek, as no dogs are allowed on the trails. The round-trip hike/walk takes about 45 minutes and has a little bit of cover, so make sure to bring your sunscreen.

Where To Eat

When it comes to food, Palm Springs does not disappoint. We were impressed by the variety of food offerings, as well as the impeccable customer service. We were too busy eating to take any photos, so we will do our best to get you up to speed! Some of the places we hit up were:

• LG’s Prime Steakhouse
• Bill’s Pizza
• Las Casuelas Nuevas
• La Quinta Cliffhouse
• Bubba’s Bones and Brews

LG’s Prime Steakhouse

We visited LG’s Prime Steakhouse in Palm Springs (there is a location in La Quinta as well) for a family dinner two days before new year’s. The wine menu was extensive, but reasonably priced considering the atmosphere. Come hungry, as the portions are very generous.

Bill’s Pizza

Bill’s Pizza is a great place to pop into for a quick bite while in downtown Palm Springs. Seating is available both inside and outside. We opted to sit outside so that Mia and Louie could join us too. The large pizzas live up to their name– they are large. Our party of 5 could have done with one large pizza and a salad, but we had to try some of the different types! Two of the pizza’s that stood out to us were the “The Charlie Sheen” and “Christine’s Rocker Pizza”.

Las Casuelas Nuevas

Las Casuelas Nuevas was so good we ate there twice. With a unique outdoor dining room, Las Casuelas Nuevas had a particular charm to it. We were treated to traditional Californian Mexican food, like as carne asada burritos, and carne asada platters. The margaritas are top-notch (we recommend the Maestro Dobel Silver smokey). Tip: make a reservation ahead of time as the place was packed each time we went. We also recommend sitting outside versus inside. There are tons of patio heaters, so it is warm all year round.

La Quinta Cliffhouse

The La Quinta Cliffhouse is literally built into the side of a hill and gives you a unique atmosphere on their patio. However, we decided to sit inside since the weather was really cold that day. The La Quinta Cliffhouse is a large restaurant that features a great happy hour, and a sunset dinner menu. We heard that the sunset dinner menu was the way to go, and we arrived early to do so. The sunset dinner menu is only offered between 4-5 pm, so it is a little early, but it’s a deal with two courses for $22.75. We both did the caesar salad with the flat-iron steak, paired with the happy hour red wine (Pacifica Merlot). Outside of the sunset menu, the prices jump considerably.

Bubba’s Bones and Brews

Finally, we checked out a local favorite, Bubba’s Bones and Brews. On a weeknight, this place was packed, and rightfully so. With an extensive beer and bourbon menu, as well as great food features, go to Bubba’s if you are hungry. Our party did the street tacos (3 for $5 on Tuesday and Thursday), as well as 4 meats. During our travels through the States, we always try to hit up barbecue joints as the ones in Canada are average, and very place usually has chicken, but it is dry. Not at Bubba’s. This is probably the best barbecue chicken you can get without going to Texas.

Until next time, Palm Springs …

Next time we hit up Palm Springs, we have some longer hikes on our radar, but are looking forward to hitting up some of the same spots, and hoping to find some new favourites.

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