Best Western Plus Sands

While many branches in the BEST WESTERN PLUS brand have been executed with an eye toward modern design, things are a little more traditional at this hotel. From the outside, it looks every bit like a -- well, like an old hotel, with a retro neon sign pronouncing the name "Sands" over the street below. Inside, the look is clean and classic, though dated, with a combination of dark wood paneling, polished granite, and tan damask wallpaper. While the immediate neighborhood is one of the trendier areas in downtown Vancouver, especially among younger people, the hotel's clientele when we visited tended to be mature couples, and the hotel's style won't please in the market for cutting edge design -- for example, expect to see gaudy columns and sparkly mosaic tilework in the off-modern restaurant. That's not to say things here are completely sedate -- the bar and restaurant provide a welcome social vibe with live events on occasion, bring together the diverse group of business travelers, groups of friends, and vacationers that stay here. 

The hotel is located on bustling Davie Street, a five-minute walk from downtown's most popular strip of sand -- English Bay Beach. The area is packed with restaurants and markets, but can be noisy and congested. It also serves as the hub for Vancouver's LGBT community, with Davie Village's shops and restaurants about a five-minute walk east of the hotel. English Bay Bike Rentals and Vancouver Bike Tours are across the street from the hotel, and it’s a five-minute bike ride to Stanley Park and the Seawall, a biking and jogging path that rings the park and has some spectacular views of the city and bay along the way. While the hotel is essentially in downtown Vancouver, the West End is a primarily residential area, and most business offices are clustered in downtown proper, which is about five minutes away by car. It’s a 10-minute drive to the Vancouver Convention Centre and Canada Place. Nightlife on Granville Island -- with clubs such as Roxy, Venue Nightclub, and Caprice Nightclub -- is a five-minute drive. Robson Street’s shops are eight minutes away by bus or a 20-minute walk. Guests should expect a 25-minute drive to Vancouver International Airport.

There's nothing necessarily wrong with the rooms at this hotel -- the style has the look of a pleasant-enough suburban home -- but much like the rest of the hotel, decor is a bit dated. Rooms feature chunky upholstered seating and mahogany or oak furniture with traditional accents, like light granite tops or brass fixtures. Cream or tan mottled wallpaper is hung with nautical or floral artwork in gilded frames. Expect to see lots of earth tones, ranging from dark brown and olive green to taupe; textiles, for the most part, have bold patterns and are heavy, giving them a less-than-contemporary quality. All rooms come with 37-inch or 42-inch flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and lap desks for laptops. Microwaves are available on request. For guests wanting extra space, there are King Rooms with sitting areas and suites that offer separate bedrooms and living rooms with sofa beds and MP3 players. Premium Floor rooms have balconies with views of the mountains or part of the bay. Honeymoon and Family Suites feature full kitchens. Bathrooms are equally homey, with long granite counters for adequate storage, shower/tub combos, and hairdryers -- those in Honeymoon Suites have whirlpool tubs. Keep in mind that windows in upper-floor rooms aren't double glazed and noise from the busy street below can be an issue.

There are a decent amount of features at this hotel, especially given its downtown location. The Park at English Bay restaurant and bar offers multiple mounted TVs and live entertainment throughout the week, including karaoke and quiz nights. The bar pours out craft beers, providing a local touch, and breakfast is served daily, though not included in room rates. The fitness center is small and offers modern cardio machines, a wall- mounted flat-screen TV, a punching bag, and weight-training equipment. It also includes a dry sauna, a feature not often seen in hotels in this category. With its easy proximity to downtown's business, there are a decent number of business and event spaces here as well. The hotel has a ballroom for up to 150 people, a boardroom, two meeting rooms, and three suites that can be rented out. There's also a computer corner that's available 24/7 in the lobby plus free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel (though it can be spotty). Packages are available that include deals for the next-door English Bay Day Spa and the Bayside Lounge. On-site parking is available for a fee, and pets are welcome with restrictions, so check ahead.