Vancouver’s oldest guest house

In Komatsu, Japan, The Hoshi, a traditional Japanese inn, has been operated by the same family for 46 generations. It was founded in 717.
Sail across the Pacific and disembark in Vancouver and The Victorian Hotel holds a similar place in the hearts of locals.
Though it is considerably younger than The Hoshi, The Victorian which was opened in 1898, is the oldest guest house/ boutique hotel in BC’s commercial capital.
In Western Canada’s largest city, history is hard to come by – many of the city’s structures dating back to its gold rush roots have succumb to time, re-construction, and aggressive city planning.
The Victorian Hotel however, still stands firmly in the place of its birth, just a short walk away from the two oldest structures in the downtown core, the Christ Church Cathedral built in 1895 and the Holy Rosary Cathedral which opened in 1899. The Victorian Hotel has recently been revitalized and now stands as a premier boutique hotel destination. Renovations have included high ceilings, hardwood floors, and marble bathrooms – all delicately implemented to respect the heritage stature of the building. Though there is change, much remains the same.
Come evenings, when hotel guests turn into their rooms after a full day of exploring and work meetings, their thoughts inevitably anticipate the next day in their journey – much like the prospectors and explorers a century earlier who came to the province also pursuing their dreams.
For more information on the Victorian Hotel, go to www.victorianhotel.ca.