For many travellers seeking accommodations, the bed and breakfast option is an appealing one. Some of the motivating factors are the opportunity to meet other travellers, to have direct access to the knowledge of the host and in general to be in a more intimate environment and to experience the uniqueness of the establishment. It is fair to say that no two bed and breakfasts are the same. Yet it is precisely the lack of standardization that can make choosing a bed and breakfast somewhat overwhelming. Here are some guidelines that can help you. CHOOSE AN ACCREDITED ACCOMMODATION. Bed and breakfast is the ultimate cottage industry. Especially since the advent of the internet, anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a bed and breakfast. Find out if the bed and breakfast you are considering has any accreditation. Do they belong to a local bed and breakfast association? Are they certified by a government agency? Does the local tourist bureau know about them? If you get a positive answer you can know with some certainty that at the very least basic standards are being adhered to. Travel publications are a somewhat useful guide, especially those that offer critical evaluations, such as Frommer;s and Fodor;s. However, many excellent establishments are often not mentioned in these publications simply because their writers don;t know about them. Books such as the;Bed and Breakfast Encyclopedia; and;Lanier;s Guide to Bed and Breakfasts; are not critical guides. Bed and breakfasts pay to be listed and write their own descriptions, so there is no guarantee that what you read is what you get. The best thing to do is to invest in a phone call and have a chat with the innkeeper. CHOOSE A PROFESSIONALLY RUN ACCOMMODATION. Just because a bed and breakfast is accredited, there is no guarantee that it is well run. When you call during regular business hours do you get a helpful, courteous person at the other end or do you get voice mail? If you do leave a message on voice mail is your call returned promptly? If you e-mail the establishment do they answer you quickly? Personal service and attention are what make bed and breakfasts special. If these traits are perceived to be lacking in your initial encounters, you have to ask yourself how you;ll be treated if you were to be a guest in that establishment. CHOOSE A BED AND BREAKFAST THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS. It;s important to be very clear at the outset as to what your needs are, so that you can ensure in advance that you won;t be disappointed. The more you can narrow the gap between expectation and reality the likelier you are to have a positive bed and breakfast experience. Here are some major considerations, not in any particular order of significance. 1) Location. Where do you want to be? Do you require a location in or near downtown? Do you want to be some place quiet and secluded? In addition to checking with the innkeeper, or the inn;s website or brochure, it;s also a good idea to refer to Mapquest or similar sites. Once you;ve established the location, it;s then easier to determine if you;ll need a car, or if you can get by with public transportation. If you do need a car, you;ll want to make sure that adequate convenient parking is available. Most bed and breakfasts offer free parking. 2) Special needs. Do you have food allergies or dietary preferences such as low fat, vegetarian or vegan? Are you allergic to feathers or animal hair? Do you have difficulties with stairs? Do you need a particular kind of bed or bed arrangement? Are you a smoker or an anti-smoker? Do you require a refrigerator for special food or medication? Do you require internet access or a phone in your room? Will you be arriving/leaving very late or very early? Will you be needing a very early or late breakfast, or will you be missing breakfast altogether? These are all matters which should be discussed with your host prior to your arrival. 3) Environment. Are you a morning person who loves to chat with strangers at the breakfast table, or are you a reserved person who prefers privacy and solitude? It;s a good idea to find out what the breakfast arrangement is in advance so that you won;t feel deprived or inconvenienced. Also on the subject of environment, how important is decor to you? Will you be bothered by a more feminine style of decor with frills, pillows and stuffed animals, or do you insist on simplicity? 4) Children. Many bed and breakfasts are adult oriented, but if you have a preference to not being around children it;s best to ask what is the policy of the particular bed and breakfast you are considering. By the same token if you are travelling with children, you must tell the innkeeper in advance, or risk being turned away when you arrive. 5) Price. Everyone loves a bargain, but if a bed and breakfast is priced very low you;ll want to be circumspect. Perhaps the room is small, or the bathroom is shared with several rooms, or it;s not well located or well maintained, or breakfast is of no significance. By the same token, a high priced bed and breakfast should offer amenities worthy of the price. Also with regard to money, make sure that you will be able to pay for your accommodations in a manner that is convenient to you. For example, some bed and breakfasts ask for a credit card to secure the reservation, but then ask for cash or traveller;s cheques to settle the account. It;s always best to know in advance. Although there is a lot to be said for spontaneity, it is always best to make a reservation. Some people think that a bed and breakfast may not be as busy as a hotel and they can just turn up and get a room. Often this is not the case, especially during the height of a busy tourist season or a major event such as a big convention. To sum up, know what you want, ask the right questions, and enjoy. It;s hard not to have a memorable time when the way you;re treated makes you feel special. And that;s what bed and breakfasts are all about.

What To Do In Vancouver. Vancouver Tourist Attractions. There is so much to do and see in Vancouver from nature to culture to restaurants and shopping, that we recommend you spend a minimum of 3 days. Here are some sample Vancouver tourist attractions and activities to maximize your enjoyment of those 3 days. the second largest in North America. See the. Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens. the only classical Chinese gardens outside of China. Visit. the original waterfront area of Vancouver. Explore the unique architecture, cobblestone streets, and the famous steam clock. Check out the excellent shops that specialize in native arts and crafts. Walk along. Vancouver's answer to Rodeo Drive. Spend money. Visit. the largest urban park in North America. See the world class. and the outdoor whale show. Explore the six mile (10km). Rent a bicycle or in-line skates, walk it or jog it. (The Seawall is not hilly.) See the totem poles and swoon over the view from. Have dinner at the in Stanley Park, one of Vancouver's finest fish and seafood restaurants. Go on a 4 hour kayaking trip with. (free pick-up from the Manor). See where the Rainforest meets the ocean and enjoy a salmon barbecue on a remote island. Experience the colourful indoor market on. a feast for the senses. See the excellent craft shops, featuring the work of local artists. Have dinner on the patio at. See a Shakespearian play at. Queen Elizabeth Park and see the magnificent landscaped gardens and. McMillan-Bloedel Conservatory of rare plants and exotic birds. See the extensive gardens at the. Van Dusen Botanical Gardens and try to find your way out of the Elizabethan labyrinth. Visit the. Museum of Anthropology. University of British Columbia to view the spectacular collections of West Coast Native art. Visit the. Capilano Suspension Bridge. At 450 feet it's the longest suspension bridge in the world, overlooking a magnificent canyon. Cross it if you dare. Walk through and admire the impressive living forest exhibit. Visit and ride the famous Skyride to this 3700 ft. (1300 meter) high mountain playground. Enjoy a sweeping view of Vancouver and environs. Have dinner at the restaurant. Resolve to come back to Vancouver soon because you've only skimmed the surface. Whistler Vancouver BC Sightseeing Bus Tours (http://www.vancouvertours.com). Vancouver BC Vacation Sightseeing City Tours from Vancouver, British Columbia, (BC) Canada. Landsea tours offers guided sightseeing bus tours in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Victoria Whistler in 24-passenger buses.

Vancouver BB Guest House. The Manor Guest House in Vancouver was built in 1902. It is a true Edwardian heritage house. The house has been completely updated so that it retains all the old charm you would expect of a house of this vintage: ten foot ceilings, spacious rooms with large windows, wainscoting, hardwood floors, carved banisters, wide hallways, and more, while providing all the modern conveniences you would expect. In addition to the main kitchen where guests have their breakfast (May 10th to Oct. 15), there is also a smaller kitchen for guests' use. Here they can store food, chill wine, or make a cup of tea, a light meal or a late night snack. Guests are also invited to enjoy the charming guest lounge where there is a wonderful old piano, as well as the big landscaped decks and garden off the kitchen. For guests who are in Vancouver on business, we have two phone lines, a fax line and wireless high speed internet. For guests who don't have their own laptops, we have a free computer in the guest lounge. We also have ample free off-street parking.

Rates for Manor Guest House Bed Breakfast. Rates Based on Double Occupancy. $20.00 for each additional person in a room. May 1 - May 31 Oct 1 - Oct. 15. $105 - $125 ($105 - $125 US*). HIGH SEASON: June 1 - Sept 30. $115 - $135 ($115 - $135 US*). * US RATES SUBJECT TO FLUCTUATION. All rates include a full buffet style breakfast. Nightly Rate Oct 16 - Apr 30. Weekly Rate Oct 15 - Apr 30. Monthly Rate Oct 15 - Apr 30. $1,200 CDN ($1,200 US*). Self-Serve Continental Breakfast is available during the low season. Kitchen Facilities Provided. Complimentary Tea and Coffee * US RATES SUBJECT TO FLUCTUATION. Maximum of 2 rooms are available for bed and breakfast in the off-season. The beds are either king size or twin. Seven of the nine rooms can easily accommodate more than two people and the penthouse sleeps six. A generous, healthful breakfast is of course included in season. A sample breakfast menu may consist of: Fresh Orange and Grapefruit Juice. Buttermilk Pancakes with Maple Syrup. Spinach and Ricotta Crepes with Lemon Sauce. Vegan Black Bean Burrito. Assorted Breads (Cheese, Whole Wheat, Sourdough). Blueberry Cobbler, Carrot Cake. Tea and Coffee, Selection of Herbal Teas. We cater to guests with special dietary needs. We have a 7 day cancellation policy. We accept both VISA and Mastercard. The Manor Guest House has self-contained suites. Nous parlons francais!. Also Hebrew and a little German is spoken. Ours is a smoke-free environment.

 Luggage storage
 Central situation
 Currency exchange service
 Facsimile services
 Hairdryer
 Heating
 Access to internet
 Ironing facilities
 Kitchen
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Around-the-clock recetpion
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Clock/radio
 Fridge
 Safe deposit box
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 Phone at reception
 TV sets in rooms
 Cheques accepted