A visit to the beautiful beachside Vancouver suburb of Kitsilano (or Kits in the local lingo) soon reveals a mixed-bag of residents and attractions. From heritage-listed buildings to seaside arty stalls, the first question which springs to mind is “Is this the newest suburb in town, or the oldest?” Well, to be honest, it’s actually both! Rent a Vancouver holiday apartment in Kits and step into its multicolored past. Kistilano was named after a Squamish Chief, and reflects the influx of the early settlers, who moved in at the beginning of the 19th Century to partake in the areas’ earliest commercial ventures. These Indian natives were eventually evicted from the land when mass-urbanization began; but in 2001 an 11-acre Native Reserve was set up to honor Kits’ early residents. Kits was initially set to become one of the country’s foremost coal-mining regions, but the project never really took off. At the beginning of the 1960s the land was purchased by the government and turned into a communal living neighborhood. This unusual turn of events lead Kits to become one of the hippiest areas in Vancouver; the low-cost housing attracted the city’s struggling artists and immigrants and this, together with the splendid background ...

Vancouver is regularly voted as the best city in the world to live due to the cleanliness of the streets, the employment opportunities, the healthcare system, the infrastructure and safety. These qualities and this status attract people from all over the world to settle in the city, many of whom open up restaurants selling their native cuisine. Below are some of the best ethnic restaurants in downtown Vancouver, where incidentally Holiday Velvet has many Downtown Vancouver holiday rentals!Samba Brazilian SteakhouseAddress: 1122 Alberni St. VancouverOpening times: 1130-1530 then 1730-2300Steak is a dish which is popular universally. At the Samba Brazilian Steakhouse one can enjoy top quality steaks as well as an extensive barbeque menu. The Brazilian culture is a colourful one which includes a large amount of music and dancing, so the assortment of entertainment available at the Samba Steakhouse comes as no surprise.San Sui Wah – Chinese FoodAddress: 3888 Main StreetOpening times: 10-1500 then 1700-2230The San Sui Wah restaurant on Main Street is a highly acclaimed establishment which offers genuinely top quality Chinese cuisine in an authentic setting. There is a good choice on the menu, which includes Dim Sum, specialities and a main menu. The roasted squab is something ...

Vancouver is a city perfectly suited to a successful family holiday. While Downtown Vancouver is the business district it also the best place to choose your Downtown Vancouver apartment for hip bars, great restaurants and... family attractions! The below is our pick of the best family attractions in Downtown Vancouver.Vancouver AquariumThis is the largest aquarium in Canada and is also amongst the best in the world. The aquarium is a non-profit organisation which is primarily concerned with preserving sea life, and this care for aquatic life is obvious as you walk around and view the various species on display here. There are a number of interactive displays each day which will help you and your children to expand your knowledge in this field. Kitsilano BeachIn close proximity to downtown Vancouver, this is one of the most popular beaches in Vancouver and epitomises the benefits of building a city so close to the coast. The sand and water are clean and luxurious and provide a play haven for your children, whilst the views from the beach combined with the (often) desirable weather are enough to please any adult.H.R Macmillan Space Centre and PlanetariumThis space centre appeals for so many reasons. Not ...

The district of Yaletown in Vancouver is today a hip and happening district and indeed a perfect location for your Vancouver holiday apartment. This urban neighborhood in Downtown Vancouver has deep-routed ties with the industrial revolution and even today it is often called the 'warehouse district'. Yaletown began to really emerge as the prosperous and popular area that it is today in the 18th century when the rail yards and facilities of Canada’s railroad organisation were moved to the area, which initiated Yaletown for its future as a centre of activity and focus. The original incentive for the Yaletown district to allow the national railroad to use the area as a base was that the area would be exempt from local taxes, but in reality the benefits have proved to be much longer standing. In the period following this there was a heavy industrial influence in the area which was dominated by warehouses and railroads. Over the 19th century the area became a popular residential area for people around the city, although the various peaks and troughs of the property market had a negative impact upon the prosperity of the area. For a few decades in the late 19th century ...

The city of Vancouver is regularly voted as one of the best cities in which to live anywhere in the world. The tons of fantastic spas probably account for this fact! While visiting Vancouver make sure to visit our top 3 best spas in downtown Vancouver.Vita Salon and SpaLocation: 2525 West BroadwayOpening Hours: 1000 - 1800This professional and welcoming establishment has a comfortable feel which makes it easy for people to feel at home here. The owners of this spa recognise that it is not just the treatments which contribute to the experience of the customer and make a big effort to maintain a high level of decor and general interior design. This alone makes one feel relaxed upon walking into the spa, and that’s without even partaking in the range of high quality treatments.Sarah’s Esthetics Day SpaLocation: 5th Floor 1110 Howe St.Opening Hours: 0900-1730This downtown spa is the perfect location for a girl's day out. The therapists here offer a full range of treatments and are all fully qualified to a high standard. The staff here make an effort to stay up to date with the latest developments in the health care field to ensure that they can offer ...