It feels great to stay at a hotel that makes a positive contribution to a community. Not just the typical minimal washing of towels and linens and recycling of newspapers, but a hotel that really makes a difference.

Skwachàys is that kind of hotel. This downtown Vancouver boutique hotel funds shelter-rate apartments for indigenous people who are at risk of homelessness, provides residences and gallery space for urban aboriginal artists, and hotel rooms for indigenous patients coming from remote areas of Canada to receive health care not available in their home community. And it provides 18 hotel rooms for socially-conscious travellers who want to learn more about Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and other indigenous peoples.

Skwachàys is in Vancouver’s Gastown, an up and coming neighbourhood that is too hip for words in some parts, and in others still scruffy around the edges. Each room at Skwachàys (pronounced “skwatch-eyes”) is unique, and was designed by a First Nations artist paired with one of Vancouver’s top hotel interior designers, who donated their services. Most of the rooms’ furnishings were donated too, including the luxurious Hypnos beds (Hypnos hand-makes “the most comfortable beds in the world”, and is the bedmaker of Canada’s and the UK’s royal family).

My room, the Water Suite, was designed by Corrine Hunt who was the co-designer of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic medal. It has riverstones decorating the bed’s headboard, and features the warm tones of natural wood with some pops of red colour. A stylized orca sculpture decorates one wall. We felt cozily at home with a fridge, microwave, safe, coffee maker, kettle, docking station, TV, and great wifi. The room was quite warm, so we were grateful for the big fan. Some Skwachàys rooms welcome pets and some have balconies.

The lobby is also a fair trade gallery featuring the works of local artists. During my visit Garnet Tobacco was in the gallery, and he proudly showed me his paintings and posed beside his painting of two loons.

Traditional indigenous designs are throughout the hotel. On the roof is a traditional west coast longhouse, adorned with a 40-foot dreamweaver totem pole and a 20-foot cascading waterfall (dry during my February visit). There’s also a traditional smudge room and sweat lodge, and guests can learn about the important part they play in Canada’s indigenous culture. In the welcome room, which features a warm fireplace, there’s a large feast table with the Haida three watchmen design, signifying sentinels guarding the village or lodge. It’s in this room that guests can grab their grab-and-go-breakfast (included in rates) to eat in front of the fire, in their room or as they explore Vancouver’s sites.

 
“Hi Beau!”, I crooned, as I walked back into my suite at Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel. I knew the look on Beau’s face meant he wanted to hear all about my scooter ride (“We saw a bear!”, I told him) and that he was wondering if I was nervous about going bobsledding later. Oh, and that he’d love another fish pellet if I had any handy.

Beau joined my beau and me for our stay at Summit Lodge, a boutique hotel where you can expect fun, friendliness and something special. Beau was one of those something specials — a betta fish from Summit’s foster-a-fish program. He’s meant to help kids feel more at ease while they’re away from home, but he makes adults like me feel like a very happy kid.

More kid and kid-at-heart friendly stuff at Summit includes an afternoon selection of candy at Reception and a coffee / hot chocolate bar, complete with whipped cream and an assortment of sprinkles. All complimentary too.

Four-legged friends are also welcome, free of charge; so welcome that there’s a chalkboard at Reception listing all their names (I really wanted to meet the dog called Asparagus). Your room will be prepared with pet-friendly supplies, and Talitha, Summit’s canine ambassador, makes sure everyone is on their best behaviour. Concerned about allergies? No problem, Summit keeps several rooms pet-free and can even provide down-free pillows.

This 81-room boutique hotel caters to the grown-up side of you too. There’s a spa off the lobby — Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa — the only authentic Javanese spa in North America. If you’ve ever been to Indonesia, you know how much of a treat this is. Eco-products, a free 1-hour bike rental and luxurious bed and bath amenities all appeal.

Facilities include a heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, with a sauna just inside the door. The hotel’s back patio also has a barbecue if you’d like to eat in for dinner, plus every room (not just the suites) has a fully-equipped kitchenette.

Summit is on a quiet street away from Whistler’s bar scene, but with several great restaurants really close. You can get to Elements Urban Tapas Parlour, one of Whistler’s insider favourites, without even going outside. The walk to the ski lifts is just 7 minutes, though you can take the complimentary winter shuttle too. And of course there’s a complimentary ski and bike valet.

Attached to the hotel is Underground Tuning which provides hand-waxing and tune-ups on boards and skis — the best in Whistler. In summer you can rent a scooter or bike (including tandems) from Spitfire Scooter Rentals to see more of Whistler and its great scenery.

Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel is one of those rare hotels that makes you feel happy and special (even if you’re a jaded travel writer like me!).

 
We look out at Whistler Mountain, the base of which is right across from our balcony overlooking the pool. The mountain bikers are zooming down the slope, some making dramatic jumps, as they race to catch the next chairlift up to Whistler Mountain Bike Park, the number one lift-accessed downhill bike park in the world. These are prime seats, and even better on winter Sundays with the Fire and Ice Show right outside!

We’re in our suite at Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, one of two Pan Pacifics in Whistler Village. The other, Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, is just a block away and is slightly quieter (not that I was bothered by any noise), has an included breakfast, but not quite as spectacular mountain views.

All rooms at both Pan Pacifics are suites, with a fully-equipped kitchen (yup, you can make a turkey dinner if you like!); dining area; living room with pull-out couch, fireplace and TV; a bedroom with a luxe bed and another TV; and a large bathroom with Pan Pacific’s lovely amenities. The decor is slightly different in each hotel, but both can be characterized as modern mountain style. You can opt for a 2- or 3-bedroom suite with much more space if you’re travelling with a bigger group, though a family of four would be content in a regular suite.

Both hotels have outdoor heated saltwater pools with two whirlpools and a gym. The Mountainside location has a steamroom, while Village Centre has a sauna as well as a day spa.

Regardless of which hotel you choose, you’ll have the luxury of complimentary gear storage. Here in the winter? Ski almost to Whistler Moutainside’s back door and the ski valet will help you manage your gear into a locker, ready for the next morning. You can even store your boots in your warm locker so there’s no need to clomp to your room in your ski boots, nor put your feet into icy boots the next morning (that’s luxury!). The valet will store your bike of golf clubs for you in the summer too.

Both Mountainside and Village Centre give guests the luxury of Pan Pacific that you come to know and expect, with an unparalleled Whistler mountain location. Hit the slopes!

 
The perfect romantic weekend! The soft king bed with stunning views out to a balcony hanging over the rocks, and below that, the sparkling sea. The bathtub (a thermo masseur bain ultra ayoura) built for two; with the same views, natch! A boardwalk through the trees, leading to my tent….

A tent? Yes, technically. But the tents at Rockwater Secret Cove Resort are right up my alley.

These luxury “tenthouse suites” are perched above the rocks and greenery on a hill sloping down to the sea at Halfmoon Bay. They have high ceilings and a fan to push the warm air down in winter, and to cool you in summer. There’s a toasty fireplace and even toastier heated floors if the nights are cool. There’s a dual rain/wand shower (with a view too), and don’t forget the giant bathtub. Each tent also has a fridge, coffee station, and music player (no tv), and several seating and lounging choices to admire the spectacular views from the sunny balcony. If you’re shy, note that the WC is separated from the rest of your tent just by a fabric-covered sliding door.

Up at the main lodge (where there are also rooms, as well as not-quite-as-glam cabins), there’s a wonderful restaurant which focuses on local, organic, seasonal products. During the light-filled evenings of summer, the dinner-time view over the swimming pool and out to the Pacific must be incredible. If you want to escape your tenthouse suite (though why would you?!), Rockwater has a sauna and spa (an ayurvedic massage in one of the tented suites, yes please!), you can rent bikes and kayaks, play beach volleyball and horseshoes, admire the gardens and see what the tide brings in.

Continuing on the romance note, Rockwater would be an ideal place to host a wedding. The 13 tenthouse suites, 11 ocean-side cabins, 9 ocean-view rooms, and 5 lodge suites can accommodate 109 overnight guests. There’s a perfect spot for the ceremony looking out over the sea, and the resort provides a wedding coordinator to ensure everything is just how you want it. There’s even a bride’s dressing room near the pool so no one will see your dress!

If you need a break from romance, Rockwater would also be a perfect solo retreat to relax and recharge.

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort won’t be a secret for much longer — you’d best book in advance to enjoy its charms on weekends and in summer.