Sylvia Hotel, English Bay and Stanley Park

Sylvia Hotel hospitality was great for another night. Room service brought Gilbert a well done burger and me steak.  I slept through the night and at 7 am woke up normally.
I don't like my stuffy nose and sore throat but with rest and relaxation it's not getting worse. I reflect that even royalty share ailments so I'm suffering along with the billionaires and impoverished.  All one really wants is chicken soup and a bed.
This morning I took Gilbert for a walk on the beach early, surprised by all the activity. Joggers galore. Individuals and groups.  Dog walkers I expected but not so many.  It wasn't even 8 am.  I'd figured on just walking Gilbert as long as he needed but then the fresh air and activity had me continuing on to Stanley Park, only a couple of blocks from the Sylvia.
Gilbert and I walked over to Lost Lagoon, seeing Second Beach and the huge heron nests in the trees.  Black squirrels and a variety of birds visited along the way.  The trails in Stanley Park are amazing.  I even saw a huge owl being pestered by crows.  Were it not for the fuss the crows were making I might not have seen the owl.
Back in the Sylvia, we called room service.   I've had the English Breakfast with eggs, sausages and pancakes. Gilbert had a side of sausages. Now I'm drinking coffee watching Cat in a Hat.  One has to be seriously unwell to watch talking fish and wise guy cats. Gilbert is sleeping on the bed. In the movie, the cleaning lady is being used to weight down the crate while the kids and cat go off looking for the dog.  I confess I like the colours and visuals.  No doubt my friends with children have had their brains programmed by such.  This explains a lot.

Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver

With this cold snap in Vancouver, my place is particularly drafty,  but when I woke with the sniffles and the water line frozen I thought I needed a night of comfort.
That's where Sylvia Hotel came in.  Located on English Bay with underground parking, Pet friendly and with great room service.  My competent assistant,Hannah, had Gilbert and I booked in mere minutes after I asked.
It's been years since I've stayed at the Sylvia but I've sure enjoyed the fine dining in their famous Sylvia's restaurant in the interim. I love that Errol Flynn dined here.
The room was perfect.  Great cable tv.  After an overdue long hot shower, I had the Okanagan chicken while Gilbert had a well done burger. The chef is definitely one of the best.
Well fed we both watched a superhero movie before falling off to sleep television still on. I can't remember the last time that happened. I was that tired. Jetlag after Asia has had me missing sleep.  I awoke at midnight, just long enough to walk Gilbert on the beach just outside the door.  Sylvia Hotel's location on English Bay has Stanley Park, a short walk and all the restaurants and shops of Denman around the corner.
Gilbert loved a new territory to mark and I was ready with a doggy bag.  Back in the room, this big comfortable bed, gave me another 7 hours of glorious sleep.
I'm so glad Mr. Goldstein, in 1912, decided to honour his daughter, Sylvia, with this hotel, named after her. I'm also glad the management has maintained the heritage flavour but ensured modernity with wifi and amenities continue to make this hotel inviting to my computer generation.
Already this morning room service has brought me a feast in the English Bay breakfast while Gilbert enjoyed a side of sausage. I've been watching Chuck Connors Rifleman on the Saturday morning cowboy channel.  It doesn't get much better.
Feeling the way I do in the comfort and care of Sylvia Hotel, I can well understand why Howard Hughes chose to live his latter life in Vancouver hotel.