Page 285 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

WHERE T O ST A Y  283

hotel tax on rooms in properties
with four or more units; and,
in certain municipalities, an
additional tax of up to 2 percent.

Hotels
Hotels in the Pacific Northwest’s
major destinations are counted
among the world’s best.
Luxury chains, such as the
Four Seasons, Fairmont,
Kimpton, and Westin, as well as
numerous independents, are
generally located downtown.
They usually offer stylish decor, The heritage Gatsby Mansion Inn (see p291) in Victoria, BC, now a bed-and-breakfast
an upscale restaurant, a spa,
and valet parking. Reservations breakfasts also serve lunch and restaurant meals, car rentals,
are recommended, especially dinner; inquire when booking. bus travel, airport shuttles, and
if you plan to visit during a Most bed-and-breakfasts prohibit more. Ask about other benefits
holiday or a popular festival smoking, and some also have at HI’s regional offices.
or event (see pp34–7). restrictions on children and pets. A variety of accommodations
If you are looking for The Oregon and the are available, though many are
personalized guest services and Washington Bed and Breakfast dormitory-style with shared
luxurious amenities, consider Guilds provide extensive bathrooms. Some hostels
one of the many boutique information and listings also have communal kitchens.
hotels – small, exclusive, detailing bed-and-breakfasts in Calling ahead to reserve a space
independently owned hotels – these two states. For visitors to is advisable. Several hostels are
usually situated in city centers British Columbia, the British centrally located within the
and resort destinations. All the Columbia Bed and Breakfast metropolitan Seattle and
major hotel chains, including Innkeepers Guild publishes a Portland areas. There are also
Best Western, Holiday Inn, guide to accommodations that hostels, both HI and those
and Marriott, can be found are approved by the agency. Like unaffiliated to HI, throughout
in the larger cities and often bed-and-breakfasts, inns come in Oregon and Washington. In
in smaller towns near popular all shapes and sizes, from small British Columbia, hostels are to
destinations. These chains and rustic to large and luxurious. be found in Vancouver, Whistler,
provide rooms that are not only Visitors to British Columbia Vancouver Island, and at major
affordable but also standardized: may choose to stay at one of destinations in the BC Interior.
no matter where the hotel is the province’s numerous guest Hostel-style accommodation is
located, they offer clean, reliable ranches, which include working also available at the YMCA and
accommodations as well as cattle ranches. These properties YWCA in Vancouver and, in
facilities that typically include offer a variety of activities, such summer, at several universities
a hotel restaurant, swimming as horseback riding and fishing, and colleges, including the
pool, and fitness center. as well as the opportunity to University of British Columbia.
participate in real ranch work. For an online directory of
Visitors can choose from basic hostels, visit www.hostels.com.
Bed-and-Breakfasts cabins, ski lodges, and luxury Motels offer much to travelers
and Inns
ranches featuring fireplaces, who are looking for simplicity
The Pacific Northwest prides room service, air conditioning, and cleanliness. Most are
itself on its many welcoming and hot tubs, and spa facilities. located near busy highways
charming bed-and-breakfasts. Contact the BC Guest Ranchers’ and are a comfortable and
Guest rooms are typically Association for information. inexpensive option as long
located in a large house in which as transportation into the city
the host also resides. Accom- Traveling on a Budget is not an issue. Motels generally
modations range from rooms offer fewer amenities than
in historic Victorian homes with Hostels can be ideal for travelers hotels, although cable TV,
beautiful gardens, situated in on a budget. Hostelling private bathrooms, air
residential city neighborhoods, International (HI) operates in conditioning, and ice and
to rooms in rustic log homes locations throughout the Pacific soda machines are standard.
near the mountains, and Northwest. HI memberships Reservations are usually
everything in between. are available at a nominal fee not necessary. Online agencies
As the name suggests, guests (free for youths 17 years and such as Oregon Coast Motels,
are served breakfast, often younger) and entitle members Booking, and Kayak are good
buffet-style. Some bed-and- to discounts on rooms, sources to find motels.

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