Given Vancouver's history as a city settled in the 1800s that went on to become a major tourist destination, there's a lot of history in our local hotels.
From the grand Hotel Vancouver to a local motel, here are five interesting facts about the local accommodations.
1. The term "Canadian Tuxedo" started because Bing Crosby wasn't allowed in the Hotel Vancouver
On a trip to Vancouver in 1951, Crosby, one of Hollywood's biggest names at the time, was late walking into the Hotel Vancouver and dressed down a little bit.
A Vancouver Sun newspaper article from the time describes his attire as including a leather jacket, "cheap dungarees," and hightop boots. Crosby was also unshaven. The night clerk didn't recognize Crosby (and Crosby didn't introduce himself), and the clerk turned him away.
Outside the hotel a bellboy recognized who Crosby was and snuck him, and all his stuff, up to a room via the freight elevator.
The story hit the media and Levi's designers decided to make Crosby an all-denim outfit, and it was dubbed the "Canadian Tuxedo."
2. Vancouver's first hotel wasn't where you'd expect
While the original centre of Vancouver was Gastown, the first hotel was nowhere near the lumber mills and saloons where the city started.
It was out at New Brighton, and was built around the same time.
The New Brighton Hotel was built in 1865 and was popular as a seaside resort for mill workers in the area and the citizens of New Westminster.
A couple of years later it was renamed Hastings Hotel, and the whole area was named the Hastings Town. It had the first road, wharf, post office, and more in what would become Vancouver.
However, it didn't become Vancouver when the city was founded. Vancouver was founded around Gastown, and the Hastings Townsite voted to amalgamate with Vancouver in 1910 (including the popular hotel).
3. A water skier was hired to spot Howard Hughes hiding in a hotel
Howard Hughes staying six months at the Bayshore Inn (now owned by Westin) in 1972 is one of Vancouver's more well-known unusual historical moments.
A part of that is the story of George Athans, a championship-winning waterskier from Kelowna.
He was hired to strap on a harness with a parachute and glide up to Hughes' penthouse hotel.
The blinds were drawn, according to Sports Illustrated.
4. The 2400 Motel is one of the most popular filming sites in Vancouver
Even if you've never travelled down Kingsway, you'll have seen this motel (as long as you watch TV or films shot in Vancouver).
Built in 1946, the retro motel is perhaps the last of the classic accommodations built during the rise and height of road trips into Vancouver. With carefully cared-for bungalows, plenty of space, and a design reminiscent of classic Americana, it's become a popular spot for shows to shoot, including X-Files, Supernatural, and Yellowjackets.
It's also been on the Heritage Vancouver watch list at least twice as a place that should be saved.
However, the city-owned property was discussed for redevelopment in 2010.
5. There's an old folk song about one of the first hotels in Vancouver
When exactly it was written may be lost, but "The Old Grand Hotel" was first written down in the 1950s.
However, it's likely much older, given the subject matter.
The song tells of a saloon and hotel and the characters who work and visit it, focusing on the loggers who come in with their wages and the bartender happy to serve them.
The bartender, "Tommy," is likely Tommy Roberts, who started as a bartender and became the owner, or Tom Cyr, who was the owner in 1886 until passing on to Roberts sometime in the 1890s.
Cyr died in 1907 and Roberts in 1918 (shot to death when someone robbed the poker game he was playing). So its unlikely it was written after 1918.
