When’s the last time you had a chance to play tourist in your own city—that “special place” you’ve been meaning to check out again? For me, that was a Gastown staycation. Vancouver’s first neighbourhood, with its cobblestone streets and historic, pioneering charm, is perfect for a recharge—and a great way to explore my city’s backyard.
Recently, I was invited to dine with a close friend at L’Abattoir, an iconic restaurant celebrating its 16th anniversary. How could I resist? Earning a Michelin Plate in 2025 and ranked highly in both La Liste and Opinionated About Dining, L’Abattoir is a feast for all the senses.
That got me thinking: why not ask my partner, Trace, if he wanted to join me for a one-night staycation? Always up for an adventure, he said yes.
Sometimes, all it takes is a new hotel to make a destination. In the case of Block House, that might just be what’s happening. In the heart of Gastown, just steps from Chinatown and the waterfront, Block House is the first and only hotel in Gastown.
The Block House building began life in 1893 as the Commercial Block, a brick warehouse that was the first in Vancouver to install electric elevators. The historic brickwork—inside and out—has been lovingly restored to create a contemporary boutique property with 19 loft-style suites.
Inspired by mid-century aesthetics, we were completely charmed as soon as we walked into our loft suite. With a statement-making floor-to-ceiling brick wall, the space featured a cloud-like king-size bed (incredibly comfortable), a kitchen, laundry facilities, a high-tech television, and more. We both agreed that one night wasn’t enough.
The next morning, it was off to Nelson the Seagull Café for breakfast. Touted as home to “the best sourdough loaves in the city,” nearly everything on the shelves is made in-house. Using local ingredients—many of them organic—this family-run, funky café offers a small but curated breakfast menu. I opted for the salmon and avocado toast, while Trace went for the poached egg and avocado toast. Both were delicious.
Recharged, it was time to explore Gastown and beyond. We meandered past boutique shops and paused at the Gastown Steam Clock, a famous landmark built in 1977. It took a while to get a photo—tourists were everywhere, cameras clicking.
For fashion lovers, Gastown is home to well-known brands like Lugaro, Frank and Oak, Oak + Fort, and Kit and Ace, to name a few.
Next, we headed to FlyOver Canada to catch its two newest immersive adventures, Awaken Canada and Believe Chicago. Trace, who had never been, was extremely impressed.
“The sensation of flying was times three—you’re swerving and dipping, and the motion and views are just incredible. There really is no experience quite like it. I felt like I was in Chicago, and I saw places in Canada I’d never seen before.”
Then it was back to our exceptional dinner at L’Abattoir, a landmark restaurant that beautifully pairs West Coast ingredients with classical French technique. At the helm is Executive Chef Jasper Cruickshank, whose impressive résumé includes stints at La Belle Auberge under Chef Bruno Marti, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar with Chef Alex Chen, and Michelin-starred Restaurant Aqua in Wolfsburg, Germany. Most recently, he led the culinary team at Wild Blue Restaurant & Bar in Whistler.
“Becoming an Executive Chef was the next step in my journey, and seeing the opportunity at L’Abattoir felt like the right fit,” says Cruickshank. “With its great gastronomic pedigree, it was where I wanted to call home.”
As for his culinary philosophy, Cruickshank adds: “For me, it’s rooted in French technique and the ability to utilize what the West Coast offers. We don’t always stick to French flavour profiles because our kitchen team comes from all over the world—we want to give our guests a real taste of multicultural Vancouver.”
Gastown proved I didn’t need a boarding pass to create meaningful travel memories. —Michelle Hopkins
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