Hello:

We just returned from a trip to BC, which included two stops in Vancouver, one actually was North Vancouver. Both were the most terrible experiences we've had with B&B. Seems like a big city vs small location issue.

At the place in N Vancouver we had a credit card confirmed reservation for a room w/ private bath. Upon arrival we found that we were being given just a room and would share a toilet in the hallway and shower upstairs. Having arrived late in the day we were stuck. Then found that we were given their daughter's room, apparently at short notice. Looking for extra pillows we opened a chest in the room to find her clothing piled in there, like in a hurry. One of their 'regular' customers had shown up without notice, and appeared to be at our expense. He was given the room with the private bath.

The place touts as 'excellent VIEWS of downtown Vancouver'. As we found the only view of downtown Vancouver was a distant view from their own family room upstairs, while all guest room are located at the lower level with no views whatsoever. The neighbor's fence is the view for all rooms if you want to know exactly.

So I am now very wary of big city B&B. Seems like exaggerations and lies are keeping these folks going in business. Perhaps they show one or two rooms to BC Tourism for inspection then expand their business to the entire house. And when does BC Tourism come back to reinspect and find how many rooms are being presented to unsuspecting travelers?

Other rooms and stairs etc in this house were filthy. We had to walk thru the TV lounge to get anywhere and all reeked. House was full of junk as I suspect many of these houses are. The shared toilet made us nauseate. We did not dare to see the shower and went without showering that day.

We had excellent B&B experiences at our other stops on this trips, Qualicum Beach, Hagensborg, Lilloett.

At Port Hardy we found the location of the B&B to have been exaggerated and the room tiny but very well furnished, but misrepresentation stands out thinking about this place as well.

So Vancouver, Victoria, etc. ask a lot of probing questions and then err on the side of a hotel or motel, if you don't want to see their daughter's dirty lingere.

Hope this helps!