 |
| From the Seawall, English Bay, Vancouver by DG Hudson |
There is a 100-year old hotel. . .The Sylvia
Meet me at the Sylvia . . . they used to say. It was an ideal place for coffee, lunch or romantic trysts, situated on the edge of downtown facing English Bay near Stanley Park.
 |
| The Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver, by DG Hudson |
The Sylvia Hotel was built in 1912 and now has heritage status. It began as an apartment block, named after the owner's daughter, Sylvia Goldstein. In its early years, this hotel boasted a top floor higher than other buildings in the West End of Vancouver. An early restaurant advertisement slogan, 'Dining in the Sky', no longer applied after the 1960s downtown building boom.
The Errol Flynn Connection
Errol Flynn, a former film star and the best Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest that ever was, drank here and at the Hotel Georgia when he happened to be in town.
A Vancouver urban legend says Errol Flynn died in the penthouse at the Sylvia Hotel in the arms of his teenage girlfriend. But it's not true. Like most legends, there is a grain of truth in the story. Errol died of a heart attack in a West End apartment of a friend, with his young lover nearby. He was 50 years old.
An excellent and informative article on the Sylvia Hotel can be found in the following reference: (Newspaper article-Vancouver Sun, Saturday, May 25, 2013 Weekend Review, Breaking News: Sylvia's Century (John Mackie, Vancouver Sun);
***
Virginia creeper (the green vegetation) decorates the exterior of the Sylvia Hotel
 |
| The Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver, by DG Hudson |
Located at 1154 Gilford Street facing English Bay, the location of The Sylvia is convenient to walking/biking paths, a downtown beach, and benches for people-watching. Nearby Denman Street which leads directly to English Bay has many cafes and interesting shops.
***
A street view from Beach Avenue
 |
| The Sylvia Hotel, English Bay, Vancouver, by DG Hudson |
***
At the right place, at the right time
On July 25th, we were at English Bay to photograph the Sylvia Hotel. Afterwards, daughter #1 spotted Justin Trudeau, a young Canadian politician and son of Pierre Elliott Trudeau. By checking his Twitter feed, we had confirmation, he was in town and at English Bay. Just a beach stroll . . .
 |
| Vancouver Seawall at English Bay, by DG Hudson |
***
Ever been to a hotel like The Sylvia? Do you like a city beach? Are there any in your area?
Have you ever walked, biked or ran the Stanley Park Seawall in Vancouver?
Please share in the comments and thanks for stopping by.
***
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Bay_(Vancouver) English Bay, Vancouver
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol_Flynn Errol Flynn
http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/archives_flynn.htm Vancouver Archives and Errol Flynn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Hotel The Sylvia Hotel
***
