Trip Report - A socially distant (points) trip to the mountains
After 6 months, I’ve decided to return to safe, responsible domestic travel. In early March I started to be more hesitant to travel and by March 13th I was advocating against travel. As a blogger, I strive to give my honest opinion about any type of travel that I do, but from my couch, I was unable to cover the recent changes to travel. In June, I published a Return to Travel COVID-19 travel framework, which I’m now following. I’ve decided to fly to Vancouver and spend time on Vancouver Island and in Whistler, as these two destinations are focused on outdoor adventures.
As of take-off, both Toronto and British Colombia are in a good place with regards to COVID-19, with infections low and hospitalizations nearing early March levels. From entering the TTC in Toronto to getting to my hotel room, I wore a mask, thus minimizing the risk of spread during travel.
First review of wearing a mask on a plane - it’s really not that bad!
Miles and points allow me to physically distance as much as possible while travelling, as I will be flying on in Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner signature suite between Toronto and Vancouver. The experience was recently improved, so I should have a better experience than Alex did when he flew earlier in July. While at the airport, I’ll review the recently opened Toronto Pearson Maple Leaf Lounge in Terminal 1 before hopping on board. I will be comparing this review to my Ottawa Maple Leaf Lounge review and my previous Plaza Premium review.
After arriving in Vancouver, I’m staying at the Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport for a night to take advantage of cheap Marriott Bonvoy elite night after arriving on the evening flight.
After that, I’m spending two nights at the Marriott Pinnacle Vancouver as a base to explore Stanley Park and North Vancouver from.
Vancouver Marriott (Marriott)
After renting a car, I’ll be heading to Vancouver Island. Originally, I was only going to be staying for three nights in an Airbnb in Duncan, but Ferry scheduling meant that I added an extra night at the Best Western Northgate Inn.
After three nights on the island, I’m returning to the Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa to enjoy the mountains for a few days to finish my trip.
(Booking.com)
I’ll be returning home on Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner signature suite, although I more than likely won’t be reviewing my return trip. My goal is to cover this trip like a normal one, with COVID-19 specific information throughout the articles to help better inform your travel decisions. As always, shoot me an email or write a comment and let me know if you have any questions!
