Insider Itinerary: Romantic Getaway

Sleep in! Have a relaxing start by either heading over to the Nespresso machine in your room, or nipping downstairs to Elysian Coffee to grab a couple cups of the good stuff – along with a few pastries to bring back up to the room – and ease gently into the day.

Perhaps it’s time for some culinary bonding. There are always fun cooking classes going on at Gourmet Warehouse on East Hastings. Local and visiting chefs demonstrate all sorts of global cuisines, and there are even classes specially designed for couples. Treat yourselves to events like Introduction to Pastry, with the Great Canadian Baking Show’s Andrei Godoroja. From savoury galettes with leek, potato, and goat cheese, to fresh fruit tarts with chocolate ganache, indulgence is guaranteed.

Now that you’ve got your hands dirty and are nice and sated, how does a spa afternoon sound? Miraj Hammam Spa, just over the Granville Street Bridge, offers a taste of the Middle East with their couples packages. After moving from their low mist and high-intensity steam chambers, you’ll both be exfoliated with Moroccan black soap while laying atop gold marble, then it’s off to get a massage. After that, the two of you can nestle in the Sultana Lounge for tea and biscuits while lazing on velvet cushions.

After heading back to the hotel, a leisurely walk along the Seawall is always quite charming, and you’ll likely find yourself in prime position to catch the sun setting at the aptly-named Sunset Beach Park.

Soon enough, those hunger pangs will start hitting you again, and a stroll back up the hill to Robson Street will find you tucking into the warmth of CinCin Ristorante, ready to experience plenty of delicious fare coming from the wood-fired kitchen. Order one of their incredible house-made cocktails before taking a deep-dive into the Italian-heavy wine list  while the savvy and welcoming staff guide your experience. (Their Alberta lamb rack cooked over fire served alongside rapini with soffritto, grilled polenta and salsa verde certainly makes our hearts flutter.)