Hey Vancouver, Moda Hotel is proud to announce it has just received Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award 2012 for being one of the Trendiest Hotels around! Click here to view the full list. 

It’s that time of year when everyone looks for that special, just right, something to do on New Year’s Eve. Well, have we got some ideas for you! Light it up this New Years with ideas for all budgets and party goers: from the gala girl on the Harbour Cruise, to the festive family venturing up to Whistler for a special night! We’ve got something here for everyone, so from us to you – have a fabulous New Year’s enjoying one of our ‘just right’ ideas.

Harbour Cruise– December 31st, 2011 “Ring in 2012 in grand style aboard the Pride of Vancouver with luxurious modern facilities, first class food, wait-staff bar service and quality wine list. Your cruise includes our gourmet buffet, entertainment and dancing all in the true cruise ship tradition. From the romance of the sea, Vancouver’s spectacular skyline, the lights at night and a midnight fireworks show, it’s the only way to celebrate New Year’s!”  – clubzone.com Information: Boarding at 8pm, returning at 1am Tickets: $150 + tax at club zone tickets

First Night, Whistler- December 31, 2011 “Whistler’s First Night is a family-friendly, no alcohol New Year’s Eve celebration that takes over Whistler’s pedestrian only Village Stroll and the TELUS Conference Center. Say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new at this evening of family entertainment and celebration. Enjoy local arts, entertainment, and family-friendly activities at indoor and outdoor venues throughout Whistler Village from 7 PM to 11 PM. Between 11 PM and midnight, ring in the New Year with free outdoor entertainment in the Village Square and a fireworks display. Tickets are required for special indoor events and skating at Whistler Olympic Plaza.” — whistlerfirstnight.com Tickets will be available at the Whistler Visitor Centre.

The Rockin’ Block At 900 Seymour! For the Canucks fan looking to catch the game and get the best for their buck, or the wine connoisseur who wants to taste their way through the night, sparing no expense – the rockin’ block at 900 Seymour Street has two New Years Eve bashes planned that you just won’t want to miss!

You CAN – Red Card New Year’s Party 2012 A party in support of the Canucks Autism Network – www.canucksautism.ca Red Card Sports Bar + Eatery features over 40 beers from around the globe, including Asian bottled brands, American microbreweries and traditional sports-related favourites, so you’re sure never to go thirsty. Accompanied by an eclectic cocktail menu and hand-picked wine list with by the glass and celebratory selections, Red Card has revolutionized the Vancouver bar industry with its unique concept and immaculate execution. Now Red Card is set to revolutionize your New Years! This year they are bringing you a New Year’s Eve Celebration in support of CAN – the Canucks Autism Network. It will combine your love of hockey with a rocking great time. Start your evening off by watching your Vancouver Canucks versus the Los Angeles Kings and move into the New Year dancing to the awesome DJ’s of Sundae Sounds.  Evening Includes: • Vancouver vs. Los Angeles @ 7PM • Two DJ’s, Dance Floor & Entertainment • Midnight Pizza Buffet* • Glass of Bubbly at Midnight • Party Favours & Midnight Countdown There will also be: • A Raffle and 50/50 Draw • Signed Vancouver Hockey Merchandise • A Team Signed Jersey • A Grand Prize – Two Hockey Tickets, a Night at Moda Hotel & a $50 Red Card gift card* • Guest Host Courtney Vye of Hockey Talk with Courtney – www.hockeytalkwithcourtney.net Information: Tickets available at Red Card or online at Clubvibes.com $30 General Admission $500 VIP Booth *Kitchen open until midnight with special New Year’s features and regular menu.

Celebrate 2012 with Cibo Executive Chef Neil Taylor and General Manager David Fert of Cibo Trattoria want to send you into 2012 with a memorable New Year’s menu and experience you won’t soon forget. An early and late seating are available and include: complimentary bubbles upon arrival, party favours, and of course the midnight countdown. Tickets: Deluxe – $115/person Includes New Year’s Menu, 1 glass of Grave di Stecca 2008 Nino Franco Prosecco and a ½ bottle of Cuvee 900 Seymour wine. Premium – $195/person Includes New Year’s Menu, 1 glass of Dom Perignon and a ½ bottle of Angelo Gaja Brunello 2006 wine. Menu available on Facebook or at www.cibotrattoria.com Tickets available at Cibo Trattoria – 604-602-9570, davidf@cibotrattoria.ca

One of our best kept secrets will be a secret no longer! — As a Moda Hotel guest there are a lot more perks during your stay than just a comfortable, relaxing get-away in our chic boutique hotel. If your travels bring you to our welcoming doorstep you will have the opportunity to spoil yourselves and save at Pink Lime Salon, Uva Wine Bar, and Red Card Sports Bar.

Pink Lime is in the business of making you look and feel good. Get a little spring in your step with any number of their salon and spa services or get the works with one of their supreme salon or spa packages. Pink Lime has been featured in magazines like Vancouver Lifestyle, Flare, Dream House Magazine, CBC Fashion Magazine, and Vancouver Magazine as the top salon and spa! Don’t miss your chance to get the royal treatment at a great price because Pink Lime Salon is offering our guests 20% off any of their salon or spa services.

Uva Wine Bar — Espresso Bar by day, located just off the Moda lobby. Cozy up and enjoy a rich Italian blend dark coffee, cappuccino, espresso, latte or mocha at their warm, modern, contemporary espresso bar. Pair your relaxing morning coffee with your delicious breakfast favourite made fresh at Uva with local, organic ingredients. For those “just 5 more minutes” people, you can sip away your afternoon wake-up call with Uva’s flavourful lunch menu instead. With mouth-watering entrees that change every day to incorporate the best seasonal ingredients you’re sure to get a mouthful of the freshest flavours of the day. Enjoy what Uva has to offer as a Moda Hotel guest and receive 15% off your food until 2pm.

But, it doesn’t stop there! Red Card Sports Bar is so much more than just a sports bar. With 18 big screen HD TVs, Red Card boasts itself as one of the best places in Vancouver to watch a game, and we have to say – it’s true. With its sassy marketing, “The best place to watch a game, especially if your in-laws are in town” this cheeky Sports Bar is a fun place to hang out and grab a bite with your friends. When every night is a special night, you can’t go wrong spending your evening there, especially when Red Card is serving up a 15% discount on their food for our guests too!

At Moda we like to spoil our guests. Now you just have to be one.

Perks only available during your stay.

The heading of this blog entry resonates strongly with us at the Vancouver Moda Hotel. One of the defining characteristics of this Vancouver boutique hotel is its landmark tie to Vancouver’s history.

If you have read our History page, you know that the Vancouver Moda Hotel was formerly known as the Dufferin Hotel, built in 1908 and named after the Governor General of Canada, Lord Dufferin. It was designed by famed, local architects, Parr and Fee, whose other noteworthy buildings include The Manhattan Block, and Hotel Europe in Gastown. During its 100 years of existence, it had fallen into some disrepair and had lost its luster and life.

One of our key goals when we purchased the property was to breathe life back into this wonderful, ‘old soul’ of a building to be shared, appreciated and enjoyed by all. As part of this endeavour, there was a tricky balance of modernizing the property with all the conveniences that present travelers require, but maintaining the character that defines the building. We freshened up the outside of the building with a new coat of paint, but kept its beautiful original brick façade and cornice detail. We exposed original hard wood, terrazzo and tile floors and wood beams wherever possible; we kept rooms sizes and layouts pretty much as we found them; and brought ceiling back to their original heights. Interiors were modernized, and given a contemporary feel that today’s travelers seek out.

The end result, we believe is a hotel that has its own character, style and personality. The building has its minor quirks – remember it is over 100 years old – but we love them! And if you value ‘character’, we are sure you will too!

Although the weather lately would beg to differ, SUMMER IS NOT OVER! We’ve created a list below of great events in vancouver and attractions around town to attend. Enjoy!

April 30 – September 25 – Playland at the PNE

Playland offers rides to excite every fairgoer from the most timid children to the most extreme thrillseeker. The midway games offer a different kind of fun and so do the amazing variety of food venues! For those who do like a wild ride, check out this year’s new ride, ATMOSFEAR!

www.pne.ca

May 20 – September 11 – Chinatown Night Market

No need to travel to Richmond, the street market in one of North America’s largest Chinatowns awaits you with booths of different merchandises on sale including artistic crafts, creative gifts & decors, modern electronics, fashionable clothes, popular music CD’s, VCD’s, DVD’s, delicious snacks & ethnic food. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from 6:30pm to 11:00pm @ Keefer Street/Main Street.

www.vcma.shawbiz.ca/home_e.htm

June 1 – October 5 – Main Street Station Farmers’ Market

Located at the bustling commuter intersection at Main and Terminal, this market is exceptional at this central location, offering a great selection of everything from produce, to meat and cheese, baked goods, flowers, ready-to-eat delights, chef demonstrations and more! Find the market vendors lined up along the sidewalk on Station Street. Every Wednesday from 3pm – 7pm.

www.bcfarmersmarket.org

June 2 – September 24 – Bard On The Beach 2011 – 21st Anniversary Season

Bard on the Beach professional Shakespeare Festival brings to life the magic of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy AS YOU LIKE IT, the classic drama THE MERCANG OF VENICE, the triligoy of Henry VI blended into a single play, HENRY VI: THE WARS OF THE ROSES, and RICAHRD III. The Festival site is located on the waterfront in Vancouver’s Vanier Park, adjacent to the downtown core. Staged in two open-air performance tents, the productions are set against a spectacular natural backdrop of mountains, sea and city skyline.

For schedule and ticket information visit www.bardonthebeach.org

June 4 – October 22 – West End Farmers’ Market

Located in the heart of Vancouver’s busy West End on the 1100 Block of Comox Street between Bute and Thurlow, the West End Farmers Market looks onto beautiful newly renovated Nelson Park and community gardens. Weekly, West Enders can enjoy the best in local produce, prepared foods and crafts. Hot food and coffee on-site as well. Every Saturday from 9am – 2pm.

www.bcfarmersmarket.org

June 4 – September 18 – Robson Square Artisan Market

Visit the Robson Square Artisan Market for Art, Crafts, Jewelry, Gifts and more. FREE LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT every weekend – see the schedule on their website of amazing performances & come enjoy a show in the sun with a latte & healthy snack from the concession! Saturdays & Sundays from 10am – 3pm.

www.robsonsquaremarket.com

July 4 – August 26 – CBC Musical Nooners: 40 Free Outdoor Concerts in 40 Days

CBC Vancouver’s Musical Nooners offer an amazing FREE concert on their outdoor stage from noon to 1 pm everyday! Listen to some of the West Coast’s favourite local and even international artists. From blues legends Jim Byrnes & Colin Linden to Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Greg Sczebel to the New Pornographers’ Kathyrn Calder. Just grab your lunch and head down to the outdoor stage at 700 Hamilton Street.

www.cbc.ca/bc/community/blog/2011/07/cbcs-musical-nooners-40-free-outdoor-concerts-in-40-days.html

July 8 – August 20 – THEATRE UNDER THE STARS present BYE BYE BIRDIE AND ANYTHING GOES

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) presents its 65th season with two award-winning family musicals under the stars at Malkin Bowl in beautiful Stanley Park! This season, watch Bye Bye Birdie, a hilarious musical about an Elvis-like rock star named Conrad Birdie set in the 1960’s. Also showing is Anything Goes, a romantic comedy about an unusual group of passengers sailing from New York to England on the S.S. American.

To see the schedule and reserve your seat, visit www.tuts.ca

July 10 – August 28 – Sunday Afternoon Salsa at Robson Square

Sunday Afternoon Salsa at Robson Square is a series of FREE, outdoor salsa dances held at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver. The dances are open to everyone and you are welcome even if you’ve never danced a day in your life. Try the free lessons at 3pm, watch the performances at 5pm, or just check out the social dancing throughout the afternoon and see how much fun it is! Event is every Sunday afternoon in July and August!

www.sundayafternoonsalsa.com

July 10 – August 28 – All Over the Map

All Over the Map brings you the best in free, outdoor cultural events in Vancouver. Experience exhilarating local dance and music with roots from all around the globe. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes – these lively, all-ages performances have been known to get the crowd moving! Sundays, 2pm performances, Ron Basford Park, Granville Island (Excluding July 31).

www.newworks.ca

July 23 – July 24 – Caribbean Days

The Caribbean Days Festival is a family event full of exuberant fun-lovers parading, dining and dancing in the sunshine in North Vancouver’s Waterfront Park at Lonsdale Quay. Enjoy a weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival & culture as only the Caribbean can offer.

www.caribbeandays.ca

July 30 – August 6 – Celebration of Light

Vancouver’s summer signature event – the city’s annual free musical fireworks festival is a competition held over four evenings at English Bay. The 2011 event is scheduled for July 30, August 3, and August 6 with Performances by China, Spain, and Canada respectively.

http://www.celebration-of-light.com/

Aug 5 – August 14 – MusicFest Vancouver

Concert venues throughout Vancouver play host to unforgettable musical experiences that bring enthusiastic and adventurous music lovers together with some of the most talented artists in the world playing classical, jazz and world music. Ten days, over 40 concerts and events, and diverse musical repertoire that spans both the centuries and the planet: MusicFest Vancouver offers you a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the broadest range of live music performed with passion, skill and creativity.

Details at www.musicfestvancouver.ca. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Hope you enjoy these Events in Vancouver! If you are planning on staying in the city, be sure to check out our great specials at https://search.iqrez.com/specials/themodavancouverhotel/ . Summer only comes once a year so don’t miss out!