August 19th, 2010 
Lessons from the Land and Culture
This recent article (Lessons From the Land and Sea) by the Sierra Club of BC (Accent Inns is a supporter) really touches on several areas of interest or connection for those of us that live and work in B.C. This caught my attention as an Accent Inns team member because we are proud to work with so many of the local first nations bands around BC, support groups like the Sierra club of BC in their efforts to protect our local environment and the fact that Eco-tourism is an important part of our economy, makes this article by the Sierra club well worth the read. I encourage you to create your own conclusions but here's a few thoughts
By John Espley | Posted in Community, Travel | No Comments »
August 13th, 2010 
UBC welcomes Toronto Raptors to the War Memorial Gym
UBC Thunderbirds basketball has an incredibly exciting announcement. The Toronto Raptors are holding a training camp at the UBC War Memorial Gym! It has been announced that the Toronto Raptors will be holding their training camp at the UBC facility from October 2-5. There will be a chance for the public to see the Raptors in action during an intrasquad game. More about the Toronto Raptors coming to UBC
By John Espley | Posted in Sports | No Comments »
August 6th, 2010 
Important Road Construction Information
Important Travelers Tip: If you’re travelling to or from the BC Ferry terminal at Swartz Bay or the Victoria International Airport
Thanks to the Saanich peninsula Chamber of Commerce for circulating this update.
McTavish Interchange Project – Notice of Highway 17 Lane Reductions and Total Closures during August
Construction crews will install bridge girders for the new interchange on the Pat Bay Highway (Highway 17) at McTavish Road this month. For the safety and convenience of the travelling public, this work will require the following night-time closures.
Click here to see the schedule and links for further updates
By John Espley | Posted in Travel | No Comments »
August 6th, 2010 
Alex Fraser, son of Julia Fraser, wins silver at the BC summer Games
This July Alex Fraser, son of the famous Julia Fraser (Regional Sales Manager for Accent Inns Kelowna and Kamloops) won a silver medal at the BC Summer Games in Langley. Alex played for the Thompson-Okanagan Team which finished 1st in their pool which earned them a semi-final game against Vancouver Island. In the semi-final game, they defeated Vancouver Island 8-7 (tough for Accent Inn Victoria staff routing for the Vancouver Island team). “It was a thrilling game and it was probably the best the Thompson-Okanagan Team has ever played”, said Julia Fraser, Regional Sales Manager and proud Mom. In the Championship Final for the Gold, they lost a heartbreaker to Fraser River/Delta 6-3 (a tough loss for our Accent Inn Vancouver Airport staff)
“Iron Man” Alex Fraser played all 5 games, pitched and played first base.
Alex Fraser pitching at the BC Summer games
“The BC Summer Games are one of the best local sporting events in the province and we are so proud and happy for Alex (and his mom)” Mandy Farmer, President and CEO Accent Inns. read more about the BC summer games and Accent Inns connection....
By John Espley | Posted in News, Sports | No Comments »
July 21st, 2010 testing
Vancouver airport hotel makes a good start for a cross canada motorcycle trip.jpg
Reconnecting with Canada Motorbike Film Series starts cross Canada road trip with a stay at Accent Inns
The Accent Inn Vancouver Airport hotel played host to Joe and Flora Lloyd recently to help them prepare for their three month cross Canada bike trip. Their ‘Reconnecting with Canada’ film series is coming to Canadian towns from BC to the Maritimes and all the way back by BMW.
Canadian filmmakers Joe and Flora Lloyd lived Down Under for eight years. After the successful launch of their Australian cross country film series, they are “Reconnecting with Canada” from a BMW motorcycle filming en route-covering 400 kilometres per day over three months and three coasts, and as much quality footage can be fit into two film series. Ambitious?
(...read more and see the video all about their cross Canada trip)
By Melinda Jolley | Posted in Travel | No Comments »
July 21st, 2010
Explore BC by taking a road trip
1) Go on a road trip with no plans at all. Don’t make one hotel reservation, green fee, or concrete plan… just wing it! Who knows where you will end up, the people you will meet, the places you will see?
2) Rent a jet ski. No expertise or experience needed, just hop on and throttle it! Best place to do this? Kelowna. Then go for drinks on an outdoor patio, bask in the sun, and take a leisurely walk back to the Kelowna Accent Inn, 10 minutes away. Ahhhh, summer!
Cool down and relax in the pool at the Accent Inn Kelowna hotel
3) Take a dinner cruise on BC Ferries. I’m not kidding! The buffet on a BC Ferry is actually quite stunning as you enjoy the view from your window table while the boat meanders through the Gulf Islands. They’ve also now got a new and much improved dessert buffet which has high quality desserts such as Florentines, caramels, cheesecakes, cupcakes and even more delectables that I didn’t have room for (don’t worry, I’ll go back). It’s actually affordable especially if you have children (they eat free 5 & under). And, the best part? I got a top notch manicure and pedicure in their spa!
4) Eat, eat and eat! You are allowed to eat anything on vacation, right? Diets go out the window, so take full advantage.
My highlights:
- A Rocky Mountain caramel apple dipped in white chocolate- oh my goodness. Perfect while strolling Government St. in Victoria and Robson Street in Vancouver. Hey, it’s an apple, what does the doctor say?
- Wannawafel in Market Square in Victoria or Café Medina in downtown Vancouver. You have never eaten such chewy, tasty treats dipped in luxurious toppings such as Belgian chocolate or vanilla ice cream. They are reason enough to go on vacation.
- Speaking of ice cream… Roger’s Chocolates just opened an old fashioned Soda Shoppe in downtown Victoria. Perfect for milkshakes, real Italian soda with syrup, waffle cones… all made with the finest of ingredients in the coolest of cool historic locations.
- The Pour House in Vancouver takes everyday staples such as mac and cheese, pork and beans, and turns them into gastronomic culinary achievements in a hip restaurant in the heart of Gastown in Vancouver. Lick your fork – there’s pie!
- Well, since we are speaking of pie, I must mention the fabulous pizza pie that Pizzeria Prima Strada serves up in Victoria. Have you read Eat, Pray, Love? The author travels to Italy and discovers REAL pizza which changes her life forever. This is the pizza that I’m talking about. It’ll change your life.
- Poutine. We are on a roll here! When can you justify eating this heavenly but extremely fattening Canadian delicacy, except while on vacation? Pink Bicycle in Victoria is a gourmet burger joint that serves up poutine with real cheese curds, a rosemary gravy and even a side of back bacon. Now we’re talking! And their burgers are darn good too (all ingredients are local and organic – it sure makes a difference).
5) And the last thing to do on vacation in BC? A good work out. Yeah, just even reading that list of sinful food adds a couple pounds. So pack your runners and go for a power walk or run along Victoria’s Dallas Road admiring the vista of the Olympic Mountains, the boat traffic in the Strait of Georgia and the never dull people watching. Run/walking around Stanley Park or the seawall in Vancouver isn’t too shabby either. And the best part is you can probably eat your waffle cone or caramel apple as you power walk on by!
Just remember, no matter where you spend your time there is a good chance a Accent Inns BC Hotel is nearby to be your home away from home.
By Mandy Farmer | Posted in Travel | No Comments »
