The suite looked on the interior exactly as Alexander described. However, getting into the suite was an experience like no other.
1. No parking; as we tried to unload our vehicle, we were met with a parking ticket and a tow truck and had to pay 110.00 to deal with that. Then daily parking fees, because we had an SUV, it didn't fit in the public parking parkade (due to height) two blocks away. So, we were required to use street parking. Every two-four hours, we had to move the vehicle and feed the meter.
2. A place to feed the homeless was across the street, so you had those coming from two blocks over (Hastings Street) to get food. The homeless shelter resulted in a significant amount of daily human traffic, as early as 6 a.m., and those people were struggling with addiction, mental health.
3. Directly across the street (a yellow building), as noted on the advertisement, of some supportive living, two or three individuals continually up, one sitting outside on the ledge of his window talking and yelling at no one, day and night.
4. When you get to the building, it has 26 (narrow) steps to get to the second floor and about that many more steps through 4 doors to the elevator.
5. Supplies were lacking; we had to buy some toiletries that are typically supplied with AirBnB's.
6. After we booked, we received a more specific notification that we could use the rooftop but not the BBQ.
7. When taking downstairs or walking out the back door, people were laying in the alley, injecting themselves with drugs. Human feces was seen daily around the building, including the front door. Used needles were lying on the ground. We suspect City workers addressed the feces and needles later in the morning, but nonetheless, that was the daily experience for us.
8. No air conditioner. Three large windows, with no screens so flies came in, along with two large fans.
Again, the suite looked like the picture. The view out the window allowed you to see some lights and the shipping harbour in the distance, which was nice. What you get, which is fine if you want it, is a very expensive front-row seat to homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health that the City of Vancouver is battling. Our suggestion, enjoy the beauty of Vancouver away from Gastown and go to Gastown, which isn't that outstanding, for a couple of hours to visit.