History of Days Inn Vancouver Downtown

Here’s a look back at the history of the Days Inn Vancouver Downtown formerly known as The Abbotsford Hotel & Café.
The Abbotsford first opened it’s doors in 1918, it was the tallest 9 storey building in Downtown Vancouver during that period. The hotel also had the Bombay Bicycle Club-an English Style Pub with a Separate entrance for Ladies & Escorts and the Cedar Room Restaurant located in the lower lobby.

In the olden days, the guestrooms did not have individual bathrooms rather; a single bathroom was located at the end
of the hall for all guests to share from that particular floor however all of that changed in the 50’s. The hotel was redesigned so that each room would have it’s own bathroom.

Today, as you make your way into the hotel, you'll still find some fine kept antiques. Starting with the magnificent original glass insignia wall in the lobby with initials “AH” for Abbotsford Hotel. As you walk up the stairs to the second floor, you’ll come across a well-preserved “Hall Safe & Lock Co.” Safe.

The Bombay Bicycle Club, now the fully renovated Smiley O’Neal’s Whiskey Pub still holds history; as you enter you will notice the high ceiling, which has been lowered 3 times already and holds a beautiful original Scottish Brass Chandelier from 1898. There are also brass lamps all around the authentic oak wood walls that were at one time lit with oil. Laying behind the bar, a unique tile floor from the 20’s.

Pictures are worth a thousand words so I’ve attached, a picture of the hotel that was taken in 1920, a brochure and menu from the early 1950’s.