Vancouver with Devon Brooks — The Remarkable Explorers Club

The Layover

Serial entrepreneur Devon Brooks is a busy woman. After co-founding Blo Blow Dry Bar in her early twenties, a precursor of DryBar and a fast success, she spent several years jetting across Canada for speaking engagements and coaching commitments. She quickly learned the value of thoughtful coaching, both from building a company and then helping others improve theirs. Her newest venture Sphere aims to bring this invaluable resource to the masses. The app she has developed with her team brings together seekers and guides across areas of desired expertise from work to life and health.

We asked the powerhouse for some much needed guidance ourselves. What should we do with 24 hours in her hometown of Vancouver?

WHICH HOTEL WOULD YOU CHOOSE FOR A QUICK STAY?

I would pick the Fairmont Pacific Rim because it’s right on the water, which is the best thing about the west coast.

*Photos (L-R): Aditya Chinchure // Fairmont Pacific Rim*

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO FOR A WALK AND TAKE IN THE VIEWS?

I’d walk from Gastown to Stanley Park, then over to English Bay to watch all the sailboats and the wind, and try to count the freighters that have come in from overseas with my kids.

*Photos (L-R): Daniel Baylis // The Bialons*

What’s an absolute must see?

One of the most extraordinary things about Vancouver that you don’t get in many other places in the world is your proximity to the ocean and the mountains. It’s as though the mountains jut right out of the sea and the city center is at the base of it all. It’s pretty amazing. There are a lot of cities that have mountainous ranges and water but you don’t have them in such close proximity, where you can be at the edge of one and the base of another at once.

*Photos (L-R): Alejandro Luengo // Brianna Turner // Mado El Khouly*

Where are we going to shop?

My favorite shop is Litchfield in Gastown. My friend has the most extraordinary taste and can always find that perfect balance between form and function, from the most quintessential throw to the backpack you’ve looked everywhere for.

Where are you and your husband going OUT for some fun?

One of the best things about the Fairmont is we could just jump in the elevator and hit the ground floor and there would be a super hip pianist playing right in the lobby by a fireplace surrounded by the wall-to-wall glass and gorgeous high ceilings. The music is awesome and the vibe is great, there’s a pulse but it’s also chill.

We would probably go to eat at this new spot called Kissa Tanto in Gastown. It’s Japanese Italian fusion, which sounds crazy but really works.

Who has the best cocktails?

I love margaritas, so I would probably march over to Tacofino and have a traditional, shaken lime margarita with a salted rim.

Where are you going to go for a family meal?

Our favorite family meal is dim sum at Kirin on Alberni.

*Photos (L-R): Jason Leung // @decembersunshine_ // @foodie1019*

If you are only in Vancouver for one afternoon, where do we head first?

If you only get to go to Vancouver once and you don’t grab an amazing coffee from one of the thousands of rockstar places and walk the sea wall, then I don’t even know why you're in town.

What’s your number one travel tip:

Always work upgrading to the premium economy at the very least, and I never eat a salad before I travel. I also always over hydrate and bring gel packs and vitamin c to put in my water so I don’t get sick.