5 hours in Vancouver international advice

[Canny man]

Currently in the deeply underwhelming Maple Leaf Lounge at YVR international.

5 hours til I board.
The lounge doesn't seem to have any showers or remotely interesting food/drink.

So;
Any suggestions for a meal
are there alternatives to the lounge opposite security?(assuming I can't use P1 to blog into the ba/Cathay lounge as I'm on air canada)
Anything entertaining to do?

 

[here2go]

Silence deafening. What's your experience?

 

[Canny man]

Pretty poor really.

The airport is nicely designed but very poor in it's retail offering. The usual brands are there but I'm not that interested in cosmetics and the same cough you can get anywhere.

The maple leaf lounge was well below par. Not even up to qf domestic j. In fact this is the first time in a long time that I've spent my waiting time outside in the main retail area. I was happier spending a few dollars in the cafe on an ok wine and some food.

I was over in Canada looking at a business opportunity. If I pursue it it would involve a lot of time traveling this route. I am now less inclined to continue on this path as a result of my airport experience. In other words, airlines and countries should realize that this stuff matters. What's the cost of having shower facilities versus the negative impression given by not having them.
I've just landed back in oz and will now enjoy the shower that air Canada couldn't provide.

 

[here2go]

Maybe check out WestJet next time. They do CS for CX, AA, and JL.

 

[GT351]

Pretty poor really.

In fact this is the first time in a long time that I've spent my waiting time outside in the main retail area. I was happier spending a few dollars in the cafe on an ok wine and some food.

Thats North America all over.

 

[Alanslegal]

I was over in Canada looking at a business opportunity. If I pursue it it would involve a lot of time traveling this route. I am now less inclined to continue on this path as a result of my airport experience. In other words, airlines and countries should realize that this stuff matters. What's the cost of having shower facilities versus the negative impression given by not having them.
I've just landed back in oz and will now enjoy the shower that air Canada couldn't provide.

So you forgo a potential business opportunity because got upset that you couldn't have a shower at the airport, nice one

 

[Maca44]

Probably too late now, and you are most likely home, but there is a nice little restaurant/bar called the Flying Beaver Bar and Grill, on Inglis Drive which is about a 10 minute cab ride from the main terminal. This is the float plane airport and on the water's edge on the southern side of the airport. Restaurant packed at lunch, but you can always get a snack and drink at the bar. Great atmosphere to spend a couple of hours, and with the majority of these float planes going to the island they call departing flights over the speaker like the main terminal.

 

[here2go]

I think Canny Man is saying they're not going through YVR - they'll pick another way to get to their final destination in Canada. However, as GT351 pointed out, most airports in North America are like this.

 

[Canny man]

So you forgo a potential business opportunity because got upset that you couldn't have a shower at the airport, nice one

Not quite, but it's part of the equation as to whether I would consider moving there to take up the opportunity. I like to think that decisions should be based on lifestyle factors as well.