There's nothing like spring in Vancouver. Flowers bloom, birds chirp, and trees burst into sharp palettes of color. It's a truly wonderful time to visit the city, so I always haul my family up from Seattle this time of year for a weekend away. This year, it seems like the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver read by mind, because they offer a deal throughout March that's too good to pass up for a guy traveling in Vancouver with kids.

The deal: reserve one room and get a second room at a 50% discount. Already a great bargain, the Fairmont has taken the extra step to gear the entire experience towards families. It was easy to get adjoining rooms (a feature that my children, inexplicably, were amazed by—they spent a good 30 minutes opening and closing the two doors in sheer delight), and the hotel staff was all prepared to entertain arriving children. While I was checking in with the desk-clerk, my kids were directed to the resident Fairmont dogs, Mavis and Beau, who hang out in the lobby greeting guests.

To the thrill of my kids (although not quite as much as the adjoining doors) they were allowed to take the two pooches for a walk around the hotel grounds while I looked after our baggage. I'm quite certain I'll now be hassled with "can we get a dog?" inquiries from now until the end of time, but I'm willing to accept this fate.

Our rooms were, as always, beautiful and luxurious. I've stayed at a few different Fairmont locations in the Vancouver area, and they never disappoint. I always find their beds to be especially comfortable, and while I'm unsure exactly what their bed trick is (Pillows? Thread-count on the sheets? Mattresses from the future?), I'm always glad to spend a night under their roof.

The rest of the weekend was packed with Vancouver family fun. We visited Jericho Park in the morning and walked along the beach, stopped in at the Museum of Vancouver for some culture, and finished the day with a visit to the Stanley Park Totem Poles. After diligently lecturing my kids on the names and history of the different poles, they immediately fashioned their own personalities for wooden figures, but I suspect the history I instilled upon them will linger in their minds.

It's worth noting that the other Fairmont hotels in the area, The Waterfront and the Pacific Rim, are also offering similar spring-time deals geared towards families if one of their other locations strikes your fancy.

As I was planning the trip, I also noticed Fairmont Empress will be doing some interesting things from their spot on Victoria Island during April. The entire month has been dubbed "Royal Month" in celebration of the upcoming Royal Wedding (I'm still waiting on my invitation), and the hotel's hosting events like a Royal Easter Brunch and Rise & Shine with the Royals English breakfast during the actual wedding (which will be broadcast live in the Empress Room).

The Royal Subjects Picnic & Tea struck on April 29th struck me as something my kids would enjoy—scones, mini sandwiches, and tea on the lawn might be almost as fun for them as adjoining rooms. There's a ferry from Port Angeles, making it easy to get to Victoria Island from Seattle, and I suspect the Fairmont Empress will be my next destination for a weekend trip with the family.