Fifty Shades of Vancouver: A Fan Favourites Tour

It all began at 2 West Cordova Street, the “Portland” coffeehouse where our hero and heroine meet for their first date. Back when the film was shot, the venue was Rainier Provisions; recently, the café was replaced by Di Beppe, an Italian restaurant and caffè serving traditional roman pastas and Naples-inspired pizza.

If you venture east to 110 E Cordova Street, make sure you snap a selfie outside the HQ of “Seattle Independent Publishing” where Anastasia works, fights off her boss and spends far too much time texting her boyfriend.

Walk down Columbia Street towards Powell and you can see where Ana lives at Number 120. Tip: Do not be like Christian or Leila-the-ex-submissive here, and break in.

Along Powell Street, pause to pay homage to the spot where Ana first fell into Grey’s arms after almost being knocked over by a cyclist at the Gassy Jack statue. The statue presides over Maple Tree Square in the heart of Gastown, and is surrounded by some of the city’s top eateries. If you’re hungry, treat yourself to a decadent French-inspired dinner at edgy L'Abattoir, or indulge in a cocktail or craft beer at 6 Acres. Also: please do not fling yourself into traffic hoping to score a passing moody multimillionaire; lightning doesn’t strike twice.

At the corner of Water street and Cambie street is where you'll find the Water St. Cafe, where Christian persuaded Ana to go for dinner and re-negotiate their sultry contract. During filming, the famously photogenic Gastown Steamclock was set to 7.30 for the entire night – which caused major confusion for passersby that evening.

Of course, Anastasia and Christian do sometimes leave Gastown, doling out all that punishment and working a constantly brooding attitude takes stamina. Christian builds his by pounding the pavements on a gruelling yet scenic run.

Follow in his footsteps as seen in the first scenes of Fifty Shades of Grey around the gloriously scenic Seawall, the gem of Vancouver’s healthy living crown. Set off from near the Westin Bayshore Hotel to exactly recreate Grey’s exercise regimen; you can either take a 9km loop around Stanley Park under the Lions Gate Bridge and past the sprawling beaches of English Bay, or push through the pain barrier and go the whole 22km past artsy culinary hub Granville Island and ending at Kitsilano Beach (frequently cited as one of the world’s best urban beaches).

Heading into Stanley Park from the Coal Harbour side, you’ll pass Vancouver Rowing Club, which is where Christian’s boat Grace was docked—in real life, it’s a 125-foot luxury yacht named Kaori.

Back downtown again, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver doubled up as the Heathman Hotel in the 50 Shades movies; the property’s British Columbia Ballroom also hosted Christian’s photo shoot for Ana’s college magazine.

Strike a pose outside, or splurge on the hotel’s “Mr. Grey Package”, which features accommodation in the decadent wood-panelled Lieutenant Governor’s Suite featured in the movie along with a custom Chantilly lace eye mask; a bottle of Dom Perignon; chocolate-dipped strawberries; and a private shopping experience at Christine Lingerie complete with BMW car transfers. BYO rope, tie and tape.

Put the finishing touches to your day and book an appointment at Suki’s Hair Salon, across the bridge on trendy shopping strip South Granville; the swanky spot designed by star architect Arthur Erickson bought into service as Esclava, the salon Christian and Elena (aka the original dominatrix Mrs Robinson) co-owned.