Couples Night Out with Nira Arora

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, our Civic team has been thinking about ways to connect with your special someone. We caught up with Surrey resident and 94.5 Virgin Radio radio personality, Nira Arora, to chat about all things Surrey and her recent couples experience at Civic Hotel, Central City Brewers & Distillers, and Dominion Bar + Kitchen.

Nira has been working in broadcasting for the last 20 years and has her finger on the pulse in the greater Vancouver area. She joined us at Civic Hotel with her hubby to enjoy a much-needed couples night out – without the kids! Get to know more about Nira and her recent hotel experience.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My parents immigrated from India to Canada and raised our family on Vancouver Island. I moved to Vancouver to pursue a career in the media and have hosted a morning radio show for many, many years. I’m married to my hubby Garry and we have 3 little kids – two boys and a girl who are 8, 6 and 2. In my spare time, I love reading, scary movies, and talking about real-life stuff.

What are some reasons you enjoy living in Surrey?

When I grew up in Nanaimo, the area had such a strong sense of community. I wanted my kids to have the same experience that I had growing up, so our family settled in South Surrey. We know our neighbours, have our favourite restaurants and go-to hot spots like Crescent Beach and local parks. My favourite part about the area is that we’re close enough to everything… yet far enough away from everything at the same time. It is a perfect community to raise our family.

Between your three children and your role at the radio station, you must have a busy life! How do you keep things fresh in your relationship with Garry? 

My life is constantly busy and on-the-go! We are always playing catch-up between all the kid’s activities and our social life with friends and family. It’s really hard to find solo time with Garry and I. The one thing I do is call him every single day when I get off work. Even if the conversation is just to touch base, it’s our moment to connect. It is the only time we can communicate without some form of interruption from one of the kids! #MomLife… but still wouldn’t trade it for anything 😉 

Is there a piece of relationship advice you can share with our online viewers? 

Relationships are super tricky, so keep in mind it’s never easy! It’s totally normal to have days where you may not jive, even though you love each other. Don’t be hard on yourselves – maintaining a relationship is hard work. As long as you remember that, you’ll be alright.

What did your Couples Night Out experience in Surrey City Centre include? 

We checked in and dropped off our bags at Civic Hotel before heading to Central City Brewers & Distillers, only an 8-min drive from the hotel. I didn’t know they made gin – let alone award-winning gin! Their gin infused with Rocky Mountain Berries, it was so delicious in a cocktail. We also tried this amazing orange liquor called Peeled – it was fabulous. We toured through the brewery, learned about the different types of malts and flavours, then sampled some of Central City Brewers’ craft beer. Afterward, we went to Civic Hotel’s signature restaurant, Dominion Bar + Kitchen, located in the hotel lobby for dinner. Each course had a wine or cocktail pairing with a New Canadian dish. After a long night, we went back upstairs to our guest room to catch some zzz’s. For breakfast, we checked out Civic Hotel’s buffet breakfast. They had everything from fresh smoothies, to fresh fruit and eggs, and bagels, fresh smoked salmon and cream cheese. And of course, we indulged in a pastry or two with our coffees. 

What were some of your favourite features of your recent stay at the Civic Hotel?

Definitely the staff! The Civic Hotel team was so friendly and welcoming. I also enjoyed the design concept throughout the hotel. Each hotel floor represents a different region in British Columbia and each hotel room features a specific city or town. I loved all of the local art and photography. The hotel feels trendy with a major west coast feel. Another highlight is how close it is to the Surrey Central SkyTrain! It is super convenient to get around car-free.

What was your favourite dish at Dominion Bar + Kitchen? Was there a certain aspect of the restaurant you enjoyed? 

Dominion Bar + Kitchen’s garlic prawns were to die for. Forewarning, you will be scraping up every inch of the sauce with your crostini. There is a super casual and social vibe to the restaurant. I was digging the ambiance… but I know my husband’s favourite part was the sports screens! Our server introduced us to some new dessert martinis she had been working on – the Lemon Tart Cocktail and Mocha Martini. Both were delicious.

How do you feel about the transformation of Surrey City Centre? 

I am so impressed by the transformation of Surrey City Centre. This area is so monumental to the community. I’ve always had such great experiences with the City of Surrey, and it was neat to see how innovative the new building is in Civic Plaza, right beside Civic Hotel. Surrey is the largest city in the lower mainland and the most diverse. It makes me proud to see the change and growth of the community. I highly recommend venturing out to experience the area for yourself!

Thank you for staying with us Nira! We look forward to seeing you the next time you have a well-deserved staycation. 

Nira is hosting a Couples Night Out giveaway contest on her on Instagram @NiraArora! The hotel package includes a one night stay for two at Civic Hotel, self-parking, a celebratory bottle of BC bubbly, and a $100 gift certificate to Dominion Bar + Kitchen for dinner, brunch, or lunch. The contest ends on 25 January 2020. Room reservation is subject to availability. 

Check out our social media channels @WeAreCivicHotel on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and our Couples Night Out hotel package to book your own romantic evening.