Hear This...anyone?
 

We're 3 families traveling to Vancouver on the last week in June. We're in need of three rooms with 2Q's as 2 of the families have young children. I have been trying to find something in downtown for under 120usd. Have you heard of Robsonstrasse Hotel? What are some of the neighborhoods to avoid. Have to keep our kids safe.

Try the Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson, big rooms at moderate prices. Have not stayed at Robinstrasse.<BR>A.M.

First of all - anywhere on the downtown Peninsula west and south of Gastown and Chinatown is 'safe' although because it is the most densly populated area in North America outside of New York City it is also full of all types of people and characters - some of whom are lowlives.<BR><BR>For $120US or about $190CAN you should be able to choose among all but the best Hotels. I reccomend that you try priceline for the best rates. The Blue Horizen is good and is well located for shopping but with young children perhaps you want to be closer to Stanley Park and the Beaches. Downtown and the West End is really not very big and even without a car most places are no more than a half hours leisurely walk from the Downtown core. <BR><BR>By the way - I've heard of the Robsenstrasse hotel but don't know much about it. As i said - for $190 you can choose from a number of good quality hotels, especially using priceline.com.

Thanks AM and Gary. Unfortunately, the Blue Horizon have no rooms available during the course of my stay. I'm currently looking into Parkhill and Plaza 500. The tips are great and I'll check priceline.<BR>

The Parkhill is fine for a downtown location. Not as central as the Blue Horizon but still ggod for the Beaches and Granville Island and the West End.<BR><BR>The Plaza 500 is outside of the downtown area and unless you are prepared to drive or use public transit to get to most if not all major attractions it will not be a good choice. Both of those hotels are of the same quality and vintage, (early 70's), though but definately I would choose the Parkhill from a tourist perspective.

Have you checked out the Granville Island Hotel? It's a great place for kids (lots of things for them to do nearby) - not sure of the rates, though. Maybe one of the discount sites could get you a good rate for what you need.

If the Blue Horizon is full then try the Pacific Palisades next door. They have very nice suites, many with kitchens. I think this area is perfect for walking to Stanley Park and the aquarium, the beach (English Bay),the bay shuttle to Granville Island, the harbour, shopping etc. I suggest taking the kids to an IMAX movie on a rainy day, to the Bread Garden for breakfast and to Earls for lunch and/or supper, all within walking distance of Robson Street.

Gary, although the Plaza 500 may be of 1970's vintage, it has been completely renovated recently and is very nice. I'm not sure when you were most recently there, but even the lobby area is very upscale now. I regularly recommend it to business colleagues coming into Vancouver and all have really enjoyed it.

Sharon, if you plan to use Priceline, I highly recommend that you look at www.biddingfortravel.com first. It is a site that gives great advice on how to use Priceline. You'll also see what others have paid for rooms in Vancouver and which hotels they have received.

Todd I didn't intend to knock the Plaza 500 because it is a fairly nice 3 star hotel. what I was saying is that from a tourist point of view it's not really well located. If one has business with the City or Vancouver General Hospital or has relatives in the area it is a great location but not for someone like Sharon and her group.

Thanks to everyone who responded. We've picked up a lot of useful informaiton and tips from you and look forward to visiting vancouver.

We stayed at The Slyvia Hotel on English Bay a couple of years ago 110$can. and 2 blocks from Stanley park and across the street from the beach.Great restaurant patio too.Loved it!Very safe

thanks steve. The Sylvia hotel must be a good hotel since there are absolutely no vacancies. We're be in Vancouver during the peak season so rates are fairly high. It seems that $120usd can get you oly a 1q room. My mistake is not booking sooner.