Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Hotel Information Vancouver

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Hotel Information Vancouver

We are planning a trip to Vancouver at the beginning of July. Need recommendation for hotel and location. We would prefer to stay under $150.00 per night. What location do you recommend that is central to sights. Are any of the B&B’s close to downtown area? Is parking available at most hotel locations. Thanks for any information. Rob in Atlanta

If you are talking US$150 then you will have no difficulty in finding rooms at all but the most deluxe hotels. The best location is of course on the downtown peninsula, the area between Stanley Park and Main Street, and within that there are a number of choices. The Central core area with hotels like the Hyatt, Fairmont Vancouver, Wedgewood, Crowne Plaza, etc. is best for access to shopping and as is implied is relatively close to all the other attractions like Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, the beaches,etc. The downside might be that unless you get rooms on high floors your views could be blocked by other buildings and in Vancouver the View is a very important consideration. The Harbourside/Canada Place area has a variety of hotels ranging from Days Inn, Delta Pinnacle, Ramada Renaissance, Fairmont Waterfront, etc. and most are a block or less from the beautiful Vancouver Harbour. They are within easy walking distance of Gastown, the Downtown Core and Stanley Park but a long walk from Granville Island, Yaletown and the beaches. Some of the Hotels are in the financial district which means that area is pretty quiet at night while the ones adjacent to Canada Place and Gastown are fairly lively. Another plus is that the Seabus to North Vancouver is close by and from there you can easily access the many attractions of the North Shore like Grouse Mountain or the Capilano or Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridges. The West End/Coal Harbour area is the most densely populated area of North America outside of Manhatten and has hotels like the Westin Bayshore, the Blue Horizen, the Empire Landmark, the Sands, the Sylvia as well as most of the B & B's in the downtown area. The shopping and dining places here are terrific and the proximity to the beaches and Stanley park as well as the amazing scenery of the area would be great for a first time visitor. The False Creek/Yaletown area is on the South side of Downtown and it's main attraction is it's access to Granville Island and for the westernmost hotels, the access to the beaches. Yaletown is a newer version of the West End, (on the Expo 86 site), and is home to a trendy population so it has very trendy shops and restaurants. Hotels there include the Hamnpton Inn, Rosedale Suites, Sandman, and the Westin Grand while to the west there is the Executive, Sheraton Wall Centre, Granville Island, Best Western Downtown, etc. Most hotels have parking some more limited than others. The closer to the downtown core the cost of parking would be highest. A few of the West End hotels might have free parking.

Although it was about 3 years ago, i have to stick with my promise to talk negatively about the Days Inn in Vancouver whenever it's appropriate. I am not fussy about hotels at all, but this had to be one of the worst hotels i have ever stayed in. Room layout was awful, one in our party received a room with no windows, one elevator which never seemed to come so we mostly took the stairs, and a rate much too high for a poor hotel. Admitedly it was 3 years ago, but i wouldn't ever go back there again. If you still choose to stay here, the hotel is close to the cruise pier and Stanley Park.

The Days Inn is in a very old, but renovated Hotel building and I can't say I've had any direct or indirect experiance with it. I only mentioned it as a part of a price range.

My wife and I will be staying at the Sunset Inn & Suites on 1111 Burnaby Street for 3 nights this coming June. Any comments "good or bad" would be appreciated Thank you

The Sunset Inn is a converted Apartment Block in the midst of other blocks on a quiet side street in the Eastern part of the West End. It's well located for access to the beaches and is pretty close to the little Water Ferries that ply False Creek and go to Granville Island. The rooms are all standard one Bedroom furnished residential suites so they're great for people who find standard hotel rooms a little claustrophobic. You might get a bit of a view from the top floor of English Bay. There are a host of small restaurants on Davie street just one block up and it's about a 6=7 block walk to the main centre of Downtown. All in all not a bad choice if you're getting a reasonable rate - i.e. under $150CAD.

GaryA, I wonder if you could give me any feedback on the Century Plaza? It sounds like a nice place, convenient location, and moderately priced. To be honest, the moderate price has me wondering what I'm missing! Thanks for your help--I've read a lot of your messages about Vancouver! Sue

The Century Plaza is another High Rise '70s era Hotel just off the West End on Burrard. It's about a three star with a good seafood restaurant, (Roy's) and I understand a fairly good spa. The views from the Higher floors should be pretty good but the West facing rooms would be by far the best. I remember walking through it when it was under construction but that's as close as I ever came to seeing the actual rooms. The location is also good although it's actually next door to a large old hospital. It's about 5 blocks to the Granville Island/False Creek Water Taxis and about the same to Robson Street. There are some fairly good restaurants within a few blocks as well. The Burrard Street traffic noise would be another reason to ask for a highup room.

The Sylvia Hotel was quite nice. See http://www.sylviahotel.com/. Good location and fun to walk along the shore and people watch.

Hi Rob: Since your are Atlanta, I assume your talking $150us (so $225cnd), so depending on what your willing to go for that will get you 2 or 3 nights at most spots. A couple of years ago I was at the Delta Vancouver Suites which was very nice, right downtown, near a subway stop and easily within your price range (& depending on any discounts you should be able to get it for under 4150cnd) ... Later, Z

Hi! I'll be in Vancouver in a few weeks, and have my hotel choices narrowed down to the Century Plaza and the Sylvia. I am looking for feedback, both positive and negative, on both. We are planning to do all of our siteseeing on foot or using mass transit. The attractions of most interest are Gastown, Granville Island, Stanley Park, Grouse Mtn., and the Capilano Bridge. Thoughts anyone? Thank you! Sue

Boy, Sue, you've definately posed a choice between an Apple and an Orange. I critqued the Century Plaza a few post up from here. To summerize it's a seventies era high rise Hotel close to the main shopping areas of Downtown and Granville Island. It's about a 3 star category. The Sylvia was built in 1911 and is considered a heritage property. It's location on English Bay and right next to Stanley Park is great and it's only a block away from frenetic Denman Street the main street of the West End with a multitude of good to excellant Restaurants and shopping geared to the local residents - many of whom are gay. The rooms as is common in such old hotels vary widely in quality and layout. In fact it is really only a one or two star property but that doesn't stop it from being fully booked months in advance especially around the Fireworks Festival late July and early August. If you're looking for atmosphere and a great Vancuver environment take the Sylvia. If you're looking for a place with all the amenities but more of a busy downtown atmosphere take the Century Plaza.

Thanks again for your thoughts, Gary. I actually posed the earlier question for your thoughts on Century Plaza. I am certainly torn over this decision. Anyone else with thoughts on Vancouver's Century Plaza or Sylvia Hotels? Thanks! Sue

If it's the Sylvia make sure you stay in the older part of the Hotel-the 'newer' annex is nothing special.

I would like to throw in a suggestion that really doesn't answer your enquiry regarding the two hotels already mentioned. The last time I was in Vancouver with my family we stayed at the Hyatt Regency (thru a great rate we got on Priceline). We found the location to be perfect since the weather was fantastic and we could walk everywhere. We would head to Robson for shopping and restaurants there, down to the waterfront, over to Yaletown, and could get anywhere in Vancouver by car relatively easily using Georgia, Howe, or over to the Cambie Bridge. The staff was fantastic and we were fortunate to get it again for this summer. I'm from Vancouver and I can't imagine a better central location to stay. Sorry if I have confused the issue.

The Sylvia is a wonderful place to stay, but not terribly close to the sights. It is my choice when I go Vancouver, but you need a car, good walking shoes, or cab fare. Do't count it out though! Good luck

Hi
Three of us are visiting Vancouver in August and are booked in the The Buchan Hotel for C$105.00 plus 17% tax for the room. It looks OK on its website.It is very close to Stanley Park. If anyone has any comments on this hotel we would love to hear them.

I've stayed at the Pacific Palisades (twice) and the Renaissance (three times) using Priceline. Average bid for the Pacific Palisades is $90USD while I usually get the Renaissance for $50 or less.

What are your thoughts on Listel Hotel on Robson Street? I found a "book-bed-and breakfast" package on the net. You get breakfast at O'Douls (on site) and a $20 GC for Chapters books. (I think it is a $20GC per night, but not sure) TOTAL price for 2 nights will be $374.40 Canadian Dollors ... I will be in 2 great B&B's on my trip-but I thought I would splurge my last 2 nights in Vancouver. Is this a good deal?

Does anyone have information about the Listel hotel? The description seems interesting especially because of the art and jazz bar.