jenjunum

We're heading to Vancouver for a couple nights in Augusts. Right now we're looking at either the Kingston Hotel on Richards Street or the Sylvia Hotel. Does anyone have experience with either of those?

Vorkuta

I can't think of any reason to stay on Richards Street - it's quite close to part of the red light district and even if that is not a problem, there are lots of loud, noisy nightclubs nearby.

The Sylvia Hotel is a gem. It's in a quiet, leafy residential district of Vancouver but overlooks the ocean and is in within easy walking distance of Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver. There are plenty of restaurants and pubs a few blocks away, on Denman St (if you feel like trying something other than the Hotel restaurant). We live near the Sylvia, eat there often, and have stayed there a few times. It's also the hotel that my place of work uses to accommodate out-of-town visitors.

Enough said - forget Richards Street and go for the Sylvia.

jenjunum

Thank you for the frank response. It's appreciated. The Kingston was recommended in the "Rough Guide to the Pacific Northwest". I guess I know not to trust everything in that book. The Sylvia was also recommended, we'll stick with that one. Thanks.

Vorkuta

You're welcome.

If you can't get into the Sylvia, another Vancouver hotel to consider is the Buchan Hotel. (You can find out more about it in the Vancouver hotel section on this site). It's a few blocks away from the Sylvia, also on a quiet, leafy residential street, though it doesn't overlook the ocean. Not all the rooms have a w.c. and bath en suite, so if that's important to you, be sure to request an en suite when you book. I imagine the Buchan is slightly cheaper than the Sylvia because it lacks the great view.

meregayle

This question was posted a year ago, but if anyone is thinking about staying at the Sylvia, don't. Please read the review on the Frommer's site. Much more accurate. We stayed there about 5 years ago and it's an absolute dump.
We are giving the Kingston a try. I'll post my experience when we get back.

Keds1

Would you consider a Bed and Breakfast? "O Canada House" was great! Individual tables for a lovely breakfast, adorable attached cottage, very private- easy walk to everthing-safe neighborhood , so many people about late into the evening. Perfect location for us. http://www.ocanadahouse.com/

dgpile

I am flying in to Vancouver and then departing on the Rocky Mountaineer after a short visit in town.

Any recommended hotels near the railway station? I have flexibility and will be traveling light so if it is between the airport and the railway station it probably is something I can consider.

-Jester

WillTravel

There are no nice hotels right by the train station. The Best Western Uptown and the new Howard Johnson are more or less in OK areas, and are about 2 km away. But you can probably get a good downtown hotel that is about the same distance.

Saying you want a hotel partway between the airport and the train station doesn't make sense. Well, actually if you stayed at the Plaza 500 at 12th and Cambie, that sort of meets your requirements. It's a high-rise hotel that looks all right as far as I can tell. And it's opposite a bus that will take you right downtown.

I always recommend bidding for a 3* or 4* hotel on Priceline (after reading all the tips at www.betterbidding.com ). Other options reasonably close to the train station but right downtown are the Hampton Inn and the Sandman.

But really I wouldn't focus on the airport or train station. I would look for a nice, downtown location.