Hello,
I will be in Vancouver in July and need help with budget hotels. Has anyone stayed on Robson Street?

Beware of hotels on Robson Street in the blocks numbered 1300 and above -- with the exception of the moderately expensive Listel O'Doul's, they're shabby, in some cases seedy. Many hotels on Granville Street have a similar warning attached to them.

Central Robson Street is prime shopping and restaurant territory in Vancouver, so the budget offerings are sparse, especially in July, when prices go sky high. 5 or 10 minutes walk away from that central strip, though, you might find something less expensive. In summer, though, you'll be hard pressed to find anything under $150 per night.

A number of the chains like Day's Inn, Comfort, Quality, Hampton, Holiday Inn have properties in the area, and are a possibility.

Another possibility, especially if you don't mind sharing a bathroom to lower the rate, is the Buchan Hotel in the West End (i.e. between the downtown core and Stanley Park). We have friends visiting us stay there and the non-picky among them are just fine with it: www.buchanhotel.com. It is a 2-minute walk from Stanley Park, and a 10-minute walk from central Robson Street.

Thanks for the warning. Burrard Street is west and would not be a good area, right? I was looking at the Burrard Motor Inn.

Burrard Street and the "BMI" are fine. (By the way, there aren't any real "no go" zones in Vancouver's downtown core and areas West of it -- just some fairly localized pockets of pathos (mostly panhandling) centered around things like downmarket bars, sex shops and social services agencies. Unfortunately, within those seemingly randomized blocks, there can be places which call themselves "hotels" but are really more like rooming houses.)

If you check the Burrard Motor Inn on Tripadvisor, the comments are consistent with what I've heard directly from people who've stayed there.

Do you need to stay in downtown Vancouver?... downtown is expensive of course. Are you on business or do you want to do the tourista types of things. Are you here for a day or a week ? There are many hotels out by the airport in Richomnd or in other areas of the city and outlying areas that are reasonable and nice.

Robson is hardly seedy, so I disagree about that. It's a major street downtown full of shops, restaurants and hotels. Burrard Street is fine as well, although it's more of an office tower/hotel street than a vibrant shopping street. It's busy, but not unsafe. Burrard and Robson could be described as the heart of downtown Vancouver.

I also disagree with staying out in the suburbs, unless you have access to a vehical. If you're coming to Vancouver, staying in downtown will allow you to walk to most of the attractions. Some budget hotels worth considering: The Sylvia and the Buchan.

It was 13 years ago when I stayed there, but google the Bosman Hotel. I'm sure you can find cheaper, but it's affordable enough while comfortable enough. I wouldn't want to spend all day there, but it looks as good as any other hotel when you're asleep. I forget which street, but it's kind of on the border of the seedy-ish area and downtown.

The Listel is a lovely hotel. There are several other hotels right around there (upwards of 1300 on Robson Street), and although they have clearly seen better days, I don't think seedy is quite the right word for them. For example, the Empire Landmark hotel is in continuous use by Asian tour groups, and I doubt they would continue to use it if it was terrible. This area of Robson is much more pleasant than much of Vancouver's downtown area.

Nonetheless, I would recommend Priceline. See http://www.betterbidding.com . You can likely get a beautiful 4* hotel downtown for an extremely reasonable price.

Thanks so much for the input. I have never used Priceline and was going to but can't muster up enough courage to do so. Do you think it good to request a four star in the Vancouver area? I want to try it BUT...
Should I begin with, maybe $60? I need all the advice I can get. I want to try it really bad but hate to do this since I don't know what I am doing and also I don't know the area. I am game, I think, if you will guide me through it. We, three ladies, are going July 13-16. Thanks so much.

OK - very first thing (for Priceline) is, you have to go to biddingfortravel.com
Read the info/guidelines/FAQ there.

Also, scroll down to Canada, Vancouver and you will get too valuable aids:
One, will be a listing of all V'couver hotels that have been coming up on Priceline - many with reviews. Secondly, you can look over the forum to see what prices/places people have been successful with.

I was looking into it the other day, for our July V'cvr and it wasn't looking easy to get a bargain, so you'd best plan in the $100 area (minimum) for summer/4*.

But if you take your time and do some research, P'line shouldn't be too scary to you. We've done it lots and lots and find it the ONLY way to travel.

With three ladies, Hotwire might be a better choice (Betterbidding.com has lots of Hotwire advice, but BiddingforTravel.com doesn't). The reason is that with Hotwire you can enter three people into the search box, but with Priceline, you're only guaranteed a double occupancy room. The odds are in Vancouver that you could get a room with two double beds if you asked, but I'd feel a little safer suggesting Hotwire in your case.

Another option - Holiday Inn often has Entertainment Card rates that you can book. Go to the Holiday Inn web site and look at the Vancouver hotels and see if you can get this discount.

I think you might be right about Hotwire...you can ask for a room for three. How close to the time of travel do you need to make a bid? Would it be wise to have a room on hold and bid a couple of days before you need the room? I am trying to figure out how to use Hotwire wisely. I want to learn about both Hotwire and Priceline but have not learned completely the best way to do it as of yet. The Betterbidding seems a little vague now but I am still reading and trying to learn. Thanks so much for your help. I certainly appreciate it.

Hello again,
Ending up with Buchan Hotel. Think we should keep the reservations?

I am so anxious.

I think the Buchan will be fine. I live just a few hundred yards from there and have often recommended it to friends (my apartment is too small to accommodate more than one guest). It is on a quiet, leafy, residential street within easy walking distance of Stanley Park, the beach, and two bus routes. I cannot remember whether the Buchan does breakfast, but if not there is a wealth of cafés and restaurants on Denman Street, just a five-minute walk away.

It's in a fantastic area and the hotel looks cute. I'd be quite happy to stay there if I was you!

Thank you so much. That makes me feel more secure in my selection. I think they do have a breakfast, which will be very nice. Thanks again!

Vorkuta, Do you mind my having your email address?

Mycuppajava,

It's [email protected]