Patrick

We're thinking we'd like a full week in Vancouver next summer. Any ideas for an apartment that might be cheaper than a nice hotel. I'm not so concerned about the quality of the kitchen (other that having a refrigerator) as we won't do much or any cooking. But we'd like an apartment where we can "stretch out" a bit and not feel confined to a hotel room. And for the week, we'd really like to keep it around 150 a night Canadian or less. Need parking too, and want to be "downtown".

BargainHunter

Ok... Ramada Inn and Suites might suit... Off Granville Street. It was a rooming house (yes humm) but now has been revamped and has new touch... near the action at night. Not sure the price for next year, but might work. Parking extra $10.00 a day, which is normal.
w3.ramadavancouver.com/

Patrick

Thanks for the suggestion. It looks nice on the site and I like the location. Unfortunately the LOWEST rate they show for even a regular room is $186 a night, obviously much more if we want a one bedroom which doesn't even come up on the rate page. But I will call them and see what I can find out -- maybe a weekly rate?

BargainHunter

Is that Canadian dollars or US? I'm guessing the amount would hit the $150.00 mid summer. Vancouver prices both in hotel rates and real estate are rising quickly because of the hype. The one hotel I know that is reasonably central, very basic, younger crowd stay, but is clean and in the lower $ range, is the Bosman Hotel. Free parking, but no kitchen facilities. w3.bosmanshotel.com/facilities.html.

BargainHunter

Sorry I meant "Olympic" hype eventhough it's years off...

BargainHunter

Just looked at your original posting wanting apartments suites... I tried to think of options, but all appear to be above your prices range... The Rosellen Suites which are in a nicer, quieter part near Stanley Park, but still near Denman and Davie for good restaurants and bars etc starts at around $199 CDN for a one bedroom, next year I'm sure it will probably go up.
http://www.rosellensuites.com/room-rates.html
Just giving you food for thought ~ a comparison to a cheap downtown hotel, to on of the cheapest suites... Actually thinking about it Pendrell Suites might also be an option also, still price might be an problem.

Good Luck Patrick...

WillTravel

I'm not terribly thrilled by the Ramada Inn and Suites location. It's not horrible, but I don't find the immediate area very aesthetically pleasing. Knowing from Patrick's other posts that he really does appreciate nice surroundings and is willing to pay a bit more for them, I'd suggest looking at other areas.

I like the area of Rosellen Suites.

Although it's not strictly downtown, I'd consider the Kitsilano area also. It's lovely and there are many nice restaurants.

Patrick

Interesting comments. It's been a few years since staying in Vancouver. Then we stayed at the Wedgewood -- a great place but now way out of our price range. I had looked at the Rosellen Suites. They do look nice and I'm still considering them, but wasn't thrilled about the location. I picture us walking over to Granville Island each morning and strolling more along Robson. Rosellen seems more removed from all that, although I like the price better than the Ramada (assuming it doesn't go up a whole lot more next year).

Actually, WillTravel, I'm NOT willing to pay much more, in fact the figure of $150 Canadian is based more on what we've gotten used to spending for decent hotels and apartments in Europe and in the US. For example we love our stays at the apartments in LA's Summerfield Suites which cost us about $109 US with free parking, full breakfast, and lots of amenities. We'd love to find something comparable in Vancouver. And our great full apartments in the wonderful cities of Venice and Rome this summer averaged us less than $100 a night.

I guess those "bargains" in Canada people talk about are getting harder and harder to find. After I convert to US, so many places still seem higher than what I'm used to paying elsewhere for comparable properties.

WillTravel

Patrick, it sounds like you're familiar with Vancouver. What I dislike about the 1225 Granville address is that it is about one block from the approach to the Granville Street bridge, that it seems to have nastier street people than most (but not all) areas who are likely to shoot up dope in front of you, and the whole area just doesn't look as nice as some others. I walk around downtown all the time. It so happened that tonight I thought I would check the area out again, just in case I was shortchanging it. I don't think so.

Whether I was staying at Rosellen or Ramada, I think I'd take one of those little boat ferries across to Granville Island. Staying at Ramada, I'd walk down to the foot of Hornby Street to catch it, and staying at Rosellen, I would walk to the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

I love the Summerfield Suites also (based on staying in the Seattle downtown property), so I can see why you'd like that. But keep in mind how small and centralized Vancouver's downtown area is compared to LA. You could get a deal like that if you were willing to stay in a more outlying area in Vancouver or the suburbs.

Patrick

Well it's hard to agree with that last statement. Beverly HIlls/West Hollywood/Sunset Blvd. area is certainly a MORE prestigious area than Chinatown in Vancouver or the area you're talking about. If I went out to the suburbs of LA it would be even cheaper yet.

I'm finding that even chain hotels in the cities (Calgary as well) tend to be more expensive than their American counterparts. And even things like Fairfield or Hampton Inns out on the highways tend to be at least as expensive as in the US. I'm not saying they're necessarily higher, but people keep acting like that with the currency difference everything is a steal in Canada. I'm sure not finding that.

Hired_Belly

Hi Patrick,

Friends of mine stay here:
http://www.timessquaresuites.com/rates-suites.htm

They are really well maintained, modern and nicely furnished suites, fully equipped plus parking, laundry (en suite, I think) on the 'quiet end' of Robson, about 5 minutes walk from Stanley Park and 10 minutes from the centre of downtown. Good food close by with a wide range of really reasonable restos, from a great noodle shop (Kintaro) to Asian small plates (Guu, Hapa Izakaya) and excellent French (Le Gavroche) plus many, many more on Denman. Grocery stores within a couple of minutes walk. For the $$ these are some of the best places. You could also check Sunset Towers on Burnaby, although I don't think they're as interesting or convenient.

Patrick

Thank you, Hired_Belly, I actually had found these before when I started looking and had completely lost them.
Yes, the TimesSquareSuites look nice. A one bedroom is supposedly only $159 a night by the week Canadian, in my price range, and I even like the studio with separate den for $20 less. It even looks like they face water as I can see sailboats outside?

This really looks like a good solution. I hadn't thought about being near Stanley Park, but I know it's not a big walk as we walked there often from the Wedgewood.

I have emailed them to confirm a rate next summer and check parking, etc.

mp

Patrick - I'll be in Vancouver Thurs.-Sunday (escape from NYC) - anything you want checked out, I can try . . .

Patrick

Thanks for the offer. I think I'll probably be OK with these Times Square Suites, unless you want to keep your eyes open for something exciting. I look forward to your report. Doing some good eating while there?

mp

Tojo's, Il Giardino d'Umberto and Vij's in Van;. .. Araxi in Whistler, staying in Tofino for a few nights at Long Beach lodge, dinner at the Wick, staying and dining at Sooke Harbor House, then driving down to Seattle for Campagne and I think Dahlia lounge . . . sorta greatest hits (edited version) of eating in the Pacific Northwest . I'm open to suggestions, tho . . . .
We're planning on lots of hiking and Kayaking to offset the dining . . . .

WillTravel

The Times Square Suites are in a very nice location.

Patrick, I checked our company's allowable per diem hotel rate, and for the summer season it's significantly higher in Vancouver than it is in Los Angeles. So I'm not too surprised you are having a hard time finding a deal.

A couple of my friends have stayed in this suite hotel, but I would prefer the Times Square Suites based on what is posted above:
http://www.rosedaleonrobson.com

AnselmAdorne

I stayed in the Rosedale on Robson while on a couple of business trips to Vancouver in 2001. My total time in the hotel was about three weeks. I liked the location and found the rooms quiet and comfortable. The hotel was squeaky clean and the staff were responsive and helpful. (Mind you, I'm not MK2, so I may settle for less!) My one major complaint concerned the elevators--they were incredibly slow and always seemed full. This was particularly so when cruise ships were in port, as many of the guests were leaving for or arriving from cruises. I can't recollect what the rate was, but it struck me as expensive.

I agree with WillTravel's remarks about the area surrounding the Ramada Inn and Suites ... I didn't feel comfortable walking through that area when I went to Granville Island.

Anselm

ginocat

I agree that the area around the Ramada is not the best. It is not a pleasant walk at night. I've stayed in that area and would certainly not want to be walking around alone.
Just looked at timessquaresuites and they are great! I'll keep them in mind for my next Vancouver trip.

Patrick

I emailed the Times Square Suites and they responded within an hour about prices for next year. Then I emailed them back checking a couple items on the studio rather than the one-bedroom which seems like a better deal. I almost prefer the idea of the laptop and computer being in a separate room than the bedroom, especially for a savings of $20 a day. They've assured me that I can change the dates up to a week before, so even though our trip isn't planned in detail, I'm going ahead and tentatively booking for a week next July. And I love a place that answers emails immediately as they've done twice.

Andrew_John

Hi Patrick, Have you thought about B&B? Just stayed 10 days at a fantastic place in West Vancouver - Bay View Gust House- they have an appartment/self catering facility that might suit your needs and they serve the most amazing breakfasts you will find anywhere. I have not got their website to hand so will post it later; anyway try a search and you will probably find them.

They also have parking and it's only a short ride into Downtown.