Hi. We will need a place to stay the night before & after our cruise in early sept. We really would like a place that has as good of a view as possible...mountains,water, etc. Can't really afford it but would rather spend a little more as that is what we want. Any suggestions on where to go for beauty? ...not into shopping much. Thanks!

Check out the Fairmont Waterfront. It is beautiful and you can usually get specials on their web site promotions section. We had a great/very spacious room where we could watch the sea planes come in and go out against the mountain background. I think this is close to the ship terminal as well.

I think you could get some great views from the Westin Bayshore. The Marriott Renaissance might have some great views on high floors, and maybe the Marriott Pinnacle also.

Ditto for the Pan Pacific. It is right on the waterfront - in front of the Fairmont actually.

The Pan Pacific is about the only hotel where there are absolutely fantastic views from every room. That's because it is built over the Cruise Ship Docks and sticks out into the harbour. There's also very little hassle in getting your luggage shlepped to and from the ship. On the other hand it's very expensive albeit worth the money if you can afford it.

The other suggestions are good as are many other hotels but you run the risk of getting an obstructed or wrong facing view. So make sure you ask for a harbour and mountain view.

The most beautiful parts of Vancouver are on the North Shore, around Stanley Park and along the Point Grey beaches, (Spanish Banks, Jericho and Locarno as well as Wreck Beach - the clothing optional beach). There are also beautiful Gardens such as VanDusen, Queen Elizabeth, Nitobe, Park & Tilford and Sun Yat Sen. If you're into Gardens Vancouver is a Paradise. False Creek is a combination of urban and natural beauty and taking one of the little False Creek ferries is a purely 'Vancouver' thing to do.