Planning to be in Vancouver for 4 days next July.

So far I've narrowed hotels down to two:
The Listel on Robson (I think it's a bit west) and L'Hermitage on Richards.

Comments on TA appear very positive for both.

Any comments or alternate suggestions please.

Depending upon cost concerns, and because downtown Vancouver is so relatively compact (water on almost all sides), I wholly endorse using Priceline.com to get the best value for your lodging dollar.

Now of course if you have 11 kids and need many beds, or if you need special amenities along similar lines, then Priceline is not for you.

But if you are just picking a pair for reasons having anything to do with cost, then Priceline is a great alternative for "downtown Vancouver".

We have a couple of favourites, each for different reasons. We love the Wedgewood, on Hornby street. It's pricy but elegant; the rooms are wonderfully luxurious, the staff is attentive, and the location, right across from the courthouse and down the street from the Art Gallery, is central. The dining room offers probably the best breakfast I've ever had anywhere.

These days, though, we don't usually splurge that much on hotel rooms and we always stay at the Sylvia. It's an older hotel right on English Bay. Some of the rooms are renovated and some aren't, but all are clean and pleasant. The location is top-notch; it's just across from the beach and there are great restaurants nearby.

I stayed at the Wedgewood Hotel on Hornby in September. Loved the hotel and it is everything Meesthare says. Breakfast was $25.00 CDN per person which I thought was high, but the room rate was either a CAA/AAA rate or senior rate at $199.00 and was lower than the Fairmounts, Sheraton or Westins.

Fairmount ??? Fairmonts I think you mean !!! Are they for real the last time I went there in Whistler. They were so bad I wanted to leave.

L'Hermitage on Richards have not stayed their but looks nice.

I would also check prices for the Georgian Court Hotel. No pool, but tends to be $30-$50 cheaper for this reason. Really nicely restored rooms. Same area as l'Hermitage.

But as far as the 2 hotels you've mentioned, I would decide based on what I wanted to do in Vancouver. L'Hermitage is better access to BC Place, Roger's Place, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and the Edgewater Casion (the old Expo '86 grounds). But unless you're attending an event, these are not really much to see. The Listel is closer to Stanley Park, English Bay, the Olympic Torch, Canada Place, and the seawall. The Listel is also closer to good shopping.

I haven't stayed at the Sylvia, but I used to eat breakfast there almost every weekend. Excellent location though you might need a bus to get to Pacific Centre.

chile_lover,

Thank you. This is what I was looking for.

I was afraid that the Listel might be a bit west of the sights but it looks like it's almost in the middle and close to a lot.

Now I'm leaning quite strongly in that direction.

I can see renting bikes and spending a good part of a day riding around Stanley Park and picnicing.

Ramada Limited Downtown is a good place to stay, and not to mention at affordable prices. Kingston, Buchan or Sylvia are some other hotels where you can plan your stay. These hotels have regular gym, pools, wide halls and very hospitable crew. Also you can search for motels and hotels; some inexpensive and comfortable ones.

I have no idea what the above poster is talking about. The Sylvia doesn't have a gym, a pool, or "wide halls". And I wouldn't want to stay at a Ramada,based on previous personal experiences.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Has anybody stayed at or seen the Listel?

the next thing about being west , in july is the proximity to stanley park w/ its foresta, seawall and beaches. there r literally dozens of restaurants on denman street. i usually stay @ the coast plaza where most rooms have balconies w/ fabulous views. when i am in town for the film festival the walk back to granville is only 20minutes and there r frequent buses on robson and davie. the sylvia is also a reasonable choice in the west end
cheers
Andrew David

If one is looking for a budget accommodation then Ramada Ltd Downtown hotel in Vancouver is a nice place to stay....The location is quite good and there are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops nearby.

I've stayed at the Listel a few times and enjoy it.
If you want to splurge, the new Fairmont Pacific Rim is very nice.
And for the quintessential Vancouver experience, the Westin Bayshore is bang on.
I've heard from friends that the new Coast is great value (and an unbelievable coup of a location).
But I agree with NWmale - Priceline it, at a minimum of 4 stars.

There are 2 HI hostels in Vancouver. I have stayed in both (before Olympics). 1 of the private rooms even had a TV.
That's where my wife and I stay when we come to Vancouver.

I've been into one of the rooms in L'Hermitage and they're very nice. It's 1/2 block off of Robson, in the quieter end of that street. That said, if I were to walk from this hotel to the Listel, I don't think it's more than 15 minutes.

Upside on the Listel – food at the restaurant is very good, but there are plenty of other spots to eat nearby too. Same with L'Hermitage.

Options would the the Sylvia in the West End and the Kingston just across the street from L'Hermitage. The Kingston is an older hotel that was upgraded 2 or 3 years ago. Nice little pub downstairs. The Sylvia is a "location, location, location" spot. The last time I was in one of the rooms they were very sparse. BUT you're just sleeping there.

We just spent this past weekend at the Sylvia, in one of the older (and, yes, more sparse) rooms. As the above poster says, you're just sleeping there. The rooms aren't fancy, but they're clean and they have everything you're likely to need. The location is wonderful and for us, that makes up for any amenities that other hotels might offer.

Thanks for the comments.

Listel it is.