I'm still trying to get info on these hotels. We're booked at the Renaissance, but we're thinking of switching.<BR>If anyone has stayed at either hotel, please help!!

The Hyatt is a pretty typical large highrise Hyatt. It has recently undergone a complete top to bottom renovation, so I am sure that it is very nice. It is very centrally located in the middle of downtown, so you could easily walk to the shopping districts such as Robson Street.<BR><BR>The Renaissance is located further east, but also is fairly centrally located. Not quite as close to the shopping areas, but if you get a room on the water side of the hotel the view would be magnificant. I've heard that the rooms are so-so.<BR><BR>You might try using Priceline as some very nice hotels such as the Westin Bayshore, Sheraton Suites Le Soleil, Sheraton Wall Centre and others have been going for around $35-50 U.S. per night. Check out www.biddingfortravel.com before using priceline though. It teaches you how to get the best deals on priceline and you can see what deals others have gotten for your similar dates in Vancouver.

I just looked on www.biddingfortravel.com and noticed that the Rennaisance has been going on priceline.com for $45 U.S. plus tax recently. Don't know what you're paying, but I imagine that it isn't as good as that.

We're paying about $100 US for rooms with water views. I guess we could do better with Priceline, but personally I have heard so many bad things about it that I don't really want to use it. Plus, I believe there's no guarantee you'll get the Renaissance, and we need 3 rooms in the same hotel at the same time. So, I'm willing to pay the difference. However, the Internet has rates of about $70 US for the Hyatt, hence my agonizing debate. I guess it comes down to....a better room, or a better view? Decisions, decisions.....

Hi Shelley,<BR>If you read through biddingfortravel.com you'll see lots of people who are happy with Priceline. I myself have used priceline over 20 times with absolutely no problem whatsoever and have saved thousands of dollars - particularly on New York City and Chicago hotels. You are right, you are not guaranteed the Renaissance, but of the hotels that people get in Vancouver on Priceline, the Renaissance is the least luxurious. You can bid for all three rooms in one Priceline bid and will be guaranteed the same hotel for all three rooms - but in order to bid for three rooms all have to be for the exact same dates.<BR><BR>If you do want to stick with your current options, I'd take the $70 at the Hyatt over the $100 rate at the Renaissance.<BR><BR>Whatever you choose, have a great time in Vancouver. I think you'll love our city.

In Vancouver, I'd go for the view.

Thanks for all the help. I guess there is no "right" answer. I wish I could see better pix of both hotels, but from what I can see the Internet only has limited photos (Hyatt's lobby, a room but it doesn't say whether it's "standard" or deluxe; pretty much the same for the Renaissance). Wish I could fly there just to check it out, but it's a long trip from NY. IF anyone knows of any sites that have more photos (other than the hotel's sites, perhaps someone's personal web page if they did a review) please let me know. Thanks, again.

Just wanted to thank everyone who responded. We have decided to stay with the Renaissance, mainly because of the water view. I don't doubt the Hyatt is nicer, but it sounds like most of the views are of other buildings (I'm sure for the low rate we wouldn't get a water view, at any rate). Thanks, again.