Vancouver - Some Questions
 

Will be spending 2 or 3 days in Vancouver pre-cruise in mid-September. Some Questions:

How is the weather in mid-September?

What does a Taxi cost from the airport to downtown?

Any advice on the Westin Grand (Yaletown) or the Sutton Place Hotels?

Which would you recommend for a revolving restaurant, Cloud 9 or Top of Vancouver?

How is the one hour harbor tour?

Any thoughts on the 4 hour Big Bus sightseeing tour?

Is the Rocky Mountaineer train ride to Whistler worth the hassle of a very long (12 Hour ) day and staying an extra day in Vancouver? Is it more interesting to come back by bus or on the train?

Are most of the attractions in downtown within walking distance?

What are the must sees?

That's it for now, thanks.

Weather in September is usually fabulous.
You can now take sky train from the airport right down town, but if you have lots of luggage the taxi will be $20 - $30 last time I checked.
Cloud 9 is good, we have had dinner there last year and are staying again in two weeks and will do the breakfast buffet. I have not eaten at Top of Vancouver for years, but both have great views. I would probably choose Top of Vancouver first though as the views are closer to the water .
Most attractions are walking distance or short taxi/bus ride away.

We do a big bus sightseeing tour every where we go and they are always a great way to get a sense of the city. I see them all the time in Vancouver and I would say yes, they would be great

You can also walk down to take the little ferry to Granville island which is a must see.

I've stayed at both hotels and prefer the location of the Sutton Place.

I haven't done the Big Bus but the Vancouver hop on hop off trolley tour is great. I have heard the Big Bus has recorded commentary whereas the trolley tour has a real live tour guide on board.

I'd rent a car and drive to Whistler-it's a very scenic drive and yes, worth an extra day if you can.

Weather in Sept. is good- may need a sweater at night though.
Taxi- 25-30 dollars, Sky train - much cheaper. Your hotel may have a shuttle.
Why revolving restaurant?, Vancouver has lots of great restaurants, many with views.
Whistler is great. depends what you want to do there. Its about 1 1/2 hour drive.You can walk all around Whistler village in a couple of hours. If you want to go hiking or explore the surrounding areas/mountains, I/d stay overnight.
In Vancouver- Granville Island, Walk/cycle the seawall around Stanley park, Anthropology museum at UBC,Lynn Valley in North Vancouver. Grouse Mountain, Capilano canyon, The walk around false creek on the seawall, walking along the Jericho beach to Spanish banks beach path.
You are going to be on a cruise. Do you want to take a harbour cruise. Why not just take the seabus from Canada place to North Vancouver(Lonsdale Quay- another market- similar to Granville Island), cost 2-3 dollars- approx. 15-20 minutes. I wouldn't do it at rush hour though. IMO Stanley Park and Granville Island are the top sights.

The Rule of Thumb in Vancouver is-<i><b>The Better the View the Worse the Food</b></i>.

If you appreciate fine food you'll love Vancouver so much choice but nothing worth your while in the places you mention.

We were there in September and the weather was perfect for travel. Here are a few ideas on the highlights of Vancouver: http://www.notabletravels.com/destin...Vancouver.html

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Glad to hear the weather should be good.

We have a "Thing" for restaurants at the tops of buildings. Living in Manhattan, we know it's not the best of food but it's the touristy thing to do.

Regarding Whistler, we would just have lunch and wander around the town. Was wondering how the scenery was on the way up on the Rocky Mountaineer?

Thanks Again!

NWWanderer - Can you give me some details on the location of the Westin Grand and how to the two hotels compare?

I'd check Jahlie's trip report and follow suit - some great
advice there.

The scenery on the way to Whistler is pretty spectacular even
in the rain. And there's lots of ways to spend a pleasant day
in the village and surroundings.

Cloud 9 has an outstanding view and if you're set on a revolving restaurant, that's where I'd recommend. It's somewhat dated, but the view is outstanding as it's in the West End, and the surrounding buildings are shorter, so you get an unobstructed view. You can go just for drinks (which is often what I'll do), and then head elsewhere for dinner - lots of great Korean and Japanese options immediately outside on Robson.

I'm a big fan of the locatio of the Westin Grand as it actually puts you in a proper neighbourhood... it's basically at the crossroads of Yaletown (trendier boutiquey lounges and restaurants, former warehouse district) but there are surrounding condos and restaurants and grocery stores. You're also a 5 minute walk away from where the retail franchises which are further west of Robson. The reality is that the Sutton and the Westin Grand are a 10 minute walk away from one another, tops... so location isn't much of an issue. The Sutton puts you in more of a downtown commercial/business district, sort of bulls eye in the middle of the downtown peninsula, so you'll get the hustle and bustle, but you kind of miss out on being in a neighbourhood... not sure if that makes sense. Either hotel will be good. Sutton's more traditional in decor, the Westin Grand is more contemporary.... and it's a glass skyscraper condo tower in the shape of a grand piano!

Ack... why didn't I proofread my post? Westin Grand = crossroads of Yaletown and the retail shops of Robson.

Also, let me rephrase this: "You're also a 5 minute walk away from where the retail franchises BEGIN on Robson... which are further west on Robson".

Yikes, that'll teach me!

My husband and I were in Vancouver a few years ago in September and the weather was perfect. Sunny skies and temps in the mid-upper 70s.

We stayed at the Westin and loved it. Carmanah has given you some great advice about the locations of the Westin vs. Sutton. We walked to the Sutton Place for their chocolate buffet, so while we didn't see the rooms, we got an impression of the neighborhood and atmosphere of the hotel. I prefer the Westin and would stay there again.

I like being more in the center of the city (in the bull's eye is a good description) rather than closer to one side of town so I can walk easily in any direction, as well as being closer to Stanley Park, so that's why I prefer the location of the Sutton Place. The Westin is very nice but I felt like I was spending a lot more time walking to get to places than when I've stayed at the Sutton Place.

Thanks again for all the great suggestions. If I come up with additional questions I'll be back picking your brains again.

Hi Frank. I'll try to answer a few of your questions based on my experiences in Vancouver last week.

I just returned from Vancouver and the taxi from the Hyatt to the airport at 6:30 a.m. (think, no traffic) was $30 including tip.

The Westin is in a very nice area and since Vancouver is pretty small with good public transportation, you really don't have to worry about getting anywhere. Sutton Place is a bit more central. I stayed at the Hyatt, which is perfectly located.

I didn't do any of the excursions you mentioned but did take a float plane from Vancouver Island to Vancouver. Although it was for transportation, the flight turned out to be great fun. I loved the Anthropology Museum at UBC and walking along the waterfront. If I'd had the time, a bike ride through Stanley Park would have been nice.

Hope this helps a bit and have fun :)

Jahlie: Thanks for the tips. Your trip report was great, hope we have as good a time.