I stayed at 2 B&B's and then the Listel hotel. :
I HIGHLY recommend the Johnson Herritage House on W. 34 in Kerrisdale neighborhood. It was GORGEOUS, comfy, friendly...and the breakfast was like eating in a top restaurant every day! - I can't say enough how much I LOVED it there!!

The Windsor guest house was nice. The family owns three B&B's near city hall and a very friendly Leslie runs this one. This was different from the Johnson house because it was like actually being in someone's home where the Johnson house was more upscale...but don't get me wrong, it was CLEAN, comfortable and Leslie will remind you of someone's cool mom (or even your own) It's "no frills" but I really enjoyed it. (and the price is dirt cheap. Cost me C$65 per night!)

The Listel was GREAT!! Here is what I wrote on another post:
I just got back (today) and REALLY enjoyed my stay there. Turn down service with oatmeal-raisin cookies left on your table, complementary coffee service delivered to your room in the morning (you let them know what time) along with a free newspaper, a very nice whirlpool in the fitness room, comfy rooms, great service and at the fun end of Robson street. (The Mundo Gelato is right there!! and an awesome fish and chips place- Olympia on Thurlow across from the Starbucks)...and a Lush store!! (spent too much money-but for those Lush fans, you'll understand!)

I went on the 4 1/2 bus tour(West coast sightseeing) and think it is a MUST! It takes you all over and you get a better tour and commentary than with the hop on and off bus. It gives you a great overview so you can plan what you want to explore more. It also includes a trip up the observation tower and a few short stops along the way (i.e. 45mins at Granville Island) This tour is WORTH IT!!!

Also a MUST (IMHO) is the Vancouver whale watch. 5 hours (give or take - depending on where you have to go to see whales) See all kinds of seals, birds, etc...and you will see whales. Great big ones that swim and flip so close to your boat. 3 resident pods live in the area. We gpt to see all 3!! It was the most awesome experience! (wear sunscreen! and dress warm - you will freeze and get sun burn, but it is sooo worth it.

Also incredible was the aquarium. I signed up for the Beluga encounter and the sea lion trainer tour... I got right in the water with the belugas!! I fed them! WOW!!!! I was also able to get right up to the sea lion-usually they use a male (which are HUGE!) so you can't get all that close...but they had a female available and she laid on my foot, kissed me and ate fish from my hand!! Double WOW!!

Grouse mountain was fun (the 2 bear cubs are so cute!) great shows...do eat at the Observatory. You get the ride up for free with advance reservations-but the food is YUMMY!! I did the chef tasting menu. It is well worth every penny!!!

It is really late-I am exhausted (I just got back today) so I don't know what else to say...if I think of anything else I'll write a new post. Email me if you have specific questions.

I forgot to mention I am a 30 year old female and I was solo...someone else on this forum was asking about the safety of solo female travelers... No problems at all for me!

Thanks, "FromAtlanta", My husband and I are planning our first visit to the Vancouver area next June, and are grateful for any tips. I admire your independence!

Sounds like you did indeed have a good time. Question: How did you find Vancouver compared to your usual European destinations? In an earlier post you remarked that you were somewhat disappointed to hear that some of us felt that Vancouver seemed not quite as "pristine" (ie a few more street people, a bit more trash) as it has been in the past.

Ken

Well, I was going there with the mind set that there were going to be street people and there was going to be trash on the ground...that is what I saw (in some areas) but it really wasn't that bad. Not at all. It is a HUGE urban city and with as many people who live and travel there it would be next to impossible to keep it "pristine" Most of Vancouver was very well kept and everyone was so friendly and helpful.
I was really impressed by the transportation system. (I forgot to write about that) Yes, it can be a bit tricky-but the bus drivers are so helpful and will make sure you get to where you need to be...also, I love the fact that your $2 fare is actually buying you a 90min. bus pass on any buss, sea bus or sky train That is really nice!!

I really loved it there and 2 weeks was not nearly enough time! There was so much I didn't get to do I will have to go back next year!

Good. So glad you liked it. I didn't mean to imply that it was at all a dirty city, just not quite as nice as it used to be. Vancouver for years was my absolute favorite city - though after a visit to the "old" (walled) portion of Quebec City, I think I have to hand the honor off to that place. Still, being #2 on my list is pretty darned nice - certainly better than any American city has fared (even here in Seattle - usually considered a pretty nice place too).

Spent half my childhood in Europe, but still prefer Vancouver and QC to any of the great places I saw there (and that's saying a lot). You are quite right when you point out that Vancouver is a LARGE city (much bigger than Seattle, for example), and for such a large place, it seems to be remarkably livable.

... and you're right, there is sooooooo much to do. Not only in the city proper, but in the wonderfully scenic areas nearby.

Ken