Weekend Getaway in Vancouver - Which hotel?
 

My husband and I want to take a weekend getaway to Vancouver. We've never stayed in the city before and there are so many hotels to choose from! We are looking for one of the nicer hotels with a good location to give us a memorable, romantic weekend.

I've heard amazing things about the Wedgewood hotel, but the room we could afford has 2 double beds! That place must book up fast! Anyone have opinions on Sheraton Wall Centre, Westin Bayshore, Fairmont Waterfront? The Westin Grand looks nice, but heard it's in a "seedy" location?

Thanks in advance for your help!!

The Westin Grand is in no way in a '<i>seedy</i>' location.
It's located on a major downtown street 5 minutes walk from the heart of the City.
If it's a unique and stunning locale you want try the Westin Bayshore.

The Westin Bayshore is a favourite of mine - located on the water at the entrance of Stanley Park, on the western edge of the West End with some restaurants I enjoy (Au Cafe de Paris on Denman, Carderos just a stone's throw from the Bayshore on the waterfront). Depending on when you visit, it has a great outdoor pool and bar area. It's a few minutes walk to the downtown core but you can always hop a cab or bus if you don't feel like walking.

But it's not inexpensive - might be comparable to Wedgewood / Pan Pacific / Fairmont Waterfront prices.

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is the grande old dame of Vancouver hotels. I haven't stayed in it for years but I think it would be a romantic place to stay at. Might be less expensive than the ones listed above.

I second the Westin Bayshore. It's been around forever, but it's very well maintained. And you can't beat the location. Easy walking distance to downtown on the one hand and Stanley Park on the other. Ask for a &quot;harbour view,&quot; which includes the mountains in the distance.

Who on earth told you the Westin Grand is in a seedy area? It's right by the library and 3 blocks from downtown's major shopping area. Not the most beautiful setting scenery-wise but it's a nice little hotel in a very convenient location.

Just curious as to where your info was coming from.

I've always wanted to stay at the Bayshore but never have. So that would be my choice. Great location.

Thank you for your input! I didn't mean to offend Vancouver residents if I said the Westin Grand was in a bad area.. I've just been reading so many reviews and I came across a couple that said it's not in the best location. But apparently, they're wrong!

What do you think about Sutton Place or the Four Seasons? For us, a nice luxurious room is a little more important than location.

Have a look at http://www.opushotel.com
I haven't been in yet but it's said to be a '<i>swank joint</i>'

Is the Fairmont Waterfront in a nicer location than the Wedgewood? Closer to Stanley Park? Are the views really pretty from the Fairmont? ***kim*** ((f))

lavaflow, no offense taken. Just wondered why someone thoguht the Westin Grand was in a seedy location - I work a block away and it's not seedy. Not the best location for a hotel in Vancouver given that it's not near the water or in the thick of things on Robson, but you certainly could stay in a much less desirable location.

And yes kimamom any of the waterfront hotels have a &quot;better&quot; location than the Wedgewood if it's views of the water you're after.

taggie: Thanks for your response. We've narrowed it down to Westin Grand or Sheraton Wall Centre.

We like the contemporary look of these hotels. (Although we know we won't get the ambience or personal service compared to other hotels) Any recommendation on which one you'd choose between the two, since you live in Vancouver? Thanks so much for your help!

It all depends what you mean by seedy. My son says he regularly gets offers to buy drugs when he visits the library across the street from the Westin Grand. That never happens to me. But drug dealers would tend to hang out where there's a student population, and once you are clued in you can notice some young men hanging around without any obvious purpose.

A couple weeks ago I had a strange and frightening encounter on Robson Street a couple blocks away at Seymour with someone who was probably hopped up on some substance. This person came at me quickly with a closed fist and stopped just short of my nose, and then peered up and looked at me. I had fully expected to be punched out, and I didn't even have the wits to smash him with my umbrella.

And there's quite likely to be a panhandler or two near the Westin Grand.

That said, I walk by this area almost every night and except for the recent incident have little fear of it.

WillTravel: Thank you for your honest opinion about the location of the Westin Grand. I understand everyone has a different definition of what's &quot;safe&quot; or &quot;seedy.&quot; As a woman, I tend to be a little more cautious.

So, given your opinion - it sounds like Sheraton Wall Centre might be a better location after all.

Or perhaps we should just stay at the Wedgewood - because everyone seems to rave about that place and it's in a good location!