We are going to Vancouver for a week in August. We have checked out many hotels. We have narrowed it down to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and the Fairmont Waterfront. Gold entree/9th floor rooms. One has city views, one has water...Has anyone stayed at either of these hotels and can help us decide which one to stay at? Also, we would like to go to Victoria for a day trip, what is the best way to get there and back? Any info would be appreciated...

You like modern? Waterfront. You like classic, Hotel Vancouver. <BR> <BR>If you have the money, take a seaplane from Vancouver harbor to Victoria harbor and back. <BR> <BR>BAK

Brian's right in a nutshell but more to the fact the Hotel Vancouver is the Dowager Hotel in Vancouver but it has been remodelled so many times it's hardly 'dated'. Also it's location in the very heart of the shopping district of downtown is a consideration. <BR> <BR>The Waterfront is much better located for Gastown and the Harbour and I would imagine the rooms are more standardized. <BR>I would choose the Vancouver if for no other reason than it's more central location. In fact they're only about 6 blocks apart. <BR> <BR>The downtown to downtown twin otter seaplanes are definately convenient. Again if money is no object you can hire an air taxi which will fly you right into Butchart Gardens then into the Inner Harbour. There's also a helicopter company that flies big 20 plus passenger Sikorsky's every hour into Victoria. <BR> <BR>But if money is an object Pacific Coach lines has very reasonable downtown to downtown bus trips leaving with every ferry and the whole trip takes about 3 hours each way. <BR> <BR>If you're driving then you drive south to Tsawassen and catch the ferry to Swartz Bay but frankly if you're only going for the day I'd do an early bus, take a city tour, have afternoon tea, wander around, have dinner and take a late bus back to Vancouver.

I have stayed at both these hotels in the past year. I agree withe the above posts about ambiance. Both hotels are excellent. It really comes down to where you want to be and what type of hotel you like. I like the Waterfront, I love The Hotel Vancouver, only because I never dreamed, when I was young and living in Vancouver, that I could ever afford to stay there. A.M.

Thank you all for your reply's. You have been a tremendous help. We will keep the reservations we made for the entree gold room at the Vancouver. The Seaplane sounds like fun and we will definitely check into it. I can't wait to go. Thanks Again...