What are your ideas for a post-Alaska cruise hotel stay in Vancouver? (2 nights). Is there anything that should not be missed while there?

Hello,

I would suggest staying at the Hotel Vancouver, it is just a few blocks up from the cruise terminal and is located within easy walking distance of excellent shopping, restaurants. It is a beautiful, historic hotel with excellent service and gives a real glimpse into Canadiana. If you want really great views, check out the Pan Pacific Hotel, which towers over the cruise terminal - it is a luxurious hotel with splendid views of the shipping lanes, cruise ships, the Straits of Juan de Fuca, the Gulf Islands, the Coast Mountains.

Take a picnic lunch and walk the seawall at Stanley Park. Walk the shops in Kitsilano; it is an bohemian, but upscale artistic area of Vancouver. Point Grey and the Univ. of B.C. are great - don't miss the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.

Have a great time!
Julia Elzie
Cruising Co., Etc.

We just returned from this trip and stayed at a wonderful small hotel right downtown. Le Soleil Hotel and Suites is right on Robson St. and within walking distance to almost everything there. The rooms were very nice, down comforters on the bed, marble baths, etc. We found a great rate on the internet. The concierge, Nathalie, was extremely helpful in setting up tours that picked us up right in our hotel lobby, and recommending restaurants and other things to do. Make sure to visit Granville Island, and a day trip to Victoria via the ferry was just wonderful. If you'd like some specifics, you can email me at [email protected]. Have fun - this is a fantastic city to explore!

PamSF just got back from Vancouver last month. Here's her trip report and where she stayed. Have a nice trip.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

Oops - sorry. Le Soleil Hotel and Suites is on Hornby street, not Robson!

We stayed at the Westin Bayshore. Granted, it is a huge hotel, and they play host to a number of large groups. But the location is fantastic! Right on the water, at Coal Harbor. Boats, boats and more boats. Practically next door to Stanley Park, and within walking distance of great restaurants and interesting shops. We loved it.

You may also want to consider priceline for a downtown Vancouver hotel, there has not been any reports of "poor properties" and plenty of $50 rates. Any downtown hotel will have you in the middle of everything. For ease of transport, there is a hop on hop off loop bus that hits all the sights.

My experience only but Victoria is NEVER a day trip for me and I also always take a car. Plenty to do and see and a top area for orca whale watching trips.

Being a close neighbor, I have a personal boycott against Victoria. It is the only municipality of any size in N.A. that discharges raw sewage into the sea. Their belief is that the currents are strong enough to dissipate it.

We always stay at the Sutton Place Hotel- Great boutique hotel near Robson St...IDEAL local- walking distance to all the hot spots...

It's not about the hotel, but we ate at a fabulous restaurant in Vancouver named "C". Yes, just the letter C.
Good luck!