My adult daughter and I are planning a trip to Seattle and Vancouver this August. We only have a few days (from the 6th to the 9th) and want to spend it wisely. We?ve never been to either place and I hear both are beautiful. I?d like to ask everyone where we should stay in both cities (downtown, etc.) and what hotel that you would recommend? We are on a budget and would prefer something under 100.00 per night. I?m in the beginning stages of my research and I really would like to stay somewhere that is centrally located near all of the usual tourist sights.

TIA,

Renee

Hi Renee, I would hotwire it and see if you can find a decent hotel for a great price. It worked for us in Portland. We stayed at the Hilton there right downtown for $50/night!
That said, in Seattle we love the Edgewater. It's got a great history and gorgeous views ( from the water side). We stayed at a place in Vancouver called Blue Horizon (I think?) right on Robson St (also, I think). Anyway, it was a nice large room. Very convenient.
Have fun. Those are two of my favorite cities.

Thanks, Kameha!

I will definitely check those out. Any more suggestions?

Blue Horizon is indeed on Robson in a great location. By the way, Robson is without a doubt my favorite street in one of my favorite cities. It's lively both night and day with great restaurants and shops, and makes a terrific place to "people watch" with musicians and other (often very talented) street entertainers - and at the far end is wonderful Stanley Park (perhaps the nicest city park in all of North America). All in all , a great urban experience.

Enjoy your stay,

Ken

PS: Though I live in (and love) Seattle, Vancouver (I assume you are referring to Vancouver Canada, not Vancouver Washington) blows Seattle away. Seattle has a beatiful location, but Vancouvers' is even better - surely one of the most spectacular of any on earth.

Ken

That's what I heard too, Lord Balfor! I'm wondering if we should stay in Seattle for one day and then drive up to Vancouver (yes, Canada! lol) for the rest of our stay?? I love scenic views and I'm beginning to think that Vancouver may be the way to go...

Is Blue Horizon located in the downtown area? WOuld I need a car or would public transportation be sufficient?

Renee, you really should post your questions regarding Vancouver on the Canada board. They are very helpful with advice there.

Gerald is right regarding the specific Vancouver questions. Having said, I'll try and reply to your question here:

I think there is PLENTY to see and do in either city (and both have beautiful locations), so either a 2/2 or a 1/3 split should work. I do have suggestion though - when heading up to Vancouver, do NOT take I-5 all the way, rather get off the freeway and take Chuckanut Drive (http://www.chuckanutdrive.com/) along the coast from the exit near Burlington up to Bellingham. It's a very, very scenic drive.

On to your 2nd question: Blue Horizon is indeed in the downtown area. Vancouver has a pretty good public transportation system (especially compared to Seattle). A car is still useful however to get to places like Grouse Mountain, Queen Elizabeth Park etc (quicker and more convenient).

Ken

Gerald,

Thank you very much for reminding me to do that....I got so caught up in the great info that Balfor was giving me. I'm such a dunce sometimes! lol

Ken,

Thanks....I'm off to do more research! I'm so excited!!!!

We stayed at the Days Inn in Vancouver (not the one downtown, but out a couple of miles) It was nice, very nicely priced and conveniently located to bus and light rail stops. Many nice oriental restaurants in the area, next door to a McDonalds

Another faq about Blue Horizon. Most or all of the rooms are corner rooms with big picture windows on two walls. If you stay be sure you're on one of the upper floors--views from the balcony are beautiful

I don't know whether you've booked flights already (assuming you're flying), but one thing to consider is to do just one city. I think it's a two hour drive from Seattle to Vancouver, so you'll spend about half a day on round trip travel.

Vancouver is flat out stunning. One of the best things to do is to walk, bike, or roller blade (rentals are readily available) around Stanley Park. You can also do a day trip to Bouchart Gardens.

In Seattle, we liked the Best Western University Tower Hotel. www.meany.com. Not in downtown, but rather in the University of Washington area. We got a corner studio (one full size bed) for $79. This includes free parking and a good continental breakfast.

One thing I would not advise doing in Seattle: going up to the Space Needle. Totally anticlimatic, and it was $8 a person back in '96.

The Space Needle is now $12/person and yes, we found it a little disappointing for that much money. I mean, it's a cool view, but once we soaked it in we were pretty much done.

Would also recommend the Soup Daddy restaurants in Pioneer Square and near Pike Place for a wonderful variety of soups and good hearty soup n sandwich lunches!

love
roxy

Check out www.biddingfortravel.com and then bid on Priceline.

Thanks again, everyone! Great tips!