Vancouver Hotel Recommendations

[Yellow Lab's Rule]

HI! Interested in doing a cruise on the Zuiderdam in either July or August of this year. Any recommendations for 1 night pre-cruise stay in Vancouver would be appreciated. Also is it best to take a taxi or some type of shuttle? The last time I cruised into Vancouver and I remember that the port was quite a distance from the airport. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[eh2zed]

The Pan Pacific and the Fairmont Waterfront are part of the Canada Place terminal. Very convenient if not pricey. A taxi from YVR would be my preference.

[Mary Ellen]

I agree with the hotel recommendations - only we prefer to use YVR "official" limo service, LimoJetGold, for our transfers. Much more comfortable than a taxi and the cost isn't that different - possibly better if you get stuck in Vancouver infamous traffic, as that meter doesn't keep ticking away. ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Love the Pan Pacific -- have stayed,

Right now the hotel is undergoing a lot of renovations.

[RedmondCruiser]

It's hard not to find a good hotel in Vancouver. They have lots of them. Anything in the downtown area is a very short cab ride to Canada Place. We like the Wedgewood hotel but since it was rated as the best hotel in Canada on year the prices have gone up. If you look for 3 stars and above you will do fine. Have a great cruise.

[suitedreams]

The two hotels mentioned above are the most convenient, you can walk to the ship. For a Friday night in July or August you should expect to spend $220,or more, per night. The Metropolitan, a very nice hotel about 1/3 mile from Canada Place, may have rooms as low as $155.

We were in Vancouver three weeks ago, the taxi fare from our downtown hotel to the airport was $35 (Canadian) including tip.

Len

[suitedreams]

RedmondCruiser is right about the Wedgewood, they now charge more than the hotels at Canada Place.

Limojet Gold does provide a very comfortable ride, they charge $70 (Canadian) plus tax.

Len

[dbird]

My husband just took me to The Hotel Le Soleil for my birthday. It is a wonderful boutique hotel two or three blocks from Canada Place, that has the most amazing service. He picked this hotel for the location, because as a local, one of my all time favorite things to do is go down and Bon Voyage the cruise ships

:-)

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

We have stayed at both the Marriott Pinnacle and the Renaissance (across the street from the Marriott) on Hastings Street - about a 15 minute walk from Canada Place. Also have stayed at the Best Western Granville further away and less expensive - about 30 minute walk. For shorter cruises we carry on luggage to the ship so the walk if not bad. Taxis easily available from Hastings Street hotels - not so easy at Best Western.

Have a great cruise.

Barbara

[beatriz22]

we love this hotel and its a 5$ or so cab ride to the pier

[2cruisealot]

Last year we stayed at the Fairmont Downtown which is near the Hyatt. It is a lovely hotel with old world charm and elegance, good size rooms, friendly staff and a great location for shopping. Had breakfast one day in their restaurant and had the yummiest and biggest pancakes I have ever seen!

[fann1sh]

If you just want to be sure you get a certain star rating of hotel in a particular area, I'm a big advocate of Priceline. While you can't pick your hotel, there are strategies for making sure you get an acceptable one. Here's a website that gives advice:

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=166&

Here's another link to the Canadian hotel list (scroll down alphabetically to find Vancouver (Downtown):

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=98&

I got a post cruise room at the Pan Pacific for US$82 (with taxes and surcharges, about C$117). The best normal rate would be over C$300.

[Ms VT]

I, too, just booked from Priceline. I bid $75 for a 4 star downtown hotel. They accepted the bid & we'll be staying at the Hyatt. The reviews look very good & I am very happy.

[woody73]

We have stayed at both the Marriott Pinnacle and the Renaissance (across the street from the Marriott) on Hastings Street - about a 15 minute walk from Canada Place. . .
We just spent one week post-cruise at the Renaissance on Hastings Street, and highly recommend it. Good location close to Canada Place, taxis readily available, rooms recently renovated, and a very friendly staff.

Woody

[RuthC]

I'll concur on the Pan Pacific and Fairmont Waterfront; both are marvelous hotels. There is nothing like waking up early peeking out the window, and seeing your ship coming under the bridge.

I've also stayed at a couple of downtown hotels around the corner from Robson Street. Nice hotels, each of them, and a location that has a kind of built-in excitement.

[LVSue]

I'm just not brave enough to try Priceline (which is also why I don't book guarantees).

We liked the Crowne Plaza, but I think they have converted it to apartments, so we are splurging on the Fairmont Waterfront. I love the idea of having my bags shlepped to the ship from the hotel. Our price is around $300 w/breakfast, which is a little easier to stomach because we split it two ways.

I have also stayed at Day's Inn Downtown, which is also convenient to Canada Place and budget priced. I thought it was kind of dark, and it used to have a free shuttle to Canada Place, but it seems they don't any more because the site says taxis are $9-10 to CP.

[DizzyDallasDi]

I stayed at Sutton Place pre-cruise for my May 23 Zuiderdam cruise. It is a very lovely 5-star hotel and I got it for $95/nt. on Hotwire. Also, they have a wonderful bar, Gerard Lounge, if that type of entertainment interests you.

Diane

[andeesue]

We stayed at the Hampton Inn last summer pre-cruise on Hilton Honor points. Not as fancy as some mentioned, but very comfortable, included breakfast, some free internet, gym and laundry facilities, as well as a free shuttle to the cruise terminal. It is a block away from the very cool Vancouver library.

[alcpa1]

We have stayed in downtown Vancouver and also in Richmond, aka airport area. If you have a later flight into Vancouver Richmond works very well. There are all the major chains with a Marriott and Hilton in the same block. The neighborhood is safe and there are more oriental restaurants than in most China towns. The hotels have free shuttles to and from the airport, hotel rates are moderate, and the price of a cab is about the same as an airport transfer.
There are two Fairmont hotels in downtown Vancouver, both are older deluxe properties with the Waterfront location across the street from the Pan Pacific and the piers.
The beautiful views from the Marriott have now been partially blocked by new construction but a water view room on a high floor can't be beat. It is an easy walk to the Pan Pacific but not with luggage.
The Sutton Place is across from the Hyatt if memory serves and about a 10 minute cab ride from the pier. Both are very nice properties but we have only been in the lobbies. Almost everyone in our large CC group (70+) stayed at the Sutton Place on one of our Alaskan cruises. We used points at the Marriott Pinnacle.
A favorite of cruisers past is the Westin Bayshore. It is in a beautiful neighborhood close to town. I have not heard much about it lately and it is off the beaten path and a few hilly blocks to the southern part of Robson St.
Some of the areas around the Hampton Inn and the Days Inn are not stellar and I would not be comfortable walking there at night. I know Vancouver is steadily moving the street people away in anticipation of the Olympics but there are still some areas I would not be comfortable staying in. I wouldn't go any farther east than the Hyatt.
I wouldn't be afraid to book a four or five star on Priceline. Vancouver hotels are wonderful and the closer the city gets to their Olympic debut the better and safer the city will be.
Have a great cruise.

[woody73]

. . . The beautiful views from the Marriott have now been partially blocked by new construction but a water view room on a high floor can't be beat. It is an easy walk to the Pan Pacific but not with luggage.
We had a harbor view room at the Rensaissance, and loved it. We watched ships come and go, and float planes take off and land.

The Renaissance is across the street from the Marriott, toward the water.

Woody

[Putterdude]

All of the hotels referenced above are very good and non of Vancouver's downtown hotels are more than a $10 cab fare to Canada Place. There will be lots of cabs at YVR to take you downtown and the trip is about 30 mins and the fare will run about $30/$35 depending on traffic. The limo contract with LimoJet Gold expired this spring and now is with High End Limo. With High End your fare will be $39 for a limo holding up to 5 pax and $45 for one holding 6 pax, there is a 5% tax and of course tip.

With hotels, a lot of posters including myself have had great succss using Priceline.com, personally I got the Marriott Renissance for $75...not a view room though. In any event if you do you Priceline, you go on the the biding screen, choose 3*+ in Downtown-Vancouver and start biding at $65 or $70. All hotel at this level are in good locations and we have been learing of people getting rooms in 4* and 5* hotels this season at prices less than $100.

[rmglhorne]

I have been trying to book a Vancouver Hotel through Hotwire and Priceline,however both sites come back with credit card problems. I have tried both my cards and everything is OK re billing address etc but they will not accept them.

I am booking from New Zealand. Does anyone know if these two sites will not accept overseas cards. Anyone else outside US and Canada been able to book with an overseas billing address.

[2cruisealot]

I haven't tried those sites, have you tried expedia.co.nz as they are all in NZD. Not sure if they have competitive rates or not but I usually email the hotel direct and ask for the same rate that is being sold via one of the internet sites. That way the hotel saves on paying them a booking fee.

[brucory]

we love this hotel and its a 5$ or so cab ride to the pier

We got a great deal for the hyatt through priceline and were very happy...

:D:D:D

[brucory]

I have been trying to book a Vancouver Hotel through Hotwire and Priceline,however both sites come back with credit card problems. I have tried both my cards and everything is OK re billing address etc but they will not accept them.

I am booking from New Zealand. Does anyone know if these two sites will not accept overseas cards. Anyone else outside US and Canada been able to book with an overseas billing address.

Have you checked the frequently asked questions section on P/L? There is some info about putting in your address for those outside of the US. Once you have a profile with a credit card attached, it is much easier than trying to use a credit card for particular booking.

We found priceline a learning process, but love the results. Also, as someone else mentioned, the better bidding site is very useful for tips and recent results.

:D:D:D

[fann1sh]

I have been trying to book a Vancouver Hotel through Hotwire and Priceline,however both sites come back with credit card problems. I have tried both my cards and everything is OK re billing address etc but they will not accept them.

I am booking from New Zealand. Does anyone know if these two sites will not accept overseas cards. Anyone else outside US and Canada been able to book with an overseas billing address.


As Brucory notes, Canadians used to have this problem, until they changed both sites to conform to Canadian postal codes. (An example of our system would be A1A 2B2.) We used to have to pick fictitious 5 number US zips, even though the correct full address was buried in the rest of the form.

Also, some Canadian banks apparently are/were not part of whatever system both sites use to verify the card before searching for a room.

Here's a link to the Better Bidding site Brucory mentions, with (old) advice to Canadians on the problem. I hope something works by analogy, and helps!

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?act=ST&f=173&t=503&

[patrick65]

On staying in Vancouver we enjoy staying at the Sylvia Hotel this hotel is an old historic hotel. The rooms are guite different so be clear as to the type of room you are desiring. Some rooms are much larger than others. the hotel is right on English Bay and Stanly park is within walking distance. On our last walk we saw the Statendam returning from Alaska making its way to the cruise terminal for its next cruise.

My wife enjoy a long walk in Stanly Park then we go to breakfast. After breakfast we catch a cab to the ship terminal to begin our cruise. This hotel does not have the crome or glitter of the newer hotels but it has confortable beds, wonderful views and a relaxing feeling.

[rmglhorne]

Thanks to all for your info. I found that New zealand was not on the world list of countries accepted by Priceline. Cannot understand why if they accept Australia ???. We have a stable economy backed up by 40 million sheep so cannot be such a risk.

However i put in a bid again and used my city as Auckland and state as California with a 5 figure post code and lo and behold everything was accepted and I got a night at the Pan Pacific in Canada Place for $100.00 US. Just the job.

Thanks again for all information. Just shows you what a good site Cruis Critic is.

Kia Ora from New Zealand

[Cinema15]

My husband just took me to The Hotel Le Soleil for my birthday. It is a wonderful boutique hotel two or three blocks from Canada Place, that has the most amazing service. He picked this hotel for the location, because as a local, one of my all time favorite things to do is go down and Bon Voyage the cruise ships

:-)


I too agree with the recommendation. Spent 4 nights at Le Soleil three years ago and it was very nice. You may also be able to book the rooms cheaper here than the ones on or near Canada Place.

[Murrumba]

Thanks to all for your info. I found that New zealand was not on the world list of countries accepted by Priceline. Cannot understand why if they accept Australia ???. We have a stable economy backed up by 40 million sheep so cannot be such a risk.

However i put in a bid again and used my city as Auckland and state as California with a 5 figure post code and lo and behold everything was accepted and I got a night at the Pan Pacific in Canada Place for $100.00 US. Just the job.

Thanks again for all information. Just shows you what a good site Cruis Critic is.

Kia Ora from New Zealand

I bid on priceline and could not work it out originally, then I went a site that said you can use the white house address if you want; I chose to be from Beverley Hills!!!!:p:p Just as long as you have the correct address in the first part - we got 5 nights at the Hyatt Vancouver for $US75.00 plus taxes per night. We like priceline!!!!!:D

[janisutx]

We loved our stay at the elegant Sutton Place Hotel in June 2008. They allowed us to check-in at 10:30 am without the usual comments about doing us a favor. We enjoyed lunch in the pub Gerard. The tourist bus stop is nearby. I also loved the bathroom with a separate shower. It's a short cab ride from the port in a nice neighborhood with small apartment buildings, shops and cafes. Seeing how the locals live is a big plus for me.

[Teton cowgirl]

Being a thrifty soul, I just booked the Comfort Inn Downtown Vancouver for July 17 for 2 adults, mature rate, for $ 152.99 Canadian. Parking is $14 per night - supposedly the lot is patrolled from 11pm to 7am. We'll watch ourselves on the street. I asked for a quiet room on a higher floor due to street/disco noise. Hearing all of you talk abt your good rates at Priceline makes me doubt my choice....

[EduTravler]

I, too, try to save on travel when possible and booked a hotel for about what you did. Well, I was talked into using Priceline and am so glad I did. DH and I will be at the Hyatt for $80 USD a night for two nights in July.
I liked that I could pick my area and the amount I was willing to take a chance with and it worked. I did call and verify that I am getting non-smoking rooms, and I am!

[Down-Unders]

Hilton Metrotown a little ways out but nice hotel, monorail handy to town and shopping center across the road.

[woody73]

Yellow Lab's Rule,

Although we did not stay there, we visited the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
http://www.fairmont.com/hotelvancouver

It's a beautiful hotel, and the best part is they have two concierge dogs -- yellow labs named Mavis and Bo -- who relax on a dog bed next to the concierge desk. Guests can take even them for a walk.

Woody

[JerseyJaguar]

I stayed at the Westin, got a great price through priceline, cabfare was $6 from the Pier, was able to check in and get into my room at 8:30am, and the room was great. Comfy westin beds, a chaise lounge, big bathroom, etc. and so on. All that right on the seawall so a lovely walk to the Park.

[Putterdude]

I stayed at the Westin, got a great price through priceline, cabfare was $6 from the Pier, was able to check in and get into my room at 8:30am, and the room was great. Comfy westin beds, a chaise lounge, big bathroom, etc. and so on. All that right on the seawall so a lovely walk to the Park.

Glad you had a good stay in Vancouver, the hotel you stayed at was the Westin Bayshore the only reason I mention this there is also the Weston Grand which is located on Robson St. some mile or so east of the Bayshore and in a more urban setting.

[gogotraveler]

HI! Interested in doing a cruise on the Zuiderdam in either July or August of this year. Any recommendations for 1 night pre-cruise stay in Vancouver would be appreciated. Also is it best to take a taxi or some type of shuttle? The last time I cruised into Vancouver and I remember that the port was quite a distance from the airport. Any suggestions would be appreciated!


I used Priceline to book our hotel in Vancouver for July 11. We sail July 12. I bid $75 for a 4 star hotel which was accepted immediately. It is $94 with taxes and we are staying at the Hyatt Regency which is .4 mile from the dock. I have to wonder if I could have gotten it cheaper, but I believe I got a good deal!

[fann1sh]

I used Priceline to book our hotel in Vancouver for July 11. We sail July 12. I bid $75 for a 4 star hotel which was accepted immediately. It is $94 with taxes and we are staying at the Hyatt Regency which is .4 mile from the dock. I have to wonder if I could have gotten it cheaper, but I believe I got a good deal!

GogoTraveler, you hit it exactly right. Bids of $70 seem to get rejected, but $75 get accepted - and I've seen a LOT of reservations for the Hyatt on Better Bidding and these boards, almost all at $75.

I was annoyed when my $75 bid was rejected...but then upped it to $82 the next day, and got the Pan Pacific. :)

[Himself]

I got a good price from Priceline and stayed at the Sutton Place Hotel. It is a good stetch of the legs from Canada Place but I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

[RuthC]

I was annoyed when my $75 bid was rejected...but then upped it to $82 the next day, and got the Pan Pacific. :)
Wow! That's a good price in any currency.

[fann1sh]

Wow! That's a good price in any currency.

Thanks...my :) should have been :D:D:D

[JimVrhovac]

Last time we were through town our TA got us the Hyatt for $85.00 for the night.

It was centrally located and it was well worth it. The normal rate should have been $275.00. How did she do it. I did not ask....

Ruth & Jim

[Putterdude]

Last time we were through town our TA got us the Hyatt for $85.00 for the night.

It was centrally located and it was well worth it. The normal rate should have been $275.00. How did she do it. I did not ask....

Ruth & Jim

I like the Hyatt Regency and its central location even more. $85 is a very good rate but I have seen posts of $70 using Priceline...to which you have to add their fee of about $7 pn.

[Putterdude]

GogoTraveler, you hit it exactly right. Bids of $70 seem to get rejected, but $75 get accepted - and I've seen a LOT of reservations for the Hyatt on Better Bidding and these boards, almost all at $75.

I was annoyed when my $75 bid was rejected...but then upped it to $82 the next day, and got the Pan Pacific. :)

Please let us know how you make out at the Pan Pacific....the reason I ask is because they are doing a bunch or renovations to the hotel for the Winter Olympics and I am suspicious that some of these bargin rooms may be close to where the reno's are happening. However having said that I have had good success phoning the hotel post bid and asking for certain things in a room such as a king-non smoking so you may want to ask them to be sure and locate you away from any reno's as you are allergic to paint smells, drywall dust .... or whatever. ;)

[poss]

Jersey or any other folks who have stayed at the Westin Bayshore:

Can you tell me, please, whether you found it to be noisy? I.e. not noise from the outside, but from neighbors. I've read that the walls there are quite thin and also that the doors have a loud bang.

Thanks. (The hotel seems right for us in other respects, but we're real noise sensitive.)

Putterdude: Would the construction at PP likely impact the ambience at Fairmount?

Thanks to all.

[KathyPet]

We stayed two nights at the Rennissance this past Sunday and Monday. Paid extra for a harbor view room. I loved it and the view was great. Our entire group of 20 people (all over 55) walked from the pier to the hotel with our luggage and had no problem. I snapped a photo of us crossing the street and we look like we are trying out for "Make Way for the Ducklings" as we all crossed in a line dragging our suitcases behind us.

[Marion B]

Poss,
I am very noise sensitive; spent two nights at the Westin Bayshore (with an incredible view room) and slept soundly. Never heard other guests from nearby rooms at any time.

Would highly recommend this hotel. Also recommend Cardero's Restaurant, practically next door, for lunch or dinner.

Enjoy your cruise.
Marion

[Putterdude]

Putterdude: Would the construction at PP likely impact the ambience at Fairmount?

Short answer, no. They are across the street from one another.