Vancouver Hotel recommendations via PriceLine/Hotwire

[Cruisin' Lisa]

We have just booked the Dawn Princess "Pacific Coastal" repositioning cruise from LA to Vancouver. Any reccomendations for an one night hotel stay post-cruise for myself and 13 y.o. daughter?

Do any of the hotels offer free transportation from the pier to the hotel, or from the hotel to the airport? I do not plan to rent a car.

Since we will be flying back to California, how much time should I allow to get to the airport and to go through security (will I also have to go through customs?).

Is the Pier area of Vancouver considered be be "downtown"? I will probably book the hotel via Priceline or Hotwire. Any difference in using one or the other?

Lisa

Caribbean Princess 08/21/2004
Dawn Princess Repositioning Pacific Coastal Cruise 05/07/2004
Carnival Ecstasy January 2004
Carnival Ecstasy April 2003
Star Princess (Mexican Riviera) Christmas 2002
Royal Caribbean January 2000
NCL Windstar(Alaska) August 1995

[H20 skier]

I don't know if this will interest you but twice we have stayed at the Kenya Court Bed and Breakfast. The first time was 1995 and it was $95/night and the second was last year and it was $100/night. It is beautiful and overlooks the entrance to the harbor. You actually get a suite of rooms and a wonderful breakfast up in the sunroom. Dr. and Mrs. Williams are delightful hosts. You are within walking distance of good restaurants (We recommend Bridges). It is a short taxi ride to the cruise terminal.

[crosj]

Try the Hyatt regency. I will be staying there in May and through priceline I was able to get a room for $66. I have stayed there before and its a very nice hotel and very close to the pier and is downtown.

Elation-04/01 Mexico
Radiance-4/02 Panama Canal
NCL Sun -6/03 Alaska
Island Princess 8/03 Alaska
Rhapsody-2/22/04 Mardi Gras
Sun Princess 5/04 left Coast
Coral Pricess 4/05 Panama Canal

[cnmiranda]

Priceline is usually cheaper than Hotwire by at least $10-15/nt and PL's booking fees are less. I would research prior winning bids from www.biddingfortravel.com (http://www.biddingfortravel.com) and go from there. Make sure you understand the concept of free rebidding (found in the BFT Hotel FAQ) to maximize your chances of getting the lowest price. Good luck.

Majesty of the Seas (2)
Norwegian Dawn
Monarch of the Seas
Diamond Princess (5/04)

[CaptData]

Regarding customs yes you will go through customs if you are flying back to US plus you go through customs when you get off the ship in Vancouver. Please remember Canada is not the US we are just trading partners etc. Hope you enjoy Vancouver.

Hopfully a Hawiian Cruise

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2006;12;5;11;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500 Until we sail away on the ocean blue



Navigator of the Seas Western Crib 08/03
Dawn Princess - Eastern Carb
Dawn Princess Panamal Canal

[Drifter]

It's about a half-hour cab ride from downtown to the airport. You do have to go through U.S. Customs in the Vancouver airport if you're flying to the U.S., rather than when you arrive home. I'd think you'd want to allow a couple of hours.

[sammiedawg]

Last July we did Priceline and got the Sheraton Wall Center for a very good price, less than $60. Withing walking distance of the cruise piers. Take a cab with the luggage.

[MKellyUtah]

Last fall in Vancouver I got the Renaissance Hotel downtown via Hotwire for $45 a night ... good location within sight & walking distance of main cruise ship terminal and shopping ... I also hear the Marriott Pinnacle across the street from the Renaissance is going for about the same price ($45-$55) on Hotwire. Great city, no matter where you stay ... one of the best cities in North America.

[Cruisin' Lisa]

Thanks everyone. I tried bidding last night on Priceline. Bid too low ($40 for a three star) and they didn't accept. Now have to wait until Saturday to try again.

Lisa

Caribbean Princess 08/21/2004
Dawn Princess Repositioning Pacific Coastal Cruise 05/07/2004
Carnival Ecstasy January 2004
Carnival Ecstasy April 2003
Star Princess (Mexican Riviera) Christmas 2002
Royal Caribbean January 2000
NCL Windstar(Alaska) August 1995

[Cruisin' Lisa]

MKellyUtah;

Hotwire has the vancouver downtown area broken up into sections. For the hotels you mentioned, which part of downtown was it considered--downtown west, downtown entertainment, downtown south, or? I'm not sure which of those areas is closest to the pier, etc.

Lisa

Caribbean Princess 08/21/2004
Dawn Princess Repositioning Pacific Coastal Cruise 05/07/2004
Carnival Ecstasy January 2004
Carnival Ecstasy April 2003
Star Princess (Mexican Riviera) Christmas 2002
Royal Caribbean January 2000
NCL Windstar(Alaska) August 1995

[Budget Queen]

Priceline is excellent in Vancouver. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I have never heard of substandard accepted bids. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif As for your questions- none of the downtown hotels have airport free shuttles, take a cab for about $25+++ ca. Get a cab that takes credit cards- much better exchange if your don't have Ca dollars. The possible downside to priceline is the possibility of one bed. As mentioned go to www.biddingfortravel.com (http://www.biddingfortravel.com) and see what have been recent bids.

[MKellyUtah]

Cruisin Lisa:
I've never gone the "Hotwire" route. On "Priceline", the area is "Downtown" (not the airport or any of the suburbs listed). There are a lot of great hotels downtown, all within walking distance to the harbor & shopping. Hope that helps.

[marvholly]

We got the Renaissance DT Vancouver last June for 1 nite for about $45. It was marvelous and within walking distance (about 6 blocks) of numerous resturants for dinner.

Holly

M/S Boheme 11/69
Rhapsody 2/77?
Azure Sea 3/89
Panama Canal 11/90
Mexican Riviera 3/98
Carnival Triumph 12/99
Carnival Spirit 12/01
NCL Dream 11/17/02
Celebrity Mercury 6/1/03
carnival Victory 3/28/04

[Cruisin' Lisa]

MKelly;

What star are the Renaissance and Pinnacle--3 star or 4 star?

Lisa

Caribbean Princess 08/21/2004
Dawn Princess Repositioning Pacific Coastal Cruise 05/07/2004
Carnival Ecstasy January 2004
Carnival Ecstasy April 2003
Star Princess (Mexican Riviera) Christmas 2002
Royal Caribbean January 2000
NCL Windstar(Alaska) August 1995

[Cruisin' Lisa]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I bid tonight on PriceLine and got the Marriot Pinnacle for $48 usd (($60 including taxes, etc). Thank you for your help.

Lisa

Caribbean Princess 08/21/2004
Dawn Princess Repositioning Pacific Coastal Cruise 05/07/2004
Carnival Ecstasy January 2004
Carnival Ecstasy April 2003
Star Princess (Mexican Riviera) Christmas 2002
Royal Caribbean January 2000
NCL Windstar(Alaska) August 1995

[cnmiranda]

Glad that worked out for you http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Great deal!

Majesty of the Seas (2)
Norwegian Dawn
Monarch of the Seas
Diamond Princess (5/04)

[seattlekckckc]

The Marriott Pinnacle is awesome! I stayed a night there when I went up to see the Barenaked Ladies concert a few weeks ago. It was a gorgoeus hotel, and we were able to upgrade to a better room for $15cd (no pressure from them though). We were on almost the top floor with a perfect view of Stanley Park - just gorgoues!

Parking was $25cd a day I want to say? But with in/out privlidges, not bad for parking in downtown Vancouver.

Casey