Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite

Thank you Putterdude, K50 and matincath. I chose the hotel based on it having a 24 hour airport shuttle. A friend who is sailing with me won't be getting in until about 11 pm on the night before the cruise so was trying to find an easy way to get her from point A to point B. I was planning on renting a car for sightseeing but figured I would turn it back in before she got in.

 

So besides HI Express Vancouver Airport any other suggestions that would fit. The trip from the hotel to the port will either be taxi or who knows what just yet. It is just getting her from the airport to the hotel. She will be dead tired from livestock judging in the AM and then flying from the East coast to Vancouver.

As PD said late night is quickest (therefore cheapest) to get downtown by cab in case you did want a hotel close to the port. But if it is just a 'get to my bed ASAP' situation then sticking to a hotel as close to the airport as possible is the logical course of action - there is a Fairmont (pricey...) right at the airport. After that you have a choice of several hotels, mostly budget chains, within a few miles/few minutes shuttle ride:

River Rock Casino hotel is the best-located if you're considering taking Skytrain downtown next day. Others close by include the Hampton Inn, BW Albercorn Inn, and Days Inn.

For a higher budget the Westin Wall Centre and Delta Airport. NB if you're booking the Wall Centre, make sure it's the airport Westin not the downtown Sheraton version...

All of these include a free shuttle from the airport.

My family and I will be coming to Vancouver on April 26th to stay for a couple of days before our cruise departs on the 28th. I've just learned that there is a 10K Sun Run happening on the 27th. How much of an impact will this race have? I'm wondering what is the best way to still get around this day to sightsee and not be stuck in the middle of the race.

I have stayed at both the Westin at Wall Centre and the Delta Airport in the last few months. The Westin is gorgeous but can be pricey (I got it on Hotwire) and Delta while nice is a little less costly...more in the $160 range. However, as I mentioned in my previous post you can get a 3*+ hotel in downtown for about the same price point if you watch the discount sites.

My family and I will be coming to Vancouver on April 26th to stay for a couple of days before our cruise departs on the 28th. I've just learned that there is a 10K Sun Run happening on the 27th. How much of an impact will this race have? I'm wondering what is the best way to still get around this day to sightsee and not be stuck in the middle of the race.

We have a resident poster who is an expert in all things relating to races in Vancouver and he may be along shortly. However, in his absence I can tell you that the run will have very little impact on your visit. As for seeing the sights of Vancouver or any other city for that matter I am a big advocate of HOHOs. We have 3 such services in Vancouver but IMO the better one is the Vancouver Trolley if only for their live narration ... however if you are travelling with children they may enjoy the Big Bus HOHO as it is partially open air and that has a certain appeal to young people.

Thank you all for your information. Will check and see if my friend wants closer to the port in the morning or closer to the airport the night of arrival. For me I am open to anything as it will be my first time in Vancouver. She has been there before.

We have a resident poster who is an expert in all things relating to races in Vancouver and he may be along shortly. However, in his absence I can tell you that the run will have very little impact on your visit. As for seeing the sights of Vancouver or any other city for that matter I am a big advocate of HOHOs. We have 3 such services in Vancouver but IMO the better one is the Vancouver Trolley if only for their live narration ... however if you are travelling with children they may enjoy the Big Bus HOHO as it is partially open air and that has a certain appeal to young people.

Thanks for your quick response! Glad to know that the entire city doesn't shut down for the race, as I have seen happen in some places. We are travelling with 7 adults, and were looking into the HOHO. I'm sure we'd all appreciate the live narration, vs some open air.

As for the Sun Fun run - it will over 50,000 people running a loop in the downtown and False Creek areas - it is usually over by around noon - you may find that some of the HOHO stops will be suspended while the race is on - I can see the runners from my balcony.

Not sure that I agree with PD that it won't impact your visit - it starts at Georgia and Burrard - winds around Stanley Park - over the Burrard Bridge - along False Creek then over the Cambie Bridge to the finish near BC Place Stadium.

Enclosed is a link showing the route.

http://www.vancouversun.com/2013sunrun/pdf/14159344_course_map_01152991_-_sun_run_2014.pdf

List of road closures:

http://www.vancouversun.com/sunrun/event/Road+Closures/5569341/story.html

Cheers

Dennis

My family and I will be coming to Vancouver on April 26th to stay for a couple of days before our cruise departs on the 28th. I've just learned that there is a 10K Sun Run happening on the 27th. How much of an impact will this race have? I'm wondering what is the best way to still get around this day to sightsee and not be stuck in the middle of the race.

50,000 people are corralled into several downtown streets before the race starts; the start sequence then lasts the best part of an hour and the slowest people are the ones who leave last; tons of people come to line the route and cheer for their friends/family/total strangers who are running; so assume that anywhere listed as being on the route, or within a block or so of it, will be awkward to get around during the morning.

Full details are on the race website, including times of the various road closures, but the Plain English version is - stay the heck away from the race route. Gastown isn't impacted, Yaletown should be fine too, the shopping area on Robson may see some extra pedestrian traffic passing through to get to & from the race. Places near the start (along Georgia - e.g. Art Gallery) will be empty of runners before 11am, but I would not be going anywhere near English Bay or Beach Avenue in the morning.

Science World will be the worst-impacted, as the roads around here are officially closed until 1:30pm. If you're considering a HOHO that day, expect delays during the morning - all the HOHOs regular routes are somewhat impacted by the road closures.

Check out the route, see if any sites you want to visit would be close to it, and if so do them the day before or during the afternoon and you should be fine. Oh, and if you're Sunday Brunchers BOOK SOMEWHERE NOW! Anywhere around China-/Gas-/Yale-town that cooks eggs will be absolutely hoachin' from at least 11am to 1pm!

Apologies for the redundancies in repeating some info from UTs post - it wasn't there when I was typing my reply...

Thanks for the links to the route and closure list. I'll just try to make sure our plans take us away from that area during the earlier part of the day.

I have never used priceline. Can anyone give me the 101 on how to use it. Much thanks!

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I have never used priceline. Can anyone give me the 101 on how to use it. Much thanks!

 

 

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Bidding for good hotels on Priceline in Vancouver used to be pretty simple however in the past couple of years they have tinkered with their downtown Vancouver maps so it has become just a little more tricky. However, as long when bidding you stay in zones 4 & 5 and check on 3.5*+ hotels you will end up with a very good room in a good hotel. I would start my bidding at $125 and not go above $135. You are not likely to hit the bid until about 6 weeks before the date you want so don't panic, you have time on your side.

Lately I have been using Hotwire more and more and with it I would stay in the Downtown Shopping/Entertainment area and the Coal Harbour/Stanley Park area and sticking pretty hard at the 4* level. You are likely OK with 3.5* but I prefer the added comfort of the 4* level.

Bidding for good hotels on Priceline in Vancouver used to be pretty simple however in the past couple of years they have tinkered with their downtown Vancouver maps so it has become just a little more tricky. However, as long when bidding you stay in zones 4 & 5 and check on 3.5*+ hotels you will end up with a very good room in a good hotel. I would start my bidding at $125 and not go above $135. You are not likely to hit the bid until about 6 weeks before the date you want so don't panic, you have time on your side.

 

Lately I have been using Hotwire more and more and with it I would stay in the Downtown Shopping/Entertainment area and the Coal Harbour/Stanley Park area and sticking pretty hard at the 4* level. You are likely OK with 3.5* but I prefer the added comfort of the 4* level.

Great explanation and could be applied anywhere. I never go below 3.5* and depending how far out start at 1/2 of posted rack rate. If close to the date I will see what the hotels in the area offer for government, military or senior rates and start about $20 to $25 below those.

The two complaints I have with Priceline and Hotwire (and it really isn't with them) is that you can't request a room with two beds upfront. You have to call the hotel after you have booked and hope they will comply. Here the last year or so I have run into hotels putting me in rooms that would be considered their "undesirable" rooms:mad:. Along the road side, right next to the elevator or ice machine, things like that. Seems to happen more often with two specific chains.

The two complaints I have with Priceline and Hotwire (and it really isn't with them) is that you can't request a room with two beds upfront. You have to call the hotel after you have booked and hope they will comply. Here the last year or so I have run into hotels putting me in rooms that would be considered their "undesirable" rooms:mad:. Along the road side, right next to the elevator or ice machine, things like that. Seems to happen more often with two specific chains.

Good points and I have another issue, due to my wife's MS we need an accessible room. However, I must say that to date I have not had a problem contacting the hotel a few days after doing the deal thru Priceline or Hotwire an successfully requesting an accessible room. We ended up with a bit of a lemon last year at the Hyatt Place in FLL but the room was accessible....I just got to sleep on the sofa bed.:eek:

GOT WINE?

We will be travelling to Vancouver on a Sunday prior to boarding our ship on Monday & would like to purchase some wine to take on our cruise. We will be staying at a hotel near BC Place Stadium- can anyone please advise the best (variety & good prices) places to shop?

Thanks!

Putterdude will likely be along with some recommendations but most of the government liquor stores are not open on Sundays. One exception is a large one at Alberni and Bute - it also has a good wine selection - our prices are much higher than in the US - government stores prices are usually better priced.

There are lots of private liquor outlets and a couple that specialize in wines and they are all open on Sundays and holidays. Marquis Wines on Davie is one of the larger ones in the downtown core and they sell wine only. The Wine merchants at the Sutton Place is another one.

There is a beer/wine store adjacent to the Westin Grand which would be close to your hotel.

Others I am sure will be along with some recommendation.

I am basically a beer drinker so just pick it up as needed at a private store a couple of blocks from my condo.

Cheers

Dennis

Pricewise would be the BC Liquor store in Harbour Centre at Seymour & Cordova but you would need to visit that store on Monday morning. Private liquor stores are open Sundays but are not necessarily less expensive. You haven't identified which hotel you are staying at and that information would be helpful. One private store that maybe close to your hotel is the St. Regis at 678 Dunsmuir St.

If you can wait until Monday morning to purchase, do so - as PD mentioned above there is a provincial liquor store close to the pier. The private store UT mentioned is 'Jimmys cold beer and wine' - having lived kitty-corner from them for a year, I can confirm that basically every single item they sell is marked up outrageously (as in 50% or more over the BC Liquor price for things like Yellowtail, Lindemans etc. cheap Aussie quaffers). We walked twenty minutes to buy booze elsewhere despite living within twenty yards...

Another option would be the Swirl wine store in Yaletown - this sells only VQA (Vintner Quality Alliance, theoretically a quality control body) BC Wines, but the good news is the pricing is the same as you'd pay at the wineries or in a BC Liquor store. They also sell many wines which will never be carried in BC Liquor as the production runs are too small - staff generally knowledgeable, usually a few wines available to taste. If you're looking to buy wine at the $20+ a bottle mark, you will definitely find something good in here. Open Sundays 11am-7pm.

Hi! We are coming to Vancouver on May 8th for the Princess cruise on May 9th & I booked a room at River Rock for that night. Does anyone have an opinion on it? Also, we are considering a rental car for the day is there a company that we can rent at the airport & drop near the pier or should we just cab or skytrain to the ship? We are thinking of dinner on Grouse Mtn & no shuttle till later in the year & we are not sure what sightseeing we want to do. Opinions? Thank you!

Are you on the Star Princess southbound cruise - if so welcome as I am on that one as well.

Some of the others will confirm but yes you should be able to rent at the airport and drop downtown but you don't really need a car.

Wasn't aware that the free Grouse Shuttle wasn't running - thought it was year round.

As you are staying at River Rock - you are on the Canada Line which in addition to taking you close to Canada Place and your ship has Waterfront Station as its terminus - located in the Waterfront station is the Seabus which will take you across the harbour to Lonsdale Quay where you can catch the #236 bus that will take you to Grouse Mountain.

Here's the good news - while it will be three zones of travel - your ticket is good for ninety minutes - that will give you plenty of time to reach the mountain on one ticket..

Going to Grouse the ticket machines will sell you a three zone ticket - on the return trip as your first ride is on a bus - not sure if you pay for all three on the bus or buy one zone and upgrade at Lonsdale Quay.

Hope this helps

Cheers!

Dennis

Thank you, Dennis. Yes, we are going on the Star back to SF. Any opinions on the River Rock? My DH is not very receptive to public transportation so I'm not sure I could get him to take it to Grouse Mtn. I could be wrong about the shuttle but I thought it said it would not start running until late May. We are looking forward to seeing Vancouver & taking this cruise! Thank you again for responding.

Lori

Thank you, Dennis. Yes, we are going on the Star back to SF. Any opinions on the River Rock? My DH is not very receptive to public transportation so I'm not sure I could get him to take it to Grouse Mtn. I could be wrong about the shuttle but I thought it said it would not start running until late May. We are looking forward to seeing Vancouver & taking this cruise! Thank you again for responding.

Lori

If you don't want to take transit then staying in the River Rock is rather pointless - it's more expensive than other hotels of same quality because it's right on the Skytrain line. And if you're going to take a cab downtown & back, let alone over to the North Shore, frankly you would save money by getting a hotel downtown that was $60+ a night more expensive as cab fare will cost at least that much.

You're right that the Grouse shuttle is summer only, and their website still states 'late May' for the start date.

I could not recommend dinner up there though, especially if you're planning to stay near the airport - it's a lengthy trip for a pricier-than-better-restaurants-downtown dinner. You might get lucky and have a great view of the city, but in early May I wouldn't bank on it - there's a good chance you'll see nothing but clouds.

I just got off the phone with Grouse Mt - the shuttle will start the long weekend in May - that would be the weekend starting May 16th, 2014.

Agree somewhat with the previous poster - if it is cloudy you won't see much in way of views but it is clear it is a great view.

Also agree that for a few more dollars stay downtown - it is much closer to all the major attractions.

I have never eaten dinner there - only lunch - so can't comment of the quality of the meal.

Cheers

Dennis

Good primary research Ut, it is the Capilano Suspension Bridge's shuttle that operates year found. As for a dinner on Grouse, it would be well down the list for me. There are just to many nicer places to eat in the city.

I have the Pan Pacific booked for the night before our cruise with the cruise package. I really just want to go ahead and stay 2 nights there instead of moving the next morning but just can't justify the price. The only difference I really see is the breakfast and late checkout. I want to check out early and get on the ship. Are there places close to get a quick reasonable breakfast? Thanks!

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I have the Pan Pacific booked for the night before our cruise with the cruise package. I really just want to go ahead and stay 2 nights there instead of moving the next morning but just can't justify the price. The only difference I really see is the breakfast and late checkout. I want to check out early and get on the ship. Are there places close to get a quick reasonable breakfast? Thanks!

To answer your question you can grab a quick bite at Tim Hortons or McDonalds nearby - for a sit-down brekkie try Scoozis, or if 10am is early enough Tap & Barrel at the convention centre will be doing breakfast by then if it's a weekend.

NB: your post reads like you're staying at PP with the package for 1 night, then moving to a different hotel for the night before your cruise - i.e. boarding the ship from the other hotel? or did you mean that you only want to add the *cruise package* for one of the nights?

One of the biggest conveniences of the PP is you can just head straight down in the elevator to embark, and have your bags dealt with by the bellhops. So if you are planning to change hotels, make sure the PP is the one you stay in right before departure.