Vancouver hotels, your thoughts please

Hello, DH and I will be spending 3 days pre cruise tour in Vancouver next year. Looking to stay down town close to the cruise terminal. I'm looking at the following 4 hotels, could anyone whose stayed at these please give me some quick thoughts.

YMCA hotel double with private bath

Blue Horizon Hotel

Days Inn Vancouver Downtown

Kingston Hotel Bed and Breakfast

Thanks :)

Hello, DH and I will be spending 3 days pre cruise tour in Vancouver next year. Looking to stay down town close to the cruise terminal. I'm looking at the following 4 hotels, could anyone whose stayed at these please give me some quick thoughts.

 

YMCA hotel double with private bath

 

Blue Horizon Hotel

 

Days Inn Vancouver Downtown

 

Kingston Hotel Bed and Breakfast

Thanks :)

Only stayed in YWCA so can't comment on room quality of the others.

YWCA is simple, clean, safe, quiet. Location best of the bunch for exploring Yaletown & Chinatown, as good as Days Inn for much of Gastown. By far the most practical of these choices for saving $ by making your own meals/picnics as they have fully-equipped kitchens.

Blue Horizon is best-located for Stanley Park & English Bay (though still a bit of a walk), Robson St shopping is on your doorstep as are HOHO stops and shuttles to Grouse & Cap Bridge. Offers views from the higher floors.

Days Inn is closest to Canada Place & most of Gastown, a key bus route (19 to/from Stanley Park) runs right outside. Also close to Waterfront for Skytrain access to airport.

Kingston has a pretty busy pub downstairs - right now it's also surrounded by a building site but next year there should be much less if any remaining construction as the Telus Gardens building is supposed to be open in 2015. Location is nearly as convenient as YWCA for Yaletown/Chinatown. Very close to City Centre Station for Skytrain to airport.

If views from your hotel are a feature for you, and your budget allows, I'd say that BH is hands-down the nicest of the four. If your hotel is primarily a base to sleep and explore from, I'd do YWCA - especially if you want to dine out in Yaletown/Chinatown/Gastown, as it's very convenient for all.

Only stayed in YWCA so can't comment on room quality of the others.

 

YWCA is simple, clean, safe, quiet. Location best of the bunch for exploring Yaletown & Chinatown, as good as Days Inn for much of Gastown. By far the most practical of these choices for saving $ by making your own meals/picnics as they have fully-equipped kitchens.

 

Blue Horizon is best-located for Stanley Park & English Bay (though still a bit of a walk), Robson St shopping is on your doorstep as are HOHO stops and shuttles to Grouse & Cap Bridge. Offers views from the higher floors.

 

Days Inn is closest to Canada Place & most of Gastown, a key bus route (19 to/from Stanley Park) runs right outside. Also close to Waterfront for Skytrain access to airport.

 

Kingston has a pretty busy pub downstairs - right now it's also surrounded by a building site but next year there should be much less if any remaining construction as the Telus Gardens building is supposed to be open in 2015. Location is nearly as convenient as YWCA for Yaletown/Chinatown. Very close to City Centre Station for Skytrain to airport.

 

If views from your hotel are a feature for you, and your budget allows, I'd say that BH is hands-down the nicest of the four. If your hotel is primarily a base to sleep and explore from, I'd do YWCA - especially if you want to dine out in Yaletown/Chinatown/Gastown, as it's very convenient for all.

Thank you, I'm sure the information will be very helpful. I do appreciate it.

Kind of in reverse order:

I have known the family that owns the Kingston for more than 50 years...and I wouldn't stay there on a bet.

The Days Inn, my first real job was in the building next door. Certainly not the worse hotel in Vancouver but by far not the best. Location is good and certainly would work for a night.

The Y, no frills, not my cup of tea but would certainly work.

The Blue Horizon tends to be a gem and frankly is in a completely level then the other 3, we read nothing but rave reviews about this property.

Of the four hotels you have listed the BH would certainly be my first choice.

Kind of in reverse order:

 

I have known the family that owns the Kingston for more than 50 years...and I wouldn't stay there on a bet.

 

The Days Inn, my first real job was in the building next door. Certainly not the worse hotel in Vancouver but by far not the best. Location is good and certainly would work for a night.

 

The Y, no frills, not my cup of tea but would certainly work.

 

The Blue Horizon tends to be a gem and frankly is in a completely level then the other 3, we read nothing but rave reviews about this property.

 

Of the four hotels you have listed the BH would certainly be my first choice.

Thanks for the input. How's the Holiday Inn downtown?

Thanks for the input. How's the Holiday Inn downtown?

Well after I got my first real job I need extra cash to support the TR4 that I owned at the time....so I took a job bussing in the evenings at the Ramada Inn which is now the Holiday Inn. So to the question, its location is fine, its well kept, but Howe St. is a one way artery out of the downtown core and people have complained about the traffic noise...I am also thinking that it does not have central AC and relies on window units. Again I don't feel that it is at the same level as the Blue Horizon but good enough for a night. May I suggest that you also look at the Best Western-Downtown on Drake St. and the Hampton Inn on Robson, which I am very comfortable about recommending. The Hampton has that free breakfast which will likely save you about $10 pp and a free shuttle to Canada Place which will save you about $10 on a cab fare.

:eek:

Well after I got my first real job I need extra cash to support the TR4 that I owned at the time....so I took a job bussing in the evenings at the Ramada Inn which is now the Holiday Inn. So to the question, its location is fine, its well kept, but Howe St. is a one way artery out of the downtown core and people have complained about the traffic noise...I am also thinking that it does not have central AC and relies on window units. Again I don't feel that it is at the same level as the Blue Horizon but good enough for a night. May I suggest that you also look at the Best Western-Downtown on Drake St. and the Hampton Inn on Robson, which I am very comfortable about recommending. The Hampton has that free breakfast which will likely save you about $10 pp and a free shuttle to Canada Place which will save you about $10 on a cab fare.

Thank you, I will check out the Hampton Inn. (I'm thinking we may blow the budget on this trip):eek:

Pay extra for the highest floor they will give you at the Blue Horizon. PHENOMENAL. :D

Pay extra for the highest floor they will give you at the Blue Horizon. PHENOMENAL. :D

I'm afraid to ask, however, how much extra. ;)

:eek:

 

Thank you, I will check out the Hampton Inn. (I'm thinking we may blow the budget on this trip):eek:

Vancouver's hotel prices during the Alaska cruise season are akin to Fort Lauderdale's during the Caribbean season....high. If you can find something much under $200/n you are doing well. My suggestion would be to book something that fits the bill now on a fully refundable basis and then start looking again in the new year...you have lots of time. I would suggest you watch Hotwire, familiarize yourself with their maps and if you stay at 3*+ you should end up with a good room in a very good hotel at nicely under $200/n Two thoughts for suite hotel would be the Rosedale on Robson and the Delta Inn and Suites. Right now the Rosedale is showing a mid July AAA rate of $179, but I have no idea how that compares with other hotels you are looking at.

Just returned from Alaska SB. We stayed at the St Regis on Dunsmuir. Nice boutique hotel with breakfast. Stayed there only because it was handy to the train station to get us to the airport. Service was excellent and nothing was a problem. but dont eat in there fancy restaurant (Hotham) as it is over priced and dark.

Friends from the roll call stayed at the Blue Horizon and they absolutely loved it. This was our second choice and will stay there on our next visit.

Hugh

Vancouver's hotel prices during the Alaska cruise season are akin to Fort Lauderdale's during the Caribbean season....high. If you can find something much under $200/n you are doing well. My suggestion would be to book something that fits the bill now on a fully refundable basis and then start looking again in the new year...you have lots of time. I would suggest you watch Hotwire, familiarize yourself with their maps and if you stay at 3*+ you should end up with a good room in a very good hotel at nicely under $200/n Two thoughts for suite hotel would be the Rosedale on Robson and the Delta Inn and Suites. Right now the Rosedale is showing a mid July AAA rate of $179, but I have no idea how that compares with other hotels you are looking at.

Thanks again. You are a wealth of information. I do appreciate your time and efforts. :)

Just returned from Alaska SB. We stayed at the St Regis on Dunsmuir. Nice boutique hotel with breakfast. Stayed there only because it was handy to the train station to get us to the airport. Service was excellent and nothing was a problem. but dont eat in there fancy restaurant (Hotham) as it is over priced and dark.

Friends from the roll call stayed at the Blue Horizon and they absolutely loved it. This was our second choice and will stay there on our next visit.

Hugh

Thanks, I'll have to put St.Regis on my list to check out. :)

Info on Vancouver from a local!

My favorite must do attractions are

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, traverse a Cliff Top walk, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

8) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

9) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

10) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

11) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

12) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

13) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

14) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

15) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

16) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

17) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

18) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org There is also a treetop walk which is great for “fit” explorers who are not afraid of heights – however I would not recommend it for anyone who has any mobility issues. Also these gardens are not as well maintained as I would expect a botanical garden to be!

19) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

20) A new addition I have just found for the FOODIES in the gang! Check out 2 companies that offer food tasting tours http://www.foodietours.ca and http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca – both offer an excellent tour http://www.foodietours.ca visit much more high end restaurants in the heart of the west end of Vancouver while http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca concentrates on more casual eateries in the historic original section of Vancouver! (Gastown)

I just enjoyed Foodietours “Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour” and was very impressed with the organization, quality of restaurants & refreshments, guides knowledge of foods and the eateries we were visiting as well as the area we were walking in. Felt it was excellent value for the money provided you did not spend the extra $20. For the alcohol! This company also offers a tasting tour on Granville Island Public Market and of the Vancouver Street Food Carts.

As for Off the Eaten Track - this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. This company has now expanded and offers a brunch tour and a dinner tour. I did the Railtown Urban Eats tour and it was Fabulous! This tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour and then meet up with this tour company for this tour for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave this tour hungry!

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

http://bigbus.ca/home/

:eek:

 

Thank you, I will check out the Hampton Inn. (I'm thinking we may blow the budget on this trip):eek:

Yeah. . .I've come to that ugly realization, myself. We could do a 4 day cruise for the price that one of our excursions is going to cost us. :eek: In reality, this will be a once in a lifetime trip for us, so I am having to just get over my sticker shock.

I have not stayed at Blue Horizon, but wanted to let you know that I chose that hotel after looking at every possible option on the Stanley Park end, including short term rental apartments. We are booked for three nights next July at $179pp with a AAA rate. I found that a lot of hotels I checked only had two double beds. We can do that for one night, but not for three. We were interested in the HOHO shuttle and the stop is right outside the hotel. Add in free WIFI, 100% non-smoking, great views, great reviews and cheap cab fare to the cruise terminal. I believe the price difference between the highest rooms and the lower level rooms were $20 or less per night.

BCHappyGal, thanks for all the information. I will be checking it out. :)

Yeah. . .I've come to that ugly realization, myself. We could do a 4 day cruise for the price that one of our excursions is going to cost us. :eek: In reality, this will be a once in a lifetime trip for us, so I am having to just get over my sticker shock.

 

I have not stayed at Blue Horizon, but wanted to let you know that I chose that hotel after looking at every possible option on the Stanley Park end, including short term rental apartments. We are booked for three nights next July at $179pp with a AAA rate. I found that a lot of hotels I checked only had two double beds. We can do that for one night, but not for three. We were interested in the HOHO shuttle and the stop is right outside the hotel. Add in free WIFI, 100% non-smoking, great views, great reviews and cheap cab fare to the cruise terminal. I believe the price difference between the highest rooms and the lower level rooms were $20 or less per night.

I'm still looking. :) Definitely a once in a lifetime trip, which quite a bit of sticker shock. I'll probably be using my BOA points for OBC on this one. :D

I'm still looking. :) Definitely a once in a lifetime trip, which quite a bit of sticker shock. I'll probably be using my BOA points for OBC on this one. :D

Now you know how we feel when we go to FLL in January....the $79 summer room at the Embassy Suites on 17th suddenly becomes a $259 room. :eek: However the major difference is that Vancouver room rates stay pretty high year round.

Now you know how we feel when we go to FLL in January....

Exactly. :(

Exactly. :(

Well I am feeling a little less shafted, I booked for January at the end of August and only paid $208 which I guess in our spake is about $225. Gosh, I can remember the first time I paid $100 a night at the Four Seasons in Toronto.....I felt so guilty I hardly slept.

Anyone ever stay at the Hampton Inn Vancouver-Airport/Richmond on Bridgeport Road? If so how far from the Airport and how far from the Cruise Ports it? We're doing a 18 September 2015 Cruise on the Jewel Of The Seas.

Anyone ever stay at the Hampton Inn Vancouver-Airport/Richmond on Bridgeport Road? If so how far from the Airport and how far from the Cruise Ports it? We're doing a 18 September 2015 Cruise on the Jewel Of The Seas.

It's very close to the airport, maybe 2km from the terminal bldg. It's about 12km (8 mi) from the cruise terminal, but easily reached on thr Skytrain, as the Bridgeport Stn is only a couple of blocks away. a taxi would be about 25-35, skytrain is 4$/ea

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It's very close to the airport, maybe 2km from the terminal bldg. It's about 12km (8 mi) from the cruise terminal, but easily reached on thr Skytrain, as the Bridgeport Stn is only a couple of blocks away. a taxi would be about 25-35, skytrain is 4$/ea

 

 

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Thank you...

Thank you Happygal for posting such a nice list of attractions. Question for her or anyone that may know: We are going to the Capilano Suspension Bridge hopefully the afternoon we arrive. If we finish there in time, is there anything on that list that is in close walking distance? We will not have a car. We are planning on taking the free shuttle from Canada Place to Capilano. Is the Aquarium close by? Fish hatchery? Grouse Mountain?

Also we are staying at the Pan Pacific. Is it worth a walk to try to see the Olympic Cauldron? Anything else along Canada Place that we should try to walk to see?

Thanks in advance. We have all afternoon and evening in Vancouver. We get on the ship the next morning.

Thank you Happygal for posting such a nice list of attractions. Question for her or anyone that may know: We are going to the Capilano Suspension Bridge hopefully the afternoon we arrive. If we finish there in time, is there anything on that list that is in close walking distance? We will not have a car. We are planning on taking the free shuttle from Canada Place to Capilano. Is the Aquarium close by? Fish hatchery? Grouse Mountain?

 

Also we are staying at the Pan Pacific. Is it worth a walk to try to see the Olympic Cauldron? Anything else along Canada Place that we should try to walk to see?

 

Thanks in advance. We have all afternoon and evening in Vancouver. We get on the ship the next morning.

Close to Cap bridge itself, you're looking at only Grouse or the Hatchery (Google Map with all three - feasible to walk, but easier to take bus to GM or cab to hatchery).

If you return on the free shuttle (from either Cap or Grouse) they drive through a little of Stanely Park, but don't stop - which means you blow right past the Aquarium. Walking back from Canada Place is almost 40 minutes, longer if you stick to the Seawall rather than the boring office tower streets on the direct route.

The cauldron is well worth visiting - NB: it will not be lit, unless you are in town on a very special occasion indeed - and is very close to PP, on the second part of the Convention Centre. Follow the sidewalk along the road, rather than the Seawall, so it's easily spotted - the Seawall is quite a bit lower than the cauldron (there are elevators & stairs though). It's worth coming here again after dark if you can to see the 'Lego whale' lit up (you'll know it when you see it).

Gastown is easily reached from the PP too - you can walk to see the Steamclock and Gassy Jack statue, grab a bite in one of the many bars & restos around if the timing works. Stick to Water Street and don't go beyond Gassy and there will always be plenty of other tourists around even if it's late.