vancouver hotel questions

Posted this on the regular RCI boards, and then thought it was better suited over here. Forgive the duplication:

Planning for next year's Alaska trip, and we want to fly into Seattle. We're thinking about renting a car one way, and driving ourselves up to Vancouver. We'll go in the day before, so we need to spend the night, probably in Vancouver. Does anybody have any advice or experience with the downtown Vancover hotels? Are there any neighborhoods we should avoid? Any hotels that look better in pictures than when you got there? How much trouble are the hotels to get in and out of, with parking and all?

We're thinking about the Ramada Limited on Pender St, the Ramada Center on Broadway, or the Howard Johnson on Granville. Anybody been to any of these hotels? We're also considering staying just outside town, like out by the airport or in a suburb. Anybody done that and have any experiences to share about the drive into downtown the morning of the cruise?

Do tell, as we're still considering whether it's better to drive ourselves up, or just ride some sort of shuttle bus that will just drop us off at a hotel, and then we'd have to ride a taxi to the ship in the morning. At this point, we plan to transfer on the ship's bus back to Seattle after the cruise. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

We stayed at the Ramada at Pender. It was very convenient to Gastown, Stanley Park, shopping, etc. The hotel was okay, nothing fancy. I liked it due to the location. We did not have a car so I can't help you with parking.

of them.Go to http://www.betterbidding.com and check out how to bid on hotels and which ones people got. You can get the Hyatt or Shereton for about $85.00. A much better place to stay.

We are just back from our trip and stayed at the Sheraton Wall Centre...very nice property. The trolley pulls right into the parking lot every 1/2 hour or so. You can buy an all day pass for it and get off and on where ever you want. We got off on Granville Island and in Gastown. It takes you through Stanley park also. The driver narrates the trip and you learn a lot about the city that way.

Just be sure you read the schedule to return to the Sheraton by the last trip there.

We are staying at the Hyatt next Friday night, we bit at priceline and got it for $70.

We are staying at the Hyatt (not as good of a deal as $70, but got it for $90 on hotwire). The Pan Pacific i have noticed is right at Canada Place. It looks VERY convenient for boarding the ship. We are renting from Avis at SeaTac and there is an Avis return 1 block from the Hyatt. We will turn in our car after we check in at the Hyatt, and use the trolley or seabus for any sightseeing. I think if u stay at the Pan Pacific you can easily walk to the ship.

thanks for all the help everyone.

Are these deals that you're getting at Priceline and Hotwire last minute deals, or how far in advance are you booking?? We're in the planning process a little far ahead of time right now anyway, but how long should we wait to do this Priceline thing? 3 months out? 6 months out? more? less?

Also curious if anyone knows if downtown Van has hills to traverse, or is it all pretty flat?

Thanks again, will check in for answers soon.

Vancouver does have some hills, depends which way you want to walk. From Robson down to the waterfront, yes, you're walking a bit downhill, but nothing major.

Another think on the River Rock, I was out there yesterday (Casino) and the hotel looked nowhere near done. It's a giant construction site and I hope there's triple glazing in those windows... you are right underneath the flight path... 747s 200 meters above your head.

A locals thoughts on your Vancouver stay.

1) Don't stay on Broadway as it is too far from downtown and all the sights / restaurants etc.

2) I also would not recommend the suburbs as you will spend over $30. on cab fare to the cruise ship + too far from all the sightseeing stuff.

3) I would use http://www.priceline.com and bid for a 4* property in downtown (westend) Vancouver - The Hyatt & Sheraton have been going for less than what you will pay for your 3* hotel and you will be in a nicer hotel in a MUCH BETTER LOCATION. I bid when I wanted to stay a night downtown so I would not have to drive in from the suburbs in the morning and got the Hyatt for $55. - but that was in March a cheaper time of year - I am seeing prices right now of around $80 - $90

4) I would not have a car for use in VAncouver as parking at most of the hotels runs over $20. per night and you can use taxi's or public transit or the Hop on Hop off Bus much easier and cheaper for getting around Vancouver.

5) to get to Vancouver from Seattle you can rent a car and drive yourself (do a 1 way) so that you can drive at your own pace stopping along the way or ride the Qick Shuttle bus direct from SEA airport to your Vancouver hotel for $44. CA one way.

Hope the above helps.

Enjoy our city. What cruise are you on in 06 - we are on the Vision of the Seas May 12/06

A locals thoughts on your Vancouver stay

 

Hello BCHAPPYGal... another question on a Vancouver hotel. ........

 

I have reservations at the Westin Grand on Roberson. I've never had problems when staying at Westin Hotels that are worth mentioning, but the bad reviews I've seen so far outweigh the good ones on this hotel. I'm only there for one night, arriving Thursday around noon. We plan on spending most of our time seeing what I can in Vancouver since this will be our first time in your city. I do however, prefer a nice hotel and a nice bed to zonk out in after the day's activities. I know some people gripe at the drop of a hat, so I would like your opinion on this hotel please.

 

We will be sailing out of Ballatyne (?) port on RCC. We will also be celebrating our anniversary so I'd like the pre cruise accomodations to be as close to really really nice as they can be!

 

Thanks.

I will be driving my car to Vancover. Is there parking at the docks? Should/could I park ay the airport and take a cab/shuttle to the hotel? Do some hotels let you leave your car while you cruise, for a fee of course (i.e. New Orleans). Thanks

We stayed at the Ramada on Pender - it was a nice enough hotel, but the neighborhood, esp to the east, was pretty bad. Seems to have a homeless shelter on the same block. If you just walk out the door and only go right, toward Gastown, it's probably OK.

If I were to do it again, though, I'd go the Priceline route, as people seem to get very good deals on very nice hotels in Vancouver.