Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite (part 2)

Answers in red

1. Feedback on Hotel Le Soleil?

Could only comment on location (good) - perhaps some visitors will post, but frankly you've already looked in the best place for hotel reviews, Tripadvisor...

 

2. Best transportation from airport to this hotel? I saw there is a sky train (though I know very little about it) that's a couple of blocks away from the hotel, but I'm not sure if this is a smart option. We will have two rolling suitcases and a couple of back packs. We are in our 40s if that helps with whether or not we can easily walk the short/long distance.

Canada Line from airport was designed for luggage, flat floors perfectly level with platfroms for rolling and extra legroom and underseat space. I'm 6'1" and can sit with a 28" case and carry-on. Really the only issue is whether you feel the saving is worthwhile compared to a cab - SkyTrain is $9pp inbound from airport, or $7.75pp on weekends. Credit Cards can be used in Ticket Vending Machine at airport station to buy tickets - NB: unmanned system, so make sure your cards can be used abroad (Chip cards definitely best).

 

If we were to take a taxi, how much would it cost?

CAD$31 incl tax but not tip. You should be able to pay with credit card or US cash at less-than-stellar exchange rate.

 

Also transportation from hotel to pier?

Walk 500 yards straight down Hornby or take a <$10 cab - how busy the queue is getting inside Canada Place is probably the biggest factor in pricing. Cabs are metered except on the inbound airport runs.

 

3. Since we are only staying the night, what are your thoughts on currency? We will have to pay for a cab, dinner, a snack or two, and breakfast. Can we use USD or would we be better off using CAD? I'm assuming we could exchange at the airport, but I'm not sure what we would do with the "leftover" money? Can it be exchanged at the hotel or pier?

Best is obviously always local currency organised at the best rate - if you are the kind of folks who pay for things with cash, withdrawing at an ATM is likely the best rate possible for you. In general, coins cannot be re-exchanged, only notes, which makes things tricky up here with our $1 and $2 coins. Save those for tipping bellboys maybe. The ship wille xchange for you - there are always Canadians onboard, I've never had trouble swapping my CAD for US if I realised I was out of cash and needed some for tips.

 

Cab or SkyTrain will take credit cards, as will any resto even fast food. Small snacks (under $5 or $10) you may have to pay cash for - it's very common to cap minimum buy with cards. Since this is the only thing you will HAVE to buy with cash, breaking a US$10 or $20 is likely the lowest total cost thing for you to do. You'll get a worse-than-official exchange rate, usually rounded to nearest 5 or 10 cents for convenience, e.g. 80 or 85c US instead of the official ~78c to $1 CAD. But that's still only about a buck you lose on a $20 transaction.

 

4. Dinner recommendations that are more casual and not too expensive, perhaps $20-$25 a meal. We love Italian if that helps.

US$25 is about CAD$32 right now, which means any pub will do you - entrees in the CAD$20 or less ballpark easily done, especially pasta/pizza dishes. I think Malone's, 5 mins walk, is the best value downtown core pub but if you feel like spending a few bucks extra to get a view it's hard to beat Tap & Barrel at the convention centre.

 

Italian is one of our worse-served local cuisines downtown IMO - there are great high-end places, bland cheap places, but not much in the middle. Zefferellis is the only Italian spot I can think of near you (10mins walk) that would be flavourful and good value.

 

If you're willing to get out of the downtown core there are some much better value Italian options - e.g. Ask For Luigi has racked up a bunch of awards, not even just for Italian food, but it's beyond the touristy bits of Gastown into The Bad Part Of Town, relatively speaking. I'd be totally comfortable walking up there myself with the missus, but depending how you feel about the grittier side of urban life you might want to cab it. NB: mains are in the low to mid 20s, so you'd need to be careful to stay inside your budget, but the difference in quality here compared to a $15 pasta plate elsewhere is significant.

 

Campagnolo would come in right under the wire budget-wise, and is easily walked to if you're in Chinatown or the Athlete's Village. Upstairs, their 'speakeasy' cocktail joint offers IMO the finest burger in the city for $10 - you could easily assemble a hefty meal for two for $50 here, and Happy Hour starts at 6pm when most are finishing elsewhere.

After reading about a Restaurant named Moose Down under I did some research on its location and found that it is within walking distance of our Hotel.

However, information received was that the front door is a bit difficult to find.

I did a Google Earth search on the address and then a street level search. Found the Bldg, but could not see where the entrance to the Restaurant was.

So, I would like to hear from anyone who has been there just where is the front door to the stairway down and what your opinion of the Restaurant is?

It is advertised as an Australian style pub. How real is it?

Thanks

Bob

Hello all...I am looking for some information and I have to admit, this thread is a bit overwhelming, BUT filled with a lot of good information. I'm hoping to get some answers to my specific questions...

 

I will be flying into Vancouver, one night before my cruise. There are two of us. I booked the Hotel Le Soleil. I saw the good reviews on Trip Advisor. We will probably be arriving around noon or in the afternoon (that's the goal) so there won't be much time for sightseeing. I am hoping for feedback on the following:

 

1. Feedback on Hotel Le Soleil?

 

2. Best transportation from airport to this hotel? I saw there is a sky train (though I know very little about it) that's a couple of blocks away from the hotel, but I'm not sure if this is a smart option. We will have two rolling suitcases and a couple of back packs. We are in our 40s if that helps with whether or not we can easily walk the short/long distance. If we were to take a taxi, how much would it cost?

 

Also transportation from hotel to pier?

 

3. Since we are only staying the night, what are your thoughts on currency? We will have to pay for a cab, dinner, a snack or two, and breakfast. Can we use USD or would we be better off using CAD? I'm assuming we could exchange at the airport, but I'm not sure what we would do with the "leftover" money? Can it be exchanged at the hotel or pier?

 

4. Dinner recommendations that are more casual and not too expensive, perhaps $20-$25 a meal. We love Italian if that helps.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

I am very familiar with the Le Soleil having viewed the a couple of rooms there and can confirm that it is a great hotel. Way back my associates owned the building that was demolished for the hotel and I know exactly where the old 567 address numbers reside today. It is a great location and you will have an easy walk to Canada Place or a cab fare of <$10.

A flat rate cab fare is $35 CAD or an option is to take the Canada Line from YVR Station to Vancouver City Centre Station and walk the 4 blocks, slightly downhill to the hotel. The full adult fare from YVR is $9 CAD with a slightly lower fare in the evenings and weekends. The advantage of a cab is that you will see some of the city whereas the Canada Line is mainly a subway.

While you are always better off with CAD, everywhere in Vancouver USD is accepted except on transit where only CAD can be used. The choice is yours, for an overnight stay I would probably just stick with the USD but keep your notes small as you will likely get your change in CAD. You can certainly use MC and Visa in most shops with AMEX being accepted in some cases. The one caveat about using a US credit card is to check with the issuer about foreign transaction fees.

If you want something very inexpensive for dinner you can walk in Gastown and visit the Old Spaghetti Factory, hardly gourmet but it is fun. The Cactus Club in the new Trade and Convention Centre would put you a little over you budget but does have a great view. Another easy walk would be the Elephant and Castle in the old Marine Building.

http://www.oldspaghettifactory.ca/

http://www.cactusclubcafe.com/location/coal-harbour/

http://www.elephantcastle.com/marine_bldg

After reading about a Restaurant named Moose Down under I did some research on its location and found that it is within walking distance of our Hotel.

 

However, information received was that the front door is a bit difficult to find.

 

I did a Google Earth search on the address and then a street level search. Found the Bldg, but could not see where the entrance to the Restaurant was.

 

So, I would like to hear from anyone who has been there just where is the front door to the stairway down and what your opinion of the Restaurant is?

 

It is advertised as an Australian style pub. How real is it?

 

Thanks

 

Bob

I haven't been there for a long time however, it is there and its a basement location. Its fun, it can be loud .... like Auzies full of beer but its certainly worth while. Is it authentic....well I can't confirm that for about another 14 months when we visit Aus for the first time.:)

I haven't been there for a long time however, it is there and its a basement location. Its fun, it can be loud .... like Auzies full of beer but its certainly worth while. Is it authentic....well I can't confirm that for about another 14 months when we visit Aus for the first time.:)

Putterdude

Thanks for coming back so quick with your post.

Last year we found a Irish Pub in New York City and had a great time.

Three years ago we found a Pub in Huston Texas, another great time.

So, we are looking forward to our visit to the Moose Down Under.

I printed a photo of the Bldg from Google Earth so we know what it looks like. Will look for the door when we get there.

Bob

Thank you for your feedback. It definitely gives me something to think about. I'm set with the Hotel Le Soleil. Now to decide about currency. I'll check with my bank on the fees. Using the card would be easiest for the one night.

As for transportation, it sounds like the sky train is an easy way to go and we will experience something a little different. Glad to hear the hotel is close to the pier. A cab sounds like a plan.

Thanks again everyone!

We are staying at the Fairmount Pacific Rim for three days and have a few questions.

First, is the Hop On Hop Off bus a good option for the first day to acquaint us with the city?

Second, are there any good breakfast and seafood resturants near us?

Sorry if my questions are repetitious but my search function isn't working on my iPad.

Thanks for any help. You all are terrific.

martincath And Putterdude, thanks for your advice and comments. Rlyans

We are staying at the Fairmount Pacific Rim for three days and have a few questions.

 

First, is the Hop On Hop Off bus a good option for the first day to acquaint us with the city?

 

Second, are there any good breakfast and seafood resturants near us?

 

Sorry if my questions are repetitious but my search function isn't working on my iPad.

 

Thanks for any help. You all are terrific.

IMO a hoho is a great way to see a lot of the city in a day....my recommendation is the Vancouver Trolley which has a stop just outside of Canada Place. DeDutch is a good bet for breakfast and is located in the new convention centre. Other suspects would be Tim Hortons and Starbucks which are located in the food court in Watefront Centre to the east of you, across the street from Canada Place.

http://dedutch.com/locations/burrard-landing/

Answers in red.

We are staying at the Fairmount Pacific Rim for three days and have a few questions.

 

First, is the Hop On Hop Off bus a good option for the first day to acquaint us with the city?

Yes, while the HOHOs are far from the most efficient way to go point-to-point on later trips, they are great at providing an overview and letting you spot landmarks. With all other HOHOs except the Trolley now amalgamated under the WestCoast Sightseeing brand, it's pretty much guaranteed that they have more seats available but the Trolley has the advantage of several additional stops, including a few in East Van where WestCoast do not go. I'd compare the routes - if there's nothing near the Trolley extra stops that interests you, WestCoast might make it a little easier to actually hop back on (bigger buses, so more seats on each, and also more vehicles than the Trolley now). Pricing is the same for both.

 

Second, are there any good breakfast and seafood resturants near us?

I don't think you'll find anything for breakfast nearby that's better than the Fairmont, but you'll definitely find options that are perfectly edible and cheaper. Timmies for a quick grab & go brekky - every visitor has to try Timmies at least once! - or Scoozis for a sit-down bargain relative to hotel restos. DeDutch Pancake House if you want a big pile of carbs.

 

Seafood-wise, Oru in your hotel is no slouch. Five Sails over in the Pan Pacific also do a good job with local salmon and other fish. Probably the most seafoody downtown hotel resto nearby is Yew in the Four Seasons.

A wee bit more of a walk up towards the park brings you to Lift, with excellent views and tremendous local wine list. Chewies Oyster Bar might be more your scene if it's the non-fishy side of seafood you prefer.

 

Cactus Club Cafe has some superb raw-ish dishes - their ceviche and tataki are well worth having - and the prawn ravioli is my fave dish on the menu. Actual sushi you can find done very well in Shuraku on Granville - or if you are a fan of Aburi-style, Miku just around from Canada Place.

 

If you're looking for more of a bargain, most pubs in Vancouver do passable fish & chips - halibut is commonly found as well as cod - and Tap & Barrel convention centre location will give you a great view while eating it. More fish-focused is the Fish Shack on Granville, where you can have many different pescivorous dishes including the best really traditional fish & chips around as they offer a very British-style Haddock among their options.

Sorry if my questions are repetitious but my search function isn't working on my iPad.

Try opening the web site in a decent browser rather than using an app whenever functionality is ropey on any kind of tablet. I find using Firefox or Chrome on Android works just like on a desktop for CC posting.

 

Thanks for any help. You all are terrific.

You're welcome

We are staying at the Fairmount Pacific Rim for three days and have a few questions.

 

First, is the Hop On Hop Off bus a good option for the first day to acquaint us with the city?

 

Second, are there any good breakfast and seafood resturants near us?

 

Sorry if my questions are repetitious but my search function isn't working on my iPad.

 

Thanks for any help. You all are terrific.

Sorry I missed your request for seafood restaurants. My recommendations would include Carderos and the Lift. Both are within a 30 min walk of your hotel and a very pleasant one along the sea wall. Carderos is a bit of an upscale nautical pub and the Lift is just a tad more formal. Both have outstanding water views.

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Cardero's+Restaurant,+Coal+Harbour+Quay,+Vancouver,+BC/Fairmont+Pacific+Rim,+1038+Canada+Pl,+Vancouver,+BC+V6C+0B9/Lift+Bar+Grill+View,+333+Menchions+Mews,+Vancouver,+BC+V6G+3H5/@49.2900014,-123.1271714,15z/data=!4m11!4m10!1m2!1m1!1s0x548671860ee90539:0xecf76149e9800dc1!1m2!1m1!1s0x5486718308f23283:0x6643d8bcbabc7a90!1m2!1m1!1s0x54867188cbf75775:0x311047961ea292e7!3e2?hl=en-ca

Thank you Putterdude and Martincath for your great responses. They are greatly appreciated. This should give us plenty to work with during our time in Vancouver.

Thank you Putterdude and Martincath for your great responses. They are greatly appreciated. This should give us plenty to work with during our time in Vancouver.

You are very welcome and I hope you have a wonderful visit in Vancouver.

We're staying at the Days Inn Downtown Vancouver pre-cruise in a few weeks. Does anyone have suggestions for a decent breakfast with in reasonable walking distance? My in-laws will be with us, and MIL has bad knees, not sure how much walking she'll be up for. Nothing in particular in mind for breakfast (personally my least favorite meal of the day, but if I could score good Poutine out of the deal, I'd be happy)

Thanks,

dogdoc2002

^Since you're cruising out on a Saturday, I can indeed give you a brekkie suggestion that is close and has poutine. Tap & Barrel do brunch on weekends from 10am - so dropping bags at the pier and walking a couple of blocks to their Convention Centre location before boarding should work quite nicely. Approx 500 yards direct from the hotel if you wanted to split the party and have some able-bodied peeps go drop bags while MiL is escorted direct to the pub. De Dutch pancake house is in the same place if you can forgo the poutine.

If you want brekkie poutine earlier than that, Edible Canada on Granville Island opens at 9am weekends - but it's definitely not walkable with bad knees, so a cab would be needed. On the pro side, one of very few places that fry in duck fat - once you've had duck fat fries it's damn hard to enjoy them any other way!

If you're in town multiple days, Mooses Down Under is just a block along from your hotel (NB: basement level, but the sign is eye level on the sidewalk showing where the stairs down are). Lots of good fry-up options as well as oatmeal and other lighter fare from 7am M-F, very modest prices (no poutine though, they're an Aussie bar not Canadian).

Hi -

Two questions as we plan for our Vancouver overnight:

I've just learned that our hotel, the Residence Inn at 1234 Hornby, has closed their restaurant! Can you recommend a few restaurants nearby? (walking is an issue for my spouse.)

Also, what type of taxi fare and tip should we expect from the airport to the hotel? And from the hotel to the pier? Is a credit card OK?

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Warmly,

Liz

We're staying at the Days Inn Downtown Vancouver pre-cruise in a few weeks. Does anyone have suggestions for a decent breakfast with in reasonable walking distance? My in-laws will be with us, and MIL has bad knees, not sure how much walking she'll be up for. Nothing in particular in mind for breakfast (personally my least favorite meal of the day, but if I could score good Poutine out of the deal, I'd be happy)

Thanks,

dogdoc2002

No poutine here however an excellent breakfast place in Scoozies which is an easy, level 2 minute walk from the Days Inn.

http://www.scoozis.ca/

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Scoozies+Bar+%26+Grill,+Howe+Street,+Vancouver,+BC/Days+Inn+Vancouver+Downtown,+921+W+Pender+St,+Vancouver,+BC+V6C+1M2/@49.2858094,-123.1183809,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x548671826549a895:0x88f507de6b1ec22b!2m2!1d-123.1154001!2d49.2857603!1m5!1m1!1s0x5486718246b73561:0x74df97559668a163!2m2!1d-123.1169624!2d49.2863109

Hi -

 

Two questions as we plan for our Vancouver overnight:

 

I've just learned that our hotel, the Residence Inn at 1234 Hornby, has closed their restaurant! Can you recommend a few restaurants nearby? (walking is an issue for my spouse.)

 

Also, what type of taxi fare and tip should we expect from the airport to the hotel? And from the hotel to the pier? Is a credit card OK?

 

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

 

Warmly,

Liz

For a breakfast or light dinner you may care to try the White Spot which is about a 5 minute walk from your hotel. If you like seafood then a good bet would be the Fish Shack.

The flat rate taxi fare from YVR to your hotel will be $31 CAD and while not flat rated a fare from hotel to Canada Place will be in the $10/$12 range. A tips for taxi are usually 15 to 20%. All Vancouver taxis accept Visa and MasterCard. Your credit car issuer may well levy a foreign transaction fee for each transaction so you may be as well off as to pay the fare in USD and the difference between the USD and CAD will cover the tip nicely, however keep your bank rates small as you will likely get your change in CAD.

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/1234+Hornby+Street,+Vancouver,+BC/White+Spot,+718+Drake+St,+Vancouver,+BC+V6Z+2W6/@49.2770483,-123.1309963,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x548673d48733bd73:0xe86256e146028067!2m2!1d-123.1283875!2d49.2779448!1m5!1m1!1s0x548673d3ee0a4a59:0xcf95bc30b6c329f6!2m2!1d-123.1281239!2d49.2760387

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/1234+Hornby+Street,+Vancouver,+BC/The+Fish+Shack,+Granville+Street,+Vancouver,+BC/@49.2783049,-123.1281976,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x548673d48733bd73:0xe86256e146028067!2m2!1d-123.1283875!2d49.2779448!1m5!1m1!1s0x548673d5a36ef371:0xb495b928ef0d7df5!2m2!1d-123.1233746!2d49.2788421!3e2

Answers in red.

Hi -

 

Two questions as we plan for our Vancouver overnight:

 

I've just learned that our hotel, the Residence Inn at 1234 Hornby, has closed their restaurant! Can you recommend a few restaurants nearby? (walking is an issue for my spouse.)

Many options - you're just off Davie St, and only a block from Granville St, both of which have many restaurants of various types. Depending how fancy a meal you desire you might need to go a bit further though, most places within say three blocks tend to be on the cheaper end - Giardino (Italian) is the only nearby fancier place I'd recommend.

 

Banana Leaf on Davie (Malaysian), Alpha on Granville (Japanese Izakaya), Nuba on Seymour (Lebanese) would be my dinner picks. If ethnic food isn't your thing, White Spot at Drake & Granville should work for you.

 

If the hotel has stopped all food prep - IIRC their wine bar/bistro is also where the breakfasts are normally made & served - then Twisted Fork on Granville is excellent and very popular (expect queues on weekends), the Elbow Room diner on Davie is quirky but good - the servers sarcastically insult the patrons as part of the experience, all in good fun like going to a Pantomime - and White Spot will do you a perfectly decent brekkie at a good price too.

 

Elbow Room and Nuba are the furthest away from the hotel, and even they're only 1/4 mile - the rest are within 300 yards.

Also, what type of taxi fare and tip should we expect from the airport to the hotel? And from the hotel to the pier? Is a credit card OK?

Fixed rate to hotel from YVR - CAD$31+tip. Hand over $35 total - credit card machines should be installed & working in all cabs, but ask before getting in as sometimes they 'break' with tourists in the cab... USD cash also taken at crappy exchange rate, change in CAD. Discover is rarely accepted in Vancouver and definitely not by cabs, but Visa/MC/AmEx are all good.

 

All other cab use is metered - same price for all cabs including vans suitable for wheelchairs. To the pier it might go over $10 as it gets slow entering Canada Place with the volume of traffic on a cruise morning - maybe CAD$15 including tip as a high end price.

 

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

 

Warmly,

Liz

No poutine here however an excellent breakfast place in Scoozies which is an easy, level 2 minute walk from the Days Inn.

 

http://www.scoozis.ca/

 

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Scoozies+Bar+%26+Grill,+Howe+Street,+Vancouver,+BC/Days+Inn+Vancouver+Downtown,+921+W+Pender+St,+Vancouver,+BC+V6C+1M2/@49.2858094,-123.1183809,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x548671826549a895:0x88f507de6b1ec22b!2m2!1d-123.1154001!2d49.2857603!1m5!1m1!1s0x5486718246b73561:0x74df97559668a163!2m2!1d-123.1169624!2d49.2863109

Thanks a bunch!

dogdoc2002

Here's an idea for breakfast seekers..... Dim Sum.

Vancouver is an ethnic mecca... especially for Asian food. Make a trip to Chinatown or one of the downtown Dim Sum houses for an oriental high tea experience.

[YOUTUBE]ky8bouLbbB8[/YOUTUBE]

I am interested in the distance from the airport to the cruise terminal, and how much a taxi would cost. We will be cruising on Holland America, New Amsterdam. I tried to find driving directions on the computer, but would not come up. Thank you, John

The fare from the airport is fixed at

$35.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Kamloops thank you for the information.

I am interested in the distance from the airport to the cruise terminal, and how much a taxi would cost. We will be cruising on Holland America, New Amsterdam. I tried to find driving directions on the computer, but would not come up. Thank you, John

It is just under 10 miles and is normally a 30 to 35minute trip. The flat rate for a taxi from Airport to Canada Place is $35 CAD plus a tip. The cab fleet in the city consists of Prius sized cars which will hold 3 to 4 average sized passengers with an average amount of luggage....if you are larger than average or have a lot of luggage you may care to take mini-van cab, the price is the same but you may have to wait an extra minute or two for one.