Vancouver Info if needed

[wanderingjew]

Hi there..I live in Vancouver and have worked at several of the hotels in the city..and have also worked on cruise ships before, so I've done more Alaska cruises than I care to admit..I'll gladly answer any questions about the city, cruising or what have you! :)

Where do the princess cruise dock and is it near the skytrain station?

[cul8er]

I will be in Vancouver on 8/31/07 through 9/2/07 (Friday and Saturday nights) and wanted opinions on some hotels near the nightclub area. The following hotels were reasonably priced, but I am not sure if they are near the hot spots!

 

Sandman Suites on Davie

 

Park Plaza Downtown Vancouver

 

Hilton Vancouver Metrotown

 

Holiday Inn Vancouver Center

 

Thanks for your help!

[LeftcoastBC]

Where do the princess cruise dock and is it near the skytrain station?

Princes is scheduled to dock at Canada place and yes

Skytrain is available underneath CP via tunnels and a twisty turny walk. (Stars and escalators)

 

I will be in Vancouver on 8/31/07 through 9/2/07 (Friday and Saturday nights) and wanted opinions on some hotels near the nightclub area. The following hotels were reasonably priced, but I am not sure if they are near the hot spots!

 

Sandman Suites on Davie A BC Chain...Closest and in an Active busy area which is also a Gay one.

 

Park Plaza Downtown Vancouver Larger Hotel Across bridges but not a long taxi ride

 

Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Out in the burbs...

 

Holiday Inn Vancouver Center A Holiday in close to the Park Plaza. Casino in the basement.

 

Thanks for your help!

[gabykat]

I need to know the best transportation from Seattle to Vancouver

for a party of 14. We are staying at the Best Western Expedition

We then need transportation from the hotel to Canada place to catch the ship on sAturday May 12.

 

thank you

gabykat

[msapoch]

Gabykat--

 

You might want to check with the cruiseline for a transfer. My husband and I flew into Seattle and stayed for several days before the cruise. On the day of the cruise, we went back to the airport and met the cruiseline bus and made the transfer with the cruiseline. They provided a boxed lunch and drink while we were traveling and the bus delivered us to the door of the cruise terminal. We never had to deal with our luggage once we turned it over to the bus driver in Seattle. It was so nice not to have to deal with the luggage when we arrived at the cruise terminal. A few hours later, it showed up in our cabin on board. Sweet!

 

The transfer price with the cruiseline was very reasonable. Don't remember right now exactly what it was, but I do remember I was surprised that it was not more.

 

Madeleine

[jrmende63]

Shoppie, thanks for offering your help. I have a few questions. First, is it necessary to have air conditioning mid June? We are considering staying at the Times Square Suites on Denman & Robson, the the bedroom has A/C, no A/C in Den or LR. Also, do you know anything about this hotel, is it in a good location for touring the city, we are not renting a car and will be in Vancouver 3 nights prior to sailing the Serenade on 6/18/06. We sail out of Ballantyne, so we do not need to be near Canada Place.

Grannynanny,

 

Other considerations for hotels are:

Best Western Sands - Denman & Davie

Renaissance Vancouver -W. Hastings

Blue Horizon-Robson & Burrard.

 

Any info on locations and condition of hotels would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nancy

 

Nancy

I stayed at Times Square Suites last May. There were 4 of us, MIL, FIL, hubby and I. The room was great. We had a 2 bedroom suite. Master bedroom is king bed and 2nd bedroom is twin beds. The master bedroom has the A/C. The A/C is programed to run on fan only if the temp outside goes below a certain preset level. I liked Robson street. There is a cafe that is on the corner of Robson 2-3 doors down from TSS, and we had a great breakfast there. You can cook in the suite if you like, there is things in the kitchen to use. Also washer and dryer.

Julie

sorry...misread the date on the post...thought Nancy was sailing June 2007! But hopefully my post will help someone else looking for a place to stay in Beautiful Vancouver.

[jrmende63]

Shoppie, thanks for offering your help. I have a few questions. First, is it necessary to have air conditioning mid June? We are considering staying at the Times Square Suites on Denman & Robson, the the bedroom has A/C, no A/C in Den or LR. Also, do you know anything about this hotel, is it in a good location for touring the city, we are not renting a car and will be in Vancouver 3 nights prior to sailing the Serenade on 6/18/06. We sail out of Ballantyne, so we do not need to be near Canada Place.

 

Other considerations for hotels are:

Best Western Sands - Denman & Davie

Renaissance Vancouver -W. Hastings

Blue Horizon-Robson & Burrard.

 

Any info on locations and condition of hotels would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nancy

sorry double post

[LeftcoastBC]

I need to know the best transportation from Seattle to Vancouver

for a party of 14. We are staying at the Best Western Expedition

We then need transportation from the hotel to Canada place to catch the ship on sAturday May 12.

 

thank you

gabykat

 

If I understand correctly you are staying overnight in Seattle ??

 

If so look at Amtrak for the 12th. Leaves at 740 AM gets in around noon easy border crossing in Vancouver and only a short cab to the Port.

[mountain girl 22]

Shoppie, thank you so much for the info. We'll be first time Texans in Canada. I'm looking at the Century Plaza Hotel and Spa because of the suite and price. Is this a good choice for Vancouver? We'll be docking at Canada Pier on June 24 and plan on staying three days in Vancouver. Is it a good idea to rent a car? We'd like to see Victoria Island.

[Lightsluvr]

We'll be arriving in Vancouver early on May 4, spending 2 nights at the Sutton Place Hotel. Our flight home is Sunday morning May 6.

 

We hear about Granville Island, Chinatown and other sites. For the Vancouver experts, what would you recommend in the two full days we'll have to visit this beautiful city? Any memorable tours to suggest?

 

We'll have two evening meals... Any suggestions for "must do" restaurants...not pretentious, just good food and atmosphere...?

Thanks for everything!

 

LL

[LeftcoastBC]

Shoppie, thank you so much for the info. We'll be first time Texans in Canada. I'm looking at the Century Plaza Hotel and Spa because of the suite and price. Is this a good choice for Vancouver? We'll be docking at Canada Pier on June 24 and plan on staying three days in Vancouver. Is it a good idea to rent a car? We'd like to see Victoria Island.

 

Century Plaza will be OK. Long timer in Vancouver. Closer to Granville Island than Port area. The city of Victoria is on Vancouver Island and requires a very full day and I recommend and overnight because of Ferry/road travel of rougly 3 hours each way. You would need a car for that and a car would certainly come in handy for getting around on your own to other places such as Grouse mtn. maybe Whistler etc.

 

We'll be arriving in Vancouver early on May 4, spending 2 nights at the Sutton Place Hotel. Our flight home is Sunday morning May 6.

 

We hear about Granville Island, Chinatown and other sites. For the Vancouver experts, what would you recommend in the two full days we'll have to visit this beautiful city? Any memorable tours to suggest?

 

We'll have two evening meals... Any suggestions for "must do" restaurants...not pretentious, just good food and atmosphere...?

Thanks for everything!

 

LL

For sure those places and if the weather is nice North Vancouer and Grouse Mtn and Capilano Canyon. Don't forget Stanley Park.

There are two revolving restaurants in town. Food is just OK but the views are spectacular at night if its clear.

Our restaurants are many and great. Ask your concierge at the hotel there's so many near there you won't go wrong.

[gg3]

Will be staying 2 nights pre cruise at Fairmont Downtown Vancouver in July. Please tell me where we locate the all day trolley that takes you around the city and if that is probably the best way to get around. Is there a coffee shop (Starbucks) close to our hotel? Any info about what to see and do would be greatly appreciated. Is there a website where I can locate info on the trolley and its stops. Do all the trolleys follow the same path, going to the same locations in the same order. I do appreciate all your help. gg in E. Texas

[floridatoucan]

Dear Shoppie,

It is great to hear from someone who really knows! What do you know about the Intrawest Club on top of the Sheraton? What is the best, most reasonable hotel preferably 4 star quality at 3 star price!? Thanks!

[brmoqueen]

Shoppie or leftcoast....I didn't have time to read all 11 pages so if this q is a repeat, forgive me!!

 

We have a growing group (pre meet n mingle) that wants to get together downtown for dinner the night before our Sept cruise....can you suggest a restaurant that would be good for that??...cost (not high prefereably!), variety of food, and of course, drinks!!...

 

Thanks for any info y'all can help with....the hotels that we are staying at so far are Hampton, Hyatt, Sheraton, 4 Season. if that helps with proximity.

 

Jul :)

[gambler_and_rivernymph]

We will be in Vancouver all day and overnight in early June. We can stay at any of the Starwood hotels using points, so price doesnt matter. The major advantage of the Four Points is that it's close to the airport. We take off at 7:30am on a Tuesday. We will have a car, so how long will it take to get from the hotels up by Stanley Park to the airport? Any recommendations between the Sheraton or the two Westins?

[weathermom]

gambler.... If you can stay at any of the 3, I'd pick the westin bayshore for sure... gorgeous hotel, close to stanley park. the other 2 are okay, but the locations aren't nearly as nice.

 

your difference in travel time that early in the morning will be at most 20 minutes. imho staying at the bayshore is worth getting up earlier.

(driving time from the bayshore to the airport at 5 or 5:30 am for your early flight would be a little under 1/2 hour...you won't have much traffic at all) from the other westin...shave maybe 5 minutes off the drive if that. from the richmond four points... the drive will be 10 to 15 minutes.

[gambler_and_rivernymph]

Thanks!

[cavcmy]

We are staying extra day post cruise in downtown Vancouver Sunday May 27th and would like to visit Riverrock Resort and Casino in Richmond. No car. Can you tell me the best way to get there? As far as I can tell from website, they do not have a shuttle that picks up in downtown Vancouver. Any info you have will be appreciated. Thanks!

[weathermom]

are you going there in the evening?

 

It's a fairly lengthy cab ride to richmond (about 1/2 hour)... does your hotel have a shuttle to the airport? if they do, you could shuttle to their & then take a cab to the riverrock (just a 5 minute drive from the airport)

....there are lots of hotels close by the riverrock though... you might want to consider staying near their instead?

[gg3]

I am confused. We are staying at Fairmont Vancouver Hotel (downtown) and when I read info on a particular site it said it was 30 miles to the Vancouver Int. Airport, and that Westin Bayshore was around 7.5. I thought these two hotels were in the general vacinity of each other and both near Stanley Park. Am I missing something here ??? gg

[dogdoc2002]

Hello-

My partner and I will be in Vancouver June 22nd for a 1 night pre-cruise stay at the Westin. One of the things that I am interested in doing is the Capilano Suspension Bridge. From what I've read, it's suppossed to be easily accessible by the bus/water taxi- does anyone out there have the bus stop/transfer points, etc on how to do this?

 

Also, we're flying in through YVR, and I was wondering what the import restrictions are. Is there a website I can easily find that info? I didn't know if things like cheese and sausage or fruit would be a problem.

Thanks!

dogdoc2002:)

[Terpnut]

I am confused. We are staying at Fairmont Vancouver Hotel (downtown) and when I read info on a particular site it said it was 30 miles to the Vancouver Int. Airport, and that Westin Bayshore was around 7.5. I thought these two hotels were in the general vacinity of each other and both near Stanley Park. Am I missing something here ??? gg

The Fairmont Waterfront is next to Canada Place and the Fairmont Vancouver is further south. Both are a several blocks from each other and from the Westin Bayshore which is the only one right next to Stanley Park. All three downtown hotels are probably only 10 miles from the airport. To further confuse things, there is also a Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel so be careful which hotel you are talking about.

[gg3]

The Fairmont Waterfront is next to Canada Place and the Fairmont Vancouver is further south. Both are a several blocks from each other and from the Westin Bayshore which is the only one right next to Stanley Park. All three downtown hotels are probably only 10 miles from the airport. To further confuse things, there is also a Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel so be careful which hotel you are talking about.

 

 

ok - so they are all only 10 miles from the airport - but not 10 minutes - right??? Also, we are at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel downtown, so how far is that from places like Stanley Park or Granville Island and Canada Place ??? Thank you, gg in East Texas

[ell52]

Hello-

My partner and I will be in Vancouver June 22nd for a 1 night pre-cruise stay at the Westin. One of the things that I am interested in doing is the Capilano Suspension Bridge. From what I've read, it's suppossed to be easily accessible by the bus/water taxi- does anyone out there have the bus stop/transfer points, etc on how to do this?

 

Also, we're flying in through YVR, and I was wondering what the import restrictions are. Is there a website I can easily find that info? I didn't know if things like cheese and sausage or fruit would be a problem.

Thanks!

dogdoc2002:)

Hi dogdoc. It's very easy to get to Capilano Suspension Bridge:

 

• Go to Waterfront Station (next to Canada Place)
  
• Purchase tickets and take the northbound Seabus
  
• When you dock on the north shore, you will be at Lonsdale Quay (a public market area and transit loop)
  
• Take the #236 bus (Grouse Mountain) and it will take you right to Capilano Road and the Suspension Bridge
  

 

As for import restrictions, try this site: Canada Border Services Agency

 

ok - so they are all only 10 miles from the airport - but not 10 minutes - right??? Also, we are at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel downtown, so how far is that from places like Stanley Park or Granville Island and Canada Place ???

gg3, the Fairmont Vancouver is on Georgia Street at Burrard, almost smack dab in the centre of downtown. Depending on if you're accustomed to walking, Canada Place is an easy 5 - 10 minute walk; Stanley Park about 20 -25 min; Granville Island is not easily walkable and will require a taxi or the little water ferry (not the same as the Seabus).

 

Take a look at this map of downtown Vancouver to get a better idea of the layout. Your hotel is near the middle, named "Hotel Vancouver" (the name before it changed to the Fairmont). Stanley Park is in the upper left; Granville Island is in the lower left, across the bridge. The False Creek Ferry route is visible (dotted line) and shows where you can take it from the Vancouver Aquatic Centre to Granville Island (as well as other stops).

 

.

[gg3]

gg3, the Fairmont Vancouver is on Georgia Street at Burrard, almost smack dab in the centre of downtown. Depending on if you're accustomed to walking, Canada Place is an easy 5 - 10 minute walk; Stanley Park about 20 -25 min; Granville Island is not easily walkable and will require a taxi or the little water ferry (not the same as the Seabus).

 

Take a look at this map of downtown Vancouver to get a better idea of the layout. Your hotel is near the middle, named "Hotel Vancouver" (the name before it changed to the Fairmont). Stanley Park is in the upper left; Granville Island is in the lower left, across the bridge. The False Creek Ferry route is visible (dotted line) and shows where you can take it from the Vancouver Aquatic Centre to Granville Island (as well as other stops).

 

 

ell52 - thank you so much for all the help you have given me and for taking the time to provide the map. We will be in Vancouver for two days pre cruise and are looking for things to do. :) gg