Vancouver help

Any good hotels near port that arent too expensive? Also what things are there to do, to see, etc

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You might want to ask this on the ports board where people who are visiting Vancouver are more likely to see it.

But yes, Vancouver is a big city, and it's got many hotels at all price ranges, from youth hostels to very expensive. as for near the port, you could either choose near Coal Harbour area, which is the area by the cruise port, along the air train, since there's a stop only a couple blocks away, or even further and just take a taxi to the port.

As for what to do, I'd suggest taking a look at a Vancouver tourism site. As with all large cities, there's tons of stuff to do, so it will depend on whether you're a museums or a parks person, a foodie or a sports fan. Too much to cover in a forum post.

Looking at booking.com in USD for two people.... We have availability for all budgets in the city.

• $83 YWCA with shared bathroom
  
• $147 Days Inn » 3 blocks from cruise terminal, check online reviews for potential issues
  
• $151 Empire Landmark
  
• $188 Blue Horizon » forum fav for budget travelers
  
• $195 Rosedale » suites!
  
• $237 Holiday Inn Vancouver Downtown
  
• $323 Hampton Inn » fav for Hilton point collectors
  
• $356 Shangri La
  
• $421 Westin Grand
  
• $423 Hyatt
  
• $467 Westin Bayshore
  
• $471 Four Seasons
  
• $501 Sheraton Wall Centre
  
• $615 Pan Pacific » you sleep above the cruise terminal
  
• $640 Fairmont Pacific Rim
  

Blue Horizon or Rosedale would be my vote for value travelers.

Any good hotels near port that arent too expensive? Also what things are there to do, to see, etc

ALso check the West Coast Departures forum:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=413

If you are there for one day, do the hop on hop off bus. I found it interesting. My favorite spot, if I had to pick one is Stanley Park. The Gastown area is interesting too.

How about staying in north vancouver? Pinnacle by the pier... any good?

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^First, you'll save yourself time & hassle by just posting once - all of us locals who check this board also check Canada/Pacific, so you'll just have two sets of answers to track based on which a given poster sees first...

Secondly, Pinnacle is a nice hotel (and you'll have great views across to 'real Vancouver'). There are several restos, Lonsdale Quay indoor market, and even an outdoor farmers market/food cart pod these days on weekends.

Really the only big downside is the travel - not cost, but time thereof. While Seabus runs quickly at peak commuter times (about every 15mins, and crossing takes 15mins) it's a nightmare later at night when you juuuust miss a boat and have to wait 30 mins for it to come back again. Including walk time from hotel, budget 40mins each way at peak and 55mins offpeak so you don't miss any show start times etc. Sometimes you'll get lucky and board a boat right as it sails - in which case it'll only be ~20mins each way regardless of time of day.

Assuming you can schlep your own suitcases around, even getting to/from the hotel from airport/pier won't be an issue. But taxis will be mondo pricey compared to a downtown hotel as you are about halfway between both bridges, so it's a long driver around in a very indirect route. Inbound, fixed rate from airport does not apply - you're always metered to and from North Van. Budget $60 from YVR to hotel and about $30 from hotel to pier.

An airport hotel has no views to speak of, but can actually be more efficient to and from downtown than the much-nearer Pinnacle if you pick one close to a SkyTrain station. These are the places you should be comparing cost with, not downtown hotels, to assess value.