Vancouver Info if needed

Here's another location. It's near Glen Park and King Edwards Ave. I know it's a bit further away. Seems to be qualifying as residence. Any thoughts or concerns?

Pretty much same as above from me - too remote for convenient tourism on a budget (i.e. using transit). It would be better to be walking distance to SkyTrain - while physically closer, this address would take longer to get to & from downtown core than many further hotels in Richmond near SkyTrain lines. Buses are not bad in Vancouver, but with few dedicated bus lanes and often poor connection frequencies getting around from the 'burbs can be very slow if you aren't near light rail.

Since you're coming in Sep, at least you have a few months to find a legal AirBnB once the licensing kicks in...

Edit - one other thought, just in case it's relevant... this is actually a very decent food area. Adding to the many good Vietnamese spots, and the general 'cheap but good ethnic cuisine' along Kingsway, there has been a bit of a more european-themed trend of recent openings in the Fraserhood and Kingsway/Main corridors that means you'd be within a mile of several great eating options covering a range of prices and genres.

We have stayed near the Skytrain in Richmond (at the Radisson) -- a great way to be near lots of good Chinese food, shuttle from the airport to our hotel -- and at an Airbnb in North Vancouver. While I prefer being near lots of good Chinese food, and we had some friends to visit in Richmond, it is not really a tourist hub. Still, it is a relatively quick and easy ride to the center of the city. There is a hotel built into a shopping center in North Vancouver, right across the water from the cruise port (Lonsdale Quay) that's a fifteen minute ferry ride from your hotel to a stop very close to the cruise port. That also works.

Cruise leaves on 9/2/18. Yes, that's a while away, but I always start planning early! When I saw hotel prices, and that many already have nothing available, I'm glad I started looking now. We have options of flying into Seattle or Vancouver on Friday Aug. 31 or Sat.Sept 1st. That plan is still in progress. I'd love to take the train up the coast. The cruise plus airfare is a sizable amount for us, so we (1 couple, age 60's) are on a tight budget, but have a little wiggle room for extra expenses. I'd like to stay in the $150 /night range or less, but that amount doesn't look very promising. The Ywca and Blue Horizon are booked. Some hotels near the airport also have shuttles, so that could be the best way to go. I definitely don't want something that is not refundable. I'm reading comments on this thread and Trip Advisor for information. I appreciate your suggestions and guidance in helping with my search.

Looking at booking.com in USD for 2 people to stay September 1st.... here are your options for under $200/night that I would consider....

• $116 Days Inn - Vancouver Metro » far from downtown, but better than Glenn Park
  
• $198 Days Inn Vancouver Downtown » check online reviews for potential issues
  

Looking by the airport

• $126 Quality Hotel Airport - South
  
• $149 Days Inn Vancouver Airport
  
• $157 Coast Vancouver Airport
  
• $187 Travelodge Hotel Vancouver Airport
  
• $195 Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport » my top pick! Subway station across the street can have you downtown in 20 minutes!
  
• $197 Abercorn Inn
  

I strongly recommend the Raddison Vancouver Airport for your date.

Can anyone give me information about Days Inn on Sexsmith Rd.? It looks like an industrial area. Is it safe, are there any restaurants close by? Could we walk to and from the casino and feel comfortable doing so?:confused:

^It's less than 10mins walk to the casino, sidewalks so you can roll luggage if you're using SkyTrain to get downtown to the ship, and while it's probably best described as more of a light industrial area there are enough hotels nearby that you should see fellow enough pedestrians, cabs etc. to not feel scared. However, it's really a judgment call on your part - I've no idea if you're from a gritty part of a big city or a teeny-tiny idyllic village so I have no clue of your comfort level in urban environments... best advice I can give is to use Google Streetview and 'walk the route' virtually to see what you see and how YOU feel about it!

There are ample restaurants, and some very good ones, if you're willing to walk a mile - some higher end Chinese spots like Red Star, Fisherman's Terrace, Sun Sui Wah as well as lots of smaller 'mom & pop' places. Up to double that distance and you can walk to Kirin & Dinesty. If the distance is too much for walking both ways, SkyTraining up the line to Aberdeen, Lansdowne or Richmond-Brighouse puts you within a block of many dining options. Passable Western options - like Earl's, Cactus Club - are also in the malls around those stations.

Honestly though, the only reason to stay out there is budgetary - and you can find an even cheaper deal downtown at the YWCA Hotel (which is a lot nicer than any Days Inn I've ever seen!) unless it's already sold out for your date(s).

We occasionally visit the area near that Days Inn to go to the nearby Costco, the casino, or the Night Market by the casino (weekends May to Oct). I wouldn't call it a sketchy/unsafe area but it's kind of an awkward transition area with light industrial with some (nondescript) commercial activity. I'd generally feel comfortable walking to the casino but it's not really an area to walk around explore, in part due to some parts lacking side walks and limited stuff of interest for a tourist. Similarly if you walk south, it's doable and safe but it's not the most pleasant of walks with the traffic and sporadic pockets of activity until you get further south. I'd probably rather walk to the casino and hop on the skytrain to ride a few stations south.

Foodwise, as described by martincath, there are decent/good options at and by the casino and various choices, heavily Asian with some Vancouver chains, if you head south.

I would consider staying here if necessary. While it wouldn't be at the top of my list, it's doable. It's just not the most fun area to stay and you're obviously commuting into downtown for the day and day of.

 

One minor follow-up note in the event it'll be used as a landmark. This Caliburger location apparently just closed down this weekend per a local publication. I walked by during lunch today and while the signage is still up, yep the lights aren't on.

Thanks for all the info on the Days Inn everyone. I did Google it at street level to see what was there.

We finish our cruise on the day we plan to stay at the Days Inn. We are taking a tour of Vancouver that lasts 4hrs. So our hotel stay is just a place to lay our heads until the next day when we fly home. We thought we might stop by the casino and try our luck, and that's why we wondered how safe the area is.

We have been to Vancouver once before. We aren't fancy people so I'm sure the food at the casino will be fine. Thanks again for all the comments! :D

I just posted my pre-cruise review of our 3 nights in Vancouver on the Royal Caribbean Roll calls for the Serenade.

Nancy

Nancy I just begin to read this thread, please post the link for your review.

We booked Celebrity Eclipse B2B Vancouver-Hawaii-Vancouver

Thanks in advance

Gerardo

Nancy I just begin to read this thread, please post the link for your review.

 

We booked Celebrity Eclipse B2B Vancouver-Hawaii-Vancouver

 

Thanks in advance

 

Gerardo

That post is from 2006, and that poster has not been active since 2011!

With long threads like this, I find it's always best to start at the most recent end and work backwards - this minimises erroneous info (e.g. since this thread began we have seen a new SkyTrain line to the airport built, several new hotels opened/others closed, bike lanes are now everywhere, literally hundreds of restaurants have closed/new ones opened, taxis have added fixed fare zones from YVR and amended both the zone boundaries and pricing, transit fares have gone up multiple times, Canadian dollar has varied between <US70cents to >US$1.10 and of course meals, hotel room rates etc have all generally gone up significantly in local currency...)

That post is from 2006, and that poster has not been active since 2011!

 

 

With long threads like this, I find it's always best to start at the most recent end and work backwards - this minimises erroneous info (e.g. since this thread began we have seen a new SkyTrain line to the airport built, several new hotels opened/others closed, bike lanes are now everywhere, literally hundreds of restaurants have closed/new ones opened, taxis have added fixed fare zones from YVR and amended both the zone boundaries and pricing, transit fares have gone up multiple times, Canadian dollar has varied between <US70cents to >US$1.10 and of course meals, hotel room rates etc have all generally gone up significantly in local currency...)

Thanks for the tips, I will re start backwards, a lot of info 150 pages or more

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

. We will be staying in the Victorian Hotel on our return

Dave

Hello, can you write a short review for this Hotel? It's on my plans for a Hawaii Pre cruise

Thanks

Merry Christmas

Gerardo

Thanks for the tips, I will re start backwards, a lot of info 150 pages or more

No but that is the point - this thread is too old to even consider looking at. I would never read an eleven year old review on a hotel - the rates and info are way too out of date.

I appreciate that you searched for this hotel, but you bumped four threads about this and it's just not going to be accurate. Please consider using Trip Advisor - and work backwards from there instead of here for hotel and restaurant reviews.

Hi DoubleJ, I have also been looking at hotels and flight options for my Sept '18 cruise out of Vancouver. When do you plan on booking your flight? I've been debating my plan for this. :)

Contact me please at jstephens@angelina.edu so I can visit with you about my plans. Thanks

Hi any info would be helpful. We are sailing HA Eurodam 10/17/2018. Plan to spend 2 nights Victoria and 2 nights Vancouver pre-cruise. Should we start process of hotels now?

Two 75 year old - mobility a bit of a problem (use of a walker) so what should we see and where to stay in these lovely cities. My last trip to Pac northwest was over 40 years ago. Would appreciate hotels prices under $200 CAD per night

Thanks

Sandra

Feedback in red.

Hi any info would be helpful. We are sailing HA Eurodam 10/17/2018. Plan to spend 2 nights Victoria and 2 nights Vancouver pre-cruise. Should we start process of hotels now?

I'd book something refundable at this stage then recheck for better deals nearer the time.

 

Two 75 year old - mobility a bit of a problem (use of a walker) so what should we see and where to stay in these lovely cities.

Definitely stay downtown in both cities. As long as you can cover a mile or so, even if you have to stop and rest a bit, you should be able to visit quite a lot of tourist sites on foot.

Vic: CVS Tour to Butchart goes from in front of the Empress - unless you are not fans at all of gardens, with 2 days I'd definitely be visiting. Inner Harbour is nice to pootle around in - late October won't be many buskers, but the seals are still around, fish & chips, and parliament can be visited (free tour, interesting, beautiful buildings). Royal BC Museum is outstanding. Further afield - take a cab, or if you're comfortable using transit get a $5 day pass for buses - the two 'castles', Craigdarroch and Hatley, are interesting (the latter looks more the part, with a nice garden too, while the former is more of a small stately home but kitted out with period furnishings and nice stained glass). Beacon Hill Park might be a bit much, but if you bus or cab to and from and just stick to exterior parts as short walks you can see the huge Totem pole & the Mile Zero marker. I haven't taken the HOHO in Victoria, reviews should be available online, and could be a sensible way to get around many of these sites with commentary and minimal hassle.

Van: even more options, though unless you can walk several miles (with rests) you'll have to be strategic in visiting Stanley Park - I'd definitely suggest a HOHO to let you get off at several points in the park as well as around town. Dr Sun Yat-Sen garden is fantastic, cheap, and nice & flat (HOHO stop too).Chinatown's gate is another nice photo op, as is Sam Kee building down the block (narrowest commercial building in the world), but aside from the flags on lampposts mostly it's quite subtle architectural differences - only the many shops & restos make it 'Chinese' and fewer of these every year as the old generation dies out. Go see it now before it's too late!

Gastown might be a bit much to visit on embarkation day with strollers, but is compact enough to be worth visiting (watch out of uneven sidewalks - lots of cobbles for that Ye Olde feel along Water Street) and has two popular photostops - Gassy Jack statue and the Steamclock (HOHO stop very near the latter). Lots of shops and restaurant options here too.

 

Granville Island has the Public Market - offseason much easier to walk around - and quirky shops, a couple of breweries and a sake maker for adult fun plus the kids market if you want to shop for grandkid souvenirs! Some great outdoor art, and easily reached by HOHO, 50 bus, and the little ferries of Aquabus and False Creek Ferries. The Athlete's Village at the end of the creek doesn't have much olympian left - the iconic Cauldron is near the pier - but does now have lots of residents and a few dining options.

 

Several art galleries & museums are convenient for HOHO too - any particular interests?

Capilano is a waste if you can't balance well, Grouse Mountain also has a lot of roughish terrain and sloping paths, so these very popular sites probably need to be taken off your list. Queen Elizabeth Park you'd need to visit by cab - nearest bus stop still involves a bit of an uphill hike - but you could cab to & from King Edward SkyTrain to reduce costs. Since park is free, worth considering! More lovely gardens and as the highest point in Vancouver unrivalled views. Van Dusen Botanic Garden is just a few blocks away if you aren't already gardened-out!

 

FlyOverCanada is right at the pier - easily done morning you embark as the show is short. It's a gentle 'flying' ride of helicopter footage from across the country, and you move around in tune with the movie. The cauldron is also easily done this day, it's just a couple of blocks away past the Convention Centre's West building. The Digital Orca statue on the same plaza is one of my favourite pieces of outdoor art - and both this and the cauldron light up at night, so if convenient for where you're staying perhaps go visit twice.

My last trip to Pac northwest was over 40 years ago.

At least half of Vancouver will be new to you then - Expo 86 brought real changes, and several iconic buildings including the pier, and virtually all the skyscrapers downtown are even newer.

 

Would appreciate hotels prices under $200 CAD per night

We've found good rates in the BW+ Carleton Plaza on Johnson Street in Victoria - it's ~1/2mile on foot to the Empress. While $200 will stretch further off-season, you may struggle in Vancouver downtown if that has to include taxes/fees. The YWCA Hotel will definitely work though - rates have not been set yet for next Fall/Winter, but this season it's only just over CAD$100 a night for a double room with en suite (incl tax) for Seniors.

Thanks

Sandra

We're looking for a post-cruise hotel for a couple of nights early in June. Our most important 'want' is a spectacular view of the harbor/city/mountains, with a balcony so we can enjoy the outdoors and take a few photos.

In the past, the Westin Bayshore tower rooms have been our favorite, but on our last trip, their under-construction lobby and several other factors bothered us, plus it seems to be getting more expensive each time we check. We've been looking at the Pinnacle at the Pier in North Vancouver as a possible alternative - something different with great reviews, spectacular views back towards the city, reasonable price, and it looks like there are several restaurants close-by, plus the Seabus and Lonsdale Market very close by. The negative seems to be the need for a taxi when we have all our cruise luggage, but for the money we'd save on the hotel, that's not an issue.

Any comments on this hotel or other suggestions for a hotel with balcony and a great view?

Thank you and thank you again, Martincath. :hearteyes:

You responded over and beyond with so much info for us.

We will stay downtown in both cities and raise our budget for Vancouver.

Now:D having good info to really do some research over the next couple of months

We're looking for a post-cruise hotel for a couple of nights early in June. Our most important 'want' is a spectacular view of the harbor/city/mountains, with a balcony so we can enjoy the outdoors and take a few photos.

 

In the past, the Westin Bayshore tower rooms have been our favorite, but on our last trip, their under-construction lobby and several other factors bothered us, plus it seems to be getting more expensive each time we check. We've been looking at the Pinnacle at the Pier in North Vancouver as a possible alternative - something different with great reviews, spectacular views back towards the city, reasonable price, and it looks like there are several restaurants close-by, plus the Seabus and Lonsdale Market very close by. The negative seems to be the need for a taxi when we have all our cruise luggage, but for the money we'd save on the hotel, that's not an issue.

 

Any comments on this hotel or other suggestions for a hotel with balcony and a great view?

Blue Horizon - all their rooms are corners with balconies, so you can choose from a roughly NorthEast or NorthWest room with a view that will include the mountains (and in the latter case, Stanley Park - you can wave at your old fave the Bayshore!) While the high floor view rooms are pricier than lower floors, it should be a decent saving compared to the Bayshore and still check off all your needs.

As to Pinnacle in North Van, yes the area has quite a lot of food and entertainment options and it's a very nice hotel (at least in public areas - I've never stayed there) but before you assume the cab rides will not exceed the savings run your possible destinations through taxifarefinder to be sure - and remember that any route over Lions Gate bridge will suffer major traffic delays in either commuter rushhour period (3 lanes, middle flipflops, so even going against traffic it can be painfully slow as you just have a single lane).

Pinnacle is pretty much halfway between both bridges so you're looking at a lengthy sideways detour and back to get across to downtown Vancouver by road - even if bridges are smooth enough the cab can drive the minimum possible fare is ~$25 per trip to the pier. Even one round trip to downtown by cab will likely eat $60+ of your room cost savings, vs. $4.10 or less per person by Seabus - you're always crossing two Zone boundaries, but evenings/weekends all zones are priced as one so rate drops to $2.85pp with further discounts for seniors, Compass cards etc.

Luggage isn't a problem on the Seabus as long as you avoid peak commuter time there is tons of floor space available - so if you can roll your bags a few hundred yards you shouldn't have a problem getting them

Thank you Martincath....great advice. We've since read more Pinnacle reviews and apparently there has been construction going on between the hotel & the water, which would impact the views and cause lots of noise. We'll check out the Blue Horizon.

We'll check out the Blue Horizon.

As locals, we have stayed there twice now on special occasions. Fabulous. Pay for a room on an upper room as it is so worth it. :)

Blue Horizon - all their rooms are corners with balconies, so you can choose from a roughly NorthEast or NorthWest room with a view that will include the mountains (and in the latter case, Stanley Park - you can wave at your old fave the Bayshore!) While the high floor view rooms are pricier than lower floors, it should be a decent saving compared to the Bayshore and still check off all your needs.

 

We are staying pre-cruise at the Blue Horizon for the second time. The first time we had a cruise line transfer to the port so we did not pay attention to how we got there.

What is the best way to get to the cruise port from the Blue Horizon and the best way to get from the airport to the hotel?

Thanks!

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What is the best way to get to the cruise port from the Blue Horizon and the best way to get from the airport to the hotel?

Forget the subway. You don't want to do the luggage drag.

$31 taxi from airport to Blue Horizon. $10 cab ride to cruise terminal.

 

 

 

Forget the subway. You don't want to do the luggage drag.

Thank you!

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I would agree that cab to hotel from airport is more convenient than SkyTrain and walking (and even with just 2 people, SkyTrain then a cab would be a negligible saving thanks to the $5 per person inbound AddFare). BH could be walkable to the pier, depending on weather/how much luggage/how mobile you are (it's only 3/4 mile on foot). The most important thing, which you're already doing, is to avoid cruiseline transfers - they're a total ripoff from the airport, and simply insanely overpriced between pier and downtown hotels.