Our Pre-Cruise Stay in Vancouver

[Kerry&LuAnn]

We recently took a cruise out of Vancouver and needed a convenient, comfortable, and inexpensive place to stay the night before. The Days Inn Vancouver Airport exceeded our expectations.

The Days Inn is located just over a mile (2 kilometers) from the Vancouver Airport (YVR), and a free shuttle is provided by phoning the hotel front desk. (The shuttle services a couple of other hotels in the area, too, so it may be necessary to wait a little while.)

When we walked in the front door, we were impressed with the attractive lobby area that included a leather couch and chair, complementary newspapers, an ATM, vending machines, and two computer stations for use by guests. We were greeted warmly by a friendly front desk attendant who handled our check-in promptly, efficiently, and courteously.

Our standard room was very spacious, clean, and beautifully decorated. Within the roomy closet were a safe, ironing board, and iron. Furnishings included a work desk with lamp (free highspeed internet access), a mini-refrigerator, a coffee maker, and a 3-drawer dresser on top of which was a Sony flat screen TV. On the nightstand next to the bed were a telephone (free local calls) and a Magnavox AM/FM clock radio and CD player. The bed and pillows were especially comfortable.

The bathroom was also very attractive, with a stone tile floor and decorative tiles on the walls of the shower/tub. Above the sink and nice-sized vanity counter was a large well-lighted mirror. Along with a hair dryer, the bathroom came equipped with the usual amenities: bar soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shower cap, and shoeshine cloth. The shower head was an Original Shower Massage with six settings; the strong flow of water heated up right away and maintained its temperature.

An extensive complimentary breakfast was provided from 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. in an attractive little nook just off the lobby. There was plenty of seating and a television in the corner. The breakfast offerings included malted waffles, pastries, bagels and cream cheese, bread for toasting with five flavors of jams, butter, and margarine. There were three varieties of dry cereal as well as packets of oatmeal mix. For fruit options there were whole apples and bananas as well as some chunks of mixed tropical fruit (probably from a can). Beverages apple juice, orange juice, regular and decaf coffee, packets of Sanka, and packets of green and black tea. And this hotel provides “real” plates and silverware, not Styrofoam and plastic like at some other places. A very friendly employee assisted guests with making the waffles and kept the breakfast area stocked and tidy.

After checking out, we walked two or three blocks to the Sky Train Bridgeport Station for the Northbound Canada Line. It was a Saturday, so the trains were running every 5 to 10 minutes and the fare was only $2.75 per person. The trip via the Canada Line to its terminus at Waterfront Station was about 20 minutes. Exiting the station, we turned right and walked down Cordova Street for 2 blocks, and then right on Howe Street for 1 block to the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place.

[Flatlander204]

Great to hear you enjoyed the hospitality.. Yes the sky train is amazing, fast and convenient to the port.. most people take taxis or shuttle etc but miss out on the fun of riding the skytrain..Glad every went well for you