Post cruise Vancouver hotel question

[montereybob]

After our Alaska cruise ends in Vancouver, we will need a hotel to stay in for two nights (Aug. 4-5, 2017) before flying home. This is complicated by the fact of the Pride Parade being held downtown that weekend. We would like to stay in a hotel away from the noise and congestion of the parade. What would you recommend in the price range of below $300 nightly? Thanks for any recommendations that you can give us.

[Crew News]

After our Alaska cruise ends in Vancouver, we will need a hotel to stay in for two nights (Aug. 4-5, 2017) before flying home. This is complicated by the fact of the Pride Parade being held downtown that weekend. We would like to stay in a hotel away from the noise and congestion of the parade. What would you recommend in the price range of below $300 nightly? Thanks for any recommendations that you can give us.

 

I don't know the location of the Pride Parade. The Pan Pacific, attached to the Canada Place Cruise Terminal, and the Fairmont Hotel, across the street from the Canada Place Terminal would be the easiest to reach right after your ship docks. Travel agents can usually get lower than the listed prices. There are many dining options in the area that are within walking distance to include the underground mall under the Fairmont Hotel.

Edited September 26, 2016 by Crew News

[Urban trekker]

Most of the major hotels in downtown are outside the Pride parade route - the Blue Horizon which is very popular is right at the start of the parade.

 

The bigger issue is the number of people - upwards of 600,000 who jam into the downtown core to take it in.

 

Also getting a hotel downtown for that price on that weekend - it's a long weekend and there are fireworks on the Saturday night - might also be an issue.

 

If you find a hotel that looks good come back and post it and myself or so of the other hotels can give you some insight on it.

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise and visit to my home and native city.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

[Coral]

Have you considered getting out of town, maybe visiting Whistler?

[martincath]

You'll be leaving on the day of the parade (it's always on the Sunday right before the August Civic holiday, which is 2017 is Monday Aug 7th) if you are overnighting 4th & 5th. While the parade is the culmination of the week of events and there will be various parties as long as you aren't staying on or near to Davie Street you won't be impacted by Pride - BW+ Sands hotel would be a bad idea for you, as would any official sponsor hotel of Pride (check the website nearer the time) as they often host parties. We had to call the Westin and complain one year as they were having a pool party with the speakers pointing right at our balcony across the road and it was outrageously loud - once they flipped them to face inward to the pool deck it was fine.

 

Your biggest concern about noise & crowds that weekend will be the last night of the Celebration of Light, very likely Saturday 5th Aug (although dates have not yet been confirmed for 2017, so it might finish last week of July as it has on a handful of other occasions).

 

If you're already avoiding hotels on Davie, you're also good for not being disturbed by fireworks - the crowds of watchers will be heavily concentrated on the beach, Seawall, and roads immediately adjacent in English Bay, plus across the west sidewalk of Burrard Bridge. There's a map with road closures on the link above - it's possible they will alter slightly but they've been pretty consistent for many years.

 

As long as you avoid English Bay, the biggest issue you'll have is dinner - many, many people come downtown for dinner pre-fireworks so make a reso no matter where you're planning to eat, even on the other side of downtown.

 

US$300 should still get you multiple options even on fireworks/pride weekend - but if you meant sub-CAD$300 with all taxes, fees etc. included you can probably skip all the 4* and better places. This is one of those weekends where the already-outstanding rates of the YWCA Hotel look INSANELY good, as they don't jack up price based on demand, it costs what it costs. Very highly rated on Tripadvisor etc. too, clean and safe, far from parade/fireworks (well, as far as anything can be in our tiny downtown core) - really the only downside is whether you personally can handle the thought of 'staying at the Y!' Fear not, they do not host Village People-themed parties during Pride;-)

[montereybob]

I'm looking at the Metropolitan Hotel on Howe St. Would that be a good choice?

[martincath]

I think that's a great location - haven't stayed in the hotel, but their restaurant, Diva, is very solid. Walkable from pier, mall across the street, many other restos within an easy walk, nearby SkyTrain, HOHO, shuttle, and walking tour pickups.