help with vancouver hotel

[NoWhiners]

We will be cruising on zuiderdam on 6/20 to inside passage. Four couples, including 2 Mom's over 80. Anyone have any recent news on hotels and rates? We will bid on priceline but wanted to know if anyone has any experience for this time period.:)

 

merry Christmas to all,

Mary Lynn

[BCHappyGal]

I would definitely bid on Priceline for 4* in downtown Vancouver ... that way you are close to everything including lots of great restaurants...

 

My favorite hotel (yes I am a local) is the Pan Pacific but it is pricey and not likely that you will get this hotel on Priceline. However you often get either the Bayshore, marriott, or Hyatt all great hotels in super locations.

 

I will add my favorite sites for you to think about in Vancouver

 

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. http://www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection at Brockton Point, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – hollow tree, many view points, and several restaurants. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

7) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

8) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.classicalchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

9) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. May artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

10) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

11) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

12) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

13) Queen Elizabeth Park – http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/QEPark01.htm -The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

14) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.pc,qc.ca/fortlangley

15) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours.

16) If you are a real animal lover than here is my latest find “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from India, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

17) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

18) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

19) Dazzle your senses when you visit Minter Gardens nestled against 7000 foot Mt. Cheam in beautiful 'Super Natural' British Columbia. One of the most spectacular show gardens in the world! Eleven themed gardens are designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of artistic floral designs.

Minter Gardens is located 90 minutes east of downtown Vancouver just off the Trans-Canada Hwy. #1 at exit #135. http://www.gardeningbc.com

[pizzalady1]

Thanks so another cc poster, a bunch of us were able to get the Sutton Place on Hotwire at $115 per night. Search for a 5 star with the golf symbol. This is an incredible bargain.

[Putterdude]

You will be hitting peak season but if you can score the Sutton Place at $115, you won't do better, that is a great rate at a super hotel. After that look at properties like the Blue Horizon on Robson St. and the Hyatt Regency on Burrard which should have rates in the $150 range. All are good hotels, close to everthing and enjoyed by most cruisers.

[NoWhiners]

Thanks BC Gal and putterdude. We are going to start trying on priceline this week. we'll be happy to get any of the hotels noted. Hoping rates come down--cruise price did!!

 

Mary Lynn

[RedmondCruiser]

BC Gal did a fine job in outlining things to do in Vancouver. Vancouver has some very fine hotels and you really can't go wrong. Our favorite is the Wedgewood but do shop for price on priceline.

[NoWhiners]

just got residence inn downtown for $70/night on priceline!! posted on Marriott site at $194 CAD, about $160 US!!

 

plus free breakfast in the morning and manager's reception in evening, 1 mile from pier!! One night, but we booked 4 rooms--maybe that helped? Not Sutton Place, but OK with us!!

 

Thanks to all for tips and info

 

Happy New Year

Mary Lynn

[Urban trekker]

"1 mile from pier!!"

 

A good place to stay and only ONE BLOCK from my condo.

 

Enjoy your visit

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Putterdude]

"1 mile from pier!!"

 

A good place to stay and only ONE BLOCK from my condo.

 

Enjoy your visit

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

 

So you will be cooking them a full breakfast just to sweeten an already great deal!:)

[CPPADILLA]

Pizzalady1 ~ Congratulations on getting Sutton Place for $115.00. That definitely is a good deal.

 

We aren't cruising until next September but hope we are as lucky as you were when we try for our hotel.

[shabal57]

I was able to book 1 night at Pan Pacific Hotel next May for a crazy price of $155 CAD through Perfect Escapes Website. What I liked about this site was that you can cancel up to 24 hours prior to arrival and not get charged.

[NoWhiners]

Dennis

 

am I correct and it is only about 1 mile to pier? I approximated from an online map.

 

Do you rent out rooms in your condo!!!

 

Mary Lynn

[Urban trekker]

Yes it would be about a mile straight down Hornby street and no I don't rent our rooms in my condo as it is a small 464 sq ft studio apartment.

 

This link might help you as well:

 

http://www.hotelsbythepier.com/index2.php?pier=vancouver-canada-place

 

Have a great New Year's eve and 2009

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[NoWhiners]

Dennis

 

this was a good link. We are thinking of going to steamworks on friday night for dinner and drinks. we went there last time we were in vancouver and really liked it

 

any suggestions for better places, near residence inn?

 

Happy New Year to you too

Mary Lynn

[Duck Duck Cruise]

We will be cruising on zuiderdam on 6/20 to inside passage. Four couples, including 2 Mom's over 80. Anyone have any recent news on hotels and rates? We will bid on priceline but wanted to know if anyone has any experience for this time period.:)

 

merry Christmas to all,

Mary Lynn

 

Hi Mary Lynn,

We are going on the Zuiderdam on July 4, 2009 and also needed a hotel pre-cruise. We contacted our TA and she got us one night free stay at the Fairmont waterfront in Vancouver through a HAL Special. You might want to check that out.

 

Good Luck,

Lin

[NoWhiners]

Hi Lyn

 

We heard about this dal from other posters but when we called our online TA, she said it wasn't available. I am thinking this is only for certian cruises?

 

We"ll warm up the ship for you!!

 

Happy New Year

Mary Lynn

[CruisinEars]

Thanks for all the great info on Vancouver. It has been awhile since we were there. We are taking the Zuiderdam in August and will be driving our own car up (most likely at this time) and will stay the night before in a hotel (will priceline that too). What are the options for parking our car during the cruise?

[Putterdude]

Thanks for all the great info on Vancouver. It has been awhile since we were there. We are taking the Zuiderdam in August and will be driving our own car up (most likely at this time) and will stay the night before in a hotel (will priceline that too). What are the options for parking our car during the cruise?

 

If you stay out near the airport may hit on a hotel/motel with freee parking; regretably you won't enjoy any free parking at downtown hotels. Both cruise terminals have parking in the $18-$20 p/d range and that is pretty much what you will pay for parking at a downtown hotel.

[littlestars]

I was able to book 1 night at Pan Pacific Hotel next May for a crazy price of $155 CAD through Perfect Escapes Website. What I liked about this site was that you can cancel up to 24 hours prior to arrival and not get charged.

 

Must be certain dates only - I tried for July and it was over $300 :rolleyes:

[staceyeileen]

Thanks so another cc poster, a bunch of us were able to get the Sutton Place on Hotwire at $115 per night. Search for a 5 star with the golf symbol. This is an incredible bargain.

 

For my dates I believe I am seeing Sutton Place on hotwire for $139. My only concern is that I read that the rooms have either 1 king bed or 2 twin beds. Can that be right? I've never seen a 4* hotel (or any, for that matter) with twin beds! This concerns me since you can't specify what type of room you want on hotwire.

[Rosieo]

I just got the Westin Bayshore for $109 per night on Hotwire. Has anyone stayed there? Is it in a good location? How close to the port?

[Urban trekker]

Haven't stay there as I live in Vancouver but it is in a great location - you can see Canada Place from the hotel and you are next door to the entrance to Stanley Park - the following link you give you an idea of where it is location in relationship to the downtown core - the Bayshore should be in the upper left corner. It would be about a mile to the Port - there is a seawalk running all the way from the Hotel to Canada Place - I posted this on the assumption that you are sailing from Canada Place and not Ballantyne Pier. Edited: it looks like you are sailing on HAL so you will leave from Canada Place

 

http://www.hotelsbythepier.com/index2.php?pier=vancouver-canada-place

 

Keep in mind that the downtown core of Vancouver is very compact so distance are fairly short.

 

Hope this helps - that's a great price for that Hotel which often runs in the $300.00 a night range.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[eyegel]

You did all my research for me for ways to pass the time during a weekend in Vancouver following our cruise this coming June!

[CruisinEars]

If you stay out near the airport may hit on a hotel/motel with free parking; regrettably you won't enjoy any free parking at downtown hotels. Both cruise terminals have parking in the $18-$20 p/d range and that is pretty much what you will pay for parking at a downtown hotel.

 

Thanks for answering. At least we have an idea of prices so we can plan our trip. We may just book the cruise line transfers from Seattle and save the hassle of trying to park. As you can see, we changed our plans and are now taking the RCI Serenade out of Vancouver.:)

[NiteFlyer847]

A lot of great ideas for Vancouver hotels and activities. Thanks to all who contributed. Will begin looking for a hotel for early June cruise.