Hi all,

For a weekend trip to Vancouver, I'm planning to use some hotel points for 3 free nights. I have enough points to redeem at Starwood, Marriott, and possibly Hyatt.

Since they all have properties in Vancouver, do any of you have advice as to which hotels to consider? The main things we look for are:

1) A nice room with good size and good views.

2) Hotel that's in a nice area, either with good nightlife, or right on the waterfront, or both.

We don't really care about the hotel restaurants, since we usually hate eating in the hotels and like to explore the area more.

Thanks a bunch for your recommendations.

Also, if you know of any hotel that isn't Starwood, Marriott, or Hyatt, but is deserving a mention, please let me know. I'm not that hell-bent on using points....more interested in having a good weekend in Vancouver http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

You might do a quick search on the Starwood forum for Vancouver. I always stay at the Sheraton Wall Centre and love it (the staff is terrific), but I understand from reading others' reports that Starwood's other hotels in Vancouver are great too. Wall Centre has floor to ceiling windows in all the rooms and some have water views.

BTW, if you book today I think Wall Centre is one of those listed under the Points and Cash Starwood promo. It looks like a pretty good deal except you don't get stay credit.

Depends, in part, on what you plan to do.

The Sheraton Wall Center is a little closer to the CBD than the Westin Grand--but the Grand is a nicer hotel. The Bayshore is nice (in the new rooms), but it is farther out of the way (though still downtown).

Vancouver has got three five-diamond properties--the Four Seasons, the Sutton Place and the Pan Pacific. The Pan Pacific has an outstanding location, and is an exceptionally good hotel.

Other's worthy of mention are the two downtown Fairmont Properties--the Waterfront and the Fairmont Vancouver, and the Delta Suites.

(And the Fairmont YVR is probably the best airport hotel in the world.)

I have stayed in Vancouver three times -- all by using Priceline. Twice at the Renaissance and once at the Westin. Both are nice and both are waterfront. The Renaissance is better located to walking to things....Westin is about a mile farther. Downtown Vancouver isn't that large, so walking or short taxi rides will work. I've gotten all of my hotel stays in Vancouver for $45 or less.

If you have time, go to GRANVILLE ISLAND!

Just returned from a stay in Vancouver. I stayed at the Westin Grand and LOVED it. The location is ideal...the staff were amazing. The rooms are in great condition and some have nice views...just put in the request. Being a Westin they have the Heavenly line which is great. It is close shopping, dinning and transportation. If you have some extra time head up to Whistler...the drive alone is beautiful!

Has anyone stayed at the Four Seasons in Vancouver? In your opinion, is it better or worse than the Pan Pacific?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Rico:
Has anyone stayed at the Four Seasons in Vancouver? In your opinion, is it better or worse than the Pan Pacific?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.</font>

I've stayed at the Four Seasons Vancouver twice and I find the service to be inconsistent. The service at the front desk, room service delivery staff, health club and the Garden Terrace restaurant (casual) is merely adequate. On the other hand, the service at Chartwell (fine dining), the concierge, the staff who take room service orders, and valet parking is outstanding.

The rooms are tastefully decorated with classic furnishings. The bed is typical Four Seasons super comfortable. The standard rooms are medium sized. The junior and Executive suites don't cost too much more and are quite spacious. The Deluxe Four Seasons Executive suite has two full bathrooms and separate living room.

The view from the rooms are city view with rooms on the upper floors offering mountain and partial harbour views.

I'm hesistantly writing this because I'm a big fan of Four Seasons and wouldn't want to say anything bad about them. Yet I believe this hotel needs has some service issues that need to be improved if this hotel wants to be in line with the other Four Seasons properties.

I'm going back to Vancouver in February and am reluctant to go back to the Four Seasons. I refuse to stay at the Pan Pacific. I had a very unpleasant dining experience (Sunday brunch at Cafe Pacifica) there (Whenever I have the chance, I'd like to test out the service at the hotel restaurant before being an overnight guest there. I feel that the service at the restaurant is a good indicator of the service for the rest of the hotel).

I've heard good things about the Fairmont Waterfront. If you do a search under Flyertalk Miles Starwood board and type in "Vancouver Grand," you will read very high praises of the Westin Grand. The rooms are spacious and I heard the service is excellent. It is priced slightly lower than the Four Seasons and Pan Pacific.

http://www.westingrandvancouver.com

I generally agree with francophile's assessment that the Four Seasons isn't the same standard as most other of that brand. Still, the location is fantastic, and, all things considered, it's my 1st choice in Vancouver. Diva at the Met, just a few steps from the F.S., has served up wonderful meals consistently: first-rate food in a casual/chic atmosphere.

The suites with 2 bathrooms at the F.S. can also be a huge plus -- great if you're traveling with someone and you're trying to get ready to go out for the evening.

Thank you very much francophile & wideman!

Given your feedbacks, I will book a suite at the Four Seasons. Hopefully, the service issues have been addressed. When I get back I will let you know if they are comparable to other Four Seasons.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wideman:
Still, the location is fantastic</font>

Yup. Shopping is right next door including Holt Renfrew and The Bay. The Alaska cruise ship terminal is only a few minutes walk. And most importantly, there's a Tim Hortons nearby!!!

Can anyone recommend some nice hotel properties in the Stanley Park/Coal Harbor part of YVR? I would like the find a place near the Westin Bayshore but for a little less $$$ - say $150 CAD or so.

Calling Brother terenz... http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

[edited to fix HTML code ... twice]

[This message has been edited by FlyinHawaiian (edited 06-17-2003).]

[This message has been edited by FlyinHawaiian (edited 06-17-2003).]

Ahem. Sorry but I am not all that familiar with hotels in Vancouver.

AFAIK, not terribly much in the part of town you're looking for. There is an older hotel called the Sylvia that is actually preferred by some (it's at English Bay at the other end of Denman from the Westin bayshore.

There is another one in the middle of Denman but I don't recall the name.

Thanks, terenz. Sorry to call you out and put you on the spot.

I think I will bite the bullet and do the Bayshore. I am planning on staying at the Fairmont YVR as well. I hear it's very nice.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by terenz:

There is another one in the middle of Denman but I don't recall the name. </font>

I believe you're thinking of the Coast Plaza Hotel and Suites.

Speaking of the Coast Plaza Suites...we got 4 nights there throught Priceline. Is it a nice hotel? Seems like a good location. Thanks for any comments.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Lou:
Speaking of the Coast Plaza Suites...we got 4 nights there throught Priceline. Is it a nice hotel? Seems like a good location. Thanks for any comments.</font>

I love the Coast on Denman! It is one of my favourite hotels. Ask for a higher floor and you may get an incredible view of English Bay or the city (I prefer the English Bay view). Most rooms have balconies. Ask about an upgrade to a larger room or suite, and consider it even if it will cost you a bit more. The one bedroom suites are huge, and include a full kitchen. The furnishings are not really that contemporary (some things look a bit dated, but nothing is garish!) The rooms are very clean, and the staff is usually great. They have a full fitness centre next door.

The location is fabulous in many ways. There is a mall on the hotel's lower levels, with a full grocery store, so if you opt for a room with a kitchen, it is easy to prepare some meals in your room. The beach is only a couple of blocks away, there are lots of interesting eating and drinking places along Denman and in the West End and you are very close to Stanley Park and the seawall. The Aquabus landing is nearby to go to Granville Island or to Yaletown. Robson Street is not far. Some of the downtown restaurants and sights might be a bit of a walk, but bus or taxi is simple and inexpensive.

I'll take it that the hotel is called the Coast Plaza (just never go to the area).

If you do stay there, there is a restaurant on the same block/in the hotel complex called Delilah's. 3-4 course prix fixe menu. Famous for martinis.

There may still be a restuarant with french chefs in the hotel.

Not sure if it fits in your plans, but the Fairmont at the YVR airport is one of the nicest hotels I've stayed in.

Excellent club floor & lounge, great staff, and a terrific views for plane spotting.