FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Favorite Starwood properties in Vancouver BC?
Old Jun 1, 2013 | 9:16 am
  #6  
Averroes
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 72
I've been to all 3 within the last 6 months... They're all perfectly nice, and I could see staying at any of them again -- it just depends what you like.

The Bayshore is a bit away from the action -- it's an uphill 5 or 6 blocks to Robson, the nearest business district, another couple blocks to the West End. Easy to get cabs, but I find the location a bit inconvenient in winter. Not sure how it would be with a car. In summer, I don't mind the walk. Great views back into the city and across Coal Harbor from the East side of the tower; I haven't stayed on the West side, but I'd expect similarly great views of the park and bay. Rooms seem to be generally large. Tower lobby was under construction in January -- worth checking if they're done. Facility feels like a resort -- lots of windows, views, relatively big spaces.

The Grand is very small, all suites, but probably still the smallest average room size of the three, and fewer rooms by a wide margin. I've only been here once -- a high floor king bedded room on the East side, facing the Arena. An alright view in a city of amazing views. That said, this is best hard and soft product in town from *wood -- most recently updated, they do the small stuff better than the bayshore (e.g. umbrellas in each room, vs. limited supply at the concierge desk, higher-quality bathrobes, etc.), and the piano-shaped building is fairly cool. On Robson, a block from Granville, I'd like the location more a block farther away from things, but it's in the heart of it all for sure.

The Wall Centre is actually my favorite in town, all things considered. It's on a sleepy block, but there are well-populated streets within 3 blocks in 3 directions. It's a massive conference hotel/condo tower, and it feels pretty much that way, but as a result it has both a lounge and a useful upgrade pool, particularly in winter if there's nothing major going on in town. Make sure they finished the renovations they were doing to the tower with the lounge and all the suites, and be sure and book into that one. There are some nice (and large) west-facing corner rooms with balconies that have absolutely stunning views. I don't especially like the rooms in the other tower.

Hope that helps.
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