Originally Posted by smilee
WARNING - do not bid 3* airport for Vancouver! Often the coast airport comes up, I sure do not think it qualifies as a 3*.
Downtown most of the 4* are good. Hyatt is my favourite but I can get a pretty good rate without priceline in the winter, and during last November-February every couple of stays earned free stays.
Also the Hilton in Burnaby is not bad, and the winter rates can be pretty competitive with PriceLine. I have seen if for just over $50USD in the winter at Hhonors.
I bid the 3* airport zone a few days ago and got the Park Plaza for $34 (not that this property gets exactly glowing reviews, either). Actually, this points out the danger of playing around with rates and zones, since I really wasn't ready to bid on the Vancouver part of my trip yet. I can live with this choice though. BTW, if you don't want to go the Priceline route, Travelzoo is advertising a pretty good rate for the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina - $99/night through April.
EDIT
Good news regarding the Coast (although too late to benefit smilee): According to BFT, Priceline has downgraded the Coast to a 2.5. Probably got a lot of complaints, I'd guess.