A couple of Vancouver questions...
 

Hi all,

First, any suggestions on hotels/locations I should stay for one night in Vancouver pre-cruise? Do I stick w/ downtown? I'm a Hilton Diamond, so that's where my loyalties lie. BUT I'm not opposed to staying elsewhere, as I have a few great corporate rates (Hyatt Reg, 90; Delta Vancouver Suites, 92; Four Seasons, 103... all USD). I think the Four Seasons is a pretty decent option at that price, but I'll let someone here confirm that suspicion.

Second... what should we do? We arrive at 10 am on a Friday and have about 24 hours to do whatever.

Thanks for your help!

>First, any suggestions on hotels/locations I should stay for one night in Vancouver pre-cruise? Do I stick w/ downtown?

Definitely stick with downtown. Your cruise will either depart from Canada Place (right in downtown) or Ballantyne Pier (on the edge of downtown).

The hotels that are right at Canada Place are very nice:

Pan Pacific Vancouver:
http://vancouver.panpacific.com

Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver:
http://www.fairmont.com/waterfront/

....however they are pile-driving as part of the convention centre construction, so I'm not sure if that's noisy in those hotels at night. Probably not, but I'd ask.

>I think the Four Seasons is a pretty decent option at that price, but I'll let someone here confirm that suspicion.

Yes, of the ones on your list it's also the closest to the Canada Place Cruise ship terminal.

>Second... what should we do? We arrive at 10 am on a Friday and have about 24 hours to do whatever.

You won't be able to fit all of these in in 24 hours, but here are some suggestions from which you can pick-and-choose:

Stanley Park: North America's third largest urban park, which juts into the harbour on a peninsula (http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/parks/stanley/). The six-mile seawall around the park provides excellent views of the city, harbour and north-shore mountains. You can walk some or all of the seawall. Bikes are also available for rental near the entrance to the park. The world-renowned Vancouver Aquarium is also in the park (http://www.vanaqua.org).

Granville Island: This former industrial site has been transformed into an artsy neighborhood with quaint shops, cafes, bookstores, pubs, theatres, restaurants and a large public market (http://www.seegranvilleisland.com/). A fun way to get to Granville Island is via The Granville Island Ferries or the Aquabus (http://www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca/map.html). You can pick up a ferry at the southern foot of Burrard or Hornby streets.

Canada Place: If your ship departs from Ballantyne you should definitely visit Canada Place, at the northern foot of Burrard Street. (http://www.canadaplace.ca/cpc/Tourist_Information/). The perimeter walk provides great views of the harbour, city and mountains. Vancouver's IMAX theatre is also at Canada Place (http://www.imax.com/vancouver/).

The SeaBus: This passenger catamaran provides a fifteen minute crossing of the harbour for under $3 CAD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeaBus), delivering visitors to Lonsdale Quay, where you can watch tugboats heading out to service Vancouver's busy working harbour (http://www.lonsdalequay.com/).

Grouse Mountain: Located in the North Shore Mountains, Grouse features a 100-passenger gondola ride up the mountain, providing spectacular views of Vancouver and the surrounding mountains. You can also rent skis or snowshoes.
(http://www.grousemountain.com/). Sunny days only!

University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology: Learn about the indigenous cultures of Canada at this museum (http://www.moa.ubc.ca/), then explore the campus of one of Canada's largest universities (http://www.attractions.ubc.ca/).

Gastown: The oldest commercial district in Vancouver, best known for its Victorian-style architecture (http://www.gastown.org/). Home to Storyeum, an interactive museum about the history of West Coast Canada (http://tinyurl.com/dfh3n).

Vancouver Art Gallery: Formerly the courthouse, this neoclassical building houses over 177 of Canadian artist Emily Carr's paintings (http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/about_gallery.cfm)

Robson Street: Vancouver's premier shopping boulevard is lined with restaurants serving food from all over the world (http://www.robsonstreet.ca/)

Have a good trip!

Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada

Awesome. Thanks, Geoff!

$103 USD for the Four Seasons is an excellent price.

12th best Hotel in world (?) according to T+L is downtown. It's a small and independent boutique hotel. They currently have an offer for 149 dollars. Retails for 350 and up. www.wedgewoodhotel.com

WOW! Book it quick! I stayed there 18 months ago and was spoiled to death.
Restaurant suggestion: Cardero's. It is walking distance along the water towards the Westin/Stanley Park.
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13F

Thanks all. Booked the FS. The WW didn't have the promo price for the date we're staying.

Geoff, thanks again for all the suggestions.
13F, Cardero's for lunch or dinner?

I think you are doing very well with the FS at that rate!

Cardero's is good for lunch OR dinner - I think the weather will be your guide in some ways.... if sunny and you want an afternoon walk, you might be along there at lunch time, or maybe there is a nice evening breeze on a warm evening.... check their menu and see what appeals to you!

http://www.vancouverdine.com/carderos/home.html

What time of year will you be visiting Vancouver, by the way? Is this a trip happening in the next little while or is it further away?

Forget loyalties and stay where the rich and famous stay...

http://www.opushotel.com/

In case you need to do some pre or post cruise shopping, the Pacific Centre Mall with more than 140 shops is rather close to the Four Seasons.

www.pacificcentre.com

>Geoff, thanks again for all the suggestions.

You're welcome :)

>Cardero's for lunch or dinner?

Either / Or.

Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada

Places to eat in Vancouver - there are so many. Vancouver is one of the best restaurant cities on the continent. My faves:

Chambar (Belgian-Moroccan fusion type thing. Sounds weird but delish)
Feenie's (by same chef as next door very high end Lumiere - great bistro, imaginative)
Memphis Blues (bbq - best bbq joint in Canada)
West (for a great, expensive, very adult meal)
Tojo's (might be the best sushi outside of Japan)
Vij's (best Indian in Canada by longshot)
Rangoli (Vij's less formal "cafeteria" next door)

A good place to research Vancouver eating is the Vancouver thread at egullet.com. The best restaurant critics in town all post on that board.

Bon Appetit!

If you really want to stay with Hilton properties, there is a Hampton Inn that is quite nice in downtown. 3 Minute cab to where your ship will leave from.

I've never done lunch there. On four occasions over three years, dinner has been a treat each time. And I'll be back at least once in mid-June on my next trip. Be sure to sample some BC wines -- Cardero's has an excellent selection. Burrowing Owl vineyards is one I remember. Oops. Better to start a new thread on that topic.
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13F

I'd recommend a great place called Cru. It's a wine bar with a nice prix fixe. Not open for lunch though. Not exactly 'downtown' but around where some of the previous recommendations are...

You'll love Vancouver. It's a beautiful place.