Best hotel in Vancouver, Toronto, or Seattle to use anniversary award?
Jun 21, 2019, 12:30 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CONUS
Programs: HHonors, United, Delta
Posts: 828
Jun 21, 2019, 12:47 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,384
It's not in Vancouver (and I'm not sure what the limitation on the anniversary night are), but the Hilton in Whistler is quite nice and definitely much nicer than the Vancouver properties.
Jun 21, 2019, 4:17 am
#18
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,217
I only stayed there once but I do vividly recall the lounge being perched right about the freeway and it was very cool at rush hour to watch below. Is that gone now?
Jun 21, 2019, 7:00 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
OP, if you're going to be in all of these cities in the next 12 months as you note (though the language used is very strange), then why not just look at the prices for the dates when you'll plan to be in those cities and redeem where the rate is highest, thus maximizing avoided cost?
Jun 21, 2019, 7:14 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,332
The Doubletree in Victoria is actually pretty decent, located right in the city center (also a short walk from the seaplane terminal). The rooms have a nice view of the city and harbor, and my suite upgrade on my last stay was just icing on the cake. But if you have a free night in any hotel, you should be looking at WA/Conrad to get the most bang for your buck, which would likely require a trip to Chicago or NY (or points beyond).
Jun 21, 2019, 9:00 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
Jun 21, 2019, 1:02 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: VPS, previously SEA and PIT
Programs: DL Diamond/1MM, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 1,194
Echo the sentiment about the Arctic club in Seattle...definitely worth a stay but it's old. I haven't stayed but I hear the Curio and Tapestry are really nice. Also, the Victoria Doubletree was nice except for the breakfast (very poor service)...but Victoria alone was worth the trip.
Jun 21, 2019, 2:44 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,021
Seattle: Straight up maximizing your value, the Seattle properties are going to cost more than the Hilton Vancouver. So if you're looking to squeeze dollars out of that Aspire credit, Seattle will probably be best. Lots of decent new choices just built recently to pick from. The Charter (new Curio getting good reviews - haven't stayed yet though), and the Embassy Suites Pioneer Square (big rooms, brand new), and the Sound Tapestry (new, smack downtown in the touristy zone/Pike Market/etc.)
Hilton Seattle is reliable, but nothing special. I used to really like the lounge views before they changed it... The old lounge/breakfast view was better before the 'refurb' downsized it all.
Hilton Seattle is reliable, but nothing special. I used to really like the lounge views before they changed it... The old lounge/breakfast view was better before the 'refurb' downsized it all.
The Charter is your best bet in my opinion. New and best location.
The Arctic Club is a good option too. Don't know about The Sound but it's a bit north of downtown (closer to the Space Needle). Embassy Suites would be fun on a Seahawks game day as it is next to the stadium.
I would avoid any other properties in the Seattle area.
Jun 21, 2019, 2:57 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
I haven't stayed there either, but IMO the location is excellent. Tons of great bars and restaurants nearby, and the scene is a bit more fun/local than the tourist/business options in Downtown proper. Also, it's right in-between both the major tourist centers (Space Needle / Pike Place), each about a 10-15 min walk.
Jun 21, 2019, 3:45 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,217
What exactly is considered "downtown" Seattle?
We go up often for one or two night leisure stays and I always pick the best location for what we'll be doing (Hilton for the Art Museum, Hampton for the Space Needle/Mopop area, etc.). Next time we're staying at the Sound because it's near where we want to be. But what is downtown? Pike Place? Westlake? Pioneer Square? The Financial District which I have no idea where that is?
We go up often for one or two night leisure stays and I always pick the best location for what we'll be doing (Hilton for the Art Museum, Hampton for the Space Needle/Mopop area, etc.). Next time we're staying at the Sound because it's near where we want to be. But what is downtown? Pike Place? Westlake? Pioneer Square? The Financial District which I have no idea where that is?
Jun 21, 2019, 3:54 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
What exactly is considered "downtown" Seattle?
We go up often for one or two night leisure stays and I always pick the best location for what we'll be doing (Hilton for the Art Museum, Hampton for the Space Needle/Mopop area, etc.). Next time we're staying at the Sound because it's near where we want to be. But what is downtown? Pike Place? Westlake? Pioneer Square? The Financial District which I have no idea where that is?
We go up often for one or two night leisure stays and I always pick the best location for what we'll be doing (Hilton for the Art Museum, Hampton for the Space Needle/Mopop area, etc.). Next time we're staying at the Sound because it's near where we want to be. But what is downtown? Pike Place? Westlake? Pioneer Square? The Financial District which I have no idea where that is?
South of Yesler is Pioneer Square.
East of I-5 is Capitol/First Hill.
Area in-between these is Downtown.
The difference is subtle, but you'll notice when you leave downtown the number of 4-5 star hotels drops quickly, and the skyscrapers 1) disappear or 2) become either residential or Amazon instead of general-purpose towers.