Vancouver: Shangri-La and other hotels (consolidated)
Jan 12, 2019, 4:59 pm
#151
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Jan 12, 2019, 10:00 pm
#152
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Join Date: Mar 2013
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Thats what has me confused. Vancouver has a lovely airport with seemingly high demand for premium travel and is a tourist center for all seasons. How is it that the properties there seem totally overpriced for being so mediocre or run down? I am surprised further that the 4S will be closing up shop vs renewing their lease.
Feb 13, 2019, 5:00 pm
#154
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Canada
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The hard product is starting to feel dated. I was in the 1 bedroom suite with terrace, having the terrace is nice, as I enjoyed sitting outside with my coffee in the morning. But the room was kind of small and the bathroom was nothing spectacular.
Feels weird that you have to insert your key card into a little slot in the room to get power in the room, I've only ever seen that at low end hotels in Asia, never in a 5-star hotel.
The house car was never available when we needed it, and the doorman never apologized, just said "nope not available". There was minimal personalization, I got a welcome note from a friend who worked at the hotel, but that was it, I was never greeted by name anywhere on property.
The free breakfast is okay, it's a la carte but you can order as much as you want. I forgot the name of the restaurant that it was in, I don't believe it was market.
Hard product wise, I would recommend the Pac Rim, either the signature ofuruo room, or the corner suite in Gold. The owners suite is also super nice too (not to be confused with the crazy expensive chairman suite)
I also really like the one bedroom suite at the Hotel Georgia in Vancouver as well.
Several of my friends have bad good experiences at the Trump, but I have not stayed there.
Feb 13, 2019, 11:57 pm
#156
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Feb 14, 2019, 12:21 am
#158
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Most/all of the hotels mentioned offer free rides within the downtown area / within a ~5km radius on a first-come-first-served basis.
But if you tip the driver (which is generally expected), taking a taxi wouldn't be more expensive.
The same cars are often used for apre-booked airport transfers, "VIP shopping packages" etc., so availability of the cars may be rather limited.
But if you tip the driver (which is generally expected), taking a taxi wouldn't be more expensive.
The same cars are often used for apre-booked airport transfers, "VIP shopping packages" etc., so availability of the cars may be rather limited.
Feb 14, 2019, 1:13 am
#159
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Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Feb 14, 2019, 8:00 am
#160
Join Date: Jul 2011
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And on a stay a while back, during the first day, i gave the driver a $50 tip, and for the rest of the stay I was able to book the car in advance. (Not gaurenteed, but they tried to hold the car for me). While in total I didn't save much compared to taxis, it's a lot more comfortable. Oh and Vancouver doesn't not have Uber, making the house car service even more beneficial.
Feb 14, 2019, 11:39 am
#161
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Ive had good luck with hotel Georgia, they've taken me outside of the 5km radius a few times, and for the most part the car is available.
And on a stay a while back, during the first day, i gave the driver a $50 tip, and for the rest of the stay I was able to book the car in advance. (Not gaurenteed, but they tried to hold the car for me). While in total I didn't save much compared to taxis, it's a lot more comfortable. Oh and Vancouver doesn't not have Uber, making the house car service even more beneficial.
And on a stay a while back, during the first day, i gave the driver a $50 tip, and for the rest of the stay I was able to book the car in advance. (Not gaurenteed, but they tried to hold the car for me). While in total I didn't save much compared to taxis, it's a lot more comfortable. Oh and Vancouver doesn't not have Uber, making the house car service even more beneficial.
That genetous tip is a good idea ... but you still have to get that first ride.
Apr 2, 2019, 12:45 am
#162
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: United global services, BA gold,
Posts: 839
We are looking at staying at Fairmont Pacific Edge for 3 nights in August at the conclusion of a Seabourn Alaska expedition cruise. We love beautiful water views, but not crowds. Is this the best choice? We are looking at a gold level harbor view suite. Thanks in advance. It’s been over 10 years since we have visited Vancouver and we have fond memories of the city, the views and the restaurants.
Apr 2, 2019, 12:50 am
#163
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Canada
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Posts: 119
We are looking at staying at Fairmont Pacific Edge for 3 nights in August at the conclusion of a Seabourn Alaska expedition cruise. We love beautiful water views, but not crowds. Is this the best choice? We are looking at a gold level harbor view suite. Thanks in advance. It’s been over 10 years since we have visited Vancouver and we have fond memories of the city, the views and the restaurants.
see if you can get one of the "owners suite" it's not the largest suite but the furnitures in the owners suite are unique and the decor is really quite nice. Though there is no balcony in the owners suite.
I've also stayed at the gold corner suite, and my favorite part is to have breakfast on the large balcony while admiring the ocean views.
Apr 2, 2019, 12:59 am
#164
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We are looking at staying at Fairmont Pacific Edge for 3 nights in August at the conclusion of a Seabourn Alaska expedition cruise. We love beautiful water views, but not crowds. Is this the best choice? We are looking at a gold level harbor view suite. Thanks in advance. It’s been over 10 years since we have visited Vancouver and we have fond memories of the city, the views and the restaurants.
Jun 5, 2019, 1:53 pm
#165
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Camp Hill, Pa.
Posts: 229
We recently (late May) had a 4 night stay at the Pacific Rim. We loved the facilities and the staff but did have two issues.
1) We never received turndown service after our first night. I told them the 2nd night and it was corrected, but not the next. I called down at 9:45 pm to report the issue bit say it was late and we were going to bed so don’t send anyone. 25 minutes later we get a knock saying they were there for turndown service - at 10:20 pm or so? Yea, okay The final night I didn’t even tell them because I saw no point.
2) drink service on the lobby lounge was abysmal two nights. Our waitress flat-out ignored me, even when I physically tried to get her attention with a wave when she walked by. The manger on duty both nights immediately responded however so I put this on that waitress specifically.
Regarding 1, the head of housekeeping emailed me the day we checked out to apologized and called to get more details, so that was a good sign.
With that, I’d stay there again in a heartbeat.
1) We never received turndown service after our first night. I told them the 2nd night and it was corrected, but not the next. I called down at 9:45 pm to report the issue bit say it was late and we were going to bed so don’t send anyone. 25 minutes later we get a knock saying they were there for turndown service - at 10:20 pm or so? Yea, okay The final night I didn’t even tell them because I saw no point.
2) drink service on the lobby lounge was abysmal two nights. Our waitress flat-out ignored me, even when I physically tried to get her attention with a wave when she walked by. The manger on duty both nights immediately responded however so I put this on that waitress specifically.
Regarding 1, the head of housekeeping emailed me the day we checked out to apologized and called to get more details, so that was a good sign.
With that, I’d stay there again in a heartbeat.