Hotel for inbetween ship and train?

[cruisin'mama]

We will be ending our cruise in Vancouver and are considering staying overnight then taking the early morning ( 6:40am )to Seattle the following day. Is there a specific area or certain hotel that you would recommend for this? Since we have to be to the train station very early in the morning, I assume we should stay fairly close to the train.. I have no idea where the train station is from the port....

 

THANKS !

[Earl Rosebery]

We will be ending our cruise in Vancouver and are considering staying overnight then taking the early morning ( 6:40am )to Seattle the following day. Is there a specific area or certain hotel that you would recommend for this? Since we have to be to the train station very early in the morning' date=' I assume we should stay fairly close to the train.. I have no idea where the train station is from the port....

 

THANKS ![/quote']

 

The station is 1.2 miles (5 min taxi) from the pier. It is in a less savoury area than the pier's wonderful location. Stay anywhere in Vancouver's 'west end ' or downtown core. Google maps will show you where everything is located.

[operabob]

Agreed with Earl.

 

If you're not heavily loaded down the skytrain has a stop across Main street from the train station. So a hotel near a Skytrain Station would be very easy to use. I believe it's "The Expo Line to King George" and get off at Main Street.

 

It's about a 6 minute trip.

 

I set this to 1.0 mile from the terminal:

 

http://www.kayak.com/hotels#/Vancouver,BC,Canada-c6668/2012-08-30/2012-08-31/2guests

[cruising cockroach]

Agreed with Earl.

So a hotel near a Skytrain Station would be very easy to use. I believe it's "The Expo Line to King George" and get off at Main Street.

 

Actually, VCC-Clark is the other (doe long looparound via Burnaby, New West and Coquitlam.

[Urban trekker]

The Sandman on Georgia, Georgian Court and the Hampton Inn are all next to each other and only about a block to Station Station and from there the next station is Main Street- Science World - it`s $2.50 per person and a taxi will only be around $10.00 so depending on how many in your party and amount of luggage it might not be much different to take a taxi.

 

The Four Seasons, Hotel Georgia and Metropolitan are close to Granville Street and the Hyatt is adjacent to Burrard Station.

 

Pan Pacific, Waterfront and Fairmont Pacific Rim are close to Waterfront Station and the cruise terminal.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[cruisin'mama]

Great information everyone, thanks! With the suggestions to take the SKYTRAIN, I assume that it starts running very early in the morning or 24/7.

[BCHappyGal]

Theres lots to do & see in Vancouver

 

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock. During the summer months there is a free walking tour of Gas Town for times call 604-683-5650

8) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

9) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

10) The city of Vancouver has laid out self guided walking tours of 4 distinct historical neighborhoods in Vancouver – Gastown; Chinatown; Yaletown; & Shaughnessy – these walking tours along with a historical introduction to each neighbourhood can be found at http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/heritage/walks/index.htm

11) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

12) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

13) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

14) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

16) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

17) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

18) If you are a real animal lover than don’t miss “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from Africa, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

19) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

20) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

21) Dazzle your senses when you visit Minter Gardens nestled against 7000 foot Mt. Cheam in beautiful 'Super Natural' British Columbia. One of the most spectacular show gardens in the world! Eleven themed gardens are designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of artistic floral designs.

Minter Gardens is located 90 minutes east of downtown Vancouver just off the Trans-Canada Hwy. #1 at exit #135. http://www.mintergardens.com

22) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. This 2 hour tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Steam Clock in Gastown. This tour runs Tuesdays & Saturdays at 1pm and reservations are required. Check it out at http://www.tourguys.ca

[cruising cockroach]

Great information everyone' date=' thanks! With the suggestions to take the SKYTRAIN, I assume that it starts running very early in the morning or 24/7.[/quote']

 

Not 24/7. If it is a weekday, you have 1 hr to clear CBP at the station if you catch the first train. If it' a weekend or public holiday, the first train is too late.

 

http://tripplanning.translink.ca/hiwire?.a=iScheduleLookupSearch&LineName=999&LineAbbr=999

[cruisin'mama]

Not 24/7. If it is a weekday, you have 1 hr to clear CBP at the station if you catch the first train. If it' a weekend or public holiday, the first train is too late.

 

http://tripplanning.translink.ca/hiwire?.a=iScheduleLookupSearch&LineName=999&LineAbbr=999

 

 

 

well then I may have issues...the day we would be taking the Amtrak ( and possibly the Skytrain to the Amtrak ) is a Sat. but it is during the weekend that includes British Columbia Day.....

 

Will the timing create any other problems that I should know about in advance?

[Earl Rosebery]

well then I may have issues...the day we would be taking the Amtrak ( and possibly the Skytrain to the Amtrak ) is a Sat. but it is during the weekend that includes British Columbia Day.....

 

Will the timing create any other problems that I should know about in advance?

 

Take a taxi.

[operabob]

You shouldn't have too much trouble. The cruise ship terminal and nearby hotels are quite close to the Main Street train terminal. Should be a short trip by taxi or skytrain. You will have to walk about a block from the skytrain station to the train terminal while a taxi will drop you off at the door. If 2 or more people and luggage taxi is probably more convenient.

[cruisin'mama]

Well it looks like a taxi is my best bet then. There will be 3 of us including my 21 year old son who has Down Syndrome. He gets around fine, but sometimes, the simpler the better. Plus on a travel day, it's already a little hectic.

 

I know my son would probably enjoy the Skytrain because he loved riding the subways in New York, but I do think we should just get a taxi. So now I just need to figure out the best area to stay in. Is the River Rock Resort & Hotel anywhere near where I should stay?

[operabob]

Is the River Rock Resort & Hotel anywhere near where I should stay?

 

No, River Rock is in Richmond which is a suburb of Vancouver. It might make sense if you were coming in from the airport and needed to stay overnight before carrying on to the cruise ship terminal. It's in a very bleak area. Only a Costco, old warehouses and gas stations around it.

 

I made this post on another thread this morning:

 

Haven't stayed there but have been several times. It's situated in a light industrial area near the airport. There's really not much going on in that area. The most action you'll see there (outside the building) will be people navigating the Costco parking lot. Mostly small wharehouses, gas stations and Costco.

 

The casino is fairly new but not of the size of casinos in Vegas. The advantage is you can basically leave the hotel, walk through the parkade and climb on Skytrain (Canada Line to Waterfront).

 

Other than that there's nothing to do in the immediate area.

 

I'm going to take a guess here, in terms of cost thinking they might be similar you might consider this little gem:

 

http://www.hotellesoleil.com/

 

It's a boutique hotel on the back side of the Pacific Centre which has a Skytrain station one stop (????) away from the cruise ship terminal. It's a funky hotel that my wife would love to go back to (me too). If prices are similar, for me personally (perhaps not you) I'd pick Le Soleil. You'd be right in the middle of the action in Vancouver.

 

PS: I'm not sure what they're charging now. We stayed there when they had a special on and I used $US I'd purchased at $1.07 Canadian and we later dropped to $0.85. The end result was we stayed there for 3 days for less than I normally pay for Best Western.

 

I've done a Kayak Hotel search for you set for within 1.0 miles of the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place. I don't know your budget but generally I'd stay away from the south end of Granville as it's a bit run down (The Best Western Chateau Granville is dead centre of that area). Moving just one block west and it improves quite a bit. If you are watching your budget I can recommend the YWCA Hotel. It's right across from the main sports arenas in Vancouver, clean, quite new, not plush but has varied levels of acommodation. My wife and I have stayed there many times. It's very near lots of places to eat. Also, it's very close to the train station.

 

http://www.kayak.com/hotels#/Vancouver,BC,Canada-c6668/2012-08-30/2012-08-31/2guests

 

Hope this helps.

[cruisin'mama]

Ok thanks. I just thought my husband would enjoy the casino at the resort, not a big deal at all though! I'll find something else.

 

I appreciate all the help!

[BCHappyGal]

If your husband wants to visit a CAsino there is one right downtown on the shores of False Creek

[cruisin'mama]

Thanks for the casino info. I looked at a map and it looks fairly close to the train station. Am I correct?

[Urban trekker]

Yes the Edgewater Casino is fairly close to the train station. They also offer a shuttle service to some of the downtown hotels and while a little out of the way perhaps you could get them to take you to the station.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis