Hotwire and Vancouver hotels?

[fastal314159265359]

For our honeymoon we are booked on the north bound Alaskan cruise from Royal Caribbean leaving on May 17, 2013. I'm really leaning towards using Hotwire.com to book the room since it looks like I can save quite a bit. Though my question is of the areas Hotwire breaks Vancouver which are good and which should we stay away from?

 

Right now Hotwire.com is offering a 4 star room for $103 in the Richmond - Vancouver Intl Airport YVR area. The average room for this offer is listed at $264. They also list Vancouver Downtown Shopping and Entertainment District, Vancouver Downtown - Coal Harbour - Stanley Park, Burnaby - Coquitlam area hotel.

 

We are flying in on the 16th and want to do some sight seeing, neither of us are big into clubs. I'd be happy to spend all day at a museum or other historical venues while my fiancee is more active.

 

The biggest thing we are looking for is not having too far to go to board the cruise ship. Cab ride is fine, but don't want to spend too much time or money. So is one area better then the other for what we want? I figure every dollar saved on the room is a dollar to use on the cruise :D

[scottbee]

For our honeymoon we are booked on the north bound Alaskan cruise from Royal Caribbean leaving on May 17, 2013. I'm really leaning towards using Hotwire.com to book the room since it looks like I can save quite a bit. Though my question is of the areas Hotwire breaks Vancouver which are good and which should we stay away from?

 

Right now Hotwire.com is offering a 4 star room for $103 in the Richmond - Vancouver Intl Airport YVR area. The average room for this offer is listed at $264. They also list Vancouver Downtown Shopping and Entertainment District, Vancouver Downtown - Coal Harbour - Stanley Park, Burnaby - Coquitlam area hotel.

 

We are flying in on the 16th and want to do some sight seeing, neither of us are big into clubs. I'd be happy to spend all day at a museum or other historical venues while my fiancee is more active.

 

The biggest thing we are looking for is not having too far to go to board the cruise ship. Cab ride is fine, but don't want to spend too much time or money. So is one area better then the other for what we want? I figure every dollar saved on the room is a dollar to use on the cruise :D

My opinion would be to stay downtown, it will offer more, and put you a lot closer to the cruise terminal; putting yourself in Richmond (near the airport) or Burnaby/Coquitlam (suburbs some distance east of downtown) takes you away from the action, and will likely cost you more in transfers.

 

If you want to sightsee on a budget, the best thing you can do is head to the 7-11 at the airport (lowest level, below domestic luggage) and buy day passes for the local transit system before even leaving the airport. Not only will it cover buses throughout metro Vancouver, it also will cover the Skytrain from the airport to downtown. Price will be $9.75/ea. (whereas a Skytrain single ticket bought at the airport to downtown will be $9 next year)

[Putterdude]

I would recommend staying downtown, you will waste a lot of your short time in Vancouver commuting back and forth to Richmond. You are also probably a bit early for a May date, while it never hurts to keep watching I would suggest waiting until about February or March to pull the trigger. In the past hotels like the Sheraton at Wall Centre and the Sutton Place have been available on Hotwire for about $135. Most hotels (not all) in the Vancouver-Stanely Park zone are 6 to 8 blocks from the pier and few are more than a $10 cab fare away from the pier.

IMO the very best way to see a lot of Vancouver in a short period of time is to take a HOHO tour and the best one of these tends to be the Vancouver Trolley. It is a tour with narration where you will learn about what you are seeing. HOHOs are something that we always try to take when visiting a city for the first time.

[Putterdude]

Just as a footnote to my previous post I see that Hotwire has changed their mapping of downtown Vancouver. The Vancouver Downtown-Coal Harbour, Stanley Park zone would be OK at the 3-3.5* level or higher. The Vancouver Downtown-Shopping, Entertainment District Zone will be OK at the 4-5* level, you pretty much need to stay at that level in this zone as there are some clunkers in this zone at 3*.

[fastal314159265359]

Just as a footnote to my previous post I see that Hotwire has changed their mapping of downtown Vancouver. The Vancouver Downtown-Coal Harbour, Stanley Park zone would be OK at the 3-3.5* level or higher. The Vancouver Downtown-Shopping, Entertainment District Zone will be OK at the 4-5* level, you pretty much need to stay at that level in this zone as there are some clunkers in this zone at 3*.

Thanks for the info. I'll be coming back to this post in late February.

 

Any idea what Hotwire zone would include the Pan Pacific?

[maryann ns]

file:///C:/Users/Belle/Desktop/Priceline%20and%20Hotwire%20Forum.htm

 

The above site should help you.

[Putterdude]

Thanks for the info. I'll be coming back to this post in late February.

 

Any idea what Hotwire zone would include the Pan Pacific?

 

The Pan Pacific would be in the Downtown-Coal Harbour, Stanley Park zone....which is a very large area and makes it kind of a crap shoot to find the PP if it is available at all on Hotwire. The PP was picked up bidding on Priceline a few years ago but that was when they were doing renovations leading up to the 2010 Olympics and I am not at all sure that they have been available since.

[masonpips]

FYI: I've been watching for awhile and last night booked a Hotwire 3* in the Entertainment district for $108. It turned out to the be Comfort Inn which looks perfectly fine for the price/location for our 1 night. The rates I've been seeing on line started in the high 100's and went up to 300 so to find a decent hotel for that price made me happy. Includes free (continental) breakfast which is perfect as we board that day and will grab something on the way to a cab to the port.

[Urban trekker]

I know our local friend Putterdude who is away on a cruise won't likely agree with this choice for reasons he can explain better than I can but I will as a downtown resident say if it is only for one night you should be okay - within a two block radius of your hotel there are more bars, lounges and night places than I can keep track off - about 2000 pub seats and if you are there on a weekend night it will be very lively on the street as the City closes off three blocks along Granville to vehicles. There is a good police presence and other than noise and crowds and some street pan handlers relatively safe area.

 

The hotel itself has a great and lively Irish themed bar in Doolin's which is reputed to have fairly good pub food.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[vermonter16]

So I have been looking at hotels for two nights in May....17 and 18. And then looking for one night on the 19th closer to the airport with a shuttle. Should I wait to book a hotel for another month or so? I wanted to book now....to have it done but most prices are very high.

[WeRockChalkKU]

Thanks for the info.

[BCHappyGal]

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, traverse a Cliff Top walk, 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.

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.

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) 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

11) 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

12) 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.

13) 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

14) 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.

15) 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

16) 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

17) 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

18) 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.

19) 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

20) 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

21) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Steam Clock in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. There is also a China Town tour and a Granville Island Tour. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca

[tweetylori]

Wow...so much useful info...thank you! We are ending a cruise in Vancouver in May and spending one day and night before flying home to Southeastern US. Really appreciate all the help!

[rachelfran]

Wow...so much useful info...thank you! We are ending a cruise in Vancouver in May and spending one day and night before flying home to Southeastern US. Really appreciate all the help!

 

Check this page for bidding info and a hotel list:

 

http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/topic/45205/BRITISH-COLUMBIA-HOTEL-LIST#.USgot4y9KK0

 

 

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