Hotel To Pier In Vancouver

[eeniemeenie]

wanted to book hotel through priceline for pre cruise night in vancouver. is the downtown area the closest to the ballantine pier? priceline lists it as VANCOUVER or VANCOUVER AIRPORT AREA. after the cruise we are staying on for two nights in vancouver. any suggestions for what to do and where to stay for those times. our ship gets in early in the morning and we have all that day, all the next day and are leaving 1:00 p.m. on the following day. does renting a car make any sense? do i want to leave the vancouver area for the surroundings or stay in vancouver. need help from all you pros.

[jimneycrkit]

We just got back in May. We stayed at at the Hyatt. It is only 5 blocks to the pier. Cab ride was 3.50 Canadian. They take US no problem. We bought tickets for the hopon Hop off bus and it was good for two days. About 25 each. We went everywhere in town and could see the sites. Cab fare to the airport was 28.00 for two of us. Make sure you go to Stanley Park. The aqaurium is wonderful ans is the park just to walk around in. Granville island is fun and the market is a great place to pick up a quick bite for lunch. Walking around downtown is very easy and there is plenty of shopping and many restaurants. Canada Place is interesting.

[cruisingbug]

The Vancouver Airport is about a 30 min. cab drive from the pier, so you don't want that if you want to be close to the ship and sightseeing. Downtown Gastown area is between Canada Place and Ballantyne (closer to Canada Place). Here's a map:

http://vancouver.com/accommodations/maps/downtown_vancouver/index.htm

 

Probably for Ballantyne you'll have to take a cab to hotel anyway, so best to get a hotel either near Stanley Park or Gastown (we stayed at the Ramada on Pender, not a great area but a nice hotel). Do a search for "Priceline" on these boards and you'll see what people paid and where they stayed, or check out biddingfortravel.com.

 

We took a cab from Gastown area to Stanley Park rather than pay for hop on/hop off. About CAD$10. Didn't make it to Granville but you're there a day longer than we were - it would have been our next stop. Definitely need a cab or transportation as it's across the water. If you do rent a car, you can more easily make it out to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and/or Grouse Mountain.

 

Hope this is helpful.

[Budget Queen]

Yes you want the downtown hotels. The pier will be a short cab ride away. Most take credit cards.

[greatful]

FYI: We are at the 4* Hyatt in Vancouver via Priceline for $77 July 14th.