Vancouver Info if needed

[geomarc]

Hi all, I know I was looking for a hotel under the $100, but I just booked The Westin Grand Vancouver which seems to be in a very good location and a very good hotel for a grand total of $140 checking in Sat. May 7th for one night. I hope that was a good price/choice.

 

Was that on Priceline? We're looking for something for the following weekend! :)

[DebbieandBrian]

Was that on Priceline? We're looking for something for the following weekend! :)

 

Skyauction (was that a good price/hotel choice?)

Edited January 10, 2011 by DebbieandBrian

[mandylooo]

My husband and I are going to take a little trip in September from Vancouver to LA on a Carnival relocation cruise. We are planning on spending a few days in the Seattle area before picking up the boat in Vancouer.

 

Im wondering if anyone knows how close the car rental agenies in Vancouver are to the port and who I should use? If there are rental agencies that allow me to just drop the car at the port?

 

Also, how is the border crossing process from Seattle to Vancouver? Any insights?

[ddean52]

My husband and I are going to take a little trip in September from Vancouver to LA on a Carnival relocation cruise. We are planning on spending a few days in the Seattle area before picking up the boat in Vancouer.

 

Im wondering if anyone knows how close the car rental agenies in Vancouver are to the port and who I should use? If there are rental agencies that allow me to just drop the car at the port?

 

Also, how is the border crossing process from Seattle to Vancouver? Any insights?

 

In the lower level of Canada Place there is an Alamo rental location.

Dean

[Urban trekker]

Mandyloo - see my detailed answer on the west coast boards to your question - saw it first so answered it there.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[cruisecrzy]

I am sure it is posted somewhere in this extensive thread, but can someone give me current information about the least costly way to get from the airport to the cruise port? Thanks!

[cruisecrzy]

Urban Trekker can you tell me about how far a person has to walk from the Canada Line to the cruise port entrance (Celebrity), have concerns about how fare we would have to drag luggage?

Thanks!

[LeftcoastBC]

NOT UT but I have been wanting to try this for some time.

 

http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=217449072889534043648.00048a321029e363943bc&ll=49.285346,-123.113104&spn=0.007229,0.014505&t=h&z=17

 

Seems to work hope that it helps. Click on the small line icon on the left side of map for the distance.

[Urban trekker]

Actually ScottBee is the expert on the Canada Line as he uses it - I live downtown and generally don`t need to use public transportation to get around.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Urban trekker]

Left coast - neat map

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[cruisecrzy]

Thanks Left Coast for the neat map! From the way it looks it would still be quite a haul to get luggage to the actual port entrance.

 

Thanks for the assist.

[Neetern]

Hello Vancouverites!

 

Looking for some advice from those in the know! There will be 6 of us (ages 17-82) traveling together this June. Flying in and out of Bellingham, WA taking Amtrak back/forth to Vancouver. We'll be staying in Vancouver 2 days after our Alaska cruise and considering either the Landis Suites or the yet to open Hotel Indigo. This will be the 2nd+ trip for all so have done the HOHO and have been in town before. Questions:

 

1. Which hotel would you recommend? Primarily interested in which is a better area, easy of public transportation etc. Looks like pretty close axcess to Canada line from Indigo but Landis is 'in downtown' so... (btw not comfortable using Priceline/Hotwire with so many of us)

 

2. Any suggestions for those who've already seen the 'must do' spots already? Will spend more time in Granville Island/Gastown one day and considering Capilano/Grouse mountain the next - good for the older ones in our group (no mobility issues)?

 

3. What is the easiest way to get to/from the Amtrak station? We'll be arriving at 10:50 the night before our cruise and staying at the Hampton, and leaving on the 5:45 pm the day before we fly home.

 

Thanks for your help!

[Urban trekker]

I know nothing about the Hotel Indigo - wasn`t even aware that any more new hotels were being built in the downtown core - will have to check it out.

 

Nothing wrong with the Landis - they are an investor owned building that puts their suites in a rental pool - share some facilities like parking and pool - sauna with the adjacent Cascadia Inn and Suites - the area around the hotel is fine - I live a block away from the Landis and in fact can see it from the balcony - you are in the upper end of the downtown core - further from the port but closer to Granville Island - one of our top attractions - lot`s of good places to eat in the neighbourhood - Stepho`s Greek restaurant is two blocks away - Tim Horton`s and Subway around the corner - Nando`s a chicken place that has become very popular with the locals.

 

As for getting to the Amtrak station from the Hampton - if you can manage your luggage then take the Skytrain - our rapid transit system - from the nearby Stadium station one stop to Main Street and walk about a block to the station - taxi would be less than $10.00 but keep in mind that most of our taxi fleet are Pruis or Coralla`s so a large group would need more than one.

 

Have a good cruise and hope this info helps.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Urban trekker]

The only reference that I can find regarding the Hotel Indigo is a location at 500 W 12th in Vancouver - that is across from City Hall and not in the downtown core - it is also the current location of the Plaza 500 hotel - which has been less than a good performer the last few years - sounds like the Intercontinental Hotel Group - the parent company of Indigo - have brought this property and are going to convert it into one of there properties - the area around the Indigo is the 2nd busiest retail corridor in the city -and is well served by transportation and restaurants BUT is no where close to most of the attractions.

 

Here`s a link to the Plaza 500 announcing the change.

 

http://www.plaza500.com/

 

Hope this further helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

Edited January 20, 2011 by Urban trekker

[scottbee]

NOT UT but I have been wanting to try this for some time.

 

http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=217449072889534043648.00048a321029e363943bc&ll=49.285346,-123.113104&spn=0.007229,0.014505&t=h&z=17

...

Actually ScottBee is the expert on the Canada Line as he uses it

Take it from an expert...

The above route is the Bad plan. The platform is under Granville street & W.Hastings, so with your plan you end up walking a block and half underground, before exiting from waterfront station complex; and then walking uphill from Waterfront Station to Canada Place (Canada Place is approx 1 story higher than the street level at Waterfront).

 

Better plan; When you get off Canada Line @ Waterfront platform, don't follow the big crowd down the long hallway into Waterfront Station itself, but look to the direction you just came from and there's another exit right at the end of the platform, which places you on the corner of Granville and W.Hastings. Walk one block NW to Howe street (flat), and 2 blocks downhill on Howe to Canada Place.

 

see comparison map: http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=203732891180260793392.00049a563161211704c95&ll=49.286829,-123.110347&spn=0.005354,0.016512&z=17

 

This is the exit you want (right on the platform):

Edited January 21, 2011 by scottbee

[LeftcoastBC]

Thanks Scott. I guess what I did is what every tourist would end up doing Not being familiar with the system

 

I'll fix my map

[scottbee]

Thanks Scott. I guess what I did is what every tourist would end up doing Not being familiar with the system

 

I'll fix my map

 

Which is why everywhere/time I talk about it, I tell people to take the Granville St elevator straight from the platform, and not follow everyone down the long corridor.

 

And hey, did you like my 'Rainy Day Route' (check the google map I posted); it's all underground/cover except the last ½ block.

[LeftcoastBC]

I'm just an infrequent tourist myself from out in the valley. I still would not recommend either/any of these routes with anymore than a carry on and a small roller and being in good physical and mental shape.:)

 

Want to confuse everyone by going to the food court underground and then under the road to Canada Place ?? Completely dry.!!

 

Someone landing at YVR and burdened by making the cruise ship and all the thought process that goes with the trip, once into/out of the system should have a line to follow that's on the floor of the stations and street side.

Edited January 21, 2011 by LeftcoastBC

[BroncoLvrs]

Hello all and THANK YOU for this fabulous thread!

 

We are two couples who will disembark on June 4th in Vancouver and then walk (?) to our hotel (Holiday Inn Downtown). After checking in we want to explore Vancouver...sounds like Stanley Park is something we would enjoy. Will that be an all day trip or should we plan something else? We will be on foot or public transport. Planning on an excursion to Victoria the following day (my 50th birthday!!!) via Prince of Whales...going to the Gardens then coming back via floatplane...should arrive back in Vancouver around 6:30-7pm. Looking for a restaurant to celebrate by birthday...love Mexican & Pizza, HATE fish :eek: Any ideas? ...oh, the 5th is a Sunday, if that matters...

[WFHFLOYD]

I am sure it is posted somewhere in this extensive thread, but can someone give me current information about the least costly way to get from the airport to the cruise port? Thanks!

 

We are going to stay at the airport for 2 nites in June, after our alaska vacation/cruise, because we have a very early flight on day 3 homeward bound, and we want to be early to the airport to clear customs etc. I am told by both the Hilton and Hampton Inn front desks that there is a shuttle service, called Vancouver Shuttle & Charter (they have a website if you google their name) which runs a shuttle for $13 per person on a regular basis. Also, both hotels are w/in a 5" walk from the Vancouver SkyTrain, which also has a website. We often take public transportation (being ex New Yorkers, I suppose), and plan on arriving at Canada Place, taking the shuttle to our airport hotel, which will hold our baggage if it's too early to get into our room, and then heading out on the SkyTrain back to downtown, Stanley Park, a stroll along English Beach, GasTown?, maybe China Town and perhaps over to North Vancouver to the suspension bridge (the free one, not the one that costs $30 each!) Maybe too ambitious for 2 days, but we'll see. I am finding loads of ideas and transportation info online. Vancouver looks like a fantastic city, filled with great food and lots of beauty. All the public bus lines, ferries, etc have their maps and routes and fares posted online, so I'm encouraged. I personally wouldn't want a car to have to park and drive in the city with, but maybe that's the NYC in me again! Have fun on your vacation!

[LeftcoastBC]

Hello all and THANK YOU for this fabulous thread!

 

We are two couples who will disembark on June 4th in Vancouver and then walk (?) to our hotel (Holiday Inn Downtown). After checking in we want to explore Vancouver...sounds like Stanley Park is something we would enjoy. Will that be an all day trip or should we plan something else? We will be on foot or public transport. Planning on an excursion to Victoria the following day (my 50th birthday!!!) via Prince of Whales...going to the Gardens then coming back via floatplane...should arrive back in Vancouver around 6:30-7pm. Looking for a restaurant to celebrate by birthday...love Mexican & Pizza, HATE fish :eek: Any ideas? ...oh, the 5th is a Sunday, if that matters...

 

It would appear we missed this. Sorry

Stanley Park on foot on a nice day could be as long as you want it to be. Lots to see and do on a warm June day...not so nice, you could spend a morning or afternoon still going from dry point to dry point.

Hopefully someone else can pick up on theMexican and or pizza. There are chains of course but I'm sure there must be better places :)$

[Putterdude]

We are going to stay at the airport for 2 nites in June, after our alaska vacation/cruise, because we have a very early flight on day 3 homeward bound, and we want to be early to the airport to clear customs etc. I am told by both the Hilton and Hampton Inn front desks that there is a shuttle service, called Vancouver Shuttle & Charter (they have a website if you google their name) which runs a shuttle for $13 per person on a regular basis. Also, both hotels are w/in a 5" walk from the Vancouver SkyTrain, which also has a website. We often take public transportation (being ex New Yorkers, I suppose), and plan on arriving at Canada Place, taking the shuttle to our airport hotel, which will hold our baggage if it's too early to get into our room, and then heading out on the SkyTrain back to downtown, Stanley Park, a stroll along English Beach, GasTown?, maybe China Town and perhaps over to North Vancouver to the suspension bridge (the free one, not the one that costs $30 each!) Maybe too ambitious for 2 days, but we'll see. I am finding loads of ideas and transportation info online. Vancouver looks like a fantastic city, filled with great food and lots of beauty. All the public bus lines, ferries, etc have their maps and routes and fares posted online, so I'm encouraged. I personally wouldn't want a car to have to park and drive in the city with, but maybe that's the NYC in me again! Have fun on your vacation!

 

It certainly looks like a good plan too me. Vancouver, particularly the downtown area, is not an easy place to drive or to park so nuking the car idea is a good one. As to what you want to do, you will have the flexibility to cut and paste as you go along. Here is a link to the transit trip planner if you don't already have it;

 

http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/

[LeftcoastBC]

Just wanted to add don't get "Skytrain" Mixed up with the "Canada Line"

skytrain is sort of generic for all of our elevated systems but it is the "Canada line" of skytrain that goes to the airport and the hotels out that way.

Make sure if you are going to the airport that you get on a train that goes straight through to the airport or you will have to transfer later in your trip. If you are going to those hotels you also must ensure of the same thing only opposite. Every other train I think goes either way when they leave downtown Vancouver.

 

Also if that Hampton is in Richmond I would double check with someone on that 5 min walk from the nearest Canada Line Station. Looks further to me.

 

& at that transfer point.

Don't overlook the River Rock Casino Hotel for a nice hotel out that way and right on the Canada Line platform exit.

[Sally Forth]

It would appear we missed this. Sorry

Stanley Park on foot on a nice day could be as long as you want it to be. Lots to see and do on a warm June day...not so nice, you could spend a morning or afternoon still going from dry point to dry point.

Hopefully someone else can pick up on theMexican and or pizza. There are chains of course but I'm sure there must be better places :)$

 

There are two Mexican places that I like. One is Pepitas at 4th and Burrard (nice walk across the bridge from downtown on a warm night) and the other, with a gorgeous patio, is Las Margaritas, on the north side of 4th a couple of blocks up the hill from 4th and Burrard. You can also look on http://www.dinehere.ca and type in Mexican and Vancouver as your search terms.

 

Viv

[scottbee]

There are two Mexican places that I like. One is Pepitas at 4th and Burrard (nice walk across the bridge from downtown on a warm night) and the other, with a gorgeous patio, is Las Margaritas, on the north side of 4th a couple of blocks up the hill from 4th and Burrard. You can also look on www.dinehere.ca and type in Mexican and Vancouver as your search terms.

 

Viv

 

Of all the cuisines available in Vancouver, the Mexican is badly lacking. While you might like Mexican, you'll probably be disappointed. My favorite 'local' mexican restaurant is in Bellingham Washington.

 

 

Try a local Chinese, Indian or sushi place (or any asian place for that matter) , something you may not have at home