I’ll be coming in on a Friday evening in March and leaving pretty early Sunday a.m. I’ll have a car, but prefer to park it and leave it while I’m there, so location near interesting restaurants, bars, shopping will be a huge plus.
Looking for something interesting and boutique-ish. Not a fan of your standard bigass chain hotel. It needs to be relatively nice though as the spousal unit will not abide lackluster accomodations.
Ideas?
We stay at the Pacific Pallisades on Robson St. Boutique hotel in the shopping district. Large rooms/suites with mini-fridge and wet-bar. Dogs are welcome. Small fitness center where you can go dizzy doing flip turns (pool is larger then many hotel pools, but still small). They do have a spin bike in their cardio room.
It’s part of the Kimpton chain of boutique hotels.
scott
Anywhere on East Hastings is nice. 
http://www.opushotel.com/opus.html
ladies and gentlemen we have a winner
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http://www.opushotel.com/opus.html
That’s what I would suggest too. It’s in a great location for shops, restaurants and clubs/lounges etc. And near the sea wall where you can go for a run. Oh, and the hotel ain’t so bad either!
Some favourites: (all downtown)
Metropolitan Hotel
Sheraton Wall Centre
Pacific Palisades
Fairmont Waterfront
Then there’s the Hotel Le Soleil. It’s adjacent to a YWCA fitness facility complete with a 25m pool. Never stayed there, but it looks pretty decent… http://www.hotellesoleil.com/35.html
http://www.opushotel.com/opus.html
That’s what I would suggest too. It’s in a great location for shops, restaurants and clubs/lounges etc. And near the sea wall where you can go for a run. Oh, and the hotel ain’t so bad either!
I prefer to stay closer to Stanley Park/English bay beach myself
The Silvia is a great old hotel right at the beach, although I haven’t managed to book a room there in 10 years (always full).
Last time I stayed at the Coast Plaza http://www.coasthotels.com/, which is in the center of fun close to the beach. Nothing fancy, but did get a separate bedroom to hide the kids in for a reasonable price.
I’ve stayed at the Holiday Inn on Broadway holidayinnvancouver.com, a bit seedy but fairly inexpensive, and good access to downtown or Kitsolano by car or bus, or running.
Another voter for the Opus. Done Pacific Palisades a few times and the Opus once. I’ll take the Opus any day. Loved that place.
Check out the HotelConnect Website - they focus on boutique hotels, although they do use chains as well. Click here for the Vancouver page.
The Listel is a nice property, lots of local art and nice rooms. It’s downtown on Robson Street close to shopping, tons of restaurants and is reasonably close to Stanley Park.
If you’re looking to get around without a car, Google Transit has an awesome search page for Vancouver.
Some favourites: (all downtown)
Metropolitan Hotel
Sheraton Wall Centre
Pacific Palisades
Fairmont Waterfront
Then there’s the Hotel Le Soleil. It’s adjacent to a YWCA fitness facility complete with a 25m pool. Never stayed there, but it looks pretty decent… http://www.hotellesoleil.com/35.html
I am very fussy when it comes to hotels, irrelevant of how much time I will spend there. Spoilt , absolutely 
I’ve stayed at ,The Opus, The Metropolitan ,The Soleil and The Wedgewood . On a slightly larger scale , Sutton Place, The Hyatt. I would consider the Metropolitan to be the best for my preferences.
The Metropolitan has the best pool by far and is much closer to the seawall at Stanley Park for your morning run. It is also across the street from Pacific Centre Shopping Centre and probably the most central of the two , as The Soleil is only a couple of blocks away.
I found The Opus very well designed and cosy , but location wise slightly off-beat.
I am originally from Vancouver but live in Singapore so I speak from the perspective of a visitor who may not be as familiar with the “city” as some other posters here , but I actually stay in the hotels.
I guess it really comes down to how much you are comfortable spending.
I go to Vancouver a couple of times a year and usually stay at the Sutton Place because that’s where I’m delivering seminars. However, if I were going on my own, I’d go to the Wedgewood. Smaller, friendly and I had a great room when I was there. Well located for shopping on Robson and lots of restaurants. Not too far from the seawall from either direction.
Also the manager at the Wedgewood is a huge cycling fan, hence sponsorship of a local cycling club.
Cant go wrong with any of the recommendations provided already
Also the manager at the Wedgewood is a huge cycling fan, hence sponsorship of a local cycling club.
Cant go wrong with any of the recommendations provided already
OOOOHHHHH…I was unaware of that , thanks !
I second or third or fourth the vote for Opus. I stay there about 2 or 3 times a year. It is in Yaletown, good part of the city and walking distance from a lot of great restaurants. Close to the waterfront for morning runs. Very classy place.
thanks folks. Room booked at the Opus.
Any input on restaurants? Not necessarily looking for the most high end thing in town, but interesting, with a cool vibe. Also, good bars for the post-college crowd (I’m 42)?
where are all the Vancouver peeps?
thanks folks. Room booked at the Opus.
Any input on restaurants? Not necessarily looking for the most high end thing in town, but interesting, with a cool vibe. Also, good bars for the post-college crowd (I’m 42)?
For restaurants, try Rugby (at Oak & Broadway), great West Coast cuisine and great prices (lobster tails for $1.99 on Mondays!), Cardero’s has a good bar and a great view (on Cardero St). If you have a car, check out “the flying beaver” at the south terminal area of the airport (it’s on the water, great views & the best salmon burgers around)
You could check out the Marriott and save some major cash with the link below from classifieds:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1665976;search_string=;#1665976
With the right location, you can save some great cash with these certificates.
Sorry bro - I got your email when I was swamped and it got buried. I’ll post some ideas soon.