Vancouver - Places to stay?

[woob]

I checked most of the Vancouver related travel threads, and they're all pretty old, so I decided to start this one.

My son is an ocean nut, so we want to take him out to the coast to see the Vancouver aquarium, visit some coast line, and then head over to the island to stay with some friends.

My question revolves around places to stay in Vancouver - Any secret/economical spots for a family, or are we destined to pay $250+ a night for anything reasonable? Any insight/advice would be appreciated. We're not opposed to staying in one of the satellite areas (Richmond, Coquitlam, etc.) but since our time will be spent in the aquarium aread and North Vancouver up to horshoe bay area, closer to there would be appreciated.

[DionTheDman]

We don't even bother really looking at hotels anymore. AirBNB is the best bang for your buck.

[Locke]

I've heard that the Downtown East Side is particularly scenic and friendly.

[woob]

Yeah even the AirBnBs are $250-300 for anything suitable for a family of 4. I guess that's just the price to stay. Maybe I'm just showing how cheap I am haha.

[Mazrim]

AirBNB in Vancouver hasn't been a good deal for a while unless you're looking for a large amount of people.

[Fuzz]

UBC has a few places, might be wroth checking the price.


https://reserve.suitesatubc.com/vanc...ailability.asp

[Galakanokis]

Vancouver is tough right now with hotels. I would think $300 a night is the going rate for a cheap place. I got $250 for the Pan Pacific in Whistler a month ago that I thought was a fantastic deal but it was off season there at the time.

I do not have any deals but it sounds like you will be driving one way or another so mayber something in White Rock or Steveston would work. Added bonus of nice little towns on the water and then head to downtown for the Aquarium etc? It would be aways to travel but assuming you are not leaving at peak hours.

Maybe even Squamish? I stayed at a Sandman there a few years ago and I really liked the hotel. Wouldn't be too bad to get down to the aquarium from there.

[Blaster86]

My house. I have a futon mattress I saved for guests. I'm very generous, only one kidney per group as opposed to the one kidney per guest that some places do.


Downside is traffic means you never get to go over town, so the Aquarium is out.

[bizaro86]

I manage a 2br condo in downtown Vancouver that goes for ~$250/nt Sunday-Thursday nights. But it depends on when you're going, as this summer is 100% sold out already.

Anyway, I get that probably isn't helpful, but if you have fixed dates I'd definitely book sooner rather than later. If not I'd recommend pushing into the fall a bit if you can- even Sept is a lot easier to find stuff than July/August.

[woob]

Bizaro, if you have any cancellations around Aug 6-9, let me know! Might talk to the family and see if it might be a better idea to go September, but then school factors in.

[peter12]

Weston Bayshore is a decent hotel and has okay rates, I think. As many here have said, Vancouver has a huge shortage of hotel space and rates are out of control.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by woob

I checked most of the Vancouver related travel threads, and they're all pretty old, so I decided to start this one.

My son is an ocean nut, so we want to take him out to the coast to see the Vancouver aquarium, visit some coast line, and then head over to the island to stay with some friends.

My question revolves around places to stay in Vancouver - Any secret/economical spots for a family, or are we destined to pay $250+ a night for anything reasonable? Any insight/advice would be appreciated. We're not opposed to staying in one of the satellite areas (Richmond, Coquitlam, etc.) but since our time will be spent in the aquarium aread and North Vancouver up to horshoe bay area, closer to there would be appreciated.

Given your travel plans, you should probably aim to stay in North Vancouver, ideally close to the Quay if you can.


The Quay itself is very attractive, and you're a Seabus and short taxi ride from Stanley Park and the Aquarium. You're also close to Horseshoe Bay for the ferry to the Island.



Depending on your dates, you might score somewhere around $250 a night (but probably not if you're spanning a weekend). You could also try your luck looking at Horseshoe Bay itself. Real easy commute to the ferry from there.



I hadn't realized how expensive it's become to stay in Vancouver in the summer...

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

I hadn't realized how expensive it's become to stay in Vancouver in the summer...

Oh, you sweet summer child.

[flamesfan1297]

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, and pay the little bit extra for the water view. It's a very reasonable price, and if you have the water view you can watch the float planes taking off on the water. Your son would love it. Also walking distance too Stanley park and the aquarium

[topfiverecords]

$250? That’s cheap. There’s nothing in Victoria for less than $400

[Galakanokis]

Those last couple of hotels will be in the $400 and up range for a two queen bed room. More for water. Both are very nice hotels. North Van is not a bad idea though. There is an Econo Lodge and the North Van hotel. They will be on the cheap side.

One thing to really pay attention to are the ferries if you are driving and going to the island. Lots and I mean lots of ferries are being cancelled last minute due to lack of staff. This long weekend is off to a banner start with cancelled sailings already.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

Those last couple of hotels will be in the $400 and up range for a two queen bed room. More for water. Both are very nice hotels. North Van is not a bad idea though. There is an Econo Lodge and the North Van hotel. They will be on the cheap side.

One thing to really pay attention to are the ferries if you are driving and going to the island. Lots and I mean lots of ferries are being cancelled last minute due to lack of staff. This long weekend is off to a banner start with cancelled sailings already.

That's true about the hotels. I went September long weekend a couple years ago and paid $150 per night. So maybe best too not go in the summer

[Locke]

Rent a boat and anchor it in the Harbor?

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

That's true about the hotels. I went September long weekend a couple years ago and paid $150 per night. So maybe best too not go in the summer

Prices have gone up dramatically around here in just the past year. I stayed at the Sheraton Wall Centre which is a nice hotel and it was $500+ a night just in May.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Locke

Rent a boat and anchor it in the Harbor?

A boat!? In this economy?!?!?!