vancouver hotel close to airport or close to port?

artikfl · #1 (**permalink**) February 24th, 2008, 07:49 AM

I have been doing some research into where to stay in Vancouver the night before our alaska cruise in May '08. It seems that there are a good number of choices. My first question is should we stay close to the Airport or close to the ship port, or somewhere between. And second, has anyone stayed at a good moderately priced ($100-$150) hotel/motel in the area that they would recomend?

ps.
We are a group of 4 middle aged adults on a vacation budget.

ps2.
We will be arriving early enough to get some dinner and maybe a little sightseeing too. any advice?

Royal Carribean Radiance of the Seas May 22 north to Alaska

I posted this question in another topic but I think that I may get better response here.

Karen16 · #2 (**permalink**) February 24th, 2008, 09:35 AM

There isn't any sightseeing at the airport.

If you are arriving by afternoon, you are better off staying downtown. If you are only looking for a bed, then the airport is cheaper.

Problem is with your cruise leaving out of Ballentyne. IF you stay downtown, then you would leave your bags with your hotel bellman, and do your sightseeing until you board your ship.

If you stay at the airport, you'll cab to the port, then have to cab back and forth downtown, or make your touring arrangements, somehow. Ballentyne is in an industrial area, nothing worth seeing.

Priceline may be your best option?? The Days Inn, although basic, is an excellent location.

Phil&Liz · #3 (**permalink**) February 24th, 2008, 01:21 PM

We posted a reply and sent you a PM on this topic....

Phil & Liz

thinfool1 · #4 (**permalink**) February 24th, 2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen16

Problem is with your cruise leaving out of Ballentyne. IF you stay downtown, then you would leave your bags with your hotel bellman, and do your sightseeing until you board your ship.

This situation goes away if you do a precruise tour on the morning that you leave with www.vancouvertours.com . They take your bags to the ship and take you on a nice tour of the city for about 4 hours....after which they drop you at the ship.

We did it...worked great...highly recommend.

Cruze Lover · #5 (**permalink**) March 15th, 2008, 02:14 PM

I would recommend staying downtown. Even if you stay at the airport, you will have to take a cab to the pier. Piers are an easy cab ride from downtown.
Vancouver is such a lovely city and it would be sad to miss out on a bit of sightseeing prior to your cruise. Anywhere in the downtown area would be a good choice to stay, so much to see and do, fabulous restaurants. One of our favorite sushi restaurants is in Vancouver, Shabousen. Stanley Park is must see; right on the water, totem poles, float planes taking off, great city views, mountains, the sea wall. It is a great place to walk or rent bikes. This is a always a highlight of our trips to Van. We will be back again this summer and are looking foward to it!!!

artikfl · #6 (**permalink**) March 15th, 2008, 08:20 PM

Thank you all for your advice and opinions. I have checked out all of your advice. I think the concensus is that I should stay near the port (downtown). Now the next question, I have read that there is a casino or two near Vancouver, Anyone ever been?? Is it worth the Trip?? How Far Away is it from downtown area?

popeye3 · #7 (**permalink**) March 16th, 2008, 04:50 PM

Did some research myself, the airport is about 35 to 40 mins away from the docks. So I went with downtown which is about 10 to 15 mins away. Figured i would have a good dinner in Vancover the night before. Will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express. I need two rooms and its going to be about 230 for the one night.

mcoggins · #8 (**permalink**) April 17th, 2008, 07:03 PM

We are staying at the Days Inn Downtown, it's only a short walk to Canada Place where most ships dock. We're going a day early so we can see all the sites downtown, Vancouver Lookout tower, Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, and also ride the Sky train.

Kamloops Cruiser · #9 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artikfl

Thank you all for your advice and opinions. I have checked out all of your advice. I think the concensus is that I should stay near the port (downtown). Now the next question, I have read that there is a casino or two near Vancouver, Anyone ever been?? Is it worth the Trip?? How Far Away is it from downtown area?

There are a few casinos near downtown Vancouver.

Here is a kink to vancouver Casinos.

http://www.vancouvercasinos.com/

subtropic · #10 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2008, 12:48 AM

I like the Pan Pacific