Summer is cruise season and it's gorgeous in BC and so it's already more expensive. Therefore, breaking the bank is relative.
Many people here love the Pan Pacific and the Fairmonts at the water. There's another Fairmont a few blocks up. I need none of those.
For our honeymoon cruise we stayed at the Westin Grand on either side of the cruise. I've stayed at Westin Bayshore. Our last Vancouver trip we got Hyatt Regency, Club level, which was AMAZING. And in the rainy season, it's not too expensive. Cruise season, it'll be higher.
We adore Sutton Place, and really enjoy their connected condos, Le Grande Residence at Sutton Place. I've enjoyed the Holiday Inn in downtown (you'll know their website by the orca mural *inside* their swimming pool). Listel Hotel is lovely.
Century Plaza was alright, but we stayed there during a renovation time, so it colored our view.
The Sheraton at Wall Centre is just across from that, and looks marvelous.
Everything I've mentioned is, ultimately, walkable if there was a bus and cab strike.

But cabs are plentiful, clean, and not expensive.