Vancouver Hotel Rates

[Rambler5678]

Going on an Alaska cruise in June 2017. When is the best time to book hotels to get the lowest rates?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

With Pan Pacific keep an eye on it and book ASAP. I booked a year out, hot an unbeaten deal, and the Pan often sells out or prices shoot up. I watched their own website.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would book when you see a rate you like, and then check over time. Make sure you book a rate that you can change or cancel (no prepaid, nonrefundable rates), of course.

And there are so many really good hotels in downtown Vancouver, all of which are in easy and inexpensive cab distance (heck, they are all in *walking* distance if suddenly you absolutely had to do that). You don't *have to* focus on the ones right AT the port.

 

[xavier2001]

The earlier the better, we booked 10 months out and still the Fairmont was sold out (there was a big conference going on that weekend). We ended up at the Hampton on Robson street which was about $100 canadian cheaper than the ones right at the port, had a free breakfast, and free shuttle to the port.

 

[Rambler5678]

Any good inexpensive places to eat close to the Hampton?

 

[anricat]

We booked as soon as we could (10-11 months out) and I've been keeping an eye on prices, but nothing beats the deal we got originally. I could pay more if I wanted to stay a few blocks closer to port, but we think we'll be happy with Blue Horizon on Robson. There are a lot of dining options very close and we also plan to hit the Whole Foods a couple of blocks away to stock up on some packaged snacks for our excursions.

 

[xavier2001]

Any good inexpensive places to eat close to the Hampton?

We had dinner at a pizza place that was connected with BC place, it was kitty corner from the hotel, I think it was called Boston pizza but don't quote me. It was delicious. There is also a Tim Hortons and a Starbucks near there. I'm sure many other places too but that's what I recall off the top of my head, we only stayed one night, in hindsight I think it would be good to go 2 or 3 days before and explore Vancouver, that's our plan next time lol.

 

[Rambler5678]

Is Robson in a safe neighborhood?

 

[xavier2001]

Is Robinson in a safe neighborhood?

You mean Robson street? Yes it is a safe neighborhood, its in the older part of the city so not as fancy as directly at the port, but we walked quite a bit around the hotel and down to the waterfront and always felt safe. We found a playground and walking path by the waterfront which was very busy and safe.

 

[bcwife76]

Is Robson in a safe neighborhood?

Yes. The area you want to avoid is the Downtown eastside, which is Canada's poorest neighbourhood.

 

[Canooknic]

Anything on Robson is pretty good. There's a fun bar called The Lennox if you want a relaxed atmosphere.

Boston Pizza, which has already been suggested, is good. Opposite your hotel there's 'Back Forty' bar, their food is ok too.

Our favourite place is The Fat Badger, but that would be a cab ride for you.

 

[xlxo]

Is Robson in a safe neighborhood?

Just watch your credit card.... there's some real nice shops there.... including a Tesla dealership. Nearby Alberni may also be worth checking out.

 

[MUN]

Is Robson in a safe neighborhood?

Robson Street is a great street to eat, shop, and people watch.

 

[colbybug]

Book one as soon as you can that will allow free cancellation that you'd be happy with and then continue to shop around...esp. If you are considering staying at the Fairmont Waterfront. I know that Disney Cruise line reserves a block of rooms there at a discounted rate. But if you don't get them ahead of time then their limited availability is gone. That's what happened to us...we were pretty bummed.

 

[Aby]

I booked my rooms at the Pan Pacific about 8 months in advance for this August. I found a pretty decent BC resident rate and figured I might as well hold it in case that was the lowest I could get - glad I did because the room rate has climbed a lot since then and it's continuing to rise. If you can hold a room with no deposit and penalties, I'd book as soon as you can and then continue to keep an eye out for something better with no risk.

Aby

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

What kind of prices (USD) are you all getting for booking so far in advance out of curiosity? I just booked mine in May for this August and we're staying at the Hyatt Regency for $270 including taxes. Next July (as far out as I can go) is $458 with taxes!

 

[colbybug]

What kind of prices (USD) are you all getting for booking so far in advance out of curiosity? I just booked mine in May for this August and we're staying at the Hyatt Regency for $270 including taxes. Next July (as far out as I can go) is $458 with taxes!

When I had to pay in full in March for our cruise at the end of this July, the DCL rooms at the Fairmont Waterfront were $330 usd and there were none available. When I started looking around the average price was between $350 to $500! Gasp! and they have just continued to rise... We've never been to Alaska before or to Vancouver so we didn't know what to expect and weren't aware that the end of July is prime time for Vancouver hotels. Apparently they have some holidays around then and three weekends of international fireworks competitions that bring a gazillion people to downtown Vancouver. (Disney is hosting the ones on July 30th but we will be at sea unfortunately). Vancouver also hosts a huge gay pride festival on one of those weekends. Apparently there are a lot of things going on in Vancouver during the summer! Anyway, we ended up getting a "decent" deal at the Fairmont Pacific Rim for $300 a night thru a travel club which I understand is good for that hotel but I never thought I'd pay that much for a pre-cruise hotel!

 

[sharksfinatic17]

We cruised in June and booked our hotel in January. We stayed at the Vancouver Harbourfront for $136 USD a night. Great location (10 minute walk with luggage to the port). I used Last Minute Travel.

 

[anricat]

We booked Blue Horizon last August (for our cruise coming up this August, so a year in advance) and we're paying $526.70 Canadian for 2 nights. (At the current exchange, that's a little over $400 US.)

 

[Jillywilly143]

There are six of us, and we actually booked a house from Vrbo instead. It is $250 ca a night, and is in a nice area. We also have a rental car, because we are driving up from Seattle. Flying into Seattle was over $100 cheaper per person than Vancouver.