When to book hotel for next August?

[darnheather]

Cruising Alaska out of Vancouver. When should I book the hotel?

 

[brentm77]

Cruising Alaska out of Vancouver. When should I book the hotel?

As long as it's not pre-paid and fully refundable, I tend to book as early as possible and watch for a better rate. If a better rate pops up, I book it and cancel the original reservation. That way, you can only get a better rate and don't risk rates going up. I had the Pan Pacific booked for this September, and it went on sale sometime last spring, so I rebooked it.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel the cruise entirely for family health reasons. The sale rate had required a non-refundable booking, but Pan Pacific was very accommodating given our very unusual circumstances and refunded us in full. They earned my loyalty for the next time we cruise out of Vancouver. I did have trip insurance, but it was nice not needing to deal with the hassle of making a claim.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

I tend to book as early as possible and watch for a better rate. If a better rate pops up, I book it and cancel the original reservation.

This.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Same

 

[auntlynne]

^ ditto

and watch for sales in Black Friday / Cyber Monday.

 

[MissScarlet]

We already have our hotel for Vancouver next Aug booked, and the price has increased. We are ok with our rate, but still hoping for a sale so can cancel and rebook.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Same as many posters above. Book refundable rate, then keep an eye on it. We overnighted at the Fairmont at Vancouver airport after the cruise for a night and our price went down, so I rebooked.

 

[darnheather]

We already have our hotel for Vancouver next Aug booked, and the price has increased. We are ok with our rate, but still hoping for a sale so can cancel and rebook.

Which hotel? I'm hoping for no more than $350 total.

 

[auntlynne]

Which hotel? I'm hoping for no more than $350 total.

If you are watching your expenses (I do!), check out the YWCA at 733 Beatty, off Robson.

Currently booking through first week of January.

We stayed there years ago - but photos of a refurbishment look great.

We picked it to avoid paying for two expensive Vancouver hotel rooms; the availability of a family room with single beds was a bonus.

We used the Skytrain to get downtown, then walked a few blocks to the hotel. To port, repeat the walk and get off a few blocks from Canada Place.

 

[MissScarlet]

We are splurging for the Fairmont this time. Vancouver is an expensive city. I think the cheapest hotel close to the port is the Days Inn, which is old and small, with not so good reviews. It has been years since we have stayed there, but at the time it was fine for one night if you are looking for a place just to sleep only 2 blocks from Canada Place.