Where to stay in Vancouver

[birdmom]

Does the Vancouver airport have a hotel inside like Orlando? I bought Disney transport to the ship from the airport but I don't want to rent a car to find a hotel for the night we arrive.

 

[emilyann415]

The Fairmont is attached to the airport I believe. My brother and family stayed there once and said it is lovely and incredibly sound proofed!

 

[birdmom]

Sweet, thank you!

 

[MunFam]

Yes, the Fairmont is attached. You don't NEED a car if you want to explore Vancouver. There is a great light rail that goes from the airport right in to downtown for you to explore. We used it to go from the cruise terminal to our hotel and then to our rental car (because we went to Whistler for late season skiing) and then back to the hotel after we dropped the car and then from the hotel to the airport...with our luggage. So you can definitely ride it without luggage. The traffic in Vancouver was insane. It was worse than LA traffic. If a bridge closes, you are screwed.

 

[bumbershoot]

You *are* going to try to see the city, though, yes?

Remember that the airport is about half hour away from downtown Vancouver (the part I think of as Vancouver), so if you were going to see the sights you'd need to take some sort of transportation.

 

[Heard02]

That Fairmont is super nice!!!

 

[emilyann415]

You *are* going to try to see the city, though, yes?

Remember that the airport is about half hour away from downtown Vancouver (the part I think of as Vancouver), so if you were going to see the sights you'd need to take some sort of transportation.

Personally if just use the light rail. Cheap, clean, and FAST.

 

[Spart02]

I agree about using the light rail to the port from the airport. It's super easy, even with luggage. I also advise against renting a vehicle, as their vehicle break-in rates are very high there...I can tell you this from personal experience! We returned our rental (we rented from Seattle airport to the Vancouver airport), then took the light rail to our hotel which was located at the port. It was really easy and cheap!

 

[bcwife76]

Canada Line goes directly from the airport to downtown and it's easy, clean and efficient to use. Hopefully you will have time to explore Vancouver before or after your cruise, there is so much to see and do here!

 

[bcwife76]

Yes, the Fairmont is attached. You don't NEED a car if you want to explore Vancouver. There is a great light rail that goes from the airport right in to downtown for you to explore. We used it to go from the cruise terminal to our hotel and then to our rental car (because we went to Whistler for late season skiing) and then back to the hotel after we dropped the car and then from the hotel to the airport...with our luggage. So you can definitely ride it without luggage. The traffic in Vancouver was insane. It was worse than LA traffic. If a bridge closes, you are screwed.

Traffic is relative - LA has 10+ lane highways, Vancouver is not nearly as efficient (nor as BIG). We have 2 lane highways - if we had 8 lane highways leaving the city and/or Richmond traffic would be considerably better. Having said that I hate driving from the suburbs to downtown which is why I rarely leave my suburb lol My poor husband has a hellish commute. On a good day it takes him about 40 minutes to get to or from work. On a bad day - 90 minutes or more!

 

[xlxo]

Vancouver is a very compact city..... there are countless hotels to match your budget and location preference around the airport/cruise terminal. As mentioned CAN$35 (US$26) for a 30 minute cab ride really opens up your choices.

As a budget traveller (especially for multi-night stays to explore the bonus port)...

• Blue Horizon, Landmark, Delta Suites, Hampton (Hilton) downtown are my preferred downtown locations accommodations near the cruise terimal.
• Raddison Vancouver airport is my preferred choice by the suburb airport. Subway station is across the street for easy access downtown. Free parking for rental car for Whistler, Victoria (Vancouver Island) and Storybrooke.

Use Google Maps to assess distance and time to get around.

 

[coloradocutie]

As an alternative to staying at the airport, there is a lovely Fairmont Waterfront right across from the port. We landed in Vancouver, and just took the light rail (with two small children....it was very friendly and easy) and stayed at the hotel. The morning of embarkation, my 4 year old and I went out on the club level balcony and could see the ship arrive into port- and hear the horns . It was a lovely way to start the vacation. They transported our bags to the ship for us. Never rented a car and it worked out great for us. Enjoy your cruise!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Personally if just use the light rail. Cheap, clean, and FAST.

It is a mode of transportation!

I personally didn't much care for it when we used it for rock and roll half marathon event the other weekend. Didn't seem that fast. But we've had really decent experiences driving in (not from the airport but from WA) once we wrap our heads around the whole driving fast speeds through neighborhoods thing lol. I wished we had taken a cab while we were on the light rail.

 

[emilyann415]

It is a mode of transportation!

I personally didn't much care for it when we used it for rock and roll half marathon event the other weekend. Didn't seem that fast. But we've had really decent experiences driving in (not from the airport but from WA) once we wrap our heads around the whole driving fast speeds through neighborhoods thing lol. I wished we had taken a cab while we were on the light rail.

Wow...didn't mean to offend. Was just saying this SPECIFIC mode of transportation is what I would choose.

 

[birdmom]

Is the Pan Pacific Vancouver close enough to walk to the ship? Its about $130 a night cheaper then fairmont.

 

[bcwife76]

Is the Pan Pacific Vancouver close enough to walk to the ship? Its about $130 a night cheaper then fairmont.

The Pan Pacific is right above Canada Place. Should take you about 2 minutes to get downstairs the terminal

 

[birdmom]

Thanks for all the info, we are now looking into staying a day to check out the city.

 

[emilyann415]

The Pan Pacific is right above Canada Place. Should take you about 2 minutes to get downstairs the terminal

That's were we stayed before our cruise. HIGHLY recommend it. You can just leave your bags in your room and have bell services load them up and take them down to the ship. It's a beautiful hotel and the free bus that shuttles people to Grouse Mountain stops right outside.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

That's were we stayed before our cruise. HIGHLY recommend it. You can just leave your bags in your room and have bell services load them up and take them down to the ship. It's a beautiful hotel and the free bus that shuttles people to Grouse Mountain stops right outside.

Another vote for the Pan Pacific! We will be staying there again for our 8/2016 Alaska sailing. I also like your idea OP to stay the night and see/explore Vancouver as it's an amazing city!

Heather

 

[Augus]

We are going from Vancouver to San diego, August 2016. Plan to get there couple of days early to tour Vancouver, any other recommendation for budget place to stay.
Thanks,