Where to stay in Vancouver, BC?

Question

My husband and I are going to be vacationing in Vancouver for a few days at the end of July. We are doing somewhat of a backpacking trip. Any suggestions for places to stay in the city? We want to stick to public transit and foot as much as possible (hoping to avoid renting a car altogether) so, we are looking for someplace central or near a lot of things. We are open to hotels OR hostels if they offer private rooms. Any suggestions on actual places or even just areas of the city would be very helpful. We've never been to Vancouver. Any and all info is welcomed and appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

this site will help you i promise check it out hellobc.com everything you need is there!

Answer 2

We lived at Comfort Inn in downtown. http://www.comfortinndowntown.com/defaul...

There were other hotels in the area for $39 a night but had a shared bath.

Answer 3

tourismvancouver  Bus pass $ 8.00  a day

Answer 4

Assuming BC Transit won't be on strike, it can involve a lot of waiting, but Vancouver is a gorgeous place so walking around is great.  Just stay on the west side and close to the water if possible.  If you can stay near the university area (they might have cheap private room dorms), from there it extends eastward to Spanish Banks, Jericho Beach, Kitsilano, bridges to downtown via Burrard St. and Granville St., the Granville Island and then you can take a ferry to other parts.  There is a youth hostel, but I'm not sure there are any private rooms.  It's on Jericho beach.  Try to pick up a copy of the Georgia Strait, a local paper with lots of restaurant coupons for 2 for 1 deals.  You could also send away for an Entertainment Book which will save you tons as Vancouver is a very gastronomic city.  The E. books are all cheap now (as the year if half over), something like $10 -$15 including shipping.  They have coupons for museums, the Granville island ferries, hotels, maybe even the Aquarium, and other stuff besides restaurants, too.  Downtown can be expensive around Robsonstrasse, but with the E book coupons, a lot of stores and restaurants are in them.  You have to try Chinese food at least once.  It's the best this side of the Pacific.  Just make sure that it's patrons are all Asian.  I heard of a baaaad experience, but my friend said there were only whites there.  Then, if you like Japanese food, try for one of the many "All you can eat" lunches, usually around $9.95 weekdays, a dollar more on weekends.  You just keep ordering a la carte until you're bursting.  

If you have a chance, try to get up to Whistler for the day.  It's a 2 hour bus ride, but the scenery is amazing, simply breathtaking.  There are a few shuttle busses that go there.  Just google it, I'm sure.  While safe, Vancouver is a big city, so keep your wits and wallets about you, esp. in Gastown and Chinatown, cool places but with some hot fingers.  People are generally very nice and rightly proud of their city.  Have a great trip!

Answer 5

I did the same as you a few years ago and stayed in North Vancouver 3 different times.  I like it there because the motels and restaurants are less expensive than right downtown, but its close enough that a quick bus ride or not so quick walk will take you to many of the tourist attractions (Capilano Suspension Bridge, Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park).  Lots of restaurants within walking distance.  Try Best Western Capilano Inn or Vancouver Lionsgate Travelodge.  (ask for best rate - they gave me reduced rates when asked)

Answer 6

Vancouver has many suburbs and the city itself is devided into 3 parts, downtown (north west), Vancouver South, south of the city.. and East, east of the city. Some suburbs are Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surey, New west minister, Langley, North Vancouver and West Vancouver and so on... Most times, just stay in downtown. More nightlife, great atractions, stanley park, musiom, art gallery, playland, and others.. Stay away from downtown East side because that's where all the drug dealers are. Vancouver East doesn't really have anything atractive, But to the east of Vancouver there's Burnaby where you can find Metrotown shopping centre and some lakes and parks for biking, picnicing, and other stuff... To the west of Vancouver you'll find water and great beaches for tanning. Many of the hotels can be found in Granvile. Expect to pay 100 a night for a 3 star hotel though, bed and breakfasts are cheaper, maybe around $50 or so. There are many great restaurants all over the city so you won't have problems with food. If you're on a budget, try buying food from local Chinese/Indian stores which are usually really cheap. If you want to go on the mountains, go to West Vancouver and you'll find the way. Public transit is great in Vancouver. Skytrain goes east wards in 2 directions. A third direction to south, airport will complete in 2009. Buses also almost go anywhere. Most buses in downtown have GPS so you'll know where you're going. Good luck.