Vancouver Hotel Tips by ChadSteve1975

Lets make 1 thing clear. When you stay at a hostel you're there just for a bed. Hostels offer cheap accommodation of reasonable quality.

The staff here I found friendlier and more approachable than hotel staff. They were able to provide practical information for me, a budget traveler. In fact hostels are often much more useful sources of information because often the staff are travellers themselves.

The rooms are just a bed and a really decent locker. It is reassuring knowing that your stuff is safe when you leave to explore the city.

Security to get into the building at night is good adding to personal safety confidence. The area is not the best with homeless people littering the street at night. But this is Vancouver so it's not unusual. But this is the BEST located hostel in Vancouver. Right in the middle of the city. Walking distance to most downtown attractions, and on the clubbing strip.

Please not that the kitchen is not as complete as other hostels. For long stayers who want an oven and stove please consider the HI Downtown.

As of my most recent stay in Nov 2006 they were completing further renovations. I noticed they're putting new carpets in some rooms. This hostel is immaculately clean and maintained.

They also arrange heaps of activities like a pub crawl, nature walks, hockey nights, ice skating. All good opportunities for the single traveller to assist meeting others.

Unique Qualities: The place has a nightclub below so try to stay in the upper levels 3 or higher.

Most of the rooms are 4 bed dorms with multiple individual showers and toilets located on each floor. Yes I repeat individual bathrooms. A hosteling rarity and luxury.

A bed in a Dorm costs $25CAN a night in the low season. A few dollars more if you're not a member, or arrive during the summer.

Look out for Stay 7/ Pay 6 night discounts available, or look to special introductory 7 night package if you're starting a working visa.

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Theme: Hostel
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 6046855335
Address: 1025 Granville St, Downtown
Directions: On the main clubbing street in town.
Website: www.hihostels.ca

The Sandman Hotel is the launching pad for many tour groups from Vancouver including the tour I did.

The Sandman has decent rooms and a great bar downstairs which rocks on Fridays and Saturdays. The fact they didn't pump it up on a Wednesday night when all was quiet except for our tour group did not destroy the night.

Location next to the Stadiums was perfect.

Unique Qualities: The pool and spa on the 4th floor were a great diversion to relax in. It's other peoples loss that they did not feel the urge to take advantage of these amenities.

The lifts are unfortunately a downfall of the building. There are insufficient lifts for such a busy short stay hotel. With so many overnight stays and tour groups it means there are always people checking in and out increasing the traffic flow.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 180 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B4P4
Directions: Towards the Gastown side of Downtown just a few blocks away from Granville and Robson St.

I stayed in the dorm accommodation of the Samesun Hostel.

Doom rooms are very cramped if you've got all 4 beds occupied. They attempt to mitigate this problem by offerring limited storage lockers in the hallways on every floor.

Beds in the Dorms are $24 a night inclusive of tax (Current as at Mar 2007 low season) or if you want to commit to a week $140.

Breakfast provided is Pancakes. Which consists of ready to cook pancake mix, and maple syrup.

The hostel has its own bar underneath which has cheap beer, and some cheap food. Although the special is somewhat lacking sometimes, I highly recommend the normal menu for value. Beauty of the bar is that it closes at 12pm so one can get some sleep if you're staying on the lower level.

Unique Qualities: The hostel is located right in the nightclubbing area of Vancouver, Granville St.

The living area of the hostel has a pool table. Very valuable item for those wishing to meet new people or just escape from the dorm room without leaving the hostel. In addition the tv room has one of the best set ups I've seen in a hostel. They hold a special movie night each week.

In comparison with the HI Central across the road I would not rate this hostel as high for the quality of the rooms, the free breakfast, and most importantly the shower facilities. However the HI does set a high standard for the breakfast and has individual shower rooms which are well maintained. This hostel has a younger crowd vibe, and more social atmosphere in the common area. One problem though with common area is seating space, and ports to power up the laptops.

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Theme: Hostel
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Address: 1018 Granville St, Vancouver
Directions: Accross the road from the HI Vancouver Central. Next door they have The Cellar Nightclub, and on the corner Doolin's Irish Pub