Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

Hi,
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I'm just finalising things (hotel, hire car etc.) for my 'landing' and 'recce' trip in February of next year for 2 weeks. and was hoping someone could help me in a few things.Â
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We are arriving in Vancouver and spending a couple of nights there before moving onto Penticton for 2-3 days (where we are staying with friends, onto Kelowna for 2-3 days before finishing off in Vernon for the rest of our stay. We've never been to BC before but seem to have settled on living in Vernon/Coldstream from the research we have done.
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I want to obviously stay in decent hotels but not pay through the nose ! This is for 2 reasons. The first is to obviously keep the cost down as much as possible and the second is to get my wife to enjoy it as much as possible as she has gone off the boil a little with regard to emigrating ! We also have 2 boys so any hotel with a pool etc is a bonus :)
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My questions are
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1.   Where to stay in Vancouver ? I realise we only have 2 days but would like to 'see the main sights' as much as possible whilst we are there. Do we stay in the centre, outskirts etc.
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2.   Is it worth getting a hire car for the small time we are in Vancouver or use public transport ? How far is the airport to the centre? My eldest would like to see Vancouver island also.
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3.   Where to stay whilst we are in Kelowna & Vernon.
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Any help would be great so I can get things booked and confirmed now and hopefully get a better price than last minute :)
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Thanks in advance.
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Cheers

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

We stayed at the Sandman for two nights in October, which was OK, if fairly basic. It has a pool. Good position and right next to the Canucks' home stadium if you want to catch a game. A hockey game would be great for the family - Canucks are really expensive, but if Vancouver Giants are playing they are much cheaper - fab night out for your two boys, real family entertainment.

We got a taxi from the airport - figured if we had just endured a (as it turned out) 10 hour flight and with the landing process to get through (took friends four hours, took us 45 mins), it might be the better option. You can get a train.

Couple of years ago we stayed at the Holiday Inn in Howe Street, which was lovely. Nice pool, lovely restaurant (think kids ate free?), great location, right near art gallery and Robson Street. Staff couldn't be more helpful. I really liked that one.

In October we booked out flights through Canadian Affair and they sent us an email offering hotel and car hire deals, so we got The Sandman for £50 per night (around half price) for family room (4 people). I would imagine it's cheaper in Feb.

We didn't bother with car hire for our two nights in Van (one of which was spent pretty jet-lagged anyway). We used taxis and picked the car up the day we left the city and moved on.

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

stay in the centre .... as noted about 40 mins to downtown in a cab or you can the Canada Line for about 25 mins.

Tranist is good in the city and its also very walkable. ....dont get a car

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

If you are staying in Downtown Vancouver,and you decide not to hire a car, definately get the Canada line rather than a taxi as it is quick, efficient and cheap !!! :thumbup:

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

If it is a clear day he can, though clear days in February can be a bit hit or miss.

Agree about staying downtown. Take the Canada Line. You don't need a car.

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

If you only have 2 nights in Vancouver, I reaqlly wouldn't waste time going to Vancouver Island. Don't get me wrong - it's beautiful (I chose it myself), but it is 45 mins - 1 hour from downtown to the ferry terminal. THen it's 1hour 35 mins on the ferry itself. Then it's at least 30 mins (depends on traffic etc) to downtown Victoria by cab. Much as I love to sing the praises of our wonderful Island, hand on heart, if it was me I'd be "doing" Stanley Park, The Aquarium, Chinatown, Grouse Mountain (over-rated) etc etc.

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

Hi


With 4 people taxi would be cheaper to downtown. 2 zone fare plus $5.00 add fare from YVR 2 adults 2 children would be $32.50 while a cab would $30-$35

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

grouse mountain is not over-rated. If it's a clear day...do it, it's worth it for the views alone.

I'd also add granville island (kids will love it), Gastown, have a wander down coal harbour and down to English Bay...aquarium if weather is bad...

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

The ferry ride is worth it on it's own if it's a clear day - especially once you get to active pass. Though doing it in february might be a bit chilly..

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

Depends on luggage + people and how far your journey is at the other end. I'd only take the Canada line if I was on my own and was travelling light. Otherwise I'd spend the $40 on a cab.

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

Grouse Mountain is fabulous. More to do in the summer, but well worth a visit year round. Went up there few weeks ago the day after the first snow of the winter. Always breathtaking.

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

Thanks everyone for the quick and good responses :)

So the beginning of the recce is sorted and coming together - taxi from the airport to Sandman hotel, a giants game the night after we arrive (my youngest plays hockey so that's a great idea!), grouse mountain and possibly the aquarium during the day.

Just need to donuts same for Vernon and the couple of days in Kelowna and I'll be a happy man - and hopefully the OH will be 'warming' to the idea again. Hehe

Thanks again and keep the ideas coming. It all helps.

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

By the way, when we first went to Grouse Mountain we did it on public transport. Walked to the sea bus terminal, crossing, bus park at terminal on other side and bus up to base of Grouse Mountain where you get the cable cars. Very pleasant journey (but it was August!).

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

I suppose you're all right. Grouse Mountain is worth doing - at least once. The last time we went up it was early December before the Olympics (my pic is from the very place!). It was cold, the bears had hibernated, Santa was on a fag break, we were tired, the snow was too cold, the sun was too bright and I stood next to a "gentleman" who spent the whole gondola ride up clearing his throat and smelling faintly "odd"; oh, and for a family of four I think it was close to $100.

I have to admit, the first time we did the trip to the top, it was just the two of us - 10 years earlier. We drank hot chocolates, took pics, gazed into each others eyes etc etc. A rather different experience to "are we there yet? How much further? I need a wee!" so I guess my last experience probably isn't being entirely fair on the mountain - sorry....

Re: Accommodation and questions on BC recce
 

Ha! This made me laugh - I know where you are coming from!

Actually, it's true. If Animal is going in February there will be no bears. Suppose chairlift will be open for the skiers - closed when we went in Oct. It's a good idea to ask at the kiosk what is actually open before forking out the considerable dosh. But those views ... aaaah.