Hi,

I’m looking for any recommendations of where to stay and what to do in Vancouver for a 3 day visit. I’m looking for somewhere central which will allow me to see what the city has to offer without needing a car. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

HH

Anywhere downtown should do the trick, since most of the things worth seeing are located very centrally in the city. If you're looking to save money you can go further east without really losing the ability to explore if you're within walking distance of a Skytrain station, since you can get a day pass and take the skytrain downtown. The day pass can be used on buses as well.

Is there any hotel you would recommend (or not)? I'm looking to pay about 100 - 120 a night. Is this realistic?

HH

It is tight, but it can be done with a bit of compromise.

Right in the heart of downtown is the Days Inn on West Pender. http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/contr...ng/check_avail If you don't know the Days Inn Chain they are standard quality. Not luxurious but serviceable. OK if you are spending most of your day out and about. This time of year you should be able to get a room in your price range.

A little further from downtown is the Sylvia Hotel. It has a wonderful setting on English Bay right next to Stanley Park. Lots of restaurants nearby and walking distance to downtown (there are also buses). The Sylvia is an older hotel and has plenty of character compared to the typical big hotel chains. http://www.sylviahotel.com/ The smaller rooms should be within your budget.

We stayed in a Holiday Inn on Broadway. Could walk into downtown area and into the hub, but plenty of buses will take you down to Granville island etc.
Cant remember how much it cost, but it was the cheapest we could find near to the centre. We had a room that overlooked downtown...magic! See photo taken from the balcony

Enjoy your trip.
http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/...bw/hoteldetail

Thanks for the great tips, I really appreciate them. Now other than Stanley Park & the Capilano Suspension Bridge what are the other must do's

Depends on the time of year you are visiting to some extent - are you coming this month? Winter? Summer?

Granville Island is def worth visiting, any time of year
Grouse Mountain - on a clear day (for sightseeing in the summer or wanting to ski in the winter)

If coming at this time of year there are prob good hotel deals to be had. When I first arrived I stayed 10 nights at the Inn at False Creek (in the Quality Inn chain). Nothing fancy but good value for money and a handy location for downtown and also Granville Island & the west side.

Enjoy your trip!

Arriving at the beginning of Jan 11. Not bothered about skiing as we will be having a week in Banff,

HH

I agree with this, stay here if you can - you won't regret it. Though only the bone idle would take the bus to downtown - it's not much more than a ten minute walk.

You could stay at the Hotel Patricia in East Hastings.
The homeless on the streets are harmless, and the hotel is tidy enough for about $50 a night.
It is the worst part of Vancouver so if you can handle it, you'll love the rest.
I wouldn't advise it if you've got kids or a fussy missus!

Bozo

Would not bother with Cap bridge, a tourist trap. Try Lynn Valley Canyon & Suspension bridge (the bus goes there). A park and much more natural surroundings and free.

Harbour cruise up to Indian arm, float plane ride to Victoria.

agreed Capilano Suspension Bridge is expensive Lynn Valley is just as good and free.

Sheraton Wall centre is a good hotel

Went to the Lynn Valley suspension bridge a couple of weeks ago. Well worth it.
If you get the chance, try and see a hockey match. The Vancouver Giants are good and not as expensive as the Canucks.

Good idea. The Canucks are the show in town. Tickets are expensive and hard to get but worth it for the experience. The Giants play out at the PNE (bus from downtown). They are a junior team, all teenage amateurs, but this is the best amateur hockey you will see anywhere in the world. They draw big crowds but as they play in an ex-NHL arena it doesn't sell out. Tickets from $18.

Rent a cycle. There are a couple of places at Denman and Georgia. You can cycle the seawall from Canada Place, around Stanley Park, around False Creek, past the Olympic village, past Granville Island, and all the way out to Spanish Banks.

The westin bayshore has rooms for $105 right now.