Hotels

The Vancouver hotel business has seen a lot of activity in recent years. The building boom associated with Expo '86 was followed by a flush of new hotel construction and renovation in the late 1990s right up to 2003, when trendy Opus opened in Yaletown.

Most of the hotels are in the downtown area or in the West End. Central Vancouver is small and easily walkable, so in both of these neighborhoods you'll be close to major sights, services, and nightlife. Downtown -- which includes Vancouver's financial district, the area around Canada Place convention center and cruise-ship terminal, and the central shopping-business area around Robson Square -- is buzzing during the day but pretty quiet at night.

One thing to keep in mind when booking a room is that downtown hotels on south Granville Street (the Best Western Downtown Vancouver, Howard Johnson Hotel, and the Ramada Inn and Suites) offer a central location without the high price tag, but the area they're in is not very attractive and is a prime hangout for panhandlers. It's not dangerous, but you shouldn't book there unless you have a reasonable tolerance for the tattooed and the pierced. This portion of Granville is also home to a large concentration of bars and clubs. Be prepared for noisy revelry, especially on warm summer Friday and Saturday nights. This area is now on the path to gentrification, and in a couple of years will no doubt be considered trendy.

The West End is green, leafy, and residential, a neighborhood of high-rise apartment houses, beautifully landscaped streets, and in close proximity to Coal Harbour, Stanley Park, and the best beaches. While downtown gets quiet at night, the West End starts hopping; dozens of restaurants, cafes, and bars line Robson and Denman streets.

You'll also find a couple of hotels and some lovely B&Bs in great old houses on the West Side of Vancouver, the area south of False Creek on Granville Island and in the Kitsilano neighborhood. Staying in "Kits" can be fun because it's a complete neighborhood unto itself and has its own hangout spots on 4th Avenue and around Kits Beach.

Remember that quoted prices don't include the 10% hotel room tax, the 7% provincial accommodations tax, or the 6% goods and services tax (GST). And remember, too, that we list the rack rates: the rates you would receive if you walked in off the street and requested a room. By checking the hotel's website, you'll almost always be able to find lower rates, including special "romance packages" and weekend getaway specials.

Reservations -- Reservations are highly recommended June through September and during holidays. If you arrive without a reservation or have trouble finding a room, call the Hello B.C./Super, Natural British Columbia hotlines at tel. 800/435-5622 or 800/663-6000. You can also book a room by going to Tourism Vancouver, 200 Burrard St. (across from Canada Place), or by visiting their website www.tourismvancouver.com.

Fido-Friendly Hotels

Vancouver is one of the dog-friendliest cities in the world. Nearly all downtown and West End hotels allow you to check in your canine companion, usually for an added daily charge of C$20 to C$25 (US$17-US$21/£9-£11).

Bed & Breakfast Registries

If you prefer to stay in a B&B, the following agencies specialize in matching guests with establishments that best suit their needs:

Beachside Vancouver Bed & Breakfast Registry, 1180 Renton Place, West Vancouver, B.C. V7S 2K7 (tel. 800/563-3311 or 604/922-7773; www.beach.bc.ca), specializes in high-end B&Bs in the Lower Mainland.

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Maps

• Where to Stay in Downtown Vancouver

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria 2008 Author: Donald Olson Pub Date: December 26, 2007 Price: $17.99				Related Titles: Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies For Dummies, 2nd Edition Frommer's Algonquin Provincial Park, 2nd Edition Frommer's Banff & Jasper National Parks, 3rd Edition