The hotel's location is rather seedy and not at all inviting, but beyond
that the hotel itself was excellent.
The rooms were very comfortable and contained everything you may need, including
plush pillows and duvet for a good nights sleep, safety deposit box, microwave,
fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, television and clock radio, telephone,
hairdryer and even an umbrella!
The staff were very friendly and helpful especially in the White Spot Restaurant
situated next door, which offered excellent food at affordable prices.
The hotel offered an internet connection service in the lobby and provided a
free shuttlebus service during working hours, dropping you at any location
within the Downtown Vancouver area.
There was also a 7-11 grocery store just opposite the hotel - open 24 hours
which offered a good selection of groceries.
Vancouver itself is a lovely city, we would highly recommend you visit Stanley
Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain.
Oh! and if you have the time and wheels, why not take the ferry across to
Vancouver Island to visit Butchart Gardens and Victoria, you won't be
disappointed!
Tons of errors and mistakes were made, and it all started even before we
stepped into this hotel for our stay (you'll know what I mean later). First, we
tried booking the "taste of yaletown" package online....nothing worked, so we
decided to phone the hotel and book it directly over the phone. When we arrived
there for our stay, they told us they could not find our reservation!! Luckily
we've got our confirmation no. with us, and they finally was able to find the
record and give us a room. The package included breakfast and free parking, both
of which were not given to us until we asked for it and had to explain about the
package listed on their website (shouldn't they know better what they've put up
on their own webpage??). Internet connection in room was extremely bad...next to
nil (aren't I glad I wasn't there for a business trip!). Next, we asked for
their complimentary downtown drop-off shuttle to robson st. (mind you, it's only
single way...so u gotta find your own way to get back to the hotel)...and when
we asked for it, we had to put up with an unfriendly comment sounded with an
attitude: "oh, just so u know, Robson st. is actually within walking distance "
(OMG....duh!!!). I was so glad and relieved to leave this hotel the next day,
thought it ended there? NO....we later found out that they charged us twice for
that one night stay...how did it happen?? Guess what, they booked us for the
wrong date right from the beginning (after we've confirmed the date we wanted at
least twice during the booking on the phone )...so they ended up charging us a
"no-show" for the wrong date + the night we actually wanted and have stayed.
When we were disputing this with their staff, one of their front desk server was
giving me an attitude even before I started getting mad at them!! Is this how
you deal with your customers?
It was definitely the MOST TERRIBLE hotel experience I've ever had in my entire
life! oh, and btw, good luck with trying to email them...I had a simple,
straight-forward question that probably would've taken a few sec for them to ans...I've
received no reply or any acknowledgement after a week now....and counting...
I have reason to believe that they're selectively ignoring emails, what a great
way of treating customers!
I have only one complaint about the Best Western Downtown Vancouver. More
about that below, but first, the good -- and there's lots of it.
We were checked in quickly by friendly and efficient front-desk staff. My
colleague and I were assigned rooms in the same location on different floors. We
both had trouble accessing the (free) wireless internet, so the next day the
hotel cheerfully moved each of us to another room on the same floor.
The first room I was in was set up for business travelers, with one queen-sized
bed; a cordless phone by the bed; and a desk set up for working travelers, with
a phone and a conveniently located electrical outlet built into the desk.
Unfortunately, that was the room that was in a wireless dead spot. The second
room was bigger, with two beds and a kitchenette, but no business amenities.
The bathroom in each room was clean and quite adequate. The quality of the
towels reflects the budget rates (about $100 a night).
There is no business centre at the hotel, but the front desk staff were very
helpful and gracious about printing documents for me and doing some
photocopying.
There is underground parking, and also a free shuttle that guests can use to get
away from the somewhat seedy immediate surroundings.
And now, for my one major complaint: the only breakfast available in the
immediate vicinity of the hotel is at the White Spot that adjoins the hotel.
White Spot is a popular western-Canadian chain that serves an awful breakfast --
everything on the menu is bland, greasy and heavy, and there are absolutely no
palatable light options. We put up with it on four of the seven days we were
there, and each time the food sat in my stomach like a rock.
We didn't find any other breakfast spots for blocks around... until our last
day. Just on the other side of the bridge, at 2211 Grenville, is a great place
called Paul's Place Omelettery. It's open from 7 a.m., service is quick and
cheerful, and the food is way tastier and healthier. It's a little less than a
mile away -- a two-minute drive, or a 15-minute walk across the bridge.
My wife and I stayed here for five nights at the end of October 2008. We were
very pleased with the hotel and the standard of room! The facilities were
excellent, as were the staff who were always polite and helpful! The room was
great, two queen size beds with proper duvets on them, nice change! The room was
a good size as was the attached bathroom. The room was also very, very clean and
this standard was maintained throughout our stay by the cleaning staff.
Would definitely use this hotel again would happily recommend it to all!!!
My wife and I recently stayed here for 1 night prior to our cruise from
Ballantyne Pier. The hotel was very clean and well kept. It is right on
Granville Street which has numerous restaurants, shops etc. in case you need
something prior to your cruise.
Our room was small but extremely clean with a great view of downtown. The
rooftop sitting areas are a very nice added attraction.
The hotel was about a $10 CAD ride from the Amtrak station and about $15 CAD
from Ballantyne. They offered a shuttle but we decided to just ride alone.
|
