Reviews of the Carmana Plaza in Vancouver

June 15, 2011
I just got back from my trip to Vancouver where I stayed at Carmana Plaza. Thanks to fellow TA writers, I was led in the right direction to this affordable (for Vancouver) and spacious hotel.

Carmana Plaza is a great spot for people who want to be centrally located to a lot of fun things near Downtown and are not necessarily looking for the "standard" hotel experience. Carmana actually was even nicer than we had expected it to be. First off, the hotel staff were very helpful during our entire stay, and the room was both clean and well sized. I knew going in that this was an apartment style hotel, and was pleased to see that they had taken care to provide little details like plates, silverware, etc. I also appreciated that my request to be on the side facing the water was taken into consideration and accommodated (that side faces Alberni, which is also more quiet).
 

Guest reviews of the Carmana Plaza Hotel Vancouver
June 15, 2011
As other travelers have said, the grocery store *literally* across the street, Urban Fare, is a nice gourmet shop to bring home some food in case you would like to eat in. There is a separate dining area in the room with a table and chairs to better accommodate meals as well.

Carmana Plaza offers a bag check and has gated parking ($15/day) that is key-card access (as are the elevators), which offers an extra sense of security. That being said, we went out at night in the neighborhood and it felt perfectly safe. Also, one note about the parking - you have to enter from an alley that is between Alberni & Robson, and it is underground. Look for the Carmana Plaza sign.

I will definitely consider staying at Carmana Plaza the next time I'm in Vancouver. Go Canucks Go!

Guest reviews of the Carmana Plaza Hotel Vancouver
June 9, 2011
A number of my colleagues stayed here for a full week for a conference taking place at the Vancouver Convention Center, and I really liked the Carmana a lot.

Most of us were sharing the 2-BR standard suites with 3 or 4 to a suite. While the small bedrooms were tight for 2 people (two single beds, like twin beds), the living space was perfectly adequate and spacious. The balcony was really nice, and I also liked the fact that there were a number of windows you could open, both in the living area and in the bedrooms. Bathrooms were fine, nice, very clean. Kitchen space had everything you need, although the bowls were barely bigger than a paper plate.

The Carmana is also a great choice because it is between Robson Street and Georgia, which are the two main busy streets and Alberni is much quieter with a lot less traffic, particularly at night. There is a wonderful Urban Fare grocery store right across the street (think Canada's version of Whole Foods) where you can groceries, flowers, organics and they have a similar coffee bar and hot food counter like Whole Foods.

You can easily walk to the waterfront or convention center in about 10 minutes, and there are plenty of Shops and Restaurants within a very short walk. Lots of coffee places as well close by.

I also think the staff was great, very professional, courteous and helpful. Their concierge was also extremely helpful and friendly, with anything we needed including calling taxis.

It's about $35 CAD from the Vancouver Airport via taxi (20 mins or so), but the new Canada Line light rail is also about 3 blocks away and a lot cheaper, so if you don't have a lot of luggage it's a great alternative.

I would definitely stay here again in the future. A great hotel in Vancouver

Guest reviews of the Carmana Plaza Hotel Vancouver
June 3, 2011
This Hotel was a lovely surprise, so spacious. We arrived early from a cruise, and a room was available. This is a suite Hotel, so everything, even a little dining room, good kitchen, comfortable lounge furniture. Huge bed with quality bedding, and excellent pillows ,something often overlooked. Very clean. Across the street form a very good Deli/Grocery and Food outlet, and many other restaurants nearby. Minutes from Robson Street , and a short, very nice walk from the Harbor and Stanley Park. Porters so very helpful, and friendly, even offering cold water when we returned , after check out, to collect our luggage. The rates are very reasonable as well. We would recommend to anyone and return another time.

Guest reviews of the Carmana Plaza Hotel Vancouver
May 24, 2011
Stayed here for three nights and can't believe the value for money this place offers.
Rooms are apartment style with a small bedroom, bathroom, living room with floor to ceiling windows, fully equipped kitchen, a storage room and a small office type room with a desk. Now whilst it's not modern in styling, it is well looked after and spotlessly clean. Free wifi as well. Couldn't fault the room.
Last time we stayed in Vancouver we stayed at the Opus Hotel , which is a great (read better) hotel, but it's also more expensive and not in the centre of town. When we go back to Vancouver we will stay here for that reason.
Top tip. Book a premium room on the 29th and 30th floor or a Carmana room on the 31st floor. No matter what side of the hotel you are you will have a brilliant view. It's worth paying the few extra dollars to guarantee the view!

Guest reviews of the Carmana Plaza Hotel Vancouver
May 21, 2011
Make sure you call in advance to know exactly what you are getting. When I arrived I expected a two room apartment, but received a one-room instead. We changed to a two room but had to pay extra. The manager was very stern with me on the phone and hard to get on the phone. It took hours to get in touch with her and when I did she did not respect my situation or point of view.
I would not return to this hotel based on that as there are many other hotels with better amenities for the same price in the same area.
I was very upset during my stay. Communication between staff was bad as well.
The manager gave us our parking for free, but we had to wait all day to be refunded because when we checked out none of the staff knew about it.

Guest reviews of the Carmana Plaza Hotel Vancouver
Apr 19, 2011