May 13, 2010
We booked a double bed/harbour view room at this hotel through our Visa
reward program. The location was good and check-in was fast. Too fast it
turned out because when we reached our room it was facing the city. Back
at reception, the employee responsible for issuing the room was
apologetic, but her colleague was cold and a touch rude.
Our second try revealed a room with a harbour view (and even a
balcony).... and twin beds. This time we phoned reception and asked for
another room. Meanwhile we kept crossing our bags which where being
trolleyed about one step (or rather several floors) behind us. On our
third try we finally got the room we'd asked for (though this one had no
balcony and was strangely elongated due to the building's weird shape).
The bathroom was small but well appointed and clean, and the rest of the
room was equally spotless and tastefully done. We found the insulation
to be good (there were even two sets of windows) and the bed was very,
very large and comfortable, so we both slept well.
The hotel is centrally located and not too far from public transport
(though a bit far to walk with 4 large bags + 2 carry ons to the Canada
Line or Sky Train) and overall the staff were pleasant and friendly
(with the exception of the receptionist and one concierge). I'd probably
stay here again, though I prefer the downtown Fairmont with its great
location, lavish rooms and customer pampering.
Guest Review of the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside
Apr 29, 2010
My wife and I stayed here for a quick weekend getaway. Considering the
great deal we got through Priceline, the hotel was excellent. We arrived
three hours early, and when I asked them if they could check our baggage
in so we could tour around Vancouver, they did us one better and got us
room without delay.
The common areas were very clean and well-appointed. Where the hotel
loses clout with me is in the size of the rooms. For a four-star, it
seemed the rooms were very small, and the bathroom was downright
claustrophobic. The bed was very comfortable, though, and television
programming was plentiful (which was nice when we were taking a break
from walking around town). In-room coffee was very good. If you want
Internet, it is nearly $16 CAD per day! Which was tough, because I had
to do some work.
To summarize, though, the hotel was excellent for the Priceline bid we
put in. I would have been less thrilled if we paid the off-the-rack rate
of $170-200, given how small the rooms are.
Guest Review of the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside
April 15, 2010
Stayed at this hotel for 3 nights. Got a great deal on priceline. The
hotel itself was very nice, clean and the people were very helpful. The
city view room was clean and we got early check-in available because we
arrived in the morning at the airport and I called in to ask for it.
They were very nice to accommodate. Its in a great area, about a 10 min
walk to the closest train station and/or to Robson street. Great view of
the water if you're eating at the restaurant.
The only slight negative is that the bathroom, didn't have a lock or a
proper door. It was like a sliding closet door.
Guest Review of the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside
Apr 14, 2010
Very pleasant and helpful check-in. We had the room via Priceline but
there were no knowing looks or comments we sometimes get when we have
booked using the P/Line bidding system. We had a beautiful 16th floor
room facing the front of the hotel. Window opened okay and there was
very little noise from the street. Well appointed room, complete with
safe.
One thing we did notice was that there was only one bath/hand
towel/facecloth per person. Not a big deal as I am sure we could have
had extra if we had asked for them and they were very good quality
anyway.
Bed very comfortable. Room very quiet even though it was an adjoining
room and one of the nights there were people in the other room but
hardly noticeable.
Just as we got to the room there was an emergency announcement over
intercom made by the duty Manager advising us not to use elevators and
that we would be advised accordingly. Little nerve racking as we were up
on the 16th floor and then the emergency vehicles arrived. However, Duty
Manager made at least two more announcements keeping us apprised which
was reassuring. It was a false alarm but all the staff we very
reassuring and helpful.
Hotel itself is beautiful very spacey, clean and all staff we
encountered were friendly and helpful. Great deal for drinking at the
hotel itself as there is a different beer and wine special of $5 each
every day. Also, free computer use is available in the lobby.
Location was perfect, especially if you don't have your own transport.
Hotel is within walking distance to buses, cafés, restaurants and all
the local attractions. We even walked to Granville Island and though it
is a good walk we enjoyed it.
Guest Review of the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside
Apr 4, 2010
To me, location of hotel is 50% of the experience. The Coal Harbor area
of the downtown is one of the nicest areas to be in. Hotel has some
great amenities with plenty of great views.
If the price is right on price line, this is the perfect semi-luxurious
hotel.
This hotel bills itself as a 4 (and sometimes 5) star hotel depending on
which website you explore. In short, while decently renovated with good
cosmetics, all the renos in the world can't compensate for a complete
lack of soundproofing. We thought the lobby was adequate, the decor
interesting although not opulent. Our king sized room was sparkling
clean and had a very comfortable bed. The bathroom door was an odd
sliding arrangement designed to minimize door swing and thus allow a
king sized bed into a smallish room. That's where the good news ends.
The bathroom door affords no sound privacy which could be an issue for
friends sharing a room. A bigger problem is that hallway noise transmits
so directly through the main door that you would think the people in the
hall were standing in the room with you. Between rooms, conversations
can easily be heard and we were blessed by next door neighbors who let
their baby (after waking crying at 6 am as babies do) bang on a
recycling bin or something for the next 30 minutes at 6:30 in the
morning. This was not a muted sound. While the drumming stopped the
baby's crying, it started ours! Other friends stayed here and commented
independently on the same problem with noise and they had a problem with
their neighbors leaving the bathroom fan on all night ((presumably to
drown out hallway noise?)
.
Bar food and drinks are expensive relatively speaking, and service while
friendly was very slow. However, our friends had dinner in the
restaurant (we did not) and said the food was terrific and good value
for top dollar. We thought the continental breakfast was good quality
although toward the top end of expense. Service was better at breakfast,
speed wise.
You cannot beat the location of this hotel for easy access to shopping
and an inexpensive cab ride to good restaurants and thus my
recommendation at all, but the noise thing really is a large problem. If
you drive, take the valet parking at 40 dollars a day because finding
your way to the self park for 30 dollars a day (OK, 27ish) is a
challenge that you don't want to repeat in a city you don't know.
I would rate this hotel as a 3 star at most largely because of the noise
issue.
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