Howard Johnson Hotel Vancouver Downtown

The location is near Granville Island so it is a long way to walk if you are going to the Waterfront VCC. Take the bus for $2.50. Walking maps are provided and a bus stop is just to the right as you are leaving the front doors. The hotel refused to offer professional membership discounts if not booked directly through them. This is a bit more run down section of town and there is more noise. For security, room keys have to be used for the elevators. I was surprised to be asked for a credit card hold or $200.00 cash for "incidentals". This concerned me because the bathroom floor tiles were already loose from there not being an adequate shower/tub curtain. I had to ask to have the drain unclogged the first day and then the tub seal wouldn't hold water well after that. Internet use is by login/pswd which can be obtained at the front desk but sometimes connections are intermittent.

The best thing about this hotel is its location and proximity to public transit, the downtown area, convention center, and lots of small eateries. When I arrived my room smelled vaguely of sewage and bleach and though the smell dissipated in my room (or maybe I just got used to it) I was assaulted by it every time I ventured out into the corridor. The room itself was small and though I asked for one bed I got a room with two and couldn't easily access the closet. WiFi is available at no extra charge and the staff were very accommodating about giving me an extra access number for multiple wireless devices. Staff was also good about giving directions and recommendations and even called a cab for me when I was headed to the airport. My room was fronting the street and it was a bit loud on one weekend night after a Canuck's game was broadcast. It's a lower-end hotel in a very lovely city but even though it was affordable and available in a pinch I don't think I'll be staying here again.

When we arrived at hotel and checked in, I immediately went to front desk and told two counter people that I wanted a chair for desk in my room. I was told that "basic" unit - which was $25/nite more than cheapest - did not come with chair: if I wanted chair, I must upgrade and pay $30/nite additional. Not good service. And not true: at end of stay, when I complained again, was told "of course room comes with chair". I chose HoJo because no surcharge for wifi in room, while many others add $13-16 per nite extra. Rooms in Vancouver are tiny compared to Vegas, only other hotel venue I frequent. If you spend little time in room, it's ok. If you plan on working there, I'd recommend someplace else.

For a hotel in a convenient area of downtown Vancouver, the Howard Johnson in Downtown Vancouver was a great value. Clean room/facilities, very nice and accomodating staff, good restaurant right next to lobby.