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Summary of reviewsThe Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown receives praise primarily for its prime location, making it an appealing choice for visitors looking to explore the city's main attractions. Situated centrally, the hotel is within walking distance of BC Place, Rogers Arena, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and a variety of restaurants and public transportation hubs. The neighborhood is described as safe and vibrant, providing a quiet yet accessible base for both leisure and business travelers.
Guests appreciate the hotel's cleanliness and comfort, particularly in the renovated rooms, highlighting friendly room service, clean beds and pleasant temperature control. The staff is generally lauded for their friendliness and helpfulness, creating a positive experience for many through their accommodating service.
The dining experience at the hotel has positive notes, especially for the Shark Club, which is praised for its good food and reasonable prices. Though Moxies, another attached restaurant, has seen mixed reviews and temporary closures, the overall dining options are satisfactory for many. Proximity to a range of other dining options in the city further enhances the experience.
The amenities, such as the pool, receive favorable mentions with particular appreciation from families for its child-friendly environment. Although ongoing renovations have occasionally impacted the availability of the pool, when operational, it is seen as a strong feature of the hotel.
However, there are areas needing improvement. Breakfast options received mixed reviews with guests noting the lack of a dedicated breakfast venue and the absence of complimentary breakfast. The gym facilities are often described as outdated and limited by inconvenient hours. WiFi connectivity issues are also a common complaint and parking, while appreciated for its security, is considered limited and costly.
Despite some less favorable feedback on room size, outdated décor and occasional cleanliness issues, the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown is appreciated for its unbeatable location and overall comfort, making it a suitable option for those attending events or exploring downtown Vancouver. Show more
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Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Located near Rogers Arena and BC Place, the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown provides easy access to various entertainment options. It is within walking distance of Gastown and Yaletown, each offering unique nightlife experiences. The hotel also has on-site dining at Moxies and Shark Club.
Accessible Hotel
Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown has two accessible rooms with wider doorways, grab bars by the tub, raised toilet seats, and a bath chair.
3-Star Hotel
This hotel is centrally located and provides easy access to theaters and downtown attractions. It features comfortable rooms and various recreational opportunities. The hotel provides a convenient base for exploring the city.
Hotel with Indoor Pool
Offers an indoor pool for relaxation and recreation. The hotel's location in downtown Vancouver provides easy access to various attractions and amenities.
Hotel near Ski Resorts
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Certifications:
Green Key Global (greenkeyglobal.com)
Answers last updated by our editors
Hotel for Honeymoon
Dog Friendly Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Indoor Pool
Hotel with Parking
Hotel with Gym
Small Hotel
Room Types
Standard Room, 1 King Bed, South TowerFree WiFi and cable TV are provided in this room. A work desk, coffee maker, and seating area are available. The private bathroom includes a bathtub, shower, and free toiletries.
Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Kitchenette, South TowerFree WiFi and cable TV are provided in this room. A kitchenette offers a mini-refrigerator, microwave, and dishware. A work desk and pull-out sofa are available. The private bathroom includes a bathtub, shower, and free toiletries.
Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, South TowerFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, heating and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Sofa Bed, South TowerThe spacious double room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath and a shower. The unit offers 2 beds.
Standard Room, 1 King Bed, North TowerOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, heating and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, North TowerFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 2 beds.
Queen RoomThe unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
6.8
Rated
Location
The Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown boasts a prime location that consistently delights its guests. Centrally situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver, it provides convenient access to major attractions such as BC Place, Rogers Arena and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. This makes it an ideal spot for those attending sports events, concerts or theater performances.
Guests appreciate the hotel's proximity to public transportation hubs, which simplifies getting around the city. It's just a short stroll to the cruise terminal, shopping districts and a variety of restaurants and cafes, including those on Robson Street. This accessibility makes the hotel particularly suitable for both leisure and business travelers.
The area around the hotel is described as safe and vibrant with a quiet neighborhood feel despite its central location. Some guests also mention the convenience of amenities such as a pool and on-site parking.
Overall, the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown is celebrated for its unbeatable location and easy access to everything downtown Vancouver has to offer. Whether visiting for entertainment, business or sightseeing, the hotel's prime spot ensures a convenient and enjoyable stay.
Breakfast
Guests of Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown have shared mixed opinions regarding the breakfast options at the hotel. While a few guests praised the varied and hot breakfast, others found the available choices lacking or even poor. The breakfast service is available downstairs in the pub or the Shark Club, although some guests noted the absence of a dedicated hotel restaurant for breakfast and pointed out that it starts relatively late at 8 am, making it less convenient.
Many expressed disappointment that breakfast was not included in the room rate and mentioned the absence of a continental or complimentary breakfast. Some guests felt that the menu needed an overhaul and mentioned a shortage of healthy options. Additionally, the limited operating hours and lack of breakfast service on certain days, such as public holidays, were also points of contention.
Overall, while there are positive remarks regarding the quality of the breakfast when available, there are significant areas for improvement, particularly in terms of variety, service availability and inclusion in the room rate.
Dinner
Dining at the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown offers a mixed experience with guests having varied impressions of the hotel's culinary options. Moxies, an attached restaurant, was praised for its quality and convenience, allowing guests to enjoy dinner within the same building. However, some reviews indicate disappointment with Moxies' service and food and its temporary closure due to renovations left visitors without their expected dining option. Despite this setback, the Shark Club downstairs garnered positive remarks for its excellent food and reasonable prices, making it a favorable alternative for hotel guests. The Shark Club's service also received commendations, although some guests noted the worn-out condition of its seating and tables.
Outside of the hotel's own dining facilities, the location was lauded for its proximity to a variety of restaurants and Chinatown, offering guests plenty of dining choices. With these options, despite some inconveniences, the overall dining experience at the Sandman Hotel remains satisfying for many.
Rooms
The rooms at Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown receive mixed feedback with strengths primarily noted in cleanliness and comfort. Guests often applaud the rooms for being very nice, clean, stylish and spacious. The renovations in some rooms are well-received, enhancing the overall guest experience. Many visitors highlighted the friendly and quick room service, clean and comfortable beds and pleasant temperature control.
However, some consistent issues were noted that indicate areas for improvement. Many rooms are described as very small with cramped bathrooms and a lack of modern amenities like refrigerators and microwaves. Some rooms suffer from maintenance problems such as loud air conditioners, malfunctioning heating systems and outdated decor. Several reviews mentioned cleanliness issues, including stained sheets, dirty floors and residual odors.
Despite these drawbacks, the location of the hotel, often visited for events like Canucks games at Rogers Arena, remains a significant advantage. The views from certain rooms and the proximity to local attractions add appeal. While the hotel’s older sections might require renovations, the new sections offer better-equipped, clean and modern rooms. Overall, the Sandman Hotel provides a satisfactory stay with comfort and service as strong points, although the small and outdated rooms may not justify the price for some guests.
Beds
Guests have had mixed, but generally positive experiences with the beds at Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown. Many reviewers appreciated the comfort of the beds, often describing them as very comfortable, comfy or cozy-clean. Several guests noted that the mattresses and pillows were super comfortable with some highlighting the softness of the sheets. Specific praise was given to the king-size beds, which were described as comfortable and spacious.
However, not all feedback was positive. A few guests found the pillows to be uncomfortable, either too stiff, high or thick, which resulted in neck discomfort. Some beds were considered too soft, too small or even hard by certain guests. There were occasional mentions of cleanliness issues, such as dirty beds and stained sheets.
In summary, while many guests found the beds at Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown to be quite comfortable and conducive to a good night's sleep, a few encountered issues with pillow comfort and bed firmness.
Cleanliness
The 'Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown' receives mixed feedback regarding cleanliness. On a positive note, many guests found their rooms to be very clean, comfortable and well-maintained. The cleaning staff was often highlighted as efficient, friendly and helpful. Some specific areas such as the pool and hot tub were noted to be clean and well-kept.
However, the hotel has numerous reports suggesting areas for improvement. Criticisms include instances of dirty carpets, stained bathtubs and mold in bathrooms. Some guests encountered rooms that had not been thoroughly cleaned with issues such as hair and old food found on the floors, as well as unpleasant odors. The decor was described as outdated and some parts of the hotel were seen as in need of a refurbishment.
Overall, while there are many positive remarks on room cleanliness and the helpfulness of the cleaning staff, there are significant concerns about the consistency of cleaning standards and the condition of some amenities.
Staff
Visitors to the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown have a lot to say about the staff, highlighting both positive and negative experiences. On the whole, the front desk and general hotel staff receive high praise for their friendliness and helpfulness. Many guests have noted how incredibly accommodating and pleasant the staff members are, particularly mentioning individuals like Sid and Paul who went above and beyond in providing exceptional service.
Efficient check-in processes and the polite demeanor of the cleaning and maintenance team were commonly appreciated. There were also specific mentions of staff being able to handle requests promptly and professionally, whether it was dealing with bags or handling late check-outs.
However, not all feedback was positive. Some guests felt that the staff could improve their communication, particularly during emergencies or routine inquiries. Instances were mentioned where guests felt the front desk and management were unresponsive or even rude. A few reviews also pointed out instances of staff making unnecessary comments, appearing uninviting or being unhelpful at times.
Despite occasional dissatisfaction, the overall sentiment towards the staff at the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown is one of friendliness and helpfulness, contributing positively to many guests' experiences during their stay.
Wi-Fi
Guests of the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown have shared varied experiences with the hotel's WiFi. While a handful mentioned that the WiFi worked great, the majority reported issues. Common complaints included spotty connectivity, slow speeds and frequent disconnections. Some guests also noted the absence of WiFi in their rooms or poor quality connections. Additionally, mentions were made of the lack of WiFi connectivity for the TV and the need for more broadband extenders to improve internet speeds.
Gym
The gym at the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown appears to present a mixed experience for guests. While there is access to gym facilities and a fitness room available, many have found the gym to be less than ideal. The primary concerns include the gym being old, unclean and extremely small. Additionally, guests have noted that the operating hours are inconvenient with closures occurring early in the day at 3 pm, on weekends and sometimes unexpectedly due to renovations. Despite having gym access, guests felt limited as these restrictive hours often prevented them from utilizing the facilities.
Pool
The Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown offers a varied experience when it comes to its pool amenities. Guests generally found the pool to be a valuable addition, describing it as nice, well-needed and even phenomenal, particularly praising the new pool and spa. Families were pleased with the child-friendly environment, noting that kids especially loved the pool. The hot tub and indoor pool, highlighted with large windows, were often mentioned as nice features, though some guests reported issues with the jets and the area being occasionally dirty or in need of more seating.
However, several guests encountered significant inconveniences due to ongoing renovations, which frequently led to the pool's closure, much to their disappointment. When open, the conditions of the pool varied with some guests finding it very clean and heated to a lovely temperature, while others noted problems such as rusting and dirty floors. The absence of a lifeguard and the need for more sun loungers were also pointed out.
Overall, when operational, the pool facility is praised and considered a highlight of the stay, but the inconsistency due to renovations has been a notable downside for some visitors.
Parking
Guests have mixed feelings about the parking situation at the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown. While some appreciated the availability of underground parking and the security it provides, many found the overall experience far from ideal. There were numerous complaints about the parking being limited, difficult to navigate and expensive with several guests highlighting the need to pay additional fees for parking. The check-in process for parking was often described as confusing and the stalls were noted to be small, making it tough for larger vehicles. A few mentioned that the parking garage could use better monitoring and cleanliness. Despite these issues, some did acknowledge that the parking was handy and onsite with a few guests mentioning free or discounted parking as positive points. Overall, the parking experience was a notable aspect that influenced their stay, both positively and negatively.
Nightlife
The Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown is an ideal spot for anyone looking to experience the city's vibrant nightlife. Located near Roger's Arena, it's perfect for those attending events and games. This hotel is a convenient choice with its proximity to stadiums, public transportation and various venues. Guests can easily explore a variety of bars and clubs just a few blocks away, making it a popular choice for singles and couples out to enjoy the city's party scene.
The surrounding area boasts plenty of good eateries, including a noteworthy Japanese restaurant and the ever-busy Shark Club downstairs, which draws in many guests. The hotel provides a lively atmosphere and bustling surroundings, proving to be a great base for night owls wanting to dive into Vancouver's nightlife. However, this central location comes with its challenges, such as potential hallway noise and occasional disturbance from housekeeping or outside activities. Despite these minor setbacks, the easy access to nightlife options and good service in local restaurants contribute to the overall attractiveness of the hotel for those looking to enjoy the city's evenings to the fullest.
3 Star
The Sandman Hotel in Downtown Vancouver offers a centrally located base for visiting the city's main attractions with many guests appreciating its excellent location and great views. Despite its classification as a three-star hotel, some reviews indicate that the overall experience may not meet typical expectations for this category. The building, which has a dated 1980s standard, is described as comfortable but in desperate need of repair.
Rooms are basic and while they provide standard amenities, some guests have noted issues such as cleanliness problems, including uncleaned hallways and carpets, along with hair on the bathroom ceiling. The hotel appears to lack some standard three-star amenities and inconsistencies in customer service have been pointed out with reports of rude staff and poor overall service.
Pricing is another concern, as many feel that the $250 per night rate is quite expensive, especially given the decline in value recently. This cost does not always seem justified considering the quality of the facilities and the level of service provided. The Sandman Hotel Downtown Vancouver presents a straightforward, no-frills option for travelers but may not fully align with everyone’s expectations for a three-star property.
Business
The Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown offers a strategic location for business travelers with easy access to key areas and events, making it especially convenient for those with professional commitments at Rogers Arena and other nearby venues. The hotel provides functional and adequately equipped rooms at a reasonable price, which suit the basic needs of business travelers. Facilities such as the business center and convention rooms support a productive work environment and the available amenities include Wi-Fi and computer access.
Despite its busy nature, the hotel manages to cater to the needs of guests attending meetings or participating in important virtual conferences. However, there are areas for improvement; some reviews mention unresponsive staff and a disorganized booking process. The hotel’s limited facilities, including the gym and smoking deck, may not meet the expectations of all travelers.
For those traveling with pets, the hotel's dog-friendly policy is a bonus. While the Shark Club's food receives high praise, online services for businesses booking on behalf of employees require enhancement. Nonetheless, the Sandman Hotel remains a viable option for business travelers seeking a centrally located, value-for-money accommodation.
Accessible
The Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown garners appreciation for its accessible and convenient location. Guests find it easy to access nearby shops, restaurants and public transport, making it well-suited for those with accessibility needs. The hotel is strategically situated close to stadiums and arenas like the Roger Arena, further enhancing its appeal for visitors attending events.
Provisions for handicap-accessible features are available upon request, showing the hotel's commitment to accommodating guests with disabilities. The transport links are also accessible, ensuring smooth travel within the city.
However, some guests pointed out the need for improvements, such as more handrails and additional elevators, to enhance overall comfort. Despite these minor setbacks, the hotel's location and accessibility features contribute significantly to a pleasant stay for guests with disabilities.
Indoor Pool
The Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown generally receives positive feedback for its indoor pool with several guests appreciating its cleanliness and safety. The pool and spa are highlighted as excellent facilities, providing much-needed relaxation after a day of exploring the city. Visitors also note that the pool is heated, enhancing the overall experience. However, there have been instances when the pool was closed due to renovations, which disappointed some guests who had hoped to use the facility during their stay. Despite occasional closures and reports of the pool being busy at times, the overall impression of the indoor pool is favorable.
Dog Friendly
Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown stands out for its welcoming attitude towards pets, making it a notable choice for travelers with dogs. The hotel accommodates pets with designated dog-friendly rooms and facilities. Guests appreciated that the staff and environment posed no issues for their canine companions. However, some concerns were raised about hallway couches emitting a strong odor of dog urine, suggesting room for improvement in cleanliness and maintenance. Despite this, the overall consensus depicts the hotel as a reliable pet-friendly option in the city.
Yes, Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Indoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown.
Yes, Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown.