Good quiet location close to Robson St, Harbourfront and Stanley Park.

Very friendly staff, great buffet breakfast where our kids (3yrs and 1yr) were made to feel most welcome.

Don't be alarmed by current reno's, just in the rooms (floors are closed) wouldn't have known there was any reno's happening if the hotel website hadn't mentioned it. There was no noise...however, we were a weekend stay. The rooms do need the upgrade, clean and comfortable just a bit dated, I hope the price stays reasonable post reno.

Pool is great! Not advertised but they have a kids play area beside the pool, a tree fort type of play set. Again made the place seem very kid friendly for a location I would generally think of as business oriented. Great workout facility too...right beside the pool and kids play area.

Would definitely stay again. Kid friendly atmosphere might have been due to weekend stay, perhaps Sun-Thursday there is more of a business crowd?

Pros: Right on the harbour in a great location. Lobby area, bar and gift shop were very nice.

Cons:
This hotel is undergoing major renovations to rooms so I'm not sure why we were put on the 14th floor (for two rooms) and then were later told they were doing construction on the high floors. We were all woken at 7 am to loud drilling and banging, it was awful!!! As my group wanted to stay in and have a lazy movie watching day, we finally decided to switch rooms to the 5th floor. The move was no problem and the bellman helped us, although it was annoying to have to pack everything up again. After switching rooms, we went to buy the movie and it said we couldn't charge. We found out that the front desk had accidentally switched our accounts backwards. Had to go down and give a credit card again. The front desk was friendly and apologetic, but I just don't understand why they couldn't have put us on a lower floor in the first place (the hotel was NOT sold out, maybe only 40% occupied). I would only consider to stay here again AFTER the reovation, as I saw the pics of what the new rooms will look like and I do think it will be fantastic.

TIPS: Do not self park--VALET, it is only a few dollars more a night and a whole lot less confusing.

The Renaissance Harborside was a big disappointment to our trip. It definitely does not live up to the other (full service) Marriott's I have stayed at in the past. I am using my reward points for this stay. One positive thing is that we got a Harborside view instead of a city side view (despite what the reservation says) - so its fair to say they upgraded me. Another good thing is that the gym&pool are 24 hours.

So - on to the ranting...
1) To our disappointment, the club lounge was closed for construction.
--a) We were issued vouchers for "nightly h'ordeurves" and "breakfast buffet"
--a1) The Club Lounge usually offer free unlimited food and drinks (bottled water, soda) for all registered guests. The one "appetizer" voucher got us ONE order of a "small item" from the menu at the "Coal Bar". And we even had to pay for the VOSS.
--a2) We love to relax and kick back in the club lounge - this "Coal Bar" was - well its a BAR - not really a relaxing and kicking back experience for us.
2) There was no room safe
3) The whole place has an odor.
--a) The entrance from the garage smells like a nursing home.
--b) The room, and even the hall ways have an overwhelming (fragrant) cleaning agent smell. (it doesn't necessarily smell BAD...its just always present and distinct)
4) There are 2 new high rises blocking the view of the harbor.(My room was on the 12th floor)
5) There was no complimentary bottle of water (usually ~20oz) in the room.

one word sums it up - OLD

I'm going to move across the street to the Marriott Pinnacle. At the very least their lounge is not closed.

I've stayed at the Renaissance in Vancouver twice now over the past two years and have always enjoyed my stay. The rooms are comfortable and clean and the staff is very hospitable. I love the indoor pool and hot-tub and the fitness center is very large for a hotel.

I've also always valet-parked my car since it is only $6 more ($25 / night) then self-park. Unfortunately, my girlfriend self-parked ($19 / night) and we found her car in the morning with a smashed window and stolen GPS. Both valet and self-park are in the same garage but I guess the valet level may be more secure or at least have more activity with the ins and outs of guests and staff. According to security, they experience at least one reported break-in per week since any one off the street can walk into the garage. There is only one security guard assigned to patrol multiple levels of parking. The hotel comp'ed our parking for the night (gee you think?!) and sent housekeeping with a shop vac to clean up the gas. They also sent maintenance to tape up the window (we are from Seattle so the car had to get back into the States for repairs) but he did such a poor job that the plastic blew off before leaving the city. So if you're headed to this hotel, either take your chances and valet park or see if the Marriott directly across the street has a more secure parking garage (I believe they have a locked gate).