Booked through Kayak search and Skoosh had the lowest rate of $94 plus tax. This was a terrific value as I checked with Marriott and their lowest rate was $209 plus tax. The hotel is situated a half block off Davie street, which is a major thouroughfare in the heart of the gay district. Walking the streets at night wasn't an issue as some have insinuated. Yes there are a few bars but this is not unusual for a large metropolitan city. Davie Street also offers many good restaurants and shopping galore. The hotel is clean, has a tour booth near the entrance. Checking in was smooth and quick. I traveled with a friend and we were provided with our own electronic keys. The suite was clean and had 2 queen sized beds which were quite comfortable. Studio had a mini fridge, microwave, stovetop, dishes, utensils and cleaning materials. The standard 27" TV had ample satelite channels, including TCM and ESPN, channels I enjoy watching! The hotel is totally non-smoking, has a nice whirlpool and an average gym with one treadmill, walking eliptical, free weights, mats and a 27" TV. Underground parking was easy to manouver although the daily parking rate of about $22 seemed steep. There is major costruction going on behind the hotel but since we stayed over a weekend this was not an issue. View from balcony was decent but only a small area of ocean could be seen.

I stayed at the Residence Inn for business for a few days. It was fine. Nothing special. But clean and safe. There is free internet which was good. The breakfast was very large but quality was just okay. Front desk staff were nice but I had a couple of requests that were never fulfilled. I forgot to bring toothpaste and I requested it twice. Once at the front desk and later called from my room. Through my whole stay they never brought me up any even though they said they would. Also I requested a wake up call and they didn't call me. Same thing happened to my colleague. Request a room facing the front of the hotel as I was facing the back and which looks onto very noisy daytime construction. Convenient location though. This hotel is fine for business or family trips but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for couples on a romantic getaway or for a luxury stay.

Can't fault the staff - all were extremely friendly keeping up the good name of Canadian service.

The hotel itself is tired, a bit dirty and freyed around the edges.

It's just franchisee under-investment, that experienced travelers will recognise along with the musty smell:

Room "kitchens" (bedsit style) look like they haven't been updated in 15-20 years, & the bathrooms maybe 3 years younger.

Despite possibly the largest/clunkiest head known to man, the shower trickles luke warm.

Rattling a/c, etc, etc,

Breakfast is big on the ubiquitous american sugary junk - waffles, multicoloured cheerios, doughnuts, plus the usual rubbery scrambled eggs, a few implausibly sized glazed apples, and some melon.

The main issue is the noisy lifts (or "elevators" for you americans) which ding so loudly on each floor they can easily keep you awake and you can even hear them coming from 4 floor floors away (they ding on your floor just in passing - regardless of whether the door opens).

Such things are normally trivial since a move away from the lifts usually means you can get some sleep. Not here though - even around the corner the lifts ding so loudly an frequently that they pose a constant irritation.

1234 Hornby is not a particularly useful address for handy access to anything much. There's a 7-eleven across the street but no decent food unless own-brand subs are your thing.

My work sees me frequent Vancouver city centre hotels frequently, and I have stayed in most hotels in the area. This hotel is very well maintained, has large functional well appointed rooms, a very good complimentary breakfast, a professional and cheerful staff, and is spotless. The kitchen area even has a dishwasher!! The only slight downside would be the location, which is a 5 minute walk from Robson St. however only 5 minutes the other way has you on the seafront walkway. Very highly recommended.