Hi,
Not sure whether it is a right place to ask, but would like to get any help
Going to be in Vancouver for 8 days late March. Main purpose is tourism - explore the city and around.
First - looking what is the best location to stay?
Find a good deal not far away from Marine station - is it good located?
What about bike rent - how easy it? What are an options?
Regarding must see/ must eat/ must buy - starting my research - so any advice here will also be valuable.
Thank you in advance and apologies if this is not relevant to the group.
BTW - if there is other dedicated group - will be glad to know also!
UPD: thanks all of you for great suggestions and recommendations!
The accommodation is reserved.

Downtown is expensive..... depending on your budget you can stay econo in outter areas and skybus in... great places to eat and shop are everywhere depending on your style and taste...Metrotown, Pacific Center for shopping.... Gastown, Stanley Park and Chinatown are a must! Lynn canyon for a hike...... a day trip or overnight stay to Whistler might be something your intrested in.....depending on what your looking for in a holiday... The Okanagan valley is 3 hours away and offers great wine....beaches, food and shopping too.... B.C has a lot to offer.... depends on what you are intrested in...

Beer / Wine escape are great
hiking not this time. Nature, architecture, food are the main interests during this vacation.
Shopping - mainly for my 3 yo daughter (toys / wear) and some unique hand-works for household. possibly some casual for me / my wife.
Food - Asian and Europe style - heard about great sushi in Vancouver. But I am not too pampered.
Based on your recommendation - I see also one more hotel deal in Gastown (Budget Inn Patricia Hotel)which is about 150 CAD more expensive for 7 nights stay than a Marine station area (which also breakfast incl.) - should I prefer the Gastown or Marine is well placed enough?

Marine could be Coal harbor or Richmond? Very different locations.....

Lori the one on Richmond border

Don't stay at the Patricia hotel. It is not a neighborhood for tourists. It's the downtown Eastside, an area of homelessness, etc.

Gastown site would put you in the city....but certain it be 'just' a place to sleep......Richmond by skytrain is a 15 min ride..... have you looked at airbnb or VPTS? Might get you closer to the action and be economicail too

Lori I do - the least expensive option there (airbnb / VPTS) much more expensive than Richmond area. I found there 7 nights breakfast incl. tax incl. for less than 400 CAD
But no cancel or change possibility - so once ordered - pay it all or stay it all
this why I try to check before reservation

I'd recommend Granville Island for unique shopping. Check the public market and the numerous artist studios around the island.

As for places to eat, there's alot of good options, at every price point and cuisine. I'd probably recommend you peruse one of the more prolific local food bloggers.
http://www.followmefoodie.com/
http://www.shermansfoodadventures.com/

As for bike rentals, there are the city's "mobi bikes" located in and around downtown. Easily available everywhere but you need to register to use them.
There are numerous bike rental shops near Stanley Park and Granville Island, most charge about $9-10/hour for the first 3 hours. There may be a additional charge to rent a bike helmet.

You'll be fine staying at Marine Gateway - the Canada Line will take you right downtown in 15 mins and it will be quieter (and obviously cheaper as you said) than staying in the city centre.

Look at Groupon for discount coupons for activities. Granville Island Market is great and there's a kids Market too, and the local brewery for craft beer.

I took a look on Groupon previously but not find Vancouver in a city list.. is there any deal for Vancouver?

Staying At metrotown i s a good hub and easy access to skytrain to downtown. Holiday inn expess.

BC means Bring Cash you ll need lots of it

North Shore! Take a waterfront hotel (older one) in North Vancouver Lonsdale Quay. This way you have an easy access to Downtown (seabus 10 min), bus connection to everywhere in North Vancouver (Grouse Mountain, Capilano suspension Bridge) and West Vancouver (beaches). Cheap and fun eating : Lonsdale Quay and Lonsdale corridor. Bike rental - after 10 min seabus, you can rent a bike in downtown to bike in beautiful Stanley Park. You will be amazed how extraordinary Vancouver is!

This is a great suggestion

North Vancouver is definitely a better option than Marine Way!!

If you can make it to squamish for the day on way to whistler you take the coast route amazing scenery and go up to the sea to sky gondola! Just dont eat there expensive! Pack a lunch. For accomodation i would just google all the sights midweek to see if you can get a good deal.

Thanks for pointing for some good ideas!
I see a lot of recommendations for Whistler - will check it!

I just did a quick check on booking dot com and the Buchan Hotel is available at a reasonable price. It's in a great location on a residential street in the West End a couple of blocks from Stanley Park and Denman & Robson (tons of restos). Good reviews on tripadvisor. Good resto in the basement of the hotel too.

It's a great place- a classic!

Buchan is sold out for my dates

I know a nice air b&b in Port Moody that's just a couple min walk from the sky train. Have you checked there?

Seems as no, can you send me the property page?

Checked the location now - it seems to be far than Richmond, isn't it?
How long it takes by sky train to DT?

No brainer as to where to stay...Sylvia Hotel. Steps away from Stanley Park. Food, Seawall, bike rentals nearby as is the Canada Line for quick easy access to Marine Sta and Airport.

Richmond is too far away from the downtown core. Stay out of the downtown east side hotels (Gastown is near there). Instead, stay near Stanley Park, Robson Street, Coal Harbour if you want to stay downtown. You will find it easier to navigate the city if you are situated downtown.

Sylvia sold out for my dates

keep in mind for next time

An air bnb in Yaletown may work for you.

Exactly! Found some options there for quite reasonable price. Not reserved yet though...

Personally I would go with VRBO...

I got an awesome deal on hotwire. Might be worth checking.

Interesting! Can I trust it will be private room with private bath facilities? Price/location make me think it will be kind of hostel with shared facilities dorm

Come to Port Moody - you can get here on sky train - we have 4 cottage breweries
all along Murray Street

Check out rates at the Empire Landmark Hotel in Robson Street.

Check Pinnacle at the Pier Hotel in North Vancouver. It's a newer waterfront hotel, 4 stars, only $169/night in April. Close to Lonsdale Quay market and other North Shore attractions (Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain, Lynn Canyon). You can get to downtown in about 15 minutes by Seabus (Public Transit ferry), which is a beautiful ride.
There's also Lonsdale Quay Hotel which is only $95 a night. Same neighbourhood. Also waterfront. It's a bit older though (1980's).

Kitsilano - Executive House Perfect location West 4th & Alma -- steps to the beach & West 4th Avenue -shops, cafes, restaurants, bus to everywhere -downtown, skytrain, Granville Island, UBC, etc Affordable self-contained & self-catered suites 1 & 2 bedroom https://www.vrbo.com/469995#
VRBO.COM
VRBO.com #469995 - Luxury Two Bedroom Suite Plus One Bedroom Bonus Suite!! Three Bedrooms Total.

I agree w person who suggested Sylvia hotel. Best location in Vancouver

Whistler is a must go in this month. With the late snows in early spring.

Hi Daniel. For restaurants, here are a few recommendations: Carderos, Rodney's Oyster Bar, The Flying Pig, Miku, Chambar, Calabash Bistro. If you go to Whistler, I love the Red Door Bistro. Have fun!