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.

Stayed here twice in September and most impressed on both occassions. Rooms clean, large and with well equipped kitchenette. Complimentary breakfast OK but more suited to North American tastes than to ours. The patio area outside the dining room for breakfast much appreciated by smokers (like me). Otherwise entire hotel is non-smoking. We had no problems with noise (in front rooms on both occassions)but some friends staying in back rooms complained about noise from nightclub. Hotel rates seem to be very variable depending on how you book. Would certainly go back again.

Vancouver is a beutifuly city. Only downside we found was the number of beggars in the CBD streets, more numerous now than in asian cities like Bangkok or Jakarta (and more aggressive).

We arrived tired after a 5 hour trip to Heathrow, a 9 +hour flight and a hair raising taxi ride, and the reception staff were friendly, welcoming and very quick to check us in, which was exactly what we needed.The lobby may not be as impressive here as some hotels I've stayed in, but it's quite homely and the fire makes it feel very cosy. Handy additions since my last stay 2 years ago; free internet access in the lobby and an online check in screen for your return flight.
O.K, the room decor is a little bland and in need of some updating, but our room was spotless and well equipped. My son particularly appreciated the first night bag of complimentary popcorn! The bathroom was gleaming, the towels were soft and fluffy and the toiletries of reasonable quality. The beds were very comfortable and I particularly liked the mountain of pillows!
Our room was serviced every day and maintained a very good level of cleanliness throughout our stay.
The complimentary breakfast is of variable quality; the fruit is usually very good, as are the baked goods and there is a very wide variety to choose from. A nice touch: the waffle irons and pots of batter for you to prepare your own fresh waffles every morning. Unfortunately, the hot food can be a bit hit and miss, but there's plenty of it and the eggs and hash browns were good every morning. We only used the restaurant on one evening but the meal was tasty and the waitress very polite.
The greatest asset of this hotel for me, continues to be its staff. Everyone we met was cheerful and prepared to go out of their way to be helpful. Every time we came back from a trip, one or other of the reception staff would greet us with a smile and a "Have you had a good time? Where have you been today?"
I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again when I am next in Vancouver.