BEST WESTERN PLUS Sands, Vancouver

September 11th, 2008 - Arrived YVR from Korea and checked into the Sands for annual 2-3 week vacation stay (6 years running). With my parents' home one block away, the Sands had been my "home away from home" since university days. Admitted to Vancouver General Hospital on Sept. 21st, 2008 with upwards of 200 insect bites (bed bugs it turns out). Hotel turns down all reasonable compensation requests. Check out Sept. 27th and return to Seoul. Still forced to pay for half the stay. After being prodded by Best Western International head office, I received a "letter of apology", which actually stated they were innocent and I was the cause, and that I was lucky the hotel didn't "quarantine" ME in my room after I reported the infestation to them. I Flew back to Asia covered in lesions which are still taking forever to heal and disappear. Once there I discovered via the internet that this place has had multiple complaints of bed bug or flea bites in the past, but obviously nothing has been done to remedy the situation. Reception staff and minor managers are obsequiously pleasant and friendly (dripping with it), but obviously insincere. Day managers are without any real authority as it was the owner/operator who declined all reasonable arrangements for compensation that had in fact been made with said "minion" managers. At no time did he meet or even speak with me personally regarding the matter. Just vetoed settlements that had been made in good faith and with good will. Owner/operator "Craig Prystay" and his bed bug, flea bag, "pet friendly", "scum bag friendly" MOTEL now deserve to be located in East Hastings. NOT in a prime location such as English Bay / Stanley Park. If you get sick there as a consequence of their infested accomodations..... don't tell them!.......they'll threaten lock you in your room under quaratine. What hospitable, wonderful people! Place has become a dump, but they charge reputable HOTEL rates (this is just a MOTEL, and a shoddy, antiquated one at that). NEVER stay there. Sincerely, Alek (Canadian expat, living and working in Seoul for 6 years).

We spent 3 days here and the location is awesome. We had great views of english Bay and got great photos of the sun setting over the bay. The tour buses run close by, there are lots of restaurants nearby. My husband didn't realise that he had acidently left a piece of computer equipment there. I phoned and the hotel had found the equipmnet and sent it home to us within a few days A great place to stay. Only complaint is it is a bit noisy and the beds could be more comfortable

It was VERY loud because of the Pub directly underneath the hotel. They play their music very loud and have karaoke almost every night. I would only recommend this hotel if they get rid of that Pub.

I loved this place because I had the opportunity to shoot a shortfilm here. The owner cares a lot about the customers and he was more than happy to treat my crew us as future customers. The location is just by the sea! The rooms are very clean and comfortable. The people working there are also very nice and are willing to help you at any moment. Same is with the Restaurant of the hotel. Everybody who comes to this place won't be dissapointed. I give this place 5 stars since it was difficult for me to find a place with this kind of service.

I found the hotel overpriced for the shape it's in. Small, old bathrooms - the door wouldn't shut, the fan didn't work. The staff was friendly though. Location is good. For the price, we would not stay there again - I would expect it to be more updated for what they charge.