I stayed here to attend Institute of Industrial Engineers conference in the Westin Bayside hotel (15-20 minutes walk away, and more expensive). Overall experience very good. Room large, clean, comfortable bed, quiet (I was on 3rd floor overlooking parking lot, I never did bother to wheedle for room with nicer view, since I was hardly in room except to eat or sleep). Notwithstanding other reviews, I did not feel bathroom was too small. Since room has small refrigerator, I was able to save money by buying food at nearby supermarket on Denman Street. Therefore, I did not try the hotel restaurant. Free access to internet in lobby (and with a printer, so I could print my boarding pass night before flying out). Certainly not a luxury hotel, but good value for money with no noticeable defects or downside. Desk service always excellent, attentive, friendly, and helpful. To get here from airport, take 424 bus to airport spur station, 98 bus north into town, get off at Davie Street stop, and take #6 bus west to Denman (when driver told me "Everyone off; route ends here," I was 30 feet from hotel lobby door). Bus fare $3.75. Walking distance to seaside with lovely view, post office, markets, Stanley Park, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Roedde House Museum.

I stayed at the Sands for one night in early March prior to heading off on holiday. As always, I was more than satisfied with all aspects of the service but on the day I was leaving to catch my train the staff excelled themselves. I had a harmless but messy fall at English Bay and returned to the hotel with a jacket muddied from collar to hem. Although I had already checked out the housekeeper took the jacket, ran it through a wash cycle and returned it to me complete with coat hanger and covering plastic bag. The hotel staff refused payment and wished me a good holiday. I have stayed at the Sands several times over the years and always been happy but this experience demonstrated just how well guests are looked after. The Sands will be my hotel of choice whenever I am in Vancouver.

I have just returned home from a weekend stay at the Best Western Sands Hotel and cannot stop raving about what a top notch establishment it is. The staff are extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The hotel is very nicely decorated and appointed but not to the point where you can't relax. I had a lovely room with a King Sized bed and sitting area. I felt spoiled by the rich comforter, fluffy pillows and comfortable couch. I felt like a queen!
The restaurant is excellent; the servers were warm and friendly and the food was superb! Checkers was fun at night; I had a great time singing Karaoke! The Bayside lounge was a nice place to sit, have a cool drink, an appetizer and enjoy the fantastic view of English Bay before going out to dinner.
It was just a short walk to the beach at English Bay and the seawall to Stanley Park so I took the opportunity to go for an early morning run by myself to the Lions Gate Bridge and back. It was wonderful to be out running along the ocean breathing in the fresh sea air and the early morning rays. I look forward to returning for a visit in the summer so that I can enjoy the beach!
As a single person travelling alone I am always concerned about my personal safety however everything about the hotel and the location was perfect. I was not afraid to walk or run on my own. The Sands Hotel is perfect for me, close to the beach, Stanley Park, world class restaurants and central to everything worth doing in Vancouver.
I will stay at the Best Western Sands everytime that I am in Vancouver and would recommend this establishment to anyone!

I spend Christmas at the Best Western Sands for 4 nights. I got 2 queen beds in my room on the third floor with the ocean view. The room was clean and the service desk was helpful for directions. However, the room was too cold even though the heater was on, so I requested an extra heater which was provided for me free of charge. After 2 nights, there was a mouse in my room! Shocking, disturbing and disgusting. I called the service desk and requested a change of rooms. They moved me to a better room in the fifth floor with a balcony.

The location is good since it is near the English Bay, but it is kinda far from the downtown area. If you don't want to drive, transportation by bus was convenient (2 buses going straight to downtown opposite to the hotel).

Overall, I liked my experience at Best Western Sands but that mouse incident kinda ruined it for me. I wouldn't stay at the hotel because I would rather a closer hotel to the downtown area, but if you are looking for a hotel closer to the English Bay and Stanley park I would recommend it.