Skwachàys Lodge Indigenous Hotel and Gallery — Hotel in Vancouver

My experience with this hotel isn't the best. At check-in I mentioned I required a early checkout at 5am to catch a train. This was fine with the clerk who checked me in, he even said they would organise a cab for me. Great I thought! Next morning I went to leave and of course reception was closed. A sign simply saying if any issues after 11pm call security etc. But no instruction on how to check out. Clearly clerk didn't hear me say 5am check out. I went to elevator pressed call button for help. Lady answered said hello. But that was it! Phone in the elevator wasn't working it seems! I had to go out to the street to use the external intercom to call security, meanwhile homeless walking by me in the dark. I chose this hotel on purpose to feel safe going to train and this wasn't going to plan. Security guy came. He even said reception isn't usually open so early so couldn't understand why I was told it would be OK etc. He took my room key for me. He tried to help me get a cab but didn't know the phone number so he went off to find out meanwhile I managed to flag a cab driving by thank God.

When I checked in I was explained that I would be charged a security deposit plus my room but security deposit would be refunded eventually. I mentioned I booked online with a card already so wouldn't payment come off this card. No was the reply that it was simply to book room. Not pay. So I had to pull out a card that had enough to cover room and deposit as my original card had enough for room only as it's my daily visa card not a actual credit card. I was charged over $300 that day for the above. Checked my account today and a second room charge has come off now over $500 taken off my card. No warning. I wasn't told I'd have a second charge come out. Maybe the first full charge will be refunded and replaced with this second room only charge? Who knows as I wasn't told this! I saw the first charge over $300 and was fine with this and was just waiting on the $100 security to come back. Now I'm waiting for over $300 to come back. My card limit is $1000 only and I don't use it so I was lucky I had enough. Too bad if I didn't have enough to cover TWO room charges.

The Hotel is nice and clean. Room wasn't sound proof. No views. It had stairs which wasn't mentioned online when I booked. I would be OK with all this if there were some sort of prior warning as I was paying over $200 for one night so in the end it felt overpriced. Also the aircon was noisy. I couldn't work out how to turn it off. When it would come on the vents made odd sounds.

Also be warned streets near are full of homeless and don't look the best. The smell can be overwhelming on...

WOW. If you are in Vancouver for any reason you should absolutely stay here. I cannot say enough good things about Skwachays Lodge. I was in Vancouver on a work trip (I'm from Washington, DC), and this may be one of the best hotels I've stayed in for a few reasons.

Staff- The staff here are amazing. Not only are they welcoming and nice, they helped me figure out my way around the city and gave me fantastic suggestions on getting around. They were extremely accommodating and really just want their guests to enjoy the stay.

Location- I had never been to Vancouver before so I wanted to find something affordable in the city. I couldn't have asked for a better spot. Dozens of shops, restaurants, bars, breweries all within a few blocks. The water taxi is not far at all, and Stanley Park is only a mile away. It should be noted that the area is close to safe injection sites, so there is drug use around. However, at no point did I feel unsafe in any way.

Unique- I'll admit did not know much of the Native culture in Vancouver before I visited. Skwachays Lodge, along with many of the fantastic people I met changed that. The gallery is filled with beautiful art created from native artists. The rooms- some of the nicest I've stayed in- were all decorated with the Native theme in mind, but not over the top. I was able to learn so much about local native culture during my short stay. The view from the rooms is also a bonus, as is the delicious free breakfast, far better than any hotel breakfast I've ever had. Google says this is a 2-star hotel, but I would absolutely disagree.

I am planning a trip back to Vancouver this summer with my fiance and I will absolutely be...

I really wanted to like this hotel. Here are the good things: The staff is so kind and welcoming, the room was decorated with amazing art and it was well appointed with a small fridge, small microwave, coffee maker, and a hot water kettle. The air conditioner was working well. There was coffee and croissants in the morning. The breakfast room was cute. It's right next to a Tim Horton's where you can order ahead and go pick up food too. Gastown is only about three blocks away and there are great restaurants and stores within walking distance. Here are the things that are NOT good and, sadly, why I would never stay here again: The neighborhood is full of drug addicts shooting up and smoking crack - like right on the sidewalk. I figured, because I was from a big city, that it wouldn't be shocking - but it was horrible. As bad, if not worse, than Skid Row in LA. They weren't just unhoused, they were doing drugs in the open. LOTS of them. It was like night of the living dead. There was a balcony on our room, but the view was the grossest, dirties, balconies from the building behind us - including a weirdo with a confederate flag. For this reason, I feel the price of this hotel is WAY too high. It charges way too much for the neighborhood. I paid over $400 a night. If I had paid $250 - I wouldn't have felt so ripped off, but there were so many security measures due to the unsafe neighborhood. No one was available to answer the phone in the lobby when we got home late one night. There are some great things about this hotel, but the price - for the neighborhood is too crazy high. I feel sorry...