Get Your Accomodation Now for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games

According to a story I read in the Washington Post (Nov. 15, 2009) there would be a shortage of hotels in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, which are held here Feb 12 – 28.  About 250,000 spectators are expected to pour into the city in just over a month’s time, but according to the city’s Olympic committe only 10,000 hotel rooms are available.  a lot of dowtown accomodation is already booked, but to avert a housing crises, the city’s Olympic planners have several creative solutions.

During the Olympics, the luxury yacht Pacific Yellowfin will keep guests afloat in the harbour just a short distance from the heart of Vancouver and the hub of Olympic celebrations.  The Pacific yellowfin has accomodation for up to 12 guests with exceptional living spaces and a cocktail reception room on the deck.  The historic 1942 vessel is a converted wooden coastal freighter that has been sailig the West Coast since 2002.  The ‘floating hotel’ can be booked for the entire 28 night Olympic experience or for the highlights, a 9 night package.  The full Olympic package runs from Feb 11 – March 2 while the hihglisght are from Feb 11-20 or Feb 20 – marc 1.  For information see or email info@pacificyellowfin.com  For rates see here 

The 1100 room Norwegian Star cruise ship will also dock at the port, serving as a floating hotel.  On board stays will inclue meals, transfers, entertainment and everything guest expect on a cruise.  A three night stay in an inside stateroom from Feb 13-16 costs $1050 CAD per person excluding service fees and tax.  For info Or you can charter one of B.C.’s finest private expedition yachts fo an exclusive and unique experience.  Starts at $6,500 per person for 3 nights. For more information

There are still Winter Olympics Packages available Feb 21 – 28 at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre.  They offer a package priced at CDN $5,599 which includes 7 nights in a large one bedroom apartment suite, two adult lift tickets for six days and a daily buffet breakfast.  There are other complimentary services and amenities offered. For more information and visit   or you can call 888-905-9995 or contact whistler_res@panpacific.com for reservations.

There may still be packages available in Vancouver offering nightly rates at select Vancouver hotels, including breakfast, starting as low as $75.  Check Vancouver Touris’ms Uncover Vancouver

Nanaimo Hotel Listings offfers accomodations in Nanaimo, just a short ferry trip with accomodations close to the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.  The closest is The Buccaneer Inn at 1577 Stewart Ave. Next closes it the Travelodge  or the Howard Johnson Nanaimo

If you’re looking for budget accomodations,  Hosteling International has three hostels offering Olympic venues from $40 for a dorm bunk bed and free breakfast.  The HI’s Jericho Beach Hostel has spaces from Feb 12 – 28 in dorms for $31.50. Dorms are $40 for the Vancouver Central and Vancouver downtown locations.  The Backpacker’s SameSun Backpacker Lodge in downtwon Vancouver has dorm-style accomodation availab eof r $39.40 CAD per night including breakfast. Five Frat houses at UBC will rent student’s rooms over the duration of the Games.  Fraternity Village has 8 frat houses just 200 meters from UBC’s Thunderbird Arena, one of the Olympic hockey and sledge-hockey venues.  The area will be secured behind barriers with road closures.  The money for these rentals will go toward a sholrship fund to pay for repairs and maintenance and to top up the fraternitie’s contingency fund. The Eldorado Hotel, 2330 Kingsway, will house young travellers and people looking for jobs during the Olympics until March 2010.  Dorm beds $34 including tax. The hostel has internet and a TV lounge.   There are about 690 hostel beds available throughout the city.

If you happen to be an RVer there will be RV spaces available at  several RV parks surrounding Vancouver.  The park by Jericho and Spanish Banks beaches will also be an RV spot for just $95 CAD per night. See here

You can also rent a condo or house from local residents who have been approved as Olympic accomodation, or stay at a local bed & breakfast.  For property rentals  Be sure and rent through an accredited agency. It’s best to go through a hospitality provider.CoSport is the official hospitality provider for Canada, USA, Australia and others.  See here.

PHOTOS by Ruth Kozak and Pacific Yellowfin and Pan Pacific Whistler Village websites