Cottonwood Shopping Mall

We stayed at the Block House for a couple of nights and really enjoyed our stay. The staff was very responsive to our questions via text messaging both before and after check-in, and the property and rooms were exceptionally clean. The best part is the location—you really can't beat it. You're just a short walk from downtown, the waterfront, and right in the heart of Gastown. There are also several great coffee shops nearby, along with a charming breakfast and lunch spot directly across the street. One thing to keep in mind is that the property is located on the edge of Gastown. Just a couple of blocks away, you'll encounter a less polished part of Vancouver with a visible homeless population. In addition, the building is historic, so if you're a light sleeper, it's a good idea to bring earplugs. You may hear some street noise or people screaming in the middle of the night as well as sounds from neighboring rooms. That said, this is to be expected in an older building in a lively urban neighborhood, and it shouldn't come as a surprise if you've done a bit of research on the area before your stay.

So glad I cancelled my original hotel and rebooked at Keefer, after prices finally dropped following the ridiculous world cup inflation. The apartment had washer/dryer, which I didn't even know about (maybe I missed reading it in the description), and AC was on cold. Bed was comfy. Bathrobes were provided (but no slippers). It's a new building with good insulation. I barely heard a neighboring couple having sex, almost thought the female's intermittent sounds were some other strange sound. My unit faced the back alley and there was noise from garbage trucks and other trucks beeping. Location is great--close to Chinatown skytrain station and T&T supermarket, right next to Keefer Bar and other great restaurants in Chinatown. Also recommend the Chinese-Canadian museum.