Where do we start? Run down building outside and inside. Smells, hide a bed with thin mattress so sleeping on springs. Cigarette burns all over blankets. Electical tape around the hair dryer. Lamps that had shorts in them. Shower water that took 15 minutes to get warm. No mat for shower that was slopped. No screens on the windows 8 stories up. Laundry facility still had wet towels and comforter inside 2 washers left by housekeeping. Dirty dirty! Smelled so bad near the entry of the parking garage. All through the night heard traffic outside. Scary squeak in the elevator which takes forever! They need to just tear the building down and start over!!!!!! We checked out the next am as soon asap. They didn't blink a eye or charge us when we said we were leaving. Must be used to one night stays!!!!!

This is a good value budget hotel, clean, excellent location, full kitchen, and mostly helpful staff. Ther is a Italian cafe close by that's serves good pasta.

I had cause to stay here twice over the summer - a week before we went on an Alaska trip and a week upon my return. Both my travel friend (from Germany) and myself (from Australia) found it to be clean and comfortable.

All comments about the attitude of front desk staff were correct - except that when I started asking him about HIS day had been, suddenly the abuptness turned into helpfulness and a welcoming smile whenever we came through the front door.

The summer past was fantastic weather so air con would have been nice, but with a balcony and windows in both the bedroom and living /dining areas there was always a breeze you could shift a chair to catch. As noted by others the furnishings are old, but nothing was broken in either of the suites we used. The free internet connection in the room was very welcome.

The rooms were kept very clean (although like others we had long waits for the rooms to be ready) and the cleaning staff were very helpful with proving an extra towel or tea towel.

Location is perfect - especially for walkers. But with a bus stop meters from the door, and the frequent service it was a good location for everyone. And Vancouver buses are accessible, courteous and even in the pre-Olympics building diversions safe & convenient.

This hotel and the self catering kitchen and ample cheap take-aways nearby (sushi, fish & chips, Korean, Chinese, Greek) made it a very reasonable stay. Starbucks and Blenz are close as are Safeway & a gourmet market (name?) by Whole Foods.

One note on laundry - it was often not available until late afternoon as the cleaning staff are using it to do the sheets and towels as they clean. I found a laundrromat down on Denman Street about 2 1/2 blocks from Robson - up on the first floor that was cheaper and available from very early until very late, and a bit cheaper overall. They have heaps of machines so not much (if any) waiting.
I plan on staying at the Riveria again in 2011.

The first and the last time I will consider Riviera Hotel in Vancouver for business trip or leisure.