Unable to get a reservation at the Hilton in Vancouver, Washington, I settled for the Red Lion because of its proximity to the convention center. I asked for and received confirmation of a smoking room. When I arrived, the desk clerk told me that the hotel had discontinued its policy of offering smoking rooms and there were none in the property. When I asked for help getting my bags to my room, I was informed that there was none available. The hotel is built around an outdoor swimmng pool and looks a lot like a 50's motel. The view of the river from the restuarant is outstanding but the food is not nearly as good and is absurdly priced: I paid $15 for a French-dip sandwich and fries for lunch. Once back in my room, I got a phone call from the restaurant saying my credit card was not on file with the front desk and would I mind returning to the restaurant to charge the meal directly to my card. I did mind and went to the front desk instead, where they solved the problem. Except that, when I attempted to make a long-distance call, the outgoing line was blocked for the same reason: no credit card on file with the front desk. So I went back to the front desk -- third visit -- to get that straight and was finally allowed to make my call. The HVAC in my room was partially non-functional: it either made the room too hot or too cold and refused to achieve a compromise. I will not stay in this hotel again.

This hotel could really use some new carpets, curtains and paint at a minimum. As someone who is sensitive to perfumes and smoke, the deodorizor used to mask the musty cigarette odors lingering gave me a headache! the hotel is dark and dingey, and i agree with the other reviewer about the trek to the elevator being particularly long!

i do, however, appreciate the wireless access to the internet offered without a charge.

This hotel sits on the Columbia river and has a deck that extends over the water. It's located next to the convention center and the area known as the "Uptown Village". We drove about a mile to the Vancouver Pizza Company (2219 Main Street) and loved it.

The room itself was a little small but my teenage daughters loved the little containers or shampoo, conditioner & soap from Bath & Bodyworks. I had forgotten to request nonsmoking, and the room reeked of stale cigarette smoke. We asked about moving to a nonsmoking room, and were turned down flat. It's possible that the hotel was booked solid (there was a large outdoor concert going on nearby) but I suspect they weren't willing to accommodate our request because we had gotten a bargain rate through Priceline.com.

If you do decide to stay here, ask the front desk for a copy of their Uptown walking map. You'll find everything you need on it.

I stayed here with my mother following her attendance at a conference that had been held here for a group she belongs to. I could only say it's very "tired." It was an extraordinarily long walk to the elevator only to walk halfway back again after going up to our floor. There was no assistance with our baggage. When we left, Mom got a luggage cart from the front desk; it was rickety and only 2 of the wheels would steer. It took both of us pushing it to get it to move. The room was adequate, but the real down side was the train noise at all hours along the Columbia River. All night long! We did not eat at the hotel because all Mom did was complain about the quality of the food served during the previous days at the conference.

I know this has been a long-time conference venue, but I haven't been here in a long time and it's certainly suffered with time. There is a brand-new conference center and hotel just up the street and I have to think it's going to lose business to them.