Hotel guests at the site of a police standoff in downtown Vancouver are slowly being let out but negotiations with a distraught man inside continue.

Negotiators are still trying to talk with the man, trying to figure out what he wants saying it's up to him how long this is going to take.

Police say the staff at the Fairmont Pacific Rim called 9-1-1 at around 2:30 this morning, after the man came in waving a gun.

He's now been contained to a foyer on the third floor.

Police say he hasn't threatened anyone or fired off the gun, and has only asked for water.

There does appear to be some movement.

Some guests were asked to stay in their rooms but some have been been allowed to leave.

The resulting widespread roadblocks outside the hotel however, have caused gridlock and confusion.