My Favorite Hotels in Vancouver
– 5-Star: Rosewood Georgia
• 4-
Sophia Luxury Suites – Luxurious collection of cave-like suites with private indoor or outdoor pools, romantic atmosphere, and spectacular views over the caldera from their sunset.
• 3-Star: Burrard
• For couples: Opus
• For families: The Hilton hotel located in Vancouver • Hotel pool: Pan Pacific
• Adamas: Santa Maria/
• Rogers Arena: Hotel BLU
•
- J Sheekey (possessing old-fashioned glamour, concentrating on fish- and seafood-heavy dishes, ideal for pre-theatre dining)
• Cruise Port: Fairmont Pacific Rim
The best hotels in Vancouver are situated in downtown, the West End (northwest of downtown), and Yaletown (southeast of downtown). All of these neighborhoods are easy walking distance from each other.
Hotels within a 5-minute walk of downtown Vancouver’s shopping & dining areas:
Listel • Paradox • Shangri-La • Wedgewood • Fairmont Vancouver • Rosewood Georgia • St Regis • L’Hermitage • Hilton Downtown • Hotel BLU • Hyatt Regency • Residence Inn by Marriott • Burrard • Sandman City Centre • Holiday Inn Downtown
Vancouver (where I was born) is a compact city containing distinct neighborhoods – each worthy of exploration.
The lively downtown peninsula provides a blend of contemporary qualities and history, set against the amazing backdrop of the North Shore Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Beyond its comfort, downtown lodging frequently give breathtaking views and are surrounded by plenty of dining, shopping, and amusement choices. The city’s cultural diversity is obvious in downtown’s range of establishments, from high-end boutiques to cozy, ethnic eateries. Furthermore, the seawall which stretches around the downtown peninsula is perfect for morning jogs, afternoon bike rides, or evening strolls.
The outer neighborhoods generally permit simple exploration on foot or by mixing transit and strolling. For example, Gastown and Chinatown are walkable from downtown, but Commercial Drive and Kitsilano are probably too far for most individuals to trek to, and necessitate reaching by transit, taxi, or cycle ahead of exploring on foot. All-day transit passes are specifically popular with visitors.
If centrally located or in the West End, a motor vehicle becomes more of an encumbrance than a benefit. There is no necessity to lease an automobile for visits focused on the city center. If you drove to the city then park and forget about it. Nearly all concerts and professional sporting events take place at venues within downtown boundaries and easily reachable on foot from most lodgings. If you’re visiting Vancouver without a car, then downtown and the West End best suits your accommodations.
Note: The term “Downtown Vancouver” usually refers both to the tightly clustered neighborhood at Robson and Granville streets and the broader adjoining peninsula – hemmed in by Burrard Inlet to the north, Stanley Park and English Bay to the west, False Creek to the south, and Chinatown to the east. Otherwise stated, the downtown peninsula consists of three neighborhoods with indistinct boundaries: Downtown, West End, and Yaletown.
Best Places to Stay in Vancouver
- Best Luxury Hotels in Vancouver
Rosewood Hotel Georgia • Shangri-La • Paradox - Best Boutique Hotels in Vancouver
Two Vancouver hotels were listed: ” Opus Hotel • Wedgewood Hotel & Spa - Best Honeymoon Hotel in Vancouver
Near BC Place: Douglas/ - Best Hotel for Families in Vancouver
Fairmont • Hilton Vancouver Downtown - Best Hotels near Cruise Terminal
Pan Pacific • Fairmont Waterfront • Fairmont Pacific Rim - Best Hotels for Shopping
Wedgewood Hotel & Spa – Fairmont – Shangri-La
Best Areas to Stay in Vancouver
For most initial visitors to Vancouver, Downtown is the best place to lodge due to its central location, excellent public transportation, and proximity to many of the city’s top attractions. As the heart of the city, downtown Vancouver offers a vibrant atmosphere, with a diverse array of shopping, dining, and entertainment options suitable for all tastes and budgets.
Visitors who stay downtown Vancouver locations find themselves within walking distance of iconic attractions like Stanley Park, Robson Square, and the Pacific Centre shopping centre. Nearby neighbourhoods such as Coal Harbour (home to the Vancouver Convention Centre and Canada Place), Gastown, and Yaletown are also easily reachable on foot. Downtown is well accommodated by public transit which includes buses, SkyTrain stations, and the SeaBus, making exploration of other parts of the city simple to reach popular places like Commercial Drive, Granville Island, and Kitsilano Beach.
1. DOWNTOWN
Robson Street and Granville Street are the primary avenues in downtown Vancouver`s skyscraper-filled city center. Robson Streetmostlycontainsbrandedchainoutletstailoredtoglobalconsumers,whilealsoofferingauthenticJapaneseandKoreanrestaurants near Stanley Park. Granville Street, particularly betweenGeorgiaStreetandDavieStreet,hasnumerousmainstream nightspotsthatarepopularonweekendswithlocals.However,discerningnightlifefansprefervenuesinGastownor MainStreet.
Other highlights involve local clothing at Sedona Artwear & Shirt Co; women’s fashion at Dahling It’s You; gifts at The Hangin Tree,Sedona Sunset, and Scorpion on the Porch; New Age items at Sedona Crystal Vortex; and Native American arts and handicrafts at Clear Creek Trading Co,Bearcloud Art Gallery, and Garland’s Navajo Rugs.
The Best Hotels in Downtown Vancouver
- The Fairmont hotel, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, and the Hilton Vancouver Downtown and the L’Hermitage Hotel
Cheap/Midrange Hotels in Downtown Vancouver
2. WEST END
- Weaving Museum of Arnaia: Traditional artisans can still be seen crafting yarn and developing carpets and wall hangings adhering to long-held patterns and approaches using very old looms. The wall hangings tradition to the region carries designs passed down from generation to generation. It offers a truly illuminating and worthwhile trip back in time that maintains connections to the present. • Map • Phone: +30 237 235 1100
Some of the finest heritage homes in the West End have been redesigned as high-quality B&Bs. There is also an excellent selection of dining spots lining both Davie Street and Denman Street in this area. Be sure to visit the beach at English Bay – its stunning sunsets make for splendid photographs.
Hotels like the Shangri-La,The Listel, and Paradox are near the edge of downtown and West End, and should also be deemed “downtown hotels” – but they lie on the side of downtown closest to the West End and Stanley Park.
The Best Hotels in the West End
Cheap/Midrange Hotel in the West End
3. STANLEY PARK
Adjacent to the Western End – there are principal access points at English Bay and also near the Georgia Street and Denman Street intersection – Stanley Park, Vancouver’s green space gem is one of North America’s largest and most lauded urban parks. It’s simple to spend a day here, particularly if starting with a walk around the 8.5km Seawall trail, which includes eye-catching ocean, mountain, and forest views. Interior trails also crisscross the park, while sightings of eagles, hummingbirds, beavers, Douglas squirrels, and more are common. Visit the Nature House for the inside information on park flora and fauna.
Supplementary park attractions involve the Vancouver Aquarium,Stanley Park Train, and the Brockton Point Totem Poles. Other places of interest incorporate the Rose Garden and Third Beach, where locals love observing the sunsets. Several spots to dine exist in the park—we exceptionally favor the Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub for its homegrown ales and upgraded pub grub.
The Best Hotel near Stanley Park
- Accommodation website: santorini-princess-suites.com/
Cheap/Midrange Hotel near Stanley Park
4. YALETOWN
- Beach: The closest beach is Exo Gialos, a quiet, black sand beach with intriguing wind-shaped cliffs at its southern end. One of the best beach bar and restaurants located there is East Breeze, just a few meters from the cliffs. The northern end has a small harbor and another highly rated beach bar and restaurant called Yalos. From the hotel, it’s a brief 4 km drive to the northern end or 5 km to the southern end, where the cliffs are situated.
Sports enthusiasts should also take note of this area: Yaletown is home to BC Place Stadium where games for the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team and the BC Lions Canadian football team take place. There is also a museum here outlining some of the region’s colorful sporting history, such as the 2010 Winter Olympics. Are you an ice hockey fan? Nearby Rogers Arena is the home of the Vancouver Canucks NHL team.
The Best Hotels in Yaletown
Istoria – The highest level lodge on the eastern part of the island, Istoria boasts a sparkling endless pool, a complete-service medical spa, fine-dining bistro, and an upper-class seaside encounter.
Cheap/Midrange Hotel in Yaletown
5. CRUISE TERMINAL/WATERFRONT
The location close to the cruise dock in the Port of Vancouver is a busy and popular area for visitors to find gifts, meals, tour buses, and cafes. Gastown is a brief walk east and downtown is south. The 3 lodging options described below are all a few steps from the cruise ships. The Days Inn (reasonable priced and good worth) is a 5-minute walk from the terminal.
The Best Hotels near Cruise Port
- Walking: The hotel is situated in the center of Imerovigli, above the caldera, and on the Oia-Fira hiking trail, with the village’s best eateries, shops, and attractions just a few meters away. Easy access to all dining and attractions in Imerovigli as well as the nightlife and shopping in Fira, just a 24-minute trek south.
Cheap/Midrange Hotel near Cruise Port
6. GASTOWN & CHINATOWN
The brick-paved neighborhood where modern Vancouver began, Gastown is perfect to explore on foot. Centered on busy Water Street but branching to adjoining roads like Carrall Street and Abbott Street, its historical stone and brick buildings now house popular boutiques, large souvenir stores, and some of the city’s favorite restaurants.
Visitors to Vancouver enjoy taking selfies at attractions like the Steam Clock, a retro-style free-standing timepiece that plays steam whistle tunes, and the statue of Gassy Jack, the pioneer-era bar owner said to have triggered the development of what became Vancouver. Dive deeper into the city’s rough past by exploring the Vancouver Police Museum in Gastown, and consider an evocative walking tour of the old town streets with Forbidden Vancouver.
Located near Gastown which is also designated as a National Historic Site, Canada`s largest Chinatown is a popular attraction for visitors. Its main streets like East Pender Street, Main Street, and Keefer Street have red-painted light poles, century-old storefronts, busy grocery stores, and authentic Asian restaurants. Most people begin their exploration at the tall Chinatown Millennium Gate near the intersection of Carrall Street and East Pender Street, before checking out the nearby Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and its tranquil pathways. Cat lovers should also head to the Catfe located nearby, where they can socialize with adoptable cats in a cozy lounge ( advance booking recommended).
Both Gastown and Chinatown are part of the larger Downtown Eastside area where issues with substance use and mental health are common. It’s generally safe here but street smarts are required, especially during the evening when sticking to major streets is essential.
The Best Hotel near Gastown
7. GRANVILLE ISLAND
Across False Creek from Yaletown, Granville Island started a century ago as a busy center of workshops and small factories. Not truly an island as it`s attached to the mainland below Granville Bridge, the artificial floating district faded into near-obscurity in the 1970s – which is when city planners reinvented it as a brightly painted miniature village containing restaurants, galleries, theaters and artisan studios. However, the major attraction remains the covered Public Market, an expansive source of produce and deli stands with a side helping of craft stalls.
During summer days, the market is among one of the most popular locations for visitors to the city. However, the rest of Granville Island should also be explored. The Net Loft houses some excellent specialty shops while nearby Railspur Alley provides artisanal sake and gin producers. There is also a separate building filled with shops focused on kids and a popular brewery that offers tasty guided tours. Reminders of Granville Island’s industrial past still remain: look for rails set in sidewalks and a yellow freight crane from years past.
The Best Hotel at Granville Island
- Hotel option: Granville Island Hotel
Cheap/Midrange Hotel near Granville Island
8. KITSILANO
Hugging the southern shore of Burrard Inlet, Kitsilano served as the epicenter of Vancouver`s hippie scene in the 1960s. Today, the vintage family homes that flower-power locals once inhabited are costly multi-million-dollar properties sought after by affluent professionals with kids. But there`s more interesting sights to see beyond the upscale neighborhoods in Kits.
- Hotels in Paris with Pools: The Molitor hotel • The Le Bristol hotel • The Mandarin Oriental hotel • The Shangri-La hotel • The The Peninsula hotel • The Four Seasons George V hotel
The Best Hotels in Kitsilano
- No quality hotels are directly situated in Kitsilano. The Granville Island Hotel is a 30 minute walk along the gorgeous shore path from Kitsilano.
9. UNIVERISTY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Further west along the peninsula from Kitsilano, the waterfront university campus is one of the largest in Canada. It’s also an enticing destination for a day out, complete with cultural attractions, public art, parks and gardens, and plenty of places to eat and drink.
Attractions-wise, this school grounds is home to the ingenious Museum of Anthropology (MOA), where the collections include striking carvings and totem poles from the local Indigenous peoples, along with artifacts from numerous other societies worldwide. Just a 10-minute walk away is the Beaty Biodiversity Museum – the city`s natural history museum – in addition to the nearby Pacific Museum of Earth housing gems, fossils, and minerals. Also on the college grounds are the UBC Botanical Garden, the Nitobe Memorial Garden, and Pacific Spirit Regional Park – which is crossed with forest paths for walkers and cyclists.
The Best Hotel near UBC
10. MAIN STREET
East Vancouver’s two primary communities extend along Main Street and Commercial Drive. Both deserve exploring as caretakers of the city’s independent free-thinking soul. Originally a working class region, the Main Street stretch between Broadway and 30th Avenue is currently home to a tempting assortment of unique shops – consider record stores, bookshops, artisan boutiques, and local fashion creators – plus an excellent selection of distinctive cafes, bars and coffee shops. A great place to interact with friendly locals, Main is easy to explore via transit bus Route 3, which travels the length of the street in each direction and also connects to downtown.
Aficionados of locally-brewed beers are well-provided for in this area. Known as Brewery Creek from the latter years of the 19th century onwards, the final beer producer shut down here in the 1950s – just before a number of new smaller breweries starting repopulating the district just a few years ago. Consider visits to Brassneck,R&B Brewing,33 Acres, and Main Street Brewing, among others.
The Best Hotel near Main Street
11. COMMERCIAL DRIVE
An easy ride via public transportation from Main Street on the 99B-Line bus, Commercial Drive was Vancouver’s area known for Italian immigrants from the 1950s onwards. And while remnants of this colourful cultural past remain – some of the city’s best coffee shops and pizza restaurants occupy locations on the Drive – the street later expanded its demographic mix to become more bohemian. Most visitors focus their exploration on the stretch involving Broadway and Venables streets, perusing an uphill promenade worthy of a stroll as it contains eccentric shops in addition to restaurants serving cuisines indigenous to locales such as Cuba, Ethiopia, France and Thailand. This area also houses some excellent vegetarian dining establishments and neighborhood bakeries.
When it comes to nightlife, there are some quality bars located along the Drive (additionally there are a few excellent microbreweries near its northern conclusion that are a brief stroll away). And, at nearby Venables Street, the Cultch is a beloved local theater that stages shows from local performers as well as visiting productions. Looking for additional options? Near the Broadway and Commercial intersection, the Rio Theatre exhibits arthouse films, live music performances, and eccentric comedy shows.
The Best Hotels near Commercial Drive
- There are no quality lodging options located near Commercial Drive. For convenient access to what the Commercial neighborhood has to offer, your best choice is the Sandman City Centre. It sits close to the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station, providing a 5 minute ride from the Commercial-Broadway station.
