Everywhere you turn in Vancouver the views are beautiful. Snowcapped peaks are reflected in the mirrored glass on one side of a skyscraper and the peaceful bay with its beautiful beaches on the other. Then there’s the city itself with glittering glass and green space. It won’t surprise you that our Guru’s recommendations for the best places to stay in Vancouver have some outstanding views. Because there’s so much to do here, and so many reasons to visit, it follows that there’s plenty of choice when it comes to the best places to stay in Vancouver, from simple guesthouses and B&Bs ideal for short stops for adventure travellers, to luxurious, waterfront properties with all the trimmings.

But Vancouver is a lot more than just a pretty face. The magnificent terrain surrounding the city is ripe for skiing, biking, walking, sailing, kayaking… and the list continues. And all over this city the food is sensational — definitely try the Asian dining scene. Vancouver’s vibrant cultural life is rich with art, music, theatre and public art.

If you’re not sure which part of Vancouver you want to stay in then check out our recommendations below, but many of the best places to stay in Vancouver can be found in the Downtown area. It’s a small, walk-able city, but even within this small area there are still a few different neighbourhoods to choose from. Robson Street is the main street, lined with shops and major buildings, so this is about as central as it gets if you think the best places to stay in Vancouver will be the most central.

Where to stay in Vancouver? Which neighbourhood?

• Gastown is the oldest part of town, and is known for its excellent restaurants — and for its iconic steam clock! But it’s also known for its numerous bars and cafes. Gastown boasts some elegant brick buildings with wonderful original details, some of which have been converted into boutique accommodation. We like the boutique and antique shopping too, and you’re just a short stroll from Granville Street and the Waterfront.
• The West End is another great place to stay if you want to eat and drink out, and mingle with the locals. It’s a diverse part of Vancouver, with a cosmopolitan nightlife scene, but also some beautiful natural spaces, including Stanley Park and the sandy beaches of English Bay. If you’re here to eat visit Denmam Street for the global cuisine, and if you’re here for an adventure try paddle boarding at English Bay. The West End is the kind of place you can see a lot of on a bike, and it’s easy to hire them round here too. Davie Village is the heart of nightlife in the West End, and of Vancouver’s LGBT community.
• The Waterfront area, between Canada Place and Stanley Park overlooking and including Coal Harbour, is a relaxed, laid-back place to stay, and lovely to stroll around of an evening, plus it’s well located for the cruise terminal. You’re right by the seawall and the hop-on hop-off buses stop here, or you can just walk into the shopping district or to the rest of Downtown’s highlights. And of course there’s the marina. And Stanley Park. And you might even spot a seal.
• Hip, well-to-do Yaletown is on the other waterfront, overlooking False Creek and the ocean, and it has a picturesque stretch of seawall to view it from. If you stay in Yaletown you’ll be close to the Skytrain, and the ferry to Granville Island, and surrounded by trendy restaurants, cool shopping streets, green squares and waterfront parks. Yaletown is another good choice if you want to eat out. A great base for first-timers to the city.
• Granville Street, which is Vancouver’s entertainment district is beautifully lit up of an evening with a rainbow of neon lights, apparently second only in scale to Shanghai. Just under the Granville Bridge is Granville Island, not technically an island, but a notable district for visitors because it’s packed with cultural attractions. Stay here if you want to be in the thick of the nightlife.
• Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, and still very much looks the part, with old buildings, red lampposts and traditional Chinese businesses. And of course it’s where you’ll find some of the best Chinese food in town, and probably in Canada. Chinatown is an historic, and very central place to stay, and great if you’re looking for a city break hotel with a little something extra.
• If you’re coming to Vancouver as a gateway to an adventure in Canada you should consider staying in North Vancouver. It’s closest to the mountains, and there are numerous parks and green spaces, and walking trails. Because you’re not in Vancouver proper you have a great view of the city skyline, including the Capilano Suspension Bridge. North Vancouver also has a great public market.
• Kitsilano has been recommended by one of our Gurus as being the best place to stay in Vancouver for families. It’s a stylish, family-friendly neighbourhood just south of the Downtown area, with tree-lined residential streets, some beautiful public parks, sandy beaches and public pools. It’s got a relaxed, almost hippyish vibe that has sprung from the many ‘flower children’ who settled here, and now translates to a popularity amongst young families and fashionable young professionals.

This city is an incredibly popular year round destination with both business and leisure travellers. So if you want to ensure your room in one of the best places to stay in Vancouver, we strongly advise you book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Vancouver

For a city break

• The Granville Island Hotel is a chic, contemporary hotel with great views of the waterfront and downtown Vancouver. It has 82 elegant rooms and suites, with large windows and private balconies. Penthouse suites have their own kitchens, jacuzzis and fireplaces – it’s an upgrade our Gurus think is worth it. The vibe is hip, the location is beautiful, and you’re close to the wonderful Granville Island market with its bounty of fresh produce, and to Granville Street with all that entertainment.
• The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa is an elegant, European feeling hotel with 83 rooms and suites and a feeling of old fashioned luxury: think antiques, original art, chi-chi details and rich fabrics. But we like it for the central location, the spa, the piano bar and the fancy French restaurant.

For luxury

• L'Hermitage Hotel is a luxurious, boutique-feeling hotel in a great location just ten minutes from the art gallery in downtown Vancouver. It has 60 rooms and suites, with nice details like marble bathrooms, floating fireplaces and state of the art kitchens, plus a trendy restaurant serving gourmet cuisine and a beautifully landscaped courtyard with a heated salt-water pool.
• The Loden is close to the waterfront, and has spectacular views of the city and the lake from 77 luxurious modern rooms decorated in muted colours. There’s a 1940s inspired lounge with French cuisine and fine wines, and an air of sophistication.
• Large and luxurious, and in a great spot Downtown and overlooking the skyline from its highest floors, the Four Seasons Vancouver is an easy hotel to recommend, despite being a chain. There are 372 rooms and suites, in an excellent range of sizes, and because it’s such a big hotel it’s got great facilities too, like both indoor and outdoor pools, a great bar and restaurant and a large spa and fitness centre.

Vancouver’s Hippest Hotels

• The Opus Hotel is a buzzing boutique-style hotel in Yaletown, with fantastic city views, so it’s a great spot for artists, musicians and night owls. The fresh decor in the 96 rooms is vibrant and colourful, but not too fussy: think ipads and marble bathrooms. Plus there’s an Italian restaurant.
• The Shangri La Vancouver is an impressive skyscraper in a fantastic central spot, just three blocks shy of the Pacific Ocean, with views out to sea and towards the mountains. Its 119 rooms and suites are hip and luxurious, with Asian-inspired details and art. There are several restaurants and bars, with both casual and fine dining options, and there’s a great pool with a lively alfresco bar.

For a romantic stay

• The Rosewood Hotel Georgia is a beautifully restored 1920s built hotel minutes from the waterfront. They’ve retained an Art Deco look in the 155 rooms and suites, with elegant black and white lines, marble bathrooms with stand alone baths, beautiful pale furnishings and deep carpets. There’s a plunge pool on the roof and a roaring 20s prohibition themed cocktail bar.

For families

• The Sylvia Hotel has great views overlooking English Bay and the seawall, which is an amazing spot for swimming, skating, biking or just strolling. This isn’t a fancy hotel, but its 120 rooms, suites and self-catering apartments are simple and very comfortable, with great views. And it’s very affordable. You’re also in a fantastic spot as far as sightseeing goes, and close to a great range of places to eat.

For the best value

• The Burrard is a retro, but minimalist, boutique-type creation, with 72 basic, but stylish, rooms arranged around a central garden. You’re in a convenient West End spot, within a short walk of the Pacific Ocean and plenty of places to go out of an evening. The hotel has a hip cafe too, for great coffee and leisurely breakfasts.
• Also in the West End, The Listel Hotel is marginally more expensive than The Burrard, but a fantastic choice if you like art, as there’s local art displayed everywhere — in the 129 chic, contemporary rooms, in the restaurant, and in the welcoming, low-key public spaces. The restaurant — Forage — is a hip spot specialising in local cuisine.

Prefer an Apartment or Private House?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel information

• Vancouver International Airport is located immediately south of the city, about 25 minutes away, depending on how you travel. If you’re hiring a car you an pick it up at the airport, otherwise there are taxis on Level 2, or you can take the Skytrain, which runs every seven minutes and takes you to Yaletown, Vancouver City Centre or Waterfront. If you’re arriving by cruise ship you’ll arrive at Canada Place, and trains pull in to the Pacific Central Station, which is on Main and Terminal Streets in the east Downtown area.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• Vancouver is a year round destination with each of its four distinct seasons offering its own charm, but its weather isn’t particularly easy to predict, with with its numerous microclimates caused by its location between the mountains, the ocean, the inlet and the river. So whenever you visit you should probably pack an umbrella! Summer is short but usually very pleasant, while winters are cold, but not particularly cold by Canadian terms — it’s the fourth warmest city in Canada. Autumn is mild and wet, and spring is mild and wet too.

Still not sure which to book?

• You could expand your search to include the best places to stay in Victoria, which is just across the water or the best places to stay in Whistler, which is up in the mountains
• Or you could expand your search to include all our recommendations for the best places to stay in British Columbia
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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