Vancouver is a pretty compact city, but each neighborhood has a distinct character and its own style of accommodations options. From hip boutique hotels to historic bed-and-breakfasts to sharp-angled glass-and-mirror towers, there are lodging choices for every style and budget. You can choose to be in the center of the shopping action on Robson Street, among the gracious tree-lined boulevards near Stanley Park, or in close proximity to the pulsing heart of the city's core.
Vancouver is an extremely outdoorsy community, so hotel amenities can sometimes include free bicycles and free ski storage, and many concierges can put you in contact with hiking and running groups that welcome visitors. Some properties even offer complimentary limo service, usually to the theater, or for picking you up after shopping, which comes in especially handy if you have lots of bags.
The city is extremely pet-friendly, especially when it comes to dogs. Not only can you bring your pooch with you to many Vancouver properties, some even let you borrow their dog for a walk (check out the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, for instance).
With its goal to become the greenest city in the world by 2020 (as in eco-wise, not with respect to the already abundant natural greenery), recycling and sustainability are essential parts of life in Vancouver. Many hoteliers have also made eco-friendly practices an integral part of the guest experience. For example, Fairmont Waterfront was among the first in the world to adopt a green roof concept—the garden and apiary supply the hotel with herbs and honey—and it has electric vehicle charging stations. The hotel also initiated groundbreaking water conservation and waste management systems. Supporting the community and protecting the surrounding landscapes have become good business practices, and the Westin Bayshore followed the trend by financially assisting in the creation of Cardero Park, on the east side of the property.
Be forewarned though: environmental awareness and community building are top of mind for most Vancouverites. That means hotels with a water view or exemplary environmental report cards are coveted and book up well in advance. Some of the historic bed-and-breakfasts you'll find in the more homey residential neighborhoods like the West End and near Stanley Park are also extremely popular.
