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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.
You can't get much closer to Stanley Park than this chic but understated all-suites hotel near plenty of restaurants. Suites come in various combinations, from studios with dens to two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. All have kitchens and hi-speed Wi-Fi, and there is access to a fitness center (not complimentary, however) five minutes away. The roof deck, which has a gas grill, is open to guests only.
This one-time condo complex means many units come with full kitchens, large rooms, and an on-site laundry to make this 30-story Downtown high-rise a good family choice. (However, there aren't any kid-amenities, such as a pool.) The contemporary marble-tile lobby doesn't convey much warmth, but then you're only passing through, right? North-facing rooms above the seventh floor have mountain and ocean views; one-bedroom suites have spa-like bathrooms; and corner suites have balconies. The hotel's C-Prime Restaurant offers upscale Italian dishes.
For locals and visitors, Granville Island is one of Vancouver's most popular destinations but unless you've moored up in a houseboat, the only overnight option is the Granville Island Hotel, a waterfront building that's part Mission style, part industrial, but the result is modern and sophisticated. Most guest rooms have water views through full-length windows. Rooms on the top floor have small balconies. The corridor in the east wing has a quirky view overlooking vats at the fashionable Dockside microbrewery downstairs. There is valet parking. But because the island is so popular, you're better off leaving the car behind.
For longer stays, these compact but fully equipped suites, in a high-rise building at the edge of Stanley Park, are good value. It's like living in an apartment building. Each has in-suite laundry, an office, a sitting room, and one or two bedrooms; secured Wi-Fi is available in each suite. Those overlooking busy West Georgia Street have enclosed sunrooms, while those facing quieter Alberni Street have balconies. There is a fitness room and a sauna, bike storage, and for an additional charge, secured underground parking. The building is close to many restaurants on nearby Denman and Robson Streets.
A quality hotel with large rooms, the pet-friendly Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront is a good base for exploring Downtown by foot, bicycle, or car. Op art decor makes for colorful rooms, which have either Juliet or full-size glassed-in balconies with city or (in the more expensive rooms) partial water and mountain views. (FYI, the higher the floor, the better the view.) With an indoor pool, a health club, and complimentary use of hotel bikes, guests will appreciate the amenities and the practical location (it's near the Vancouver Convention Centre, business district, and Stanley Park). The reception is at the top of a marble staircase, so it means a) tipping for bellhop assistance, b) taking the slow-as-molasses elevator, or c) lugging your own bags.
This hotel and casino complex sits on the Fraser River and features views of the river and North Shore mountains. The Canada Line Bridgeport Station at its door offers seamless connections to the airport (seven minutes) and Downtown Vancouver. There are 10 food and beverage outlets, including an all-day buffet, and an Absolute Spa.
With its assorted rooms, suites, apartments, and penthouses, there's something to suit everyone from singles to families. All units are comfortably furnished and have cooking facilities of some sort, whether a stove and microwave, or a full kitchen. There's a 24-hour concierge that is a wealth of helpful information, which will also supply you with a pass to a nearby fitness center.
Everything about Skwàchays Lodge (pronounced "skwatch-eyes"), Canada's first Aboriginal arts hotel, celebrates First Nations heritage. The 18 one-of-a-kind guest rooms, designed by local Aboriginal artists and Vancouver interior designers, tell stunning visual stories about First Nations culture and feature original artwork created by the participating artists. There are a number of gathering spaces where visitors can socialize and relax, including the rooftop Smudge Room and Longhouse Patio and the Kayachtn Room (Welcome Room), which serves local wines and craft beer. Situated in the historic Gastown district, the hotel is in close proximity to a wide array of restaurants and several popular attractions, making it a good location from which to explore the rest of the city.
This Virginia-creeper-covered 1912 heritage building is continually popular because of its affordable rates and near-perfect location: a stone's throw from the beach on scenic English Bay, two blocks from Stanley Park, and a 20-minute walk from Robson Street. The rooms and apartment-style suites vary from tiny to spacious. Many of the basic (but comfortable) rooms are large enough to sleep four, and all have windows that open. Weekly and monthly stays are available. The place has such charm and character that to stay here in June through August you must book at least six months ahead. If you've walked the seawall, Sylvia's Lounge is a great pit stop for afternoon tea or a cocktail.
Next to Stanley Park and with the marina on its doorstep, the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver has impressive harbor and mountain views. Most rooms take full advantage of the location with floor-to-ceiling windows that open to a railing or a step-out balcony. Interiors are cheery and comfortable, with plush armchairs and comfortable beds. The only Downtown conference and resort hotel, the Bayshore is also rich with recreational opportunities, including fishing charters, sightseeing cruises, complimentary bicycles, and poolside yoga. It's a pick up point for free shuttles to the North Shore and the hop-on/hop-off bus stops nearby. Vancouver's Seawall Walk connects the resort to Stanley Park and Canada Place.
A secure, modern high-rise in the heart of the entertainment district, the YWCA Hotel has bright, comfortable rooms—a few big enough to sleep five. It's been described as an upscale hostel because some rooms share a bath down the hall, some share a bath between two rooms, and others have private baths. Plus, TV lounges, a rooftop patio, and shared kitchens are available for all guests (kitchen utensils can obtained at the front desk). Rates include use of the YWCA adults-only pool and fitness facility, a 15-minute walk away. This value-oriented hotel has also completed a recent refurb.
