36 Best Hotels in Vancouver, British Columbia

As Canada's first aboriginal arts hotel—with First Nations owners and operators—Skwachays offers a one-of-a-kind experience; every room has been co-designed by a different First Nations artist and interior designer to combine luxurious comfort with floor-to-ceiling, themed artwork. One guest room is done up as a forest of silver birch trees; another has a totem pole stretching up from the balcony to the rooftop. Cultural offerings include a sweat lodge on the upper floor, artists' studios, and a restaurant serving food (such as bannock) with a traditional flair. Located on the edge of Chinatown on Vancouver's east side, the hotel is barely a five-minute cab ride from downtown but it is unique enough to make the trip worthwhile.

It's the oldest continuously operating hotel in the city, but edgy, modern decor livens up the 1913 boutique property. Canadian artwork (which can even be found in the stairwells) and heritage furnishings gives this property a unique sense of place. Rooms and suites come in various shapes, sizes, and configurations (sofa beds and adjoining doors are good family options) because of the building's original architecture. All rooms have plug-and-play gadget panels, in-room safes that accommodate laptops, and more than 200 TV channels. The lower-level front rooms can be noisy. There's a pub below, and middle-of-the-night deliveries can be disturbing. You have a choice of bathroom styles—some only have showers, but make no mistake, they're first-class and all have heated bathroom floors and high-end bath products. Although there are no views, the rates include à la carte breakfast for two and other niceties like passes to Fitness World around the corner. The Gotham Steak House is a local fave.

This refined, European-style hotel offers gracious service, elegantly furnished rooms, and a location close to Downtown. Guest rooms are comfortable and relatively spacious. All guests have access to the extensive fitness facilities, including the indoor heated pool with an outdoor patio. The full spa has a long list of treatments. And the chain's La Grande Résidence, an apartment hotel available for stays of at least a week, is next door at 855 Burrard St. There's an excellent wine shop in the lobby, the popular Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar, and an intimate lounge.

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.

Close to the cruise ship terminal and midway between the central business district and Stanley Park, the Marriott Pinnacle is a sleek, large-scale hotel with stunning views—once you get past the rather jumbled welcome of the atrium lobby trying to be all things from lounge to bar (with live music Friday and Saturday) to restaurant to registration area. Guest rooms each have almost a full wall of windows overlooking Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains or the city skyline. Standard rooms tend to be on the small side. The indoor pool and easy access to the restaurants of Coal Harbour add to the appeal.

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.