Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
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.
The location, just steps from great shopping and with affordable rates, make this three-story building one of the city's best-value pensione-style hotels. The guest rooms are bright and clean, if a bit basic. But the 1930s building, with its wide corridors, skylights, and mahogany staircase, has old-world charm. Most of the front rooms overlooking Robson Street have mountain views, but the back rooms are quieter. Because the hotel caters to bus tours, make sure to book in advance.
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.
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.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
Thank you for your interest!
