Hotels in Vancouver, Canada

Best time to visit Vancouver

Vancouver is a coastal city that enjoys a moderate, oceanic climate. The average summer temperature ranges from 55 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall temperatures dip to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit while the cool, crisp winter temperatures usually remain around 40 – 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The peak tourist season is June – August, so if you wish to avoid the crowds and high hotel rates, then visit in the lean season from March – May or September – October. It is possible to enjoy plenty of outdoor activities, including kayaking, and strolling in the parks, during the lean season as well. From December – February, the city makes for a great base for winter-sports enthusiasts looking to challenge the powdery slopes at Grouse Mountain or nearby Whistler.

Getting around Vancouver

Most attractions in Vancouver are in the compact downtown area which is easy to walk around and explore. Taxis are easily available throughout the city. TransLink operates public transport such as SeaBus ferries, buses, and the SkyTrain (light rail). With zone-based pricing, fares start at $2.85 CAD, while a DayPass allows unlimited 24-hour access across all modes of public transport for $10.00 CAD. The Aquabus Ferries and False Creek Ferries are affordable ways to bypass the busy bridges. Both are privately operated, and single ride tickets start from $3.50 CAD while day passes cost $15.00 CAD – $16.00 CAD. If you plan to bike around the city, make use of Vancouver’s bike-share program called Mobi by Shaw Go. A 24-hour pass allows unlimited 30-minute rides for $9.75 CAD. Be aware that helmets are mandatory, and biking on the sidewalk is illegal. Vancouver is easier to navigate by car than most other big cities, and paid parking is available in the downtown area. If you consider hiring a car, it is definitely worth checking for deals on car rentals with momondo.

Best places to stay in Vancouver

One of the world’s most sought-after places to live, Vancouver is a beautiful, multicultural metropolis that boasts breathtaking vistas of snow-clad mountains reflecting in sparkling lakes and the ocean. The young city’s chic atmosphere, high-fashion boutiques, and fondness for health-conscious eating has earned it the nickname “Hollywood North.” Downtown Vancouver is where you’ll find all the action and attractions, but there are so many small neighborhoods within the downtown area, that choosing where to stay may be a challenge. Here are a few options for you to consider.

Gastown, Railtown

Gastown and Railtown are among the oldest and best-preserved areas in Vancouver. The quaint streets are filled with vintage lamp posts, low-rise brick buildings, cool bars, clubs and trendy restaurants. The steam clock is the biggest tourist attraction in this area. Set in an 1898-built Victorian guesthouse, you have the Victorian Hotel, a quirky, boutique hotel with beautifully appointed rooms, just steps away from the bars and restaurants in the area. In the heart of Gastown, consider Skwachàys Lodge, an extraordinary boutique hotel featuring stylish rooms and interiors inspired by Aboriginal arts and culture.

Yaletown

Yaletown is a lively neighborhood with dozens of specialty shops, restaurants, trendy bars and a vibrant nightlife. Some of the best boutique hotels are in this area. A short walk from the False Creek waterfront, enjoy colorfully decorated rooms and suites and personalized service in the award-winning Opus Hotel Vancouver. Indulge in ultra-chic rooms and suites in Hotel Blu, a luxury hotel that is just steps away from the high-end shopping on Robsen Street, in the heart of Yaletown.

Financial District (Burrard), Waterfront, Coal Harbour

The Financial District runs more or less the length of Burrard Street while the Coal Harbour area runs all the way up to the massive Stanley Park. The Waterfront area is home to the Vancouver Convention Centre and the Olympic Cauldron. All these neighborhoods offer excellent ocean views and a variety of bars and restaurants, but do not have the same vibrant nightlife that some of the other downtown areas offer. On Burrard Street, a 9-minute walk from the Vancouver Convention Centre, you have the Hyatt Regency Vancouver that offers sophisticated rooms, creative dining selections, and plenty of on-site recreation activities. In Coal Harbour, a 2-minute walk from Stanley Park, stay in simple 1-bedroom, traditionally decorated suites in Lord Stanley Suites On The Park hotel, a gorgeous apart-hotel offering scenic views and modern amenities. Enjoy breathtaking views of the harbor and North Shore mountains when you relax in the comfortable rooms of Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, just a 5-minute walk from the Harbour Green Park’s waterfront dining area.

Granville Entertainment District

This is a loud and lively neighborhood that caters to party lovers and night revelers. The Best Western Plus Granville Hotel & Suites & Convention Centre offers spacious rooms and suites with balconies overlooking the heart of Downtown Vancouver.

West End – English Bay, Davie Village

West End features low-rise buildings and little cafés and shops along tree-lined streets. English Bay, which is in West End, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Vancouver. This area has plenty of locals and tourists jogging or walking along the seawall walkway that runs parallel to the ocean. Davie Village in West End is one of the most gay-friendly areas of Vancouver. Consider the simple 1-bedroom suites of the Sandman Suites Vancouver – Davie Street hotel, in the heart of Davie Village. Overlooking the English Bay, in a 1912-built, ivy-covered heritage building, you have The Sylvia Hotel, a historic and treasured landmark in Vancouver. The hotel offers fantastic ocean-view accommodation, great service and a wonderful beachside dining experience.

Cheap hotels in Vancouver

While Vancouver is an expensive city that boasts of some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, it also offers a healthy choice of mid-range and cheap hotels, hostels, B&Bs and guesthouses. Look at The Cambie Gastown or The Cambie Hostel Seymour, both legendary hostels in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. Enjoy a homely atmosphere when you stay in the comfortable rooms of Century Plaza Hotel and Spa on Burrard Street in the heart of the Financial District. On Granville street in downtown, you have the Howard Johnson Hotel Vancouver Downtown or the Comfort Inn Downtown that offer modern, comfortable rooms in a central location amid hip night clubs and bars. Also check out the family-owned Kingston Hotel, close to the Pacific Centre Mall in downtown.

Whether you are visiting Vancouver for the first time or are returning to relive past memories, this exciting city will always delight you. With plenty of parks and gardens, a thriving arts and culinary scene, vibrant nightlife and opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and skiing, you’ll find something to discover and enjoy just about anywhere you go in Vancouver.

• Ride in the high-speed glass elevators to the observation deck of Vancouver Lookout, on the 55th floor of the Harbour Centre building in Downtown Vancouver. Enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of the city from this point.
• Visit the Queen Elizabeth Park, a 130-acre park that features a rose garden, an arboretum with about 1,500 native and exotic trees, over 200 free-flying exotic birds, and a spectacular Dancing Waters fountain.
• Enjoy a game of beach volleyball or in-line skating, or swim along the sandy shores of the Kitsilano Beach (popularly called the Kits Beach). Try your hand at skim boarding (a cross between surfing and skate boarding due to the low tidal conditions) at the Spanish Banks Beach.
• Find entertainment for youngsters at the Vancouver Aquarium, or let the young minds explore numerous hands-on activities and shows organized by Science World at Telus World of Science.
• Experience the downtown area on foot. Start at Canada Place, then walk toward Gastown and Chinatown. For dinner, and a host of trendy locations for nightly fun, head to Yaletown.
• If you don’t fear heights, cross the 450-foot-long, 230-foot-high Capilano Suspension Bridge that offers spectacular views of the Capilano River below.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch in the nearly 1000-acre Stanley Park. Take a walk or rent a bike to explore the 14-mile-long Seawall that stretches along the city’s waterfront. If you hire a bike, you can also explore the South Creek Trail which leads to the lily pad-covered Beaver Lake. If you’re not up for all that exercise, then ride a hop-on, hop-off trolley or a horse-drawn carriage, and enjoy the informational narrative as you explore the area.
• Catch a ferry to visit Granville Island, and experience the trendy restaurants, galleries, and theaters in the area. Stop by at the Granville Island Public Market to explore the endless aisles of fresh produce and local crafts. Sample a variety of baked goods and ethnic snacks from rows of food stalls inside the market.
• Drive to some of the ski areas which are under 30 minutes from Downtown Vancouver. The notable ones include Cypress Bowl, Grouse Mountain, and Mt. Seymour. If you visit Grouse Mountain, don’t miss the 45-minute Lumberjack Show, and the 2-mile Grouse Grind trail.