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.