The primary time we visited Vancouver, BC, we did what plenty of first-timers do. We discovered an incredible deal exterior the core, shut sufficient to the skyline to tease us, and booked it. We thought we have been being intelligent.
The truth was that we spent half our journey crossing bridges and ready for buses, watching the West Coast mountains by means of a windshield as an alternative of from the Seawall. By the point we reached the locations we truly needed to be, it was time to show round.
On our subsequent go to, we stayed in a small place within the West Finish, a couple of blocks from Stanley Park. Mornings began with a lap alongside the Seawall and a espresso on Denman Avenue. Evenings ended with sandy toes at Kitsilano Seaside, market snacks, and a sluggish stroll dwelling on quiet facet streets. Every little thing clicked.
Not lengthy after, we truly moved to Vancouver. Residing there gave us an insider’s perspective to town. We discovered which blocks really feel vigorous late, which of them keep calm, how lengthy it actually takes to get from Canada Place cruise port to Kits, and why a lodge beside Waterfront Station can save your entire day. We additionally discovered {that a} harbour view is gorgeous, however a sensible base is best.
This information is our first-hand tackle the place to remain in Vancouver. It isn’t an inventory of each lodge. It’s clear, experience-based recommendation that will help you choose the precise dwelling base to your model, with sincere execs and cons and lodge picks we’d e-book once more.
The Finest Areas to Keep in Vancouver at a Look
For a fast abstract, listed below are our prime neighbourhood picks for many guests, primarily based on our expertise dwelling in and exploring town.
Downtown: Finest for first-timers and sightseeing.
Yaletown: Finest for a hip, upscale vibe and eating.
Gastown: Finest for historical past, boutiques, and nightlife.
Kitsilano: Finest for seashores and a laid-back really feel.
West Finish: Finest for Stanley Park and an area neighbourhood vibe.
Coal Harbour: Finest for cruise departures and harbour views.
Should you select properly, you spend much less time commuting throughout bridges and extra time doing the great things: biking the Seawall, grabbing market snacks on Granville Island, catching sundown over English Bay, and waking up excited to do all of it once more.
The Finest Neighbourhoods to Keep in Vancouver (Our First-Hand Expertise)
Downtown: Finest for first-timers and sightseeing
The Vibe
Downtown is Vancouver in fast-forward. Glass towers catch the sunshine off the harbour, Robson Avenue hums from morning espresso to late-night ramen, and Canada Place anchors the waterfront with seaplanes and cruise ships rolling in. You’re a brief stroll to Waterfront Station, town’s principal practice station interchange, and a simple base for Stanley Park, Gastown, and the Seawall. For a primary go to, Downtown is the apparent selection with a central location within the downtown core.
Our Private Take
After we are on a good filming schedule, we keep Downtown. We are going to shoot dawn on the harbour, seize a croissant on Granville Avenue, and nonetheless be again on the lodge to alter earlier than a trip across the park. It isn’t the quietest selection, however the comfort is unbeatable and most sights are inside strolling distance.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Central and walkable, a great deal of Vancouver motels to select from, best for first-timers.Cons: Summer season costs chew, metropolis noise on principal streets, free parking is uncommon within the downtown space.
Resort Suggestions in Downtown
Fairmont Waterfront – Steps from Canada Place and Waterfront Station; waterfront views, trendy facilities, and an incredible location.
Pan Pacific Vancouver – On prime of the cruise port with direct elevator entry; the best embarkation morning.
EXchange Resort Vancouver – Heritage conversion within the previous inventory trade; a straightforward stroll to the waterfront and Gastown; snug rooms in an excellent location.
Carmana Resort & Suites – Large suites with full kitchens close to Robson and Alberni; supreme if you need area and clear rooms in a central location.
Resort BLU – Modern boutique possibility near Granville Avenue’s leisure district; useful for reveals with trendy facilities.
Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Downtown – Stable finances choose close to the harbour; primary however good location for walkers.
Yaletown: Finest for a stylish, upscale vibe
The Vibe
Yaletown blends brick and glass in a method that feels polished with out shedding its warehouse roots. Patios spill onto Hamilton and Mainland, the Seawall curves alongside False Creek, and David Lam Park is the place locals convey a blanket at golden hour. The Canada Line stops proper within the neighbourhood, so airport days are straightforward. You might be inside strolling distance of the leisure district and a few of the metropolis’s nice meals.
Our Private Take
Our favorite evenings in Vancouver usually finish right here. We share small plates, wander previous twinkle lights alongside the water, then stroll dwelling with the sound of boat masts clicking within the breeze. Within the morning we like a straightforward jog on the Seawall earlier than town wakes up.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Improbable eating places and bars, very walkable, fast practice to and from YVR.Cons: Weekend charges climb, vigorous blocks can echo late.
Resort Suggestions in Yaletown
OPUS Vancouver – Playful boutique proper by Yaletown–Roundhouse Station; supreme for dinners and late walks dwelling. WE have stayed right here many instances.
Hilton Vancouver Downtown – Suite-style rooms; useful to Yaletown and the arenas; trendy facilities and cozy rooms.
The Parker Resort & Rooftop – Modern rooms and a sunset-ready rooftop close to the Seaside District; near nice meals and the Seawall.
Occasion tip: Right here for a sport or live performance? JW Marriott Parq or the DOUGLAS put you beside BC Place and near Rogers Enviornment within the leisure district.
Gastown: Finest for historical past, meals, and nightlife
The Vibe
Gastown is Vancouver’s previous with a pulse. Cobblestone streets, brick facades, and the Steam Clock draw the cameras by day. At evening the lights heat up, the cocktail bars fill, stay music drifts from doorways, and you’ll really feel that artistic power that retains individuals right here longer than they deliberate.
Our Private Take
We come for design retailers and at all times keep for dinner. Our ritual is a sluggish lap down Water Avenue, a cease for one thing new at a bar we’ve been eyeing, then a late stroll to the waterfront. After we keep close by, we choose a spot nearer to Waterfront Station for a straightforward trip anyplace.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Character buildings, vacation spot eating, near transit and the harbour.Cons: Weekends may be noisy, edges towards the Downtown Eastside really feel intense late, so select location fastidiously.
Resort Suggestions in or close to Gastown
Delta Vancouver Downtown Suites – All-suite; bridges the waterfront and Gastown; personal toilet in each suite and area to unfold out.
The St. Regis Resort – Impartial, central, and breakfast included; an incredible location for walkers and meals lovers.
Skwachàys Lodge – Indigenous-run boutique and artist residence between Gastown and Chinatown; an area really feel with coronary heart.
Kitsilano: Finest for seashores and a laid-back really feel
The Vibe
Kits is salt in your pores and skin and market baggage in your arm. Kitsilano Seaside and the out of doors saltwater pool set the tempo, West 4th brings yoga studios and unbiased retailers, and sunsets soften throughout English Bay. Life is slower on this facet of the water in the easiest way.
Our Private Take
After we wish to exhale, we base in Kits. Morning swim, espresso in hand, a lazy stroll by means of the market on Granville Island, then a picnic dinner on the seaside. Getting downtown is a fast bus trip or an Aquabus hop if you’re feeling playful.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Seashores and family-friendly parks, good meals and markets, restful nights.Cons: Fewer lodge choices, you’ll cross a bridge or water to succeed in downtown sights.
Resort and Condominium Picks in Kits
Granville Island Resort – Waterfront boutique with the market in your doorstep; nice location for meals lovers.
Alma Seaside Suites – Kitchens and dwelling rooms in a quiet residential pocket; supreme for longer stays and households who need a native really feel and personal toilet.
Good alternate options: Character B&Bs and short-term flats are extra frequent than massive motels right here.
West Finish: Finest for park lovers and a neighbourhood really feel
The Vibe
The place we truly lived inside steps of the icons. The Seawall rings Stanley Park, English Bay curves with sand and volleyball nets, and Denman Avenue and Davie convey ramen, sushi, and late-night snacks. It’s calm on facet streets, vigorous on the primary ones, and at all times near water. Many stays listed below are pet pleasant motels, so your furry buddy can be a part of.
Our Private Take
After we lived right here, our mornings began with a Seawall lap and a Denman espresso. If buddies ask the place to remain on a primary go to, we ship them right here. The stability of inexperienced area and metropolis is spot on, and you continue to really feel near town heart (metropolis centre) with out the push.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Walkable to seashores and Stanley Park, wonderful worth for the area you get, relaxed at evening.Cons: No SkyTrain stations contained in the neighbourhood, buses are frequent however slower, not many ultra-luxury selections.
Resort Suggestions within the West Finish
Instances Sq. Suites – All-suite close to Stanley Park with kitchens and laundry; family-friendly and an incredible location for the park.
Blue Horizon – Massive nook rooms with step-out balconies on Robson; many with mountain views and cozy rooms.
The Sylvia Resort – Ivy-clad heritage on English Bay; traditional lounge and seaside throughout the street; waterfront views at a good room fee for the world.
Coal Harbour: Finest for views and cruise mornings
The Vibe
Harbour paths, seaplanes revving up, and North Shore mountain views that change with the sunshine. The inexperienced roof of the conference centre attracts your eye on walks, and the Seawall carries you straight into Stanley Park. Evenings are quiet, mornings are magic, and the waterfront views make espresso style higher.
Our Private Take
After we filmed cruise departures, we moved right here the evening earlier than to make the morning painless. On non-cruise journeys we nonetheless love an early run alongside the water and a sluggish breakfast because the harbour wakes up.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Harbour views and calm nights, straightforward to Canada Place and Waterfront Station.Cons: Upscale eating over indie eats, summer season charges mirror the view.
Resort Suggestions in Coal Harbour
Fairmont Waterfront – Throughout from the terminal and the harbour paths; logistics made easy and an incredible location for walkers.
Pan Pacific Vancouver – On prime of Canada Place; elevators right down to the ships; one in every of Vancouver’s prime motels for cruise days.
EXchange Resort – Design-forward rooms in a landmark constructing close to the waterfront; trendy facilities and an excellent location.
A Word on North Vancouver
North Vancouver is for individuals who plan their days across the mountains. Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards district make a useful base for Capilano, Grouse Mountain, and the North Shore mountaineering trails, and the SeaBus turns the crossing right into a small journey. For a primary journey centered on downtown museums and the Seawall, the additional crossing every day provides time. For hikers and repeat guests, it’s a pleasure and reveals off how Vancouver can really feel like two cities in sooner or later.
Parq District – Stadiums: Finest for concert events and video games
The Vibe
Trendy towers wrap round BC Place and Rogers Enviornment. Earlier than a present, the plaza fills with jerseys and pre-game buzz. After, it empties quick and sleeps quiet. You might be nonetheless a brief stroll to Yaletown eating places and the Seawall within the wider leisure district.
Our Private Take
After we are available in only for a live performance, we base right here. We seize dinner in Yaletown, stroll to the venue in ten minutes, and skip the post-show transit shuffle. Mornings begin with a espresso by the water earlier than town wakes.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Stroll to each arenas, central for occasions, quick access to eating and stay music.Cons: Feels business-like between occasions, charges leap on massive present nights.
Resort Suggestions within the Parq District
Finest Resorts close to Canada Place for Cruise Departures
Pan Pacific Vancouver – On prime of the cruise port; roll your bag to check-in.
Fairmont Waterfront – Throughout the road with harbour rooms; straightforward embarkation morning and waterfront views.
EXchange Resort Vancouver – Trendy, a couple of blocks from the harbour and Gastown; central location for sightseeing.
The place to Keep away from Staying in Vancouver
Whereas most of Vancouver is secure and welcoming, some areas are lower than supreme for a first-time customer’s dwelling base, both on account of social challenges or easy inconvenience.
The Downtown Eastside (DTES): This neighbourhood helps a weak neighborhood going through vital challenges. The blocks round East Hastings Avenue can really feel intense, particularly at evening. Should you love Gastown’s historic vibe however need a calmer base, select a lodge nearer to Waterfront Station and keep away from wandering east of Abbott Avenue late at evening.
Far-Flung Suburbs (e.g., Richmond, Burnaby): Whereas these are nice communities, staying this removed from the downtown core isn’t supreme for a brief journey. You’ll spend a big quantity of your priceless trip time commuting on the SkyTrain or in site visitors simply to get to sights like Stanley Park and Granville Island.
Close to the Airport (YVR): Until you might have a really early morning flight to catch, there’s no cause to remain close to the airport in Richmond. The Canada Line is so quick and environment friendly that you just’re significantly better off staying within the metropolis to maximise your time.
Tips on how to Get Round Vancouver
Vancouver’s core is compact and really straightforward to navigate with no automotive. A lot of the neighbourhoods we advocate are walkable, and the transit system is superb for connecting the dots.
From the Airport (YVR): The easiest way into town is the Canada Line SkyTrain. It’s luggage-friendly, frequent, and will get you to Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver in about 25 minutes.
Use a DayPass: Should you plan on a busy day of sightseeing between completely different neighbourhoods like Kitsilano, Gastown, and North Vancouver, a DayPass is a good worth. It provides you limitless journey on the SkyTrain, buses, and the SeaBus.
Journey the SeaBus: It is a fast and scenic ferry that connects Waterfront Station in Downtown to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. It’s a enjoyable journey and the best approach to get to the North Shore.
Lease a Bike: Our favorite approach to spend a morning is driving the Seawall loop round Stanley Park. Vancouver is a really bike-friendly metropolis with devoted lanes.
Strolling is Key: When you’re in a neighbourhood like Downtown or the West Finish, strolling is the easiest way to discover. Earlier than you e-book your lodge, it’s at all times a good suggestion to drop a pin on Google Maps to substantiate the strolling distance to the closest SkyTrain station and the Seawall.
Closing Ideas for Reserving Your Keep in Vancouver
Guide Forward for Peak Season: July to September, particularly through the cruise season, fills up quick. For the only option and value close to Canada Place, lock in your reserving 3–6 months prematurely. Control the live performance and sports activities schedules, as massive occasions can even trigger charges to spike.
Examine the Map: Downtown is compact, however a fast map verify is important. Verify the strolling time to the Seawall, Stanley Park, and the closest SkyTrain station earlier than you e-book to avoid wasting your self from sudden detours.
Learn the Latest Opinions: A lodge’s general rating doesn’t inform the entire story. Skim the final 3–5 opinions for latest notes on noise, development, or renovations. Vancouver adjustments shortly, and the most recent suggestions is probably the most priceless.
Don’t Overpay for a View: A wise dwelling base with quick access to transit and the Seawall will provide you with a greater journey than a far-flung room with a view. You’ll see loads of the attractive harbour in your walks and bike rides.
Keep Beside Canada Place if Cruising: Make your embarkation morning easy. The Pan Pacific and Fairmont Waterfront are the highest selections. In the event that they’re full, choose one other lodge inside a 10-minute stroll.
Plan for Rain: Vancouver is gorgeous however famously moist. Ask in case your lodge has a coated entrance or a spot to hold moist jackets. Should you plan to cycle, ask about bike storage. Slightly planning for the climate goes a great distance.
FAQ about locations to remain in Vancouver
Listed here are the solutions to a couple frequent questions we get about selecting a spot to remain within the metropolis.
Downtown or the West Finish. You can be near the waterfront, Stanley Park, and transit, with plenty of lodge selection and an apparent selection for an incredible location.
Downtown or the West Finish. You can be near the waterfront, Stanley Park, and transit, with plenty of lodge selection and an apparent selection for an incredible location.
Sure. SkyTrain, buses, and the SeaBus cowl the core, and most sights are walkable as soon as you might be downtown.
Most central neighbourhoods really feel snug with regular metropolis consciousness. The West Finish, Coal Harbour, and Yaletown are relaxed at evening. Should you base close to Gastown, choose a location near Waterfront Station and keep away from wandering alongside East Hastings late.
Proper by Canada Place. Pan Pacific sits on prime of the terminal, and Fairmont Waterfront is throughout the road. Each provide waterfront views and a central location.
The Parq District. JW Marriott Parq and the DOUGLAS are beside BC Place and near Rogers Enviornment within the leisure district. You may stroll to each.
Your Good Vancouver Trip
Choose a neighbourhood that matches your model and the journey slows down. In order for you parks and Seawall mornings, base within the West Finish. For eating places and late nights, go Yaletown or Gastown. Cruises and views name for Coal Harbour. Planning a present or sport, keep at Parq. When you’ve got questions, drop them within the feedback and we are going to show you how to select.