The primary time we visited Vancouver, BC, we did what plenty of first-timers do. We discovered a terrific deal exterior the core, shut sufficient to the skyline to tease us, and booked it. We thought we had been being intelligent.
The fact was that we spent half our journey crossing bridges and ready for buses, watching the West Coast mountains by way of a windshield as a substitute 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, just a few blocks from Stanley Park. Mornings began with a lap alongside the Seawall and a espresso on Denman Avenue. Evenings ended with sandy ft at Kitsilano Seaside, market snacks, and a gradual stroll dwelling on quiet facet streets. All the things clicked.
Not lengthy after, we truly moved to Vancouver. Dwelling there gave us an insider’s perspective to town. We discovered which blocks really feel full of life 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 complete day. We additionally discovered {that a} harbour view is gorgeous, however a sensible base is healthier.
This information is our first-hand tackle the place to remain in Vancouver. It’s not an inventory of each lodge. It’s clear, experience-based recommendation that can assist you decide the best dwelling base on your model, with sincere execs and cons and lodge picks we’d ebook 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, based mostly 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 a neighborhood neighbourhood vibe.
- Coal Harbour: Finest for cruise departures and harbour views.
If you happen to 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 straightforward base for Stanley Park, Gastown, and the Seawall. For a primary go to, Downtown is the apparent alternative with a central location within the downtown core.
Our Private Take
After we are on a decent filming schedule, we keep Downtown. We’ll shoot dawn on the harbour, seize a croissant on Granville Avenue, and nonetheless be again on the lodge to alter earlier than a experience across the park. It’s not the quietest alternative, however the comfort is unbeatable and most sights are inside strolling distance.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Central and walkable, a great deal of Vancouver accommodations to select from, best for first-timers.
Cons: Summer time costs chunk, 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, fashionable facilities, and a terrific location.
- Pan Pacific Vancouver – On prime of the cruise port with direct elevator entry; the only embarkation morning.
- EXchange Resort Vancouver – Heritage conversion within the outdated inventory trade; a straightforward stroll to the waterfront and Gastown; snug rooms in a very good location.
- Carmana Resort & Suites – Huge suites with full kitchens close to Robson and Alberni; supreme if you would like area and clear rooms in a central location.
- Resort BLU – Modern boutique possibility near Granville Avenue’s leisure district; helpful for reveals with fashionable facilities.
- Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Downtown – Strong funds decide close to the harbour; fundamental 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 dropping 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’re inside strolling distance of the leisure district and among 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, full of life 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; helpful to Yaletown and the arenas; fashionable facilities and comfy rooms.
- The Parker Resort & Rooftop – Up to date rooms and a sunset-ready rooftop close to the Seaside District; near nice meals and the Seawall.
Occasion tip: Right here for a recreation or live performance? JW Marriott Parq or the DOUGLAS put you beside BC Place and near Rogers Area 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, dwell music drifts from doorways, and you may really feel that artistic vitality that retains individuals right here longer than they deliberate.
Our Private Take
We come for design outlets and at all times keep for dinner. Our ritual is a gradual lap down Water Avenue, a cease for one thing new at a bar we have now been eyeing, then a late stroll to the waterfront. After we keep close by, we decide a spot nearer to Waterfront Station for a straightforward experience anyplace.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Character buildings, vacation spot eating, near transit and the harbour.
Cons: Weekends will 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; non-public rest room in each suite and area to unfold out.
- The St. Regis Resort – Impartial, central, and breakfast included; a terrific location for walkers and meals lovers.
- Skwachàys Lodge – Indigenous-run boutique and artist residence between Gastown and Chinatown; a neighborhood 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 outside saltwater pool set the tempo, West 4th brings yoga studios and impartial outlets, and sunsets soften throughout English Bay. Life is slower on this facet of the water in the easiest way.
Our Private Take
After we need to exhale, we base in Kits. Morning swim, espresso in hand, a lazy stroll by way of the market on Granville Island, then a picnic dinner on the seaside. Getting downtown is a fast bus experience or an Aquabus hop in case you are 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 achieve downtown sights.
Resort and Condo 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 desire a native really feel and personal rest room.
- Good alternate options: Character B&Bs and short-term flats are extra frequent than huge accommodations 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, full of life on the primary ones, and at all times near water. Many stays listed below are pet pleasant accommodations, 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 steadiness 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, glorious 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 a nice location for the park.
- Blue Horizon – Giant nook rooms with step-out balconies on Robson; many with mountain views and comfy rooms.
- The Sylvia Resort – Ivy-clad heritage on English Bay; basic lounge and seaside throughout the highway; waterfront views at a good room fee for the realm.
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 gradual 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 a nice location for walkers.
- Pan Pacific Vancouver – On prime of Canada Place; elevators right down to the ships; one in all Vancouver’s prime accommodations for cruise days.
- EXchange Resort – Design-forward rooms in a landmark constructing close to the waterfront; fashionable facilities and a very good location.
A Be aware on North Vancouver
North Vancouver is for individuals who plan their days across the mountains. Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards district make a helpful base for Capilano, Grouse Mountain, and the North Shore climbing trails, and the SeaBus turns the crossing right into a small journey. For a primary journey targeted 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 in the future.
Parq District – Stadiums: Finest for concert events and video games
The Vibe
Fashionable towers wrap round BC Place and Rogers Area. Earlier than a present, the plaza fills with jerseys and pre-game buzz. After, it empties quick and sleeps quiet. You’re 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 dwell music.
Cons: Feels business-like between occasions, charges leap on huge present nights.
Resort Suggestions within the Parq District
Finest Lodges 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 – Fashionable, just a few blocks from the harbour and Gastown; central location for sightseeing.
The place to Keep away from Staying in Vancouver
Whereas most of Vancouver is protected and welcoming, some areas are lower than supreme for a first-time customer’s dwelling base, both as a consequence of social challenges or easy inconvenience.
- The Downtown Eastside (DTES): This neighbourhood helps a weak group going through vital challenges. The blocks round East Hastings Avenue can really feel intense, particularly at evening. If you happen to love Gastown’s historic vibe however desire 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 worthwhile 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): Except you could have a really early morning flight to catch, there’s no motive 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.
Easy methods to Get Round Vancouver
Vancouver’s core is compact and really straightforward to navigate with no automobile. 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: If you happen to 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.
- Experience the SeaBus: This can be a fast and scenic ferry that connects Waterfront Station in Downtown to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. It’s a enjoyable journey and the simplest approach to get to the North Shore.
- Hire 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 ebook 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.
Ultimate Suggestions for Reserving Your Keep in Vancouver
- Guide Forward for Peak Season: July to September, particularly in the course of the cruise season, fills up quick. For your best option and worth close to Canada Place, lock in your reserving 3–6 months prematurely. Control the live performance and sports activities schedules, as huge occasions can even trigger charges to spike.
- Verify 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 ebook to save lots of your self from surprising detours.
- Learn the Latest Critiques: A lodge’s total rating doesn’t inform the entire story. Skim the final 3–5 evaluations for latest notes on noise, development, or renovations. Vancouver adjustments rapidly, and the newest suggestions is essentially the most worthwhile.
- Don’t Overpay for a View: A sensible 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 gorgeous 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, decide one other lodge inside a 10-minute stroll.
- Plan for Rain: Vancouver is gorgeous however famously moist. Ask in case your lodge has a lined entrance or a spot to hold moist jackets. If you happen to plan to cycle, ask about bike storage. A bit 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 alternative and an apparent alternative for a terrific location.
Downtown or the West Finish. You can be near the waterfront, Stanley Park, and transit, with plenty of lodge alternative and an apparent alternative for a terrific 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. If you happen to base close to Gastown, decide 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 Area within the leisure district. You’ll be able to stroll to each.
Your Excellent Vancouver Trip
Decide a neighbourhood that matches your model and the journey slows down. If you’d like 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 recreation, keep at Parq. When you have questions, drop them within the feedback and we are going to provide help to select.
