The primary time we visited Vancouver, BC, we did what a number of first-timers do. We discovered a fantastic deal outdoors the core, shut sufficient to the skyline to tease us, and booked it. We thought we have been being intelligent.
The fact was that we spent half our journey crossing bridges and ready for buses, watching the West Coast mountains by a windshield as a substitute of from the Seawall. By the point we reached the locations we truly wished 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 Road. Evenings ended with sandy toes at Kitsilano Seashore, market snacks, and a gradual stroll residence on quiet aspect streets. All the things clicked.
Not lengthy after, we truly moved to Vancouver. Dwelling there gave us an insider’s perspective to the town. We realized which blocks really feel energetic 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 realized {that a} harbour view is beautiful, however a wise base is best.
This information is our first-hand tackle the place to remain in Vancouver. It’s not a listing of each lodge. It’s clear, experience-based recommendation that can assist you choose the best residence base on your model, with sincere execs and cons and lodge picks we might 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 the 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.
Should you select properly, you spend much less time commuting throughout bridges and extra time doing the good 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 Road 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, the town’s most important prepare 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 Road, and nonetheless be again on the lodge to vary earlier than a trip 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 lodges to select from, best for first-timers.
Cons: Summer season costs chunk, metropolis noise on most important 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 fantastic 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; comfy rooms in an excellent location.
- Carmana Resort & Suites – Huge suites with full kitchens close to Robson and Alberni; perfect if you need area and clear rooms in a central location.
- Resort BLU – Smooth boutique choice near Granville Road’s leisure district; helpful for reveals with fashionable facilities.
- Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Downtown – Strong funds choose 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 means 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 typically finish right here. We share small plates, wander previous twinkle lights alongside the water, then stroll residence with the sound of boat masts clicking within the breeze. Within the morning we like a straightforward jog on the Seawall earlier than the town wakes up.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Incredible eating places and bars, very walkable, fast prepare to and from YVR.
Cons: Weekend charges climb, energetic blocks can echo late.
Resort Suggestions in Yaletown
- OPUS Vancouver – Playful boutique proper by Yaletown–Roundhouse Station; perfect for dinners and late walks residence. WE have stayed right here many occasions.
- Hilton Vancouver Downtown – Suite-style rooms; helpful to Yaletown and the arenas; fashionable facilities and comfy rooms.
- The Parker Resort & Rooftop – Modern rooms and a sunset-ready rooftop close to the Seashore 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, stay music drifts from doorways, and you may really feel that inventive power that retains folks 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 Road, a cease for one thing new at a bar now we have 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 wherever.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Character buildings, vacation spot eating, near transit and the harbour.
Cons: Weekends could be noisy, edges towards the Downtown Eastside really feel intense late, so select location rigorously.
Resort Suggestions in or close to Gastown
- Delta Vancouver Downtown Suites – All-suite; bridges the waterfront and Gastown; non-public lavatory in each suite and area to unfold out.
- The St. Regis Resort – Impartial, central, and breakfast included; a fantastic 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 luggage in your arm. Kitsilano Seashore and the out of doors saltwater pool set the tempo, West 4th brings yoga studios and unbiased outlets, and sunsets soften throughout English Bay. Life is slower on this aspect of the water in one of the simplest ways.
Our Private Take
After we need to exhale, we base in Kits. Morning swim, espresso in hand, a lazy stroll by the market on Granville Island, then a picnic dinner on the seashore. Getting downtown is a fast bus trip 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 succeed in downtown sights.
Resort and Residence Picks in Kits
- Granville Island Resort – Waterfront boutique with the market in your doorstep; nice location for meals lovers.
- Alma Seashore Suites – Kitchens and dwelling rooms in a quiet residential pocket; perfect for longer stays and households who desire a native really feel and personal lavatory.
- Good options: Character B&Bs and short-term residences are extra widespread than large lodges 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 Road and Davie convey ramen, sushi, and late-night snacks. It’s calm on aspect streets, energetic on the primary ones, and at all times near water. Many stays listed below are pet pleasant lodges, 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 associates 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 the town middle (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 – Massive 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 seashore throughout the street; waterfront views at a good room price 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 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 lodges for cruise days.
- EXchange Resort – Design-forward rooms in a landmark constructing close to the waterfront; fashionable facilities and an excellent location.
A Notice 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 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
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 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 the town wakes.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Stroll to each arenas, central for occasions, easy accessibility to eating and stay music.
Cons: Feels business-like between occasions, charges bounce on large 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, 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 secure and welcoming, some areas are lower than perfect for a first-time customer’s residence base, both attributable to social challenges or easy inconvenience.
- The Downtown Eastside (DTES): This neighbourhood helps a susceptible neighborhood dealing with important challenges. The blocks round East Hastings Road can really feel intense, particularly at evening. Should you 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 Road late at evening.
- Far-Flung Suburbs (e.g., Richmond, Burnaby): Whereas these are nice communities, staying this removed from the downtown core isn’t perfect for a brief journey. You’ll spend a major quantity of your precious trip time commuting on the SkyTrain or in visitors simply to get to sights like Stanley Park and Granville Island.
- Close to the Airport (YVR): Until you’ve gotten 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 a lot better off staying within the metropolis to maximise your time.
How you can Get Round Vancouver
Vancouver’s core is compact and really straightforward to navigate and not using a automobile. A lot of the neighbourhoods we suggest are walkable, and the transit system is great for connecting the dots.
- From the Airport (YVR): One of the simplest ways into the 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 totally different neighbourhoods like Kitsilano, Gastown, and North Vancouver, a DayPass is a good worth. It offers you limitless journey on the SkyTrain, buses, and the SeaBus.
- Experience 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 method to get to the North Shore.
- Lease a Bike: Our favorite method to spend a morning is using 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 one of the simplest ways 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 verify the strolling distance to the closest SkyTrain station and the Seawall.
Remaining Suggestions for Reserving Your Keep in Vancouver
- E book 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. Regulate the live performance and sports activities schedules, as large occasions may trigger charges to spike.
- Test the Map: Downtown is compact, however a fast map verify is crucial. Affirm 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 Evaluations: A lodge’s general rating doesn’t inform the entire story. Skim the final 3–5 critiques for latest notes on noise, development, or renovations. Vancouver modifications shortly, and the newest suggestions is probably the most precious.
- Don’t Overpay for a View: A wise residence base with easy accessibility to transit and the Seawall offers you 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, 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 lined 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 below are the solutions to some widespread questions we get about selecting a spot to remain within the metropolis.
Downtown or the West Finish. You may be near the waterfront, Stanley Park, and transit, with a number of lodge alternative and an apparent alternative for a fantastic location.
Downtown or the West Finish. You may be near the waterfront, Stanley Park, and transit, with a number of lodge alternative and an apparent alternative for a fantastic location.
Sure. SkyTrain, buses, and the SeaBus cowl the core, and most sights are walkable as soon as you’re downtown.
Most central neighbourhoods really feel comfy 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 supply 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 Good 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 enable you to select.