In western Canada, Vancouver is British Columbia’s most populous metropolis. Between nature and skyscrapers, Vancouver’s metropolis is rich in scenery. In fact, it’s often considered one of the most pleasant places in the world. Home to Canada’s largest China Town, Vancouver is also very cosmopolitan and has much to offer culturally. But given its vast size, choosing where to stay in Vancouver can be complicated.
Accommodation in Vancouver is expensive, soplanning ahead is crucial. In this guide, we share the best places to stay in Vancouver and their best accommodations. Discover our recommendations for hotels and rentals, sorted by budget, as well as the general atmosphere of each area, its advantages and disadvantages.
Key information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Vancouver, here are the essentials to know from a tourism point of view. They should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Vancouver:
- $$ this accommodation, ideally located and perfectly equipped,
- $$ this hotel on Robson Street features an indoor pool, a wellness center and even a gym,
- $$$ this luxury establishment offers elegant, spacious and comfortable rooms for your stay.
Map of Vancouver neighborhoods to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Vancouver, you’ll find on the map below all the Vancouver accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
Vancouver accommodation essentials
Where to stay in and around Vancouver
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Vancouver.
STAY DOWNTOWN: THE CITY CENTER
This is Vancouver's central district. It's the most popular place to stay in the city, and for good reason: it's a must-see. If you choose to stay here, you'll be close to all of Vancouver's major points of interest.
Famous for its nightlife and towering skyscrapers, it's an urban and dynamic place. Many popular avenues are actually located in Downtown.
We recommend that youavoid staying on the east side, which is notorious for its drug problems and poverty, making it rather unfriendly. On the other hand, you can always go there during the day to Chinatown, which is very touristy. In fact, it's Canada's largest Chinatown.
If you want to immerse yourself in the culture of Canada's metropolis, you can also stay in Gastown. This is Vancouver's historic district where you'll find more cultural sites, such as Steam Clock, Vancouver's famous steam clock.
Yaletown, on the other hand, is the place to be. This is where you'll find lots of lofts and skyscrapers. Between the trendy restaurants and cocktail bars, it's the perfect place to stay to enjoy Vancouver's nightlife .
In short, choosing Downtown accommodation is the easy choice. You're right in the center, and all the tourist attractions are within walking or biking distance. The area is also well served by public transport, so you can explore the surrounding area very easily if you choose to go out.
Very popular, accommodation here is rather expensive. However, it is possible to find affordable accommodation if you plan ahead.
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This fully-equipped apartment is located in the heart of Vancouver. Quite affordable for the prices in the area, this accommodation is appreciated by guests for its comfort.
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Just a stone's throw from the various bus stops and in the center of Downtown, this hotel is ideally located. Rooms are spacious and well-decorated.
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Ideally located, this hotel is right next to Vancouver Stadium. You'll find restaurants, bars, a SPA and a gym. In short, everything you need for a pleasant stay.
ACCOMMODATION IN WEST END, BETWEEN NATURE AND THE CITY
Just west of Downtown, West End is friendly and rather residential. It's a great place to stay in Vancouver with your family.
Just north of West End, you can visit Stanley Park, one of North America's largest urban parks. It's a popular tourist attraction for locals, and even boasts an aquarium. The park borders the Baie des Anglais beach.
Here, nature lives in symbiosis with the city. Indeed, West End is also home to part of Robson Street, a popular shopping and dining street.
Further south you'll find Davie Village, West End's gay district. The street is colorful and bustling with stores, restaurants, cafés and bookshops.
From natural vistas to high-rise shopping streets, North West offers visitors a wide variety of activities. When you stay here, you benefit from the proximity of the center, which is accessible on foot or by bike. Well served by public transport, you'll find it easy to get around.
As far as accommodation is concerned, West End is a fairly expensive place to stay, but there's a wide range on offer, giving you plenty of choice.
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Staying at this hotel brings you closer to Stanley Park and Baie des Anglais beach, which are right next door. All suites feature fully equipped kitchens.
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This hotel is located on Robson Street and offers great value for money. In addition to its great location, you'll find a jacuzzi, gym and even an indoor pool.
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Right in the center of Vancouver, this 5-star hotel offers beautiful, well-equipped rooms. The hotel features a gourmet restaurant, SPA and gym.
North Vancouver: mountainous landscapes
On the other side of Burrard Inlet, North Vancouver is an area, as its name suggests, north of Vancouver. It comprises two municipalities: the City of North Vancouver and the North Vancouver District.
The City of North Vancouver is surrounded on three sides by the District and on the fourth by Burrard Inlet. Quite urban, it is made up of many tall buildings and commercial areas.
The North Vancouver district, on the other hand, is considerably larger. It is characterized mainly by rocky terrain and sloping roads. Housing is more residential, and the atmosphere is warm and family-oriented.
The North Shore Mountains cover part of Vancouver's northern zone, adding relief to the panorama. If you choose to stay here, you'll have access to a wide range ofoutdoor activities. The mountain is home to numerous hiking trails, ski slopes and a suspension bridge. Beyond the mountain, in North Vancouver you'll find a number of places for sea kayaking.
Here, you can get around by mountain bike, on foot or by public transport. Although the area seems rather remote, it's only a ten-minute ferry ride from the center.
As for accommodation, there aren't many places to stay in North Vancouver, so it's best to plan ahead. That said, it's generallycheaper to stay here than in West End or Downtown.
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This guest house has two bedrooms anda garden. It's a great place to get together with family or friends.
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Just a six-minute walk from the ferry, this hotel is ideally located. Inside, you'll find a swimming pool, gourmet restaurant, gym and more.
Staying by the beach in Kitsilano
Known for its beach of the same name, Kitsilano is one of Vancouver's must-sees. Here, the atmosphere is more relaxed than in the center. Mainly residential, there are two main shopping areas: West 4th Avenue and West Broadway.
In Kitsilano, you'll find lots of stores selling yoga gear, retail stores and organic food markets. If you choose to stay overnight, you can easily find vegetarian restaurants close to your accommodation. On the seafront, you can also dine in seafood restaurants.
Kitsilano is home toone of Vancouver's most popular beaches: Kitsilano Beach, overlooking Vancouver's mountains and skyscrapers. Just next door is a huge open-air saltwater pool with the same view. There's also a stage on the water where local artists regularly perform.
If you choose to stay in Kitsilano, you'll also be close to the Museum of Vancouver, a cultural site not to be missed.
By choosing Kitsilano accommodation, you'll also benefit from good accessibility to the center, as the Burrard Bridge crosses False Creek Bay to connect the two neighborhoods. You can get there by bus or bike in just 15 minutes.
We advise you toplan ahead, however, as the area is very touristy and therefore quite expensive.
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Located right next to Connaught Park, this apartment is spacious and fully equipped. A bus stop is just a two-minute walk from the apartment, allowing you to move between neighborhoods.
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Just 600m from Kitsilanobeach, this studio is recommended for single travelers or couples. Small but well located, this accommodation may suit travelers looking for a simple place to stay.
Coal Harbour, Granville Island & Mount Pleasant: other areas where to stay
If you'd like to broaden your choice of where to stay in Vancouver, there are a few less popular but equally advantageous places we'd recommend.
Coal Harbour is in the center of Vancouver, and is best known for its marina. Here, you'll find mainly chic restaurants. Located right next to Downtown, it's a great place to stay. What's more, the area is well served by public transport. On the other hand, if you want to stay overnight, you'll have to bear in mind that accommodation here is quite expensive.
Granville Island is a small neighborhood south of the Granville Street Bridge, which connects it to Downtown. It's known for its art scene and is packed with studios, but above all, it's its market along False Creek, the Public Market, that attracts travelers. If you choose to stay here, you can easily reach the center by public transport or bicycle in around twenty minutes. On the other hand, its small size means there are few places to stay.
Mount Pleasant is made up of mainly residential streets. Located southeast of Downtown, it's rather quiet and therefore ideal for families. You'll find gourmet pubs, independent boutiques and a few cafés. Staying here will also enable you to discover the Science World museum of interactive exhibits. Well placed, you can get to Downtown by bike or public transport in less than thirty minutes. As for rates, you'll find a number of affordable hotels and rentals.
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Located in the heart of Coal Harbour, this hotel features a gym and indoor pool. From here, you can easily walk to Downtown.
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Granville Island Hotel is the only hotel on the island. Enjoy the view from the balconies directly across False Creek Bay.
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This apartment sleeps four and is perfect for families. Spacious and well-decorated, this accommodation is a great alternative to hotels for a pleasant stay in Mount Pleasant.
Summary
Vancouver is spread out, which is why it’s important to choose where to stay. The metropolis of Vancouver offers a wide variety of landscapes and activities. Each area has its own specificity, and your trip will also depend on where you choose to stay.
Vancouver has excellent transport links, but some people prefer to stay in the center of the city to optimize their stay. Others may choose to stay farther from the center to enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere of the outlying districts.
In any case, we advise you to plan ahead and book your accommodation a few weeks, or even months, in advance, as Vancouver is very touristy and sometimes expensive.