The primary time we visited Vancouver, BC, we did what a variety of first-timers do. We discovered a fantastic deal exterior the core, shut sufficient to the skyline to tease us, and booked it. We thought we had been being intelligent.
The truth was that we spent half our journey crossing bridges and ready for buses, watching the West Coast mountains by way of a windshield as an alternative of from the Seawall. By the point we reached the locations we really 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 number of 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 Seashore, market snacks, and a sluggish stroll dwelling on quiet facet streets. All the pieces clicked.
Not lengthy after, we really moved to Vancouver. Dwelling there gave us an insider’s perspective to town. We realized 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 resort beside Waterfront Station can save your complete day. We additionally realized {that a} harbour view is beautiful, however a sensible base is healthier.
This information is our first-hand tackle the place to remain in Vancouver. It isn’t a listing of each resort. It’s clear, experience-based recommendation that will help you choose the correct dwelling base to your type, with sincere execs and cons and resort 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 residing 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.
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 quick stroll to Waterfront Station, town’s major prepare station interchange, and a simple base for Stanley Park, Gastown, and the Seawall. For a primary go to, Downtown is the plain alternative with a central location within the downtown core.
Our Private Take
Once 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 resort to vary earlier than a journey across the park. It isn’t 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 motels to select from, best for first-timers.
Cons: Summer season costs chew, metropolis noise on major streets, free parking is uncommon within the downtown space.
Lodge Suggestions in Downtown
- Fairmont Waterfront – Steps from Canada Place and Waterfront Station; waterfront views, trendy facilities, and a fantastic location.
- Pan Pacific Vancouver – On prime of the cruise port with direct elevator entry; the only embarkation morning.
- EXchange Lodge Vancouver – Heritage conversion within the previous inventory trade; a simple stroll to the waterfront and Gastown; snug rooms in a great location.
- Carmana Lodge & Suites – Huge suites with full kitchens close to Robson and Alberni; perfect if you would like area and clear rooms in a central location.
- Lodge BLU – Smooth boutique choice near Granville Avenue’s leisure district; helpful for exhibits with trendy facilities.
- Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Downtown – Stable funds 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 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 simple. You might be inside strolling distance of the leisure district and among 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 dwelling with the sound of boat masts clicking within the breeze. Within the morning we like a simple jog on the Seawall earlier than town wakes up.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Implausible eating places and bars, very walkable, fast prepare to and from YVR.
Cons: Weekend charges climb, full of life blocks can echo late.
Lodge Suggestions in Yaletown
- OPUS Vancouver – Playful boutique proper by Yaletown–Roundhouse Station; perfect 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; trendy facilities and cozy rooms.
- The Parker Lodge & Rooftop – Up to date 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 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 night time the lights heat up, the cocktail bars fill, reside music drifts from doorways, and you’ll really feel that inventive vitality that retains folks 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 have now been eyeing, then a late stroll to the waterfront. Once we keep close by, we choose a spot nearer to Waterfront Station for a simple journey 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 rigorously.
Lodge Suggestions in or close to Gastown
- Delta Vancouver Downtown Suites – All-suite; bridges the waterfront and Gastown; personal lavatory in each suite and area to unfold out.
- The St. Regis Lodge – 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 outside 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
Once we wish 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 journey 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 resort choices, you’ll cross a bridge or water to achieve downtown sights.
Lodge and House Picks in Kits
- Granville Island Lodge – Waterfront boutique with the market in your doorstep; nice location for meals lovers.
- Alma Seashore Suites – Kitchens and residing rooms in a quiet residential pocket; perfect for longer stays and households who need a native really feel and personal lavatory.
- Good alternate options: Character B&Bs and short-term flats are extra widespread than large motels right here.
West Finish: Finest for park lovers and a neighbourhood really feel
The Vibe
The place we really 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 principle ones, and at all times near water. Many stays listed below are pet pleasant motels, so your furry pal can be part of.
Our Private Take
Once we lived right here, our mornings began with a Seawall lap and a Denman espresso. If pals 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 frenzy.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Walkable to seashores and Stanley Park, wonderful worth for the area you get, relaxed at night time.
Cons: No SkyTrain stations contained in the neighbourhood, buses are frequent however slower, not many ultra-luxury selections.
Lodge 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 cozy rooms.
- The Sylvia Lodge – Ivy-clad heritage on English Bay; traditional lounge and seaside throughout the street; waterfront views at a good room charge 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
Once we filmed cruise departures, we moved right here the night time 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, simple to Canada Place and Waterfront Station.
Cons: Upscale eating over indie eats, summer season charges replicate the view.
Lodge 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 motels for cruise days.
- EXchange Lodge – Design-forward rooms in a landmark constructing close to the waterfront; trendy facilities and a great location.
A Observe 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 mountain 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 exhibits 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
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
Once we are available 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 reside music.
Cons: Feels business-like between occasions, charges bounce on large present nights.
Lodge Suggestions within the Parq District
Finest Inns 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; simple embarkation morning and waterfront views.
- EXchange Lodge Vancouver – Trendy, a number 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 perfect for a first-time customer’s dwelling base, both as a result of social challenges or easy inconvenience.
- The Downtown Eastside (DTES): This neighbourhood helps a susceptible neighborhood dealing with important challenges. The blocks round East Hastings Avenue can really feel intense, particularly at night time. Should you love Gastown’s historic vibe however need a calmer base, select a resort nearer to Waterfront Station and keep away from wandering east of Abbott Avenue late at night time.
- 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 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): Except you’ve got a really early morning flight to catch, there’s no purpose to remain close to the airport in Richmond. The Canada Line is so quick and environment friendly that you simply’re a lot better off staying within the metropolis to maximise your time.
Methods to Get Round Vancouver
Vancouver’s core is compact and really simple to navigate with out a automobile. Many 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 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 superb worth. It offers you limitless journey on the SkyTrain, buses, and the SeaBus.
- Trip 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 solution to get to the North Shore.
- Lease a Bike: Our favorite solution 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 the easiest way to discover. Earlier than you e-book your resort, 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
- E-book Forward for Peak Season: July to September, particularly in the course of the cruise season, fills up quick. For the only option and value close to Canada Place, lock in your reserving 3–6 months upfront. Keep watch over the live performance and sports activities schedules, as large occasions can even trigger charges to spike.
- Test the Map: Downtown is compact, however a fast map examine is crucial. 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 Evaluations: A resort’s total rating doesn’t inform the entire story. Skim the final 3–5 opinions for current notes on noise, development, or renovations. Vancouver modifications rapidly, and the newest 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 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 resort inside a 10-minute stroll.
- Plan for Rain: Vancouver is gorgeous however famously moist. Ask in case your resort 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 good distance.
FAQ about locations to remain in Vancouver
Listed here are the solutions to some widespread questions we get about selecting a spot to remain within the metropolis.
Downtown or the West Finish. You’ll be near the waterfront, Stanley Park, and transit, with a number of resort alternative and an apparent alternative for a fantastic location.
Downtown or the West Finish. You’ll be near the waterfront, Stanley Park, and transit, with a number of resort 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 might be downtown.
Most central neighbourhoods really feel snug with regular metropolis consciousness. The West Finish, Coal Harbour, and Yaletown are relaxed at night time. 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 possibly can stroll to each.
Your Good Vancouver Trip
Choose a neighbourhood that matches your type 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 recreation, keep at Parq. You probably have questions, drop them within the feedback and we’ll provide help to select.
