Vancouver- a thriving Western Coast town in the British Columbian province of Canada, is among the most ethnically diverse communities in the world. An over-the-top variance of metropolitan glamor on the one hand and homely wilderness-infused mountains and seascapes on the other.
Highly rated among the most livable cities in the world (source), with its endless outdoor experiences, beautiful beaches, urban elegance, and distinctive features, and finally, incredible cuisine choices add a cherry on top of the cake.
As a tourist, accommodation is one of the many hurdles you would want to avoid. Even for a resident of Vancouver, the best place to live in the city is very challenging to suggest. The mere number of choices can be daunting. That being said, choosing the right neighborhood in Vancouver will make or break your trip.
Let’s discover some of the city’s most famous locations in this article and find out exactly where to stay in Vancouver on your first tour.
You’ll learn about these towns’ primary sites, where you can go for the best experiences and some of each town’s accommodation choices. Then when you’re exploring this beautiful, larger-than-life Canadian wonder, you can decide where to live.
Where To Stay in Vancouver: Our Top Recommendations
Let’s get started.
1. Downtown Vancouver
Best Attractions
A perfect hub for discovering the rest of Vancouver, the downtown district is dotted with stores, bars, art galleries, shopping centers, and a few other tourism businesses. If you’re visiting Vancouver for the first time, or perhaps just go to Vancouver for a few days, living in downtown Vancouver is a solid option.
You will have convenient access to major attractions of the city, you will be able to get around on foot and by public transit, and there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, pubs and shopping at your doorway. Also, if Canada Day happens to be during your visit, make sure to check out the extravagant fireworks and celebrations in this area.
Ideal for: All types of travelers
Best Attraction sites: Public Library of Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, BC Place, Rogers Arena, and Our Lady of The Holy Rosary Cathedral.
Hotel Suggestions
- L’Hermitage Hotel –The impressive hotel features luxury rooms and suites, which are within a short walk from the beach with a hot tub, a heated outdoor saltwater pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. Significant landmarks are within walking distance of the property, such as the Rogers Arena and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Perfect for couples and solo travelers.
- Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver – Inside the financial district and adjacent to the city’s main dining, shopping and entertainment region, this lavish hotel boasts an indoor swimming pool, a full-service spa and fitness center, and a club. However, this beautiful property’s most amazing feature is its wine lounge, where guests can relax and enjoy its high-end, ideal for all kinds of leisure travelers.
- Auberge Vancouver Hotel – Just a short walk from the Vancouver Convention Center, Auberge Vancouver Hotel offers spacious, possibly the best-appointed rooms with state-of-the-art amenities such as an indoor swimming pool, a steam room, an amazing bistro, an on-site fitness center, and a Turkish bath. Suitable for tourists of all sorts.
2. Chinatown
Best Attractions
Vancouver’s Chinatown, the biggest of its kind in the nation, is a semi-neighborhood of the greater downtown area, and one of North America’s largest historic Chinatowns. The neighborhood is continually evolving and growing with its traditional enterprises and modern Chinese establishments.
Long story short, this is the neighborhood where you’ll find some of Canada’s finest Chinese cuisine. Fall in love with the simple yet intriguing Chinese lamps decorating this neighborhood’s streets, and if you’re here during the summertime, visiting the night market is a must.
Ideal for: Travelers of all kinds.
Other Highlights: Chinatown Heritage Alley, Victory Square, Andy Livingstone Park, Rennie Museum, Sam Kee Building, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
Hotel Suggestions
- Georgian Court Hotel, BW Premier Collection– A chic boutique hotel just a 5-minute walk from Queen Elizabeth Theater, this fancy hotel property boasts perfectly built bedrooms, a well-equipped health club, and a sauna. In the on-site restaurant and bar, visitors will indulge themselves in delicious dining and wining environment. Great for visitors of all types.
- Hyatt Regency Vancouver – Offering a heated swimming pool, corporate center, travel desk, and various eateries, Hyatt Regency Vancouver offers luxurious hotel rooms complete with broadcast TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a spacious bathroom with free toiletries. The Pacific Center Mall is located a short walk from the estate. Appropriate for travelers of all kinds.
- The St. Regis Hotel–A short walk away from the beachside, this exclusive, locally-owned hotel is renowned for its avant-garde rooms and amenities, as well as exquisite cuisine. Their complimentary daily breakfast served at the hotel, which includes bacon, sausage, and omelets are the perfect way to start your mornings.
3. Coal Harbor
Best Attractions
Amidst being a sub-district of the greater, livelier Downtown area, Coal Harbor, perched right along the waterfront, maintains its calm, laid-back ambiance. A former dockyard, the neighborhood extends eastward from Canada Place and outwards from Stanley Park.
Coal Harbour is the home of the famous Vancouver Convention Center, a fascinating combination of commercial and residential structures. Coal Harbor has a magnificent patch of Seawall, ideal for stretching your legs any time of day (or night).
Ideal for: Travelers of all kinds.
Other Highlights: Harbour Green Park, Vancouver Christmas Market, Marine Building, Coal Harbour Community Center, and Seawall Water Walk.
Hotel Suggestions
- The Westin Bayshore Vancouver– Bestowing stunning scenery of the Burrard Inlet, the Westin Bayshore Vancouver offers Westin Heavenly signature extra-large double beds, satellite TV, and lounge area in all of its guest rooms. Along the walking circuit across the grounds, visitors can build up an appetite and then enjoy a sumptuous dinner at one of the two along-site fine dining restaurants. Perfect for all types of travelers, even big groups of up to 5 members.
- Fairmont Pacific Rim- Fairmont Pacific Rim vaunts well-appointed, modern guestrooms and plenty of amenities, including a rooftop swimming pool, hot tub, and firepits. Fairmont Pacific Rim boasts well-appointed, modern guestrooms and plenty of amenities, including a rooftop swimming pool and hot tub and firepits. In addition to the comfort, there is a huge fitness facility on-site, as well as a top-class spa and beauty center. When you visit there, you can treat yourself to live music while savoring a delightful delicacy of sushi and a glass of crafted cocktail—ideal for all kinds of exclusive travelers.
- Harbourfront – Offering beautifully-designed guestrooms and up-to-date facilities, Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront is among the most searched-after properties in the neighborhood. Overlooking the Coal Harbor, the hotel restaurant deals in culinary delicacies, that are mostly affectionately made out of regionally produced ingredients. Great for travelers of all kinds.
4. West End
Best Attractions
When you want to explore Vancouver locally, maybe the West End is the area you can focus on. Some of the most explorable, the biggest achievement of the neighborhood is its reputation as the “gateway to Stanley Park,” but that’s not what it is. West End is one of the most lusted-after places to rent condos in for affluent Vancouverites.
Idolized as the first affluent suburb in Vancouver, West End’s trendy streets are home to the gay population of the area, particularly in the Davie Village area. Although Stanley Park and English Bay are the neighborhood’s two major attractions, West End is also widely known for its outdoor events and dining scene.
If you’re into adventure during your travels, this is the place where you can try stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking through the waters of English Bay.
Good for: All types of travelers.
Other Highlights: Vancouver Aquatic Center, Roedde Museum, Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, English Bay Beach Park, Sunset Beach Park, and Inukshuk.
Hotel Recommendations
- Listel Hotel Vancouver –The Listel Hotel Vancouver features a corporate center, a 24-hour reception and an on-site restaurant offering a range of British Columbia specialties and is just a short stroll from Stanley Park. The hotel guest rooms are all filled with cable TV, a desk, and equipment for making tea/coffee.
- The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver–This glitzy 5-star hotel, located in the heart of the West End, boasts a world-class spa center and is famous for its upmarket accommodations and extraordinary services. The full-service fine dining bar and restaurant also offers an extensive selection of intercontinental wines that is a must-try. Useful for travelers with all types with luxury.
- Blue Horizon Hotel–A fast, lovely drive from English Bay, Blue Horizon provides well-appointed rooms with cable TV and pay-per-view outlets, complimentary Wi-Fi and coffee-making facilities inside a luxurious hotel. Company travelers have access to a well-equipped on-site conference center. Suitable for travelers of all kinds
5. North Vancouver
Best Attractions
North Vancouver has been one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Vancouver. For those who want to get out of the city center, explore Vancouver as a resident, and enjoy a laid-back environment mixing apartment living with plenty of restaurants, cafés, bars, and stores, this is the perfect hub.
North Vancouver is much quieter than downtown, so it could be a great bet if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, a low-key but cool neighborhood feel. The Shipyards is a lively place in the summer, with frequent evening hosting activities such as food truck festivals.
Other highlights: Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Deep Cove
Ideal for: Families with kids should consider staying in North Vancouver. The Lower Lonsdale area has plenty of young families living there, and there are a few parks and a great pedestrianized area down at the Shipyards and in front of Lonsdale Quay.
Hotel Recommendations
- The Pinnacle at the Pier- It’s a comfortable hotel with excellent brunches and a lovely hotel bar that we’ve enjoyed many times as well, in a wonderful location at the bottom of Lonsdale. It’s ridiculously convenient, less than five minutes from the Sea Bus to get downtown and a bus terminal from which you can take a bus to Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Lonsdale Quay Hotel– This is a Pinnacle stone’s throw, but somewhat more costly. The awesome feature about this hotel is it’s situated on top of the Lonsdale Quay Market, which mixes a small microbrewery with shops and food stalls, and it has a comfortable atmosphere, particularly in the summer when street performers come out to the waterfront. Again, this hotel will deliver stunning views of the sea, depending on how you are facing.
- Comfort Inn & Suites North Vancouver- Set in a peaceful location a small distance from North Vancouver’s bustling streets, this luxurious property offers well-furnished guest rooms with comfortable beds, cable TV, coffee maker, and free Wi-Fi connectivity. Several facilities at the house include an enclosed indoor pool and a rejuvenating sauna. Suitable for travelers of all kinds.
6. Yaletown
Best Attractions
Find this Vancouver area for a well-heeled outing, and if you want to be within minutes from the ocean: Yaletown’s Seawall is all about hanging out and strolling. Yaletown has a Skytrain stop, which makes it easy to get around here.
Yaletown is one of Vancouver’s best places to stay for couples traveling without children or for a luxurious getaway to Vancouver.
Ideal for: Travelers of all kinds.
Other Highlights: Yaletown Park, David Lam Park, Terry Fox Statue, 374 Engine Pavilion, and Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre.
Hotel Recommendations
- Opus Hotel–Boasting a well-equipped wellness center, on-site kitchen, and in-room spa service, Opus Hotel provides beautifully furnished guest rooms with extra-large double bed, satellite TV, and an iPod dock. The hotel is a short distance from the beach, but you can borrow bicycles at the front desk. Suitable for travelers of all kinds.
- Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel –A delightful walk from the beach, another exclusive Vancouver all-suite hotel offers self-catering accommodation with a seating area, a desk and cable TV. There is a fitness center, a rooftop patio, and a bar at the Original Joe. BC Place Stadium is less than a five-minute walk from the property.
- Comfort Inn Downtown Vancouver–The Comfort Inn Downtown Vancouver features luxury accommodation in the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district, with a bar and restaurant, a nightclub, and a well-equipped business center. Visitors staying at the hotel not only admire the optimal location of the property but also take advantage of guest passes to the local Steve Nash Fitness Center. Fit for lavish tourists.
7. Gastown
Best Attractions
Once the sole realm of tacky souvenir shops, Gastown has undergone a resurgence over the past decade or so, primarily driven by the rise of Hootsuite, which kicked off the tech and start-up design scene in the city.
The area houses one-of-a-kind art galleries, architectural buildings, decor boutiques, and some of Vancouver’s best culinary experiences, with its historic charm and free spirit intact until today. Gastown is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood heavily frequented by vogue locals, and it’s the most tourist-friendly area.
Good for: travelers of all kinds.
Other Highlights: Vancouver Police Museum & Archives, Portside Steam Clock at Gastown Vancouver, Gassy Jack Statue, and CRAB Park.
Hotel Recommendations
- Skwachàys Lodge – Skwachàys Vancouver gives its visitors an unforgettable chance to stay at an Aboriginal-themed hotel with a stunning 40-foot totem pole and an art gallery devoted to Indigenous artwork. There is a gift shop on-site with numerous Indigenous pieces. The hotel is pet friendly and offers free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms. Great for travelers of all kinds.
- Ramada Limited Downtown Vancouver – Ramada Limited Downtown Vancouver promises convenient accommodation with cable TV, tea/coffee making services, and a private bathroom only a short walk from Vancouver Convention Centre. A superb continental breakfast is served daily at no extra cost. Suitable for leisure passengers of all sorts.
- Delta Hotels- One of the hotels by Marriott Vancouver Downtown Suites – an embodiment of elegance and state-of-the-art amenities and utilities, this luxurious property is situated a short walk from the beach. It provides all-suite apartments with free Wi-Fi and cable TV. At the 24-hour fitness facility, visitors will love working out and eat a fancy lunch at the on-site fine dining restaurant.
Final Words
The four seasons, magnificent mountains, sparkling beaches, rainforests, and lush trees make Vancouver one of the world’s most spectacular cities. Canadians are known for their friendly culture, and the people of Vancouver take great pride in their year-round welcoming, tidy, healthy streets.
We jotted down the best places to say in Vancouver, starting from North to West Vancouver, enlisting the best accommodation and any additional highlights of the areas you might wish to visit and enjoy.
Whether you are traveling with family or solo or are on a tight budget to lavish visits, we hope we helped you decide where to stay in Vancouver and got you concisely covered in this article. So, go through this read before visiting the spectacular stay in Vancouver.
