The primary time we visited Vancouver, BC, we did what plenty of first-timers do. We discovered an ideal deal outdoors 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 wished 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 Road. Evenings ended with sandy ft at Kitsilano Seaside, market snacks, and a sluggish stroll residence on quiet aspect streets. Every little thing clicked.
Not lengthy after, we really moved to Vancouver. Residing there gave us an insider’s perspective to town. We discovered which blocks really feel vigorous 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 entire day. We additionally discovered {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’s not an inventory of each resort. It’s clear, experience-based recommendation that can assist you decide the correct residence base to your model, with sincere professionals and cons and resort picks we might ebook once more.
The Finest Areas to Keep in Vancouver at a Look
For a fast abstract, listed here 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 an area neighbourhood vibe.
Coal Harbour: Finest for cruise departures and harbour views.
Should you select nicely, 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 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, town’s predominant prepare station interchange, and a simple base for Stanley Park, Gastown, and the Seawall. For a primary go to, Downtown is the plain selection 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 Road, and nonetheless be again on the resort to alter earlier than a trip across the park. It’s not the quietest selection, 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 time costs chunk, metropolis noise on predominant streets, free parking is uncommon within the downtown space.
Lodge Suggestions in Downtown
Fairmont Waterfront – Steps from Canada Place and Waterfront Station; waterfront views, fashionable facilities, and an ideal location.
Pan Pacific Vancouver – On prime of the cruise port with direct elevator entry; the best embarkation morning.
EXchange Lodge Vancouver – Heritage conversion within the outdated inventory alternate; a simple stroll to the waterfront and Gastown; comfy rooms in a great location.
Carmana Lodge & Suites – Large suites with full kitchens close to Robson and Alberni; perfect if you’d like area and clear rooms in a central location.
Lodge BLU – Smooth boutique choice near Granville Road’s leisure district; helpful for reveals with fashionable facilities.
Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Downtown – Stable 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 means 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 a few of 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 residence 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: Unbelievable eating places and bars, very walkable, fast prepare to and from YVR.Cons: Weekend charges climb, vigorous blocks can echo late.
Lodge 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 cozy rooms.
The Parker Lodge & Rooftop – Modern 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’ll really feel that artistic power that retains folks right here longer than they deliberate.
Our Private Take
We come for design retailers and all the time keep for dinner. Our ritual is a sluggish lap down Water Road, a cease for one thing new at a bar we now have been eyeing, then a late stroll to the waterfront. Once we keep close by, we decide a spot nearer to Waterfront Station for a simple trip anyplace.
Execs & Cons
Execs: Character buildings, vacation spot eating, near transit and the harbour.Cons: Weekends might 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; non-public rest room in each suite and area to unfold out.
The St. Regis Lodge – Impartial, central, and breakfast included; an ideal location for walkers and meals lovers.
Skwachàys Lodge – Indigenous-run boutique and artist residence between Gastown and Chinatown; an area 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 Seaside and the outside saltwater pool set the tempo, West 4th brings yoga studios and impartial retailers, and sunsets soften throughout English Bay. Life is slower on this aspect 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 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 resort choices, you’ll cross a bridge or water to achieve downtown sights.
Lodge and Condo Picks in Kits
Granville Island Lodge – 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; perfect for longer stays and households who need a native really feel and personal rest room.
Good alternate options: Character B&Bs and short-term residences are extra widespread than huge lodges 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 Road and Davie convey ramen, sushi, and late-night snacks. It’s calm on aspect streets, vigorous on the primary ones, and all the time near water. Many stays listed here are pet pleasant lodges, 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 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 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 decisions.
Lodge Suggestions within the West Finish
Occasions Sq. Suites – All-suite close to Stanley Park with kitchens and laundry; family-friendly and an ideal location for the park.
Blue Horizon – Massive 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 seashore throughout the street; waterfront views at a good room price 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
Once 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 sluggish 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 time charges mirror the view.
Lodge Suggestions in Coal Harbour
Fairmont Waterfront – Throughout from the terminal and the harbour paths; logistics made easy and an ideal location for walkers.
Pan Pacific Vancouver – On prime of Canada Place; elevators all the way down to the ships; certainly one of Vancouver’s prime lodges for cruise days.
EXchange Lodge – Design-forward rooms in a landmark constructing close to the waterfront; fashionable facilities and a great 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 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 reveals off how Vancouver can really feel like two cities in someday.
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
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 dwell music.Cons: Feels business-like between occasions, charges soar on huge present nights.
Lodge Suggestions within the Parq District
Finest Motels 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 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 protected and welcoming, some areas are lower than perfect for a first-time customer’s residence base, both on account of social challenges or easy inconvenience.
The Downtown Eastside (DTES): This neighbourhood helps a susceptible group dealing with vital challenges. The blocks round East Hastings Road can really feel intense, particularly at evening. 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 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 site visitors simply to get to sights like Stanley Park and Granville Island.
Close to the Airport (YVR): Until you’ve got 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 simply’re significantly better off staying within the metropolis to maximise your time.
Methods to Get Round Vancouver
Vancouver’s core is compact and really straightforward to navigate with out a automobile. Many of the neighbourhoods we advocate are walkable, and the transit system is superb for connecting the dots.
From the Airport (YVR): One of the best 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 provides you limitless journey on the SkyTrain, buses, and the SeaBus.
Journey 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 option to get to the North Shore.
Lease a Bike: Our favorite option 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 resort, it’s all the time a good suggestion to drop a pin on Google Maps to substantiate the strolling distance to the closest SkyTrain station and the Seawall.
Remaining Ideas for Reserving Your Keep in Vancouver
E-book Forward for Peak Season: July to September, particularly through 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 huge occasions may trigger charges to spike.
Test the Map: Downtown is compact, however a fast map verify is crucial. Verify the strolling time to the Seawall, Stanley Park, and the closest SkyTrain station earlier than you ebook to avoid wasting your self from sudden detours.
Learn the Latest Critiques: A resort’s total rating doesn’t inform the entire story. Skim the final 3–5 critiques for current notes on noise, building, or renovations. Vancouver adjustments rapidly, and the newest suggestions is essentially the most precious.
Don’t Overpay for a View: A wise residence 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 decisions. In the event that they’re full, decide 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 great distance.
FAQ about locations to remain in Vancouver
Listed below are the solutions to a couple widespread questions we get about selecting a spot to remain within the metropolis.
What’s the finest space to remain in Vancouver for a first-time customer?
Downtown or the West Finish. You can be near the waterfront, Stanley Park, and transit, with a number of resort selection and an apparent selection for an ideal location.
What number of days do you want in Vancouver?
Downtown or the West Finish. You can be near the waterfront, Stanley Park, and transit, with a number of resort selection and an apparent selection for an ideal location.
Is it straightforward to get round Vancouver with out a automobile?
Sure. SkyTrain, buses, and the SeaBus cowl the core, and most sights are walkable as soon as you might be downtown.
What’s the most secure space to remain in Vancouver?
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, decide a location near Waterfront Station and keep away from wandering alongside East Hastings late.
The place ought to I keep earlier than a cruise?
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.
Finest space for concert events or hockey?
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
Choose a neighbourhood that matches your model and the journey slows down. If you need 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. In case you have questions, drop them within the feedback and we are going to enable you to select.
