Choosing the place to keep in Vancouver is usually a daunting activity. The metropolis boasts quite a lot of neighborhoods, every with its personal distinctive character and sights. Whether you’re on the lookout for luxurious lodging or price range-pleasant choices, a central location or a quiet retreat, Vancouver has one thing to supply for each sort of traveler. In this information, we’ll discover a few of the greatest neighborhoods and lodging choices in Vancouver to enable you to plan your excellent keep in this lovely Canadian metropolis.
The 6 Best Areas to Stay in Vancouver
To enable you to resolve what’s greatest to your journey, we’ve damaged down Vancouver into 6 neighborhoods, every representing one thing distinctive whereas masking all budgets. If you’re prepared to e book your journey, discover out the place to keep in Vancouver.
Each neighborhood in Vancouver brings one thing totally different to the desk. Stay shut to Yaletown to be in the middle of all of the enjoyable. With a close-by SkyPractice Station, AquaBus terminal, and bus community, it’s straightforward round city and also you’ll discover quite a bit to do inside strolling distance.
Best Vancouver Neighborhoods for Tourists
West End – Best neighborhood in Vancouver for LGBTQ in Davie Village and Nightlife
Coal Harbour – Best neighborhood in Vancouver for luxurious
Gastown – Best neighborhood in Vancouver for Foodies
Kitsilano – Best neighborhood in Vancouver for households
Mount Pleasant – Best neighborhood in Vancouver for
First time in Vancouver? First time guests to Vancouver will love staying in Yaletown thanks to its central location, nice eating, and relaxed ambiance. Go Directly to Yaletown.
Outside of Yaletown, you’ll discover loads of outside actions in the West End, very good views in Coal Harbor, and eclectic purchasing in Mount Pleasant. Or keep throughout the creek in the household-pleasant Kitsilano neighborhood. Vancouver’s coolest neighborhoods have one thing for solo vacationers, households, and {couples} to take pleasure in.
The Best Places to Stay in Vancouver
In a rush and need to know the place to keep in Vancouver proper now? These are the most effective resorts and trip leases to go well with each price range.
The Best Hotels in Vancouver
We determined to give attention to the highest 6 Vancouver neighborhoods which can be all primarily based across the downtown space. You can select to have a look at North Vancouver, however you’ll have to combat site visitors on the Lions Gate Bridge, or Richmond, the place the Airport is positioned, however if you would like to expertise the most effective of Vancouver we suggest staying in the downtown Vancouver space.
1. Yaletown
Yaletown is the most effective place to keep in Vancouver for first timers
On the water, Yaletown affords a implausible choice of boutique resorts excellent for {couples} on the lookout for an expensive and equally romantic getaway. Surrounded by dazzling contemporary developments, Yaletown has shed numerous its historic and industrial roots in favor of contemporary facilities, which has made it probably the most fashionable districts in Vancouver.
Best Hotels in Yaletown
Luxury: Opus Hotel – We stayed right here throughout our final journey to Vancouver and it was a superb boutique lodge in probably the most central of places minutes from downtown Vancouver and nice eating places and bars.
Mid-Range: The Burrard – Located in an awesome location downtown Vancouver the Burrard is strolling distance to Granville Street, Davie Street, Robson Street
Budget: YWCA Hotel – I stayed on the YWCA on a brief enterprise journey to Vancouver years in the past, and located it to be a superb price range possibility in an awesome location.
VRBO: Yaletown 2 Bedroom – Located in downtown Vancouver, this renovated house is shut to Yaletown, False Creek and Granville Isalnd.
Things to do in Yaletown
With a lot on supply, it’s no shock that Yaletown’s many glowing condos rapidly stuffed up. Beneath the excessive-rises that glisten towards False Creek are a few of the most occurring streets in Vancouver together with a variety of delectable and excessive-finish eating places.
Here the vibe could be very a lot “dinner and drinks” over DJs and strobe lights. Small and dense, Yaletown hospitality is all concerning the patios, which rapidly refill with the promise of sunshine.
Dining – Find a comfy cafe and revel in some tasty treats whereas collaborating in some nice folks-watching. If you end up with out dinner plans, stroll down the 2 blocks between Nelson and Davie Street, the place a few of Vancouver’s greatest eating places stand facet by facet.
Walk the Sea Wall – A stable part of Vancouver’s famend Sea Wall runs alongside the sting of Yaletown. The fashionable pedestrian and bike path runs all the best way round downtown Vancouver and is an excellent method for these staying close by to discover town on two ft. Within the district, you’ll additionally discover David Lam Park, a spacious city oasis that fills up with households and cute picnics on a sunny day.
Roundhouse Station – Speaking of exploring, Vancouver has an awesome public transport community. Yaletown is serviced by SkyPractice at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station. This line will information you into the fantastic Gastown district and south in the direction of Richmond on the Pacific Ocean.
Granville Island – Along False Creek, Yaletown locals and guests even have entry to the AquaBus to Granville Island, dwelling to a should-see public market.
But when it comes to sights inside strolling distance, you received’t discover a scarcity of issues to do. Add Engine 374 Pavilion and the Roundhouse Turntable Plaza to your itinerary. Make the a lot of the free entrance to get a glimpse into the early days of Yaletown. Visitors may even have an envious vary of artwork galleries, together with the Jennifer Kostuik Gallery, farmers markets, and breweries to go to.
2. West End
Yaletown is the most effective place to keep in Vancouver for First Time Visitors
Between downtown Vancouver and the sprawling Stanley Park, the West End is among the greatest areas to keep in Vancouver. We ought to know, we used to stay in the West End. With easy accessibility to public transport through the Vancouver City Centre station and a stable bus community alongside Davie Street, vacationers can have a straightforward time getting to different components of town.
Best Hotels in West End
Luxury: The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver – We stayed on the Sutton Place earlier than our Rocky Mountaineer prepare journey to Alberta. We had all the time wished to keep right here and it didn’t disappoint. With views of downtown Vancouver from our lodge room, we loved an expensive keep in probably the most glamorous Vancouver resorts.
Mid-Range: Blue Horizon Hotel is a boutique lodge in downtown Vancouver positioned on Robson Street. Robson Street is great for eating and purchasing and its straightforward strolling to Granville Street for nightlife.
Mid- Range – Sandman Suites on Davie Street in Davie Village had probably the greatest views in the whole metropolis. Davie Street is our previous hang-out from after we lived in Vancouver and it was a lot enjoyable to keep right here as a vacationer. Check out The Sandman Suites Vancouver
Budget: HI Vancouver Downtown – You can by no means go fallacious with the HI Hostel. This nice price range pleasant downtown Vancouver location with dorm rooms and shared toilet.
VRBO: 1 Bedroom Apartment
Having stated that, there’s a lot to do in the West End to maintain from instantly roaming far and vast. Stanley Park is arguably the highest attraction in Vancouver, with lasting attraction for locals who go to each likelihood they get.
Stanely Park – The largest park in town, Stanley Park is the proper nature escape, enveloped by the fantastic Sea Wall path, splendid seashores, and the Vancouver Aquarium.
Relaxing Neighborhood – Your morning stroll across the massive neighborhood may even be straightforward on the attention thanks to the various tree-lined residential streets flanked by previous-time house buildings and historic picket houses.
Roedde House Museum – This is especially apparent in and round Barclay Heritage Square, the place guests may even discover the spectacular Roedde House Museum. A should-go to for historical past buffs.
Davie Village – Throughout Davie Village and alongside Denman Street, you’ll find an array of nice eating choices and a vigorous ambiance that rises via the evening. During the day, that is the place to go for some thorough retail remedy. Where you possibly can bounce between the various unbiased boutiques and identified manufacturers.
City Beaches – If you’ve arrived in time for summer time, West End additionally affords nice entry to metropolis seashores. West End is correct alongside the beautiful English Bay, dwelling to a seashore of the identical identify. Alongside Second Beach, English Bay Beach is a good launching level for a kayak or SUP expertise on the pleasant waters. Stick round for golden hour with panoramic views of the gorgeous sky because the solar hits the western horizon.
The outside aspect of the West End has attracted a youthful and laid-again vibe that contrasts with Yaletown. Here, thanks additionally to the vary of older houses, guests can benefit from a variety of price range choices, from cheaper resorts to a robust choice of trip leases.
3. Coal Harbour
Coal Harbour is the most effective place to keep in Vancouver for Luxury
Running alongside the West End, on the Vancouver Harbour facet of town, Coal Harbour is famend for its gorgeous mountain views. In mixture with the Waterfront, this a part of town begins at Canada Place, the place the cruise ships dock, and ends originally of the beloved Stanley Park.
Best Hotels in Coal Harbour
Things to See in coal Harbor
The handy location if Coal Harb offers all of the facilities of downtown Vancouver inside a scenic neighborhood and in entrance of a beautiful marina. Despite its central location, the evenings in Coal Harbour stay relaxed and quiet.
This is commonly the proper combine for households who can entry a variety of public transport, and be inside strolling distance of eating and sights, with out discovering themselves in a hotbed of rowdy nightlife.
Coal Harbour was as soon as often known as Blueblood Alley for the various unbelievable mansions owned by town’s elite in the years passed by. But now the rows of excessive-rises and marinas filled with houseboats have taken over, creating a stupendous harborside expertise.
As you are taking in the gorgeous waterfront views on two ft you’ll discover a district bustling with younger professionals and a residential space that comes to life. It’s a beautiful glimpse into the lives of Vancouverites earlier than the largely residential neighborhood quietens in the night.
Being proper alongside the Financial District, Coal Harbour and the Waterfront are additionally nice choices for enterprise vacationers.
In addition to Canada Place and Stanley Park, guests can try the Vancouver Art Gallery with native and worldwide artists, Jack Poole Plaza, the Marine Building, and Harbour Green Park. One of the most effective sights in Vancouver, nonetheless, is correct right here.
Before the 2010 Winter Olympics, Coal Harbour was refurbished into the dazzling neighborhood we see in the present day. It’s additionally now dwelling to the Olympic Cauldron, a torch set up with soars 30ft excessive.
For adventures additional afield, you possibly can head to Burrard Station for the SkyPractice that may take you to neighboring districts, with the native bus community being a further possibility.
To see Vancouver from above, Coal Harbour can be the proper base to bounce on the seaplanes that depart from the water. Venture far and vast over the close by mountain ranges and contact down beside the sprawling metropolis.
See extra of the Couve with our information to the most effective hikes in Vancouver.
4. Gastown & Chinatown
Gastown and Chinatown are the most effective locations to keep for foodies
Vancouver’s historic neighborhood, the oldest in town, is discovered beneath Coal Harbour and to the east of Yaletown. It is strolling distance from downtown Vancouver. Gastown is teeming with unique structure, a thriving culinary scene, and an awesome vary of bars and golf equipment that may see you thru to the early hours.
With an irreverent allure, Gastown more and more attracts a youthful inhabitants, making a splendidly various neighborhood of execs, college students, and households. Gastown and Chinatown are each very walkable.
Best Hotels in Gastown & Chinatown
Things to See In Gastown and Chinatown
Steam Clock – Starting in Gastown, stroll lengthy the cobblestone streets that after carried town’s first households, you’ll discover buzzing thoroughfares, heritage buildings, a few of the hottest eating places and low-cost eats in city, plus the enduring Steam Clock. Popular with locals and vacationers, the steam clock releases steam and loads of noise each quarter-hour.
At Maple Tree Square, you’ll discover a statue of the legendary John Deighton. An spectacular storyteller, therefore the nickname Gassy Jack, Deighton was a colossal determine in the event of contemporary-day Vancouver. Continue alongside the previous-time streets ordained with lampposts in your method to Chinatown.
Chinatown Millenium Gate – Pass via the immense Millenium Gate to formally attain Vancouver’s Chinatown, one of many largest in North America. The district is rustic and gritty with a refined contact of gentrification. It’s the proper recipe for a foodie haven. When exploring, make sure to strive the mouthwatering dim sum and Floata Seafood Restaurant.
Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden – Later make a beeline for the Chinatown Heritage Alley, to the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden with gorgeous gardens and quaint water options.
Shopping – Shopping in each sections of city is distinguished however extra so in Chinatown, which is dwelling to the International Village Shopping Center and the bustling Water Street. Along with boutique and model identify retailers, you’ll discover a choice of museums together with the Rennie Museum.
Microbreweries – At evening you’ll discover a flurry of dim-lit cocktail joints serving craft creations, together with stylish microbreweries. This a part of town is actually tough across the edges, so if it’s your first rodeo to Gastown and Chinatown, maintain your avenue smarts helpful. Another possibility could be to base your self in Coal Harbor or Yaletown for straightforward daytime entry.
5. Kitsilano
Out of the downtown hub, an awesome possibility for households is the neighborhood of Kitsilano. Known merely as Kits, guests can count on a robust espresso tradition and plenty of household-pleasant actions from parks to seashores and indoor enjoyable. Along the primary drag, West 4th Avenue you possibly can peruse an abundance of boutique retailers, cozy cafes, and bookstores earlier than venturing additional afield.
Best Hotels in Kitsilano
Things to See in Kitsilano
Kitsilano offers one thing extra akin to a suburban expertise away from the organized chaos that’s downtown Vancouver. Thanks to public transport, and a fast stroll to the Burrard Street Bridge (for downtown), you’ll give you the option to go to most of the districts already talked about together with Granville Island and Richmond to the south. But maintain in thoughts that with out the SkyPractice, it could be price getting a automotive rental.
Right on English Bay, you possibly can seize spectacular mountain and metropolis views from the expansive Kitsilano Beach. It’s a additionally fashionable sunbathing spot on a heat summer time day whereas additionally being a enjoyable place to collect the crew for some seashore volleyball. Another fashionable attraction that’s price visiting, no matter the place you select to keep, is the Kitsilano Pool.
The heated outside pool is the proper method to take pleasure in a swim even when the climate isn’t perfect. After drying off, wander down the a number of nature trails that meander via the encircling park.
Those that select to keep in Kitsilano will sooner or later find yourself on the spacious Vanier Park. Featuring expansive views of the beautiful Vancouver skyline, the park is a good place to hang around, take pleasure in a picnic or play some yard video games.
It’s additionally dwelling to three museums, a few of the greatest in town. These are the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the H. R. MacMillan Space Centre, and the Museum of Vancouver.
The main downside of Kitsilano is the shortage of if any, resorts and true price range choices. There are, nonetheless, many household-household BnBs and trip leases.
While in Kitsilano, transcend town with a spectacular scenic drive. Here’s our information to the Sea to Sky Highway.
6. Mount Pleasant
Part of East Side Vancouver, Mount Pleasant is one other fantastic neighborhood outdoors of however shut to the interior-metropolis. With a youthful exuberance, the district is nice for {couples} and younger vacationers who need to benefit from the sights and enjoyable to be had past downtown.
Best Hotels in Mount Pleasant
Things to do in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is greatest categorized by Main Street. Seen as Vancouver’s hipster neighborhood, this drag is stuffed with small however funky eating places, craft beer joints, and new-world cafes serving third-wave espresso. This way of life attracts extra than simply town’s hipsters, as you’ll discover a various and social native inhabitants.
Even if you find yourself in the downtown core, it’s price making the journey over False Creek to expertise a unique facet of native life. But if you happen to select to base your self in Mount Pleasant, your journey will begin with ease.
The neighborhood is nicely-linked to town’s worldwide airport. From there, you possibly can rapidly encompass your self with an enthralling neighborhood devoid of vacationer traps. Everyone right here is simply dwelling their life, and typically that’s precisely what vacationers need to expertise.
Without a few of the sights that make their method into the tons of of “top ten” lists, you’ll have the chance to uncover Mount Pleasant on a whim. You’ll rapidly uncover loads of avant-garde boutiques matched by the variety of breweries. But everytime you’re strolling round city, cease by Earnest Ice Cream for inventive flavors from whiskey hazelnut to London fog.
One main attraction on the very north finish of Mount Pleasant is Science World. On the sting of False Creek, inside a hanging dome constructing, guests can expertise 12 household-pleasant displays that may get you excited about how the world works.
From Main Street, you’ll have a average stroll to the closest SkyPractice at Cambie Street. From there, you possibly can enterprise into town inside minutes to tick off the remainder of the Vancouver expertise.
Best Luxury Hotels in Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel is the most effective luxurious lodge in Vancouver. This opulent 5-star lodge is all about glamor. Located inside the Coal Harbour neighborhood, feast on the wonderful waterfront vistas and views of the North Shore mountains. With a lot to see inside straightforward strolling distance, take pleasure in an awesome location in fashion.
From the minute you stroll into this luxury lodge, you’ll discover a gorgeous artwork assortment in the marble foyer. Later, enterprise into your ornate modern rooms with excessive-tech facilities together with a digital concierge.
Trade the indoor pool for a lavish rooftop swim earlier than sitting down at one of many three on-web site eating places, together with The Botanist, a famend nice eating expertise. Its Willow Stream Spa was named one of many high spas in the world by Conde Nast.
More Luxury Hotels in Vancouver:
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Vancouver
The Georgia Court Hotel is positioned in the center of town middle, the Georgian Court Hotel is a boutique expertise in each sense of the world. With a tasty on-web site restaurant and free Wi-Fi, take pleasure in all the fashionable comforts whereas being simply steps away from BC Place and a brief stroll to the bustling Robson Street.
The lodge comes with a nicely-outfitted health middle, together with a calming sauna and lodge tub to clean up after an enormous day of strolling round Vancouver.
Each room includes a beneficiant flat display and a espresso machine. There are household rooms on supply, together with deluxe choices for {couples} trying to boost their trip.
More Mid-Range Hotels in Vancouver:
The revitalized industrial neighborhood of Yaletown has grow to be one of many hottest areas in Vancouver. With its easy accessibility to a variety of public transport, close by sights, and the envious meals scene, these coming to Vancouver for the primary time can’t go fallacious by checking right into a lodge inside the neighborhood.
The central location and the vary of resorts on supply assist to mitigate any worries you might have earlier than you get your bearings. Find your self inside strolling distance of the occurring Robson Street and stay sport at Rogers Arena and BC Place.
Best Place to Stay in Vancouver for Nightlife:
There are two locations in Vancouver which can be famend for his or her nightlife scene. One of them is town’s West End. When you aren’t having fun with the surroundings in Stanley Park or lazing by the seashore, you’ll be roaming Robson and Denman avenue buying and selling cafes for retailers. At evening, these identical streets present a vibrant nightlife expertise with numerous pubs, golf equipment, and cocktail bars.
The coronary heart of Vancouver’s nightlife and an space that didn’t find yourself on our record is the Granville Entertainment District. At evening, the Granville Street thoroughfare is probably the most energetic a part of town. Here the nightlife steals the present and runs into the early hours.
Devoid of vehicles as a pedestrian zone, a mix of blocks brings collectively a few of the greatest nightclubs and late-evening eats discovered wherever in Vancouver.
Best Budget Hotel in Vancouver: Victorian Hotel
The historic Victorian Hotel is on the cusp of the Gastown District. Much just like the neighborhood itself, the lodge is an excellent instance of interval allure with enchanting ornate designs and antiquities.
The Victorian Hotel was constructed earlier than the flip of the twentieth century. Just prefer it did again in 1898, the constructing affords friends beautiful excessive ceilings, lavish hardwood flooring, and complicated moldings. It’s all somewhat spectacular contemplating it’s the most effective price range possibility out of the Vancouver resorts we have now listed.
Each visitor room is as vibrant because the historic design would counsel and comes with free WiFi. Guests will take pleasure in a quick 5-minute stroll to the native SkyPractice station on Granville Street and a 15-minute jaunt to all of the enjoyable on Robson Street. But with Gastown and Chinatown proper across the nook, you’ll be busy for some time earlier than you head wherever else.
More Budget Hotels in Vancouver:
Where to Stay in Vancouver for Families:
Kitsilano stays probably the greatest areas to keep in Vancouver for households. The laid-again ambiance away from the downtown noise permits loads of time to chill out and spend time as one. The close by seashores will welcome you with open arms, so too the native parks. You’ll discover loads of purchasing alongside West 4th Avenue, together with espresso retailers and informal eating amongst native households.
If you need to keep inside Vancouver’s downtown core, then contemplate the Waterfront and Coal Harbour. Busy through the day, it’s a quieter expertise at evening. The whole crew will love wandering alongside the Sea Wall path with views of the North Shore Mountains. While the bustling Waterfront Station will join you with far-off adventures.
Where to Stay in Vancouver for Shopping
Both Mount Pleasant and Gastown present ample purchasing for guests. Along Main Street, you’ll have an array of classic retailers and fashionable manufacturers. For these on the lookout for one thing distinctive and out of the field, then that is the place to go.
Gastown affords easy accessibility to main interior-metropolis malls, together with the CF Pacific Center and the International Village Shopping Center. The district can be identified for its variety of eclectic thrift shops.
Where to Stay in Vancouver for Sightseeing:
The West End and Yaletown are the proper places for individuals who need to do numerous sightseeing. Within the center of the transport community, you’ll give you the option to get across the whole metropolis with out having to hail a cab.
Downtown Vancouver in all fairness packed, so there’ll even be loads of alternatives to get about on foot and make your method to most of the greatest issues to do in Vancouver.
Our Money Saving Tips for Vancouver:
The greatest method to lower your expenses when touring round Vancouver is to ditch the automotive rental and cabs in favor of public transport.
Beginning on the airport, you may get into town less expensive by taking the Canada Line. This will cease at Mount Pleasant, Yaletown, Gastown, and shut to Coal Harbour.
Throughout your keep purchase a Compass Card Day Pass that prices round $8usd. This will offer you limitless use of the SkyPractice and buses, amongst different types of transport.
Most components of town even have price range lodging choices, however low-cost eats could be discovered everywhere in the metropolis.
Getting Around Vancouver
If you’re arriving through airplane, after touching down at Vancouver International Airport, take the 25 minute journey to downtown on the Canada Line. Tickets price $7usd a method. From there, one of the simplest ways to get round city is on a bus, SkyPractice, or the AquaBus if you would like to head throughout the water to such locations as Granville Island.
The lack of a freeway system inside the downtown space, together with notoriously unhealthy site visitors, means it’s seemingly greatest to keep away from hiring a automotive to attain downtown. However, with many wonderful locations across the metropolis, from Richmond to Grouse Mountain, a automotive will likely be helpful if you would like to discover outdoors of metro Vancouver.
Vancouver British Columbia – The Wrap Up
With a mountainous backdrop, the spectacular skyline of Vancouver is one which has to be seen with your individual two eyes. Split by False Creek, Vancouver, British Columbia, is a hub of enchanting sights, from galleries to city parks and an understated nightlife.
Those visiting Vancouver can have their work minimize for them to tick off all of the issues on the already-packed itinerary. This is why it actually pays to keep shut to all of the issues that you really want to do. Whether that be having fun with the wonderful nature in and out of town, or kicking again on the espresso retailers on Davie Street.
Ready to enterprise past town? Get out of Vancouver with our information to the last word British Columbia Road Trip.