Easy methods to Select The place to Keep in Vancouver (A Former Resident’s Information)

The primary time we visited Vancouver, BC, we did what a whole lot of first-timers do. We discovered an important deal outdoors the core, shut sufficient to the skyline to tease us, and booked it. We thought we have been being intelligent.

The truth was that we spent half our journey crossing bridges and ready for buses, watching the West Coast mountains by means of a windshield as a substitute of from the Seawall. By the point we reached the locations we truly 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 Seashore, market snacks, and a sluggish stroll residence on quiet facet streets. All the things clicked.

Not lengthy after, we truly moved to Vancouver. Dwelling there gave us an insider’s perspective to the 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 wise 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 can assist you choose the precise residence base in your model, with sincere professionals and cons and resort picks we’d ebook once more.

The Greatest Areas to Keep in Vancouver at a Look

For a fast abstract, listed here are our high neighbourhood picks for many guests, primarily based on our expertise dwelling in and exploring the town.

• Downtown: Greatest for first-timers and sightseeing.
• Yaletown: Greatest for a hip, upscale vibe and eating.
• Gastown: Greatest for historical past, boutiques, and nightlife.
• Kitsilano: Greatest for seashores and a laid-back really feel.
• West Finish: Greatest for Stanley Park and an area neighbourhood vibe.
• Coal Harbour: Greatest for cruise departures and harbour views.

In the event you select nicely, you spend much less time commuting throughout bridges and extra time doing the good 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 Greatest Neighbourhoods to Keep in Vancouver (Our First-Hand Expertise)

Downtown: Greatest 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, the town’s principal 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 good 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 vary earlier than a experience across the park. It isn’t 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 resorts to select from, best for first-timers.
Cons: Summer season costs chew, metropolis noise on principal streets, free parking is uncommon within the downtown space.

Resort Suggestions in Downtown

• Fairmont Waterfront – Steps from Canada Place and Waterfront Station; waterfront views, trendy facilities, and an important location.
• Pan Pacific Vancouver – On high of the cruise port with direct elevator entry; the only embarkation morning.
• EXchange Resort Vancouver – Heritage conversion within the previous inventory change; a simple stroll to the waterfront and Gastown; snug rooms in an excellent location.
• Carmana Resort & Suites – Large suites with full kitchens close to Robson and Alberni; preferrred in order for you area and clear rooms in a central location.
• Resort BLU – Smooth boutique possibility near Granville Road’s leisure district; useful for reveals with trendy facilities.
• Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Downtown – Stable price range choose close to the harbour; fundamental however good location for walkers.

Yaletown: Greatest for a stylish, upscale vibe

The Vibe

Yaletown blends brick and glass in a manner 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 carry 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 a number 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 the town wakes up.

Execs & Cons

Execs: Implausible eating places and bars, very walkable, fast prepare to and from YVR.
Cons: Weekend charges climb, vigorous blocks can echo late.

Resort Suggestions in Yaletown

• OPUS Vancouver – Playful boutique proper by Yaletown–Roundhouse Station; preferrred for dinners and late walks residence. WE have stayed right here many instances.
• Hilton Vancouver Downtown – Suite-style rooms; useful to Yaletown and the arenas; trendy facilities and cozy rooms.
• The Parker Resort & Rooftop – Modern rooms and a sunset-ready rooftop close to the Seashore District; near nice meals and the Seawall.

Occasion tip: Right here for a sport or live performance? JW Marriott Parq or the DOUGLAS put you beside BC Place and near Rogers Enviornment within the leisure district.

Gastown: Greatest 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, stay music drifts from doorways, and you’ll really feel that artistic 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 Road, a cease for one thing new at a bar we’ve 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 experience wherever.

Execs & Cons

Execs: Character buildings, vacation spot eating, near transit and the harbour.
Cons: Weekends could be noisy, edges towards the Downtown Eastside really feel intense late, so select location rigorously.

Resort Suggestions in or close to Gastown

• Delta Vancouver Downtown Suites – All-suite; bridges the waterfront and Gastown; non-public toilet in each suite and area to unfold out.
• The St. Regis Resort – Unbiased, central, and breakfast included; an important 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: Greatest for seashores and a laid-back really feel

The Vibe

Kits is salt in your pores and skin and market baggage in your arm. Kitsilano Seashore and the out of doors 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 one of the simplest ways.

Our Private Take

Once we need to exhale, we base in Kits. Morning swim, espresso in hand, a lazy stroll by means of the market on Granville Island, then a picnic dinner on the seaside. Getting downtown is a fast bus experience 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 succeed in downtown sights.

Resort and Residence Picks in Kits

• Granville Island Resort – Waterfront boutique with the market in your doorstep; nice location for meals lovers.
• Alma Seashore Suites – Kitchens and dwelling rooms in a quiet residential pocket; preferrred for longer stays and households who desire a native really feel and personal toilet.
• Good alternate options: Character B&Bs and short-term residences are extra widespread than huge resorts right here.

West Finish: Greatest for park lovers and a neighbourhood really feel

The Vibe

The place we truly lived inside steps of the icons. The Seawall rings Stanley Park, English Bay curves with sand and volleyball nets, and Denman Road and Davie carry ramen, sushi, and late-night snacks. It’s calm on facet streets, vigorous on the principle ones, and at all times near water. Many stays listed here are pet pleasant resorts, so your furry good friend can be a 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 stability of inexperienced area and metropolis is spot on, and you continue to really feel near the town heart (metropolis centre) with out the frenzy.

Execs & Cons

Execs: Walkable to seashores and Stanley Park, glorious 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.

Resort 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 Resort – Ivy-clad heritage on English Bay; basic lounge and seaside throughout the highway; waterfront views at a good room fee for the realm.

Coal Harbour: Greatest 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 mirror the view.

Resort 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 high of Canada Place; elevators right down to the ships; one among Vancouver’s high resorts for cruise days.
• EXchange Resort – Design-forward rooms in a landmark constructing close to the waterfront; trendy facilities and an excellent 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 useful base for Capilano, Grouse Mountain, and the North Shore mountaineering 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: Greatest for live shows 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 the town wakes.

Execs & Cons

Execs: Stroll to each arenas, central for occasions, easy accessibility to eating and stay music.
Cons: Feels business-like between occasions, charges leap on huge present nights.

Resort Suggestions within the Parq District

Greatest Lodges close to Canada Place for Cruise Departures

• Pan Pacific Vancouver – On high 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 Resort 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 preferrred 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 weak group going through important challenges. The blocks round East Hastings Road can really feel intense, particularly at night time. In the event you love Gastown’s historic vibe however desire a calmer base, select a resort nearer to Waterfront Station and keep away from wandering east of Abbott Road 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 preferrred for a brief journey. You’ll spend a big quantity of your invaluable trip time commuting on the SkyTrain or in visitors simply to get to sights like Stanley Park and Granville Island.
• Close to the Airport (YVR): Until you have 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 just’re a lot better off staying within the metropolis to maximise your time.

Easy methods to Get Round Vancouver

Vancouver’s core is compact and really simple to navigate with no automotive. A lot of the neighbourhoods we advocate are walkable, and the transit system is superb for connecting the dots.

• From the Airport (YVR): The easiest way into the 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: In the event you plan on a busy day of sightseeing between totally different neighbourhoods like Kitsilano, Gastown, and North Vancouver, a DayPass is a good worth. It provides you limitless journey on the SkyTrain, buses, and the SeaBus.
• Experience 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.
• Hire 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 one of the simplest ways to discover. Earlier than you ebook your resort, it’s at all times a good suggestion to drop a pin on Google Maps to verify the strolling distance to the closest SkyTrain station and the Seawall.

Ultimate Ideas for Reserving Your Keep in Vancouver

• Guide Forward for Peak Season: July to September, particularly throughout the cruise season, fills up quick. For your best option and value close to Canada Place, lock in your reserving 3–6 months prematurely. Regulate the live performance and sports activities schedules, as huge occasions may trigger charges to spike.
• Examine the Map: Downtown is compact, however a fast map examine is important. Verify the strolling time to the Seawall, Stanley Park, and the closest SkyTrain station earlier than you ebook to save lots of your self from sudden detours.
• Learn the Latest Evaluations: A resort’s general rating doesn’t inform the entire story. Skim the final 3–5 opinions for current notes on noise, building, or renovations. Vancouver adjustments shortly, and the newest suggestions is essentially the most invaluable.
• Don’t Overpay for a View: A wise residence base with easy accessibility 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 coated entrance or a spot to hold moist jackets. In the event you plan to cycle, ask about bike storage. A bit of planning for the climate goes a good distance.

FAQ about locations to remain in Vancouver

Listed here are the solutions to a couple widespread questions we get about selecting a spot to remain within the metropolis.

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 sport, keep at Parq. When you’ve got questions, drop them within the feedback and we are going to assist you select.