{"id":263613,"date":"2023-10-29T17:36:20","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T21:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=263613"},"modified":"2025-06-19T07:29:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T11:29:43","slug":"where-to-stay-vancouver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/where-to-stay-vancouver\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Stay in Vancouver: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Vancouver<\/a> is my favorite city in Canada<\/a>. (It\u2019s also one of my favorite cities in the world<\/a>. I love it.) <\/p>\n

Spend a few days here, and you\u2019ll see why it\u2019s consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world.<\/p>\n

Vancouver is the third largest in Canada. As a traveler, there aren’t a ton of areas you are going to stay in as you’ll want to be fairly centrally located but Vancouver is still big enough that you can spend a lot of time commuting if you aren’t careful. <\/p>\n

To help you figure out where to stay in Vancouver, I\u2019ve created this detailed list. It includes a brief description of each area, why I like it, and my favorite accommodations in that neighborhood so you know exactly what to expect.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything you need to know about where to stay in Vancouver:<\/p>\n


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Where to Stay in Vancouver for First-Time Visitors: Yaletown<\/h3>\n

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\nThis upscale neighborhood just south of downtown is perfect for families, couples, and first-time visitors. There are half a dozen parks to enjoy when the weather is nice and you\u2019re right along the water, which means views of nearby Granville Island. It\u2019s also one of the trendier neighborhoods, with lots of chic shops, cocktail bars, healthy restaurants, and likely the odd celebrity if you look carefully. There aren\u2019t many hotels here so it has a more residential feel than other parts of the city. The major soccer, hockey, and football arenas are all here too.<\/p>\n

Best places to stay in Yaletown:<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIDRANGE<\/strong>: Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel<\/a> \u2013 This three-star hotel features rooms with kitchenettes that have microwaves, stovetops, and a fridge. There\u2019s also a continental breakfast with fresh waffles. The rooms, while dated, are large, have good light, and have comfortable beds. There\u2019s a TV and desk in each room too and the hotel has an indoor pool. I think it’s the best value hotel in the area.<\/p>\n

LUXURY<\/strong>: OPUS Vancouver<\/a> \u2013 This upscale, five-star hotel has large, contemporary rooms painted in bright, vivid colors that feature Nespresso machines, super comfy beds, desks, and flatscreen TVs. The bathrooms are large, with heated floors, decent shower pressure, and plush bathrobes. There\u2019s a stylish cocktail bar downstairs as well as a fitness center too.
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Where to Stay in Vancouver for Foodies: Gastown & Chinatown<\/h3>\n

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\nGastown is one of the most iconic areas of Vancouver. With its Victorian-era buildings and cobblestone streets, it\u2019s one of the most photographed areas of town. It\u2019s also one of the oldest. There are loads of bars here too, so it\u2019s a good choice if you want to experience the city\u2019s nightlife. <\/p>\n

Since Gastown isn\u2019t huge, it often gets lumped together with Chinatown, which is just to the south. This buzzing district is the biggest Chinatown in the country, owing to the fact that immigrants from Asia historically arrived in Vancouver. Don\u2019t miss the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden while you\u2019re here. It\u2019s gorgeous!<\/p>\n

Best places to stay in Gastown & Chinatown<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

BUDGET<\/strong>: Cambie Hostel \u2013 Gastown<\/a> \u2013 Housed in a building dating back to the late 1800s, this party hostel has a super lively bar that draws in crowds of locals. It can get incredibly loud (bring earplugs!), but that makes it super easy to meet people. The dorm beds are comfy, though they don\u2019t have curtains or outlets, and there are lockers for storage. The breakfast, while not included, is excellent (you can get eggs, bacon, hash browns and veg options).<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE<\/strong>: Skwach\u00e0ys Lodge<\/a> \u2013 This three-star boutique hotel features gorgeous Indigenous art throughout the property (there\u2019s even a gallery in the lobby too). The rooms are spacious and colorful, with unique art and decorations. Each room has a kitchenette (in case you want to cook) as well as a desk and a very comfortable bed. The included breakfast is delicious and has lots of variety.
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Where to Stay in Vancouver for Luxury: Coal Harbour<\/h3>\n

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\nLocated between Gastown and the West End, this waterfront district is one of the more upscale parts of town (there\u2019s no budget accommodation here). There are lots of luxury apartments and, during the day, it\u2019s pretty laid-back. It\u2019s right near the massive Stanley Park too, where you\u2019ll find beaches, a seawall path, forest paths, the aquarium, and much more. There\u2019s also a nice trail along the waterfront (the Seawall Water Walk) where you can go for a stroll to take in the views. If you\u2019re heading out on a cruise from Vancouver, this is the best area to stay in since you\u2019re close to the harbor.<\/p>\n

Best places to stay in the Coal Harbour<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE<\/strong>: Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel<\/a> \u2013 Located just two blocks from the waterfront, this four-star hotel offers an incredible value for the location. Rooms include large flatscreen TVs, a desk, and soft, comfortable beds. The rooms feel a bit dated but are large and airy, with a minimalist design. The bathrooms are bright and have bidets as well as showers with decent pressure. Breakfast, while not included, has a lot of tasty options. There\u2019s a rooftop pool and a fully equipped gym if you want to work out too.<\/p>\n

LUXURY<\/strong>: Fairmont Pacific Rim<\/a> \u2013 This gorgeous five-star hotel has a beautiful rooftop pool and hot tub offering stunning views overlooking the city and waterfront. The rooms are stylish and large, with big windows, a desk in case you need to work, and cushy beds. The marble bathrooms are spacious and bright, and the showers have good pressure. There\u2019s a full spa on-site, a caf\u00e9 where you can get breakfast, and a bar that hosts nightly live music. This is the place to stay if you\u2019re looking for luxury in an excellent location.
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Where to Stay in Vancouver for Families: West End<\/h3>\n

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\nAlso bordering Stanley Park, the West End is a mostly quiet district away from the hustle and bustle, which is confined to its main commercial streets. It\u2019s where you\u2019ll find some of the best beaches (specifically English Bay and Sunset Beach) and the best place in town to get outdoors. If you want to cycle and explore or go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, this is the place. It\u2019s probably the best area to stay in if you\u2019re visiting in the summer.<\/p>\n

Best places to stay in the West End<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

BUDGET<\/strong>: HI Vancouver Downtown<\/a> \u2013 Tucked into a quieter part of the West End, this hostel was completely renovated in 2023 so everything still looks and feels new. The dorm beds don\u2019t have curtains, but the mattresses are thick and incredibly comfy. There\u2019s also a relaxing rooftop terrace with views over the city, a game room with pool, a library, a co-working space, a fully equipped kitchen, and a TV room. It\u2019s not a super lively hostel, but it\u2019s still pretty easy to meet people.<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE<\/strong>: Blue Horizon Hotel<\/a> \u2013 This contemporary four-star hotel offers a lot of value. There\u2019s an indoor pool, gym, sauna, steam room, and an on-site restaurant where you can get breakfast. The rooms are large, with desks, coffee\/tea makers, and flatscreen TVs, and the beds are super comfortable. The bathrooms aren\u2019t huge, but the showers have good pressure (a big plus for me).<\/p>\n

LUXURY<\/strong>: Shangri-La Vancouver<\/a> \u2013 This luxe five-star hotel features large, bright rooms with huge beds, floor-to-ceiling windows, a Nespresso machine, a desk, and spacious bathrooms with great showers and plush bathrobes. The lobby is massive and elegant; there\u2019s also an outdoor pool, a spa, and a gym where you can take private yoga and Pilates lessons. This is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. If you want opulence, stay here!
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Where to Stay in Vancouver for Sightseeing: Granville Island<\/h3>\n

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\nGranville Island is one of the most popular destinations in Canada. Technically a peninsula, it is located just across False Creek from Yaletown and is home to the massively popular Public Market, a huge indoor market with restaurants, fresh produce, crafts, and more. There are also numerous galleries and a large amphitheater. It\u2019s the perfect place to wander, window shop, eat, and enjoy the summer weather. Be sure to grab a drink at the Granville Island Brewing Co., one of the first cottage breweries in the entire province!<\/p>\n

Best places to stay in Granville<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE<\/strong>: Granville Island Hotel<\/a> \u2013 This is the only hotel on Granville Island. A three-star property, it has everything you need for a relaxing and affordable stay. There\u2019s a spa, sauna, and gym, and bikes are available for rent if you want to explore the area. The stylish rooms have large beds, desks, coffee\/tea makers, and plenty of light. The bathrooms aren\u2019t huge, but everything is modern and clean, and the showers have good pressure. The breakfast is delicious and has lots of options.<\/p>\n

***<\/center><\/p>\n

Vancouver<\/a> has it all: amazing food, lots of museums and galleries, and plentiful green space. With both ocean and mountains right at your doorstep, it\u2019s a fun city to visit year-round. Just make sure to stick to the neighborhoods above. Do that, and you\u2019ll get to see the best Vancouver has to offer, no matter your travel style or budget. <\/p>\n

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Book Your Trip to Vancouver: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n

Book Your Flight<\/strong>
\nUse Skyscanner<\/a> to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.<\/p>\n

Book Your Accommodation<\/strong>
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a> as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. <\/p>\n

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong>
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n