Pinnacle Hotel At The Pier
North Shore
Just to prove that not all Olympics-inspired hotel openings were...
Although there are 25,000 hotel, B&B and hostel rooms in Metro Vancouver, the city is colonized by tourists in summer months, so booking ahead is a smart move – unless you want to be sleeping with your head on a damp log in Stanley Park. With rates at their highest in July and August, there are some genuinely good deals in spring and fall, when you can avoid the school-holiday crush and join the locals in enjoying a day or two of wild 'Wet Coast' rainfall.
While the 2010 Winter Olympics triggered a rash of slick new hotel developments – including the Shangri-La and the Fairmont Pacific Rim – not all the newbies managed to open in time for the gold rush. The revamped Hotel Georgia, a few steps from the venerable Hotel Vancouver, promises to be one of the city's swankiest new sleepovers.
Vancouver is not just about high-end hotels, of course. There are many good midrange options, especially in the downtown core, as well as pockets of homely heritage B&Bs in the West End and Kitsilano. If you want to be closer to the forests and mountains yet not too far from downtown, the North Shore is also a good alternative. And for those on a limited budget, there are hostels scattered across the city, as well as some good student-style digs out at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
From high end to budget, lodgings are increasingly adding free wireless internet access to their offerings, while spas, pools, air-conditioning and laundry facilities are more sporadically applied: see the symbols in each listing to see what's available and call ahead to find out what's new. Also note that some reviews include family-friendly ([family]) and pet-friendly ([pet]) symbols.
Accommodation reviews here are arranged by neighborhood and then by budget – most expensive first. Quoted prices are for the height of the summer season, but rates can drop by as much as 50% in the off-season and many hotels also offer good-value packages that might include restaurant deals, spa treatments or entry to local attractions – check hotel websites to see what's on offer.
Alternatively, save time by checking online or calling for the many deals, packages and accommodation services offered via Tourism Vancouver and Hello BC.
Be aware that there are some significant additions to most quoted room rates. You'll have to pay 12% HST (Harmonized Sales Tax), plus an additional hotel room tax of 2%. In addition, many hotels charge a destination marking fee of around 1.5%. In total, these extras can amount to as much as 16.5%. Many hotels, particularly in the downtown core, also charge parking fees that are often between $10 and $20 per night. You can avoid this by staying at B&Bs, which generally don't charge for parking.
North Shore
Just to prove that not all Olympics-inspired hotel openings were...
Downtown & West End
Many travelers have recommended this place, with its large rooms...
Downtown & West End
While some recent revamping has taken place, most of the 52 room...
Downtown & West End
Across from the Samesun (they both have the same Granville St no...
Downtown & West End
This popular tower block is one of Canada's best Ys...
Downtown & West End
Expect a party atmosphere at this lively 200-bed hostel in the h...
Downtown & West End
It's not quite grand (actually it's not even close) but it's har...
Downtown & West End
This well-located combination hostel and budget hotel is a real ...
Downtown & West End
This supremely cozy (but fiendishly well-hidden) home-away-from-...
Downtown & West End
It says 'downtown' in the name but this purpose-built hostel is ...
Kitsilano & University of British Columbia
One of Canada's largest hostels looks like a Victorian hospital ...
Gastown & Chinatown
This older hotel doesn't enjoy the most salubrious location but ...
Downtown & West End
Downtown & West End
Downtown & West End
Yaletown & Granville Island
Downtown & West End
Downtown & West End
Downtown & West End
Downtown & West End
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