1

Hi Borja,
I'm not sure what your budget is, so I'll post for fun-econo ideas.

Hostel International has a great hostel right down near Davies Street, the happening Gay section of town, and super close to the rest of the fantastic downtown shopping madness ;>

The Cambie Hostel (I've stayed there and enjoyed it), is ok, but too close to skid row, if you're traveling with kids or aren't feeling that adventurous... however it's super close to another extremely interesting area of town, Gastown (but I'd rather take a bus there, than sleep there). If you do plan on exploring Gastown, do it by day (Light) 'cause the worst part of town (the notorious Downtown Eastside) is only a block or two over, and it's not safe. China town is also very close to Gastown and Cambie Hostel. All these areas are a short 10 min. bus ride from the Down town HI, so, if your not familiar with Vancouver, go for HI.

There are a few other hostels that I encourage you to skip as they often also serve locals... meaning there is a great security risk and you don't need that kind of stress. Stay away from anything near the railway station.

There is also a gorgeous Hostel International on Jerico beach (across the inlet from the downtown section). It's in a stunning old historical building and a short 5 min. walk to another small cool shopping section called Kitsalano. This hostel is also a short 5 min walk up the beach from the nudist beach called Wreck beach.

Though I don't know of any hostels in the area, make sure you visit commercial drive when your there! This is a vibrant multi-ethnic area of town with a great park that often has spontaneous drum circles, jugglers and general laid back enjoyment (and great Italian coffee shops).

Enjoy Vancouver friend
~Melifera

2

Thanks a lot, but I´m talking more about the "area", not the certain hotel or hostels.
I´m looking for a hotel or an apartment and I´ve seen some for my budget but I don´t know which one is in a good place, I need to know which area is the daylife center.

Imagine that if I were in NY, I will book a room in Times Square...

Thank you

3

Imagine that if I were in NY, I will book a room in Times Square...

That's unfortunate - nice to visit the zoo for an hour, but I would stay south of 20th Street in Manhattan.

4

That´s why I say that, people usually have different opinions....

For me, the central area is Times Square... so I want to be in the "Times Square" of Vancouver....
Perhaps this is a better example... in San Francisco I choose "Union Square"

Which is the "Union Square" of Vancouver??

Thank you

5

Fair enough ... we differ wildly - all part of life's rich tapestry. You call it the centre, I call it the most over-rated (and uncomfortable) intersection in the whole world, and more like Fisherman's Wharf than Union Square.

But I appreciate I'm not answering your question.

6

Vancouver's best area to stay would be Coal Harbour, but it's also the most expensive. Similar to "Times Square", you'll spend far more to hotel there than anywhere else.

Generaly a 4 Star hotel there, starts at around 350 a night... but I am sure that's your budget since you normally stay in places like Times Square (where hotels START at 450 a night)

Just avoid the lower-east side.

I enjoy the Fairmont waterfront, or the Hyatt on Melville, both are good hotels.

7

Ok, thanks a lot.
What I understand is that a good area based on what I like is Downtown-Gastown, isn´t it??

What I do is to rent an apartment with two bedrooms (we are four) so this is cheaper than a hotel.
For example, I´ve found a nice apartment in W.Georgia Street for 212CAD... so 106USD per night it´s very cheap for me, and we are 10minutes walking (that´s what google maps says) form Coal Harbour , close to the hotels you recommend. The same in Haro Street

There is a company that is renting apartments in Vancouver and they say that the are near the "BC Place Stadium" is better than others near Coal Harbour. What do you think??

Thanks a lot for your help

8

I think the West End, close to Stanley Park would meet your needs. Interesting in itself, yet a reasonable walk to the downtown area.

If you prefer something a bit quieter, Kitsilano, but would recommend the West End over this, as while Kits it does have a very pleasant shopping area, there is more of a "buzz" in the West End.

If you really want Union Square, stay downtown, in the area near the Hotel Vancouver which is across the street from the Art Gallery. I agree with the posters who say to stay away from Gastown. Last time I was there (a number of years ago), all it had was kitschy stuff.

9

http://bluehorizonhotel.com/ on Robson-no better place.

Also-Vancouver isn't NYC-you'll understand when you see how small downtown really is.

10

We stayed at the the Cambie Hostel quite a few years ago, and wandered around Gastown plus more - at night ... we found it all okay. Unless the place has deteriorated markedly in the last decade, not sure what to think about all the dire warnings posted above.

But I am more than willing to concede to current local knowledge, of course.

11

Thank you for all your answers.

Mmm... Gastown is very close to the best areas
OK, with this information now I can do a good search for an apartment or a hotel, thank you for all your recommendations

12

Gastown is a suppurating hellhole-dickensian isn't too strong a term.

13

Agree with #14, re: Gastown.

It was cool about 40 years ago when I first visited Vancouver. On a list of must-sees in Vancouver of 100, I would place this as 101! Don't waste your limited travel time here!