Vancouver, BC: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

When to Visit Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver makes the most of its four distinct seasons, which means it's a perfect destination to visit any time of year. Summer tends to be the most popular season for tourism, as warm weather and dry skies welcome visitors. Hotel prices can be high during the summer, though, so consider visiting another time if your schedule is flexible.

If you want to save on accommodations, plan your visit during spring or fall. Temperatures are typically mild, and hotel prices are a fraction of summertime room rates. Winters in Vancouver tend to be cold and snowy, which is great news for winter sports lovers. If you're planning a ski trip in British Columbia, make Vancouver your home base, and enjoy the city after you hit the slopes.

Best Value Options in Vancouver, British Columbia

For hotels that strike the ideal balance between price and comfort, take a closer look at some of Vancouver's best value options. Whether you want to stay on the waterfront, in the downtown area, or near the airport, you'll find great deals in Vancouver.

Right on the Vancouver bayfront, The Sylvia Hotel features 120 guestrooms with either queen or king beds. All rooms come standard with amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi, cable TV, and microwaves upon request. Spend the day at English Bay Beach, hop on public transport to explore the city, and end your day with a cocktail at the hotel's lounge. If you're planning a small event in town, reserve the hotel's 400 square feet of event space.

Situated in Vancouver's West End, the Riviera on Robson Suites Hotel Downtown Vancouver is convenient to Robson Square, the Pacific Centre Shopping Mall, and the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. This downtown hotel features 41 spacious guestrooms ranging from queen suites to queen apartments to penthouse apartments. Most rooms include a fully-equipped kitchen and a balcony with a harbor view. Kick back beside the fireplace and catch up on your favorite shows on the flat-screen TV or head down to the on-site restaurant for a satisfying meal.

Conveniently located in the heart of Vancouver, The Burrard is just a few blocks from Robson Square, the Orpheum Theater, and the Vancouver Art Gallery. This city hotel has a boutique feel and offers a quiet respite from the bustling city. All 72 guestrooms feature conveniences like comfortable pillow-top beds, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and refrigerators. Plan trip details with the hotel's free Wi-Fi, and relax with a freshly brewed coffee or a craft beer in the hotel lounge. Borrow one of the hotel's bikes to get familiar with the surrounding area.

When you're looking for a clean and comfortable place to stay near the Vancouver International Airport, book a room at the Accent Inn Vancouver Airport Hotel. Located just under four miles from the airport, the hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle around the clock. Rooms here range from standard to deluxe to junior suites. Some larger rooms include kitchenettes and microwaves, and all 206 guestrooms include pillow-top beds, refrigerators, and LCD TVs. Grab a meal at the on-site restaurant, and if you have extra time, explore nearby attractions like Aberdeen Centre and the Richmond Centre Mall.

Best Hotel Discounts in Vancouver, British Columbia

When you visit Vancouver as a member of certain groups, there's no reason to pay full price on hotel rooms. If you're a member of AAA or AARP or if you're a government employee, you'll save on several area hotels. Members of the military and government employees receive guaranteed rates at the Travelodge Langley City.

AAA members save about 10 percent on rooms at The Sylvia Hotel and other local hotels. Senior travelers and AARP members save about 5 percent on rooms at the Accent Inn Vancouver Airport Hotel.

Can’t-Miss Attractions in Vancouver, British Columbia

One of Canada's most naturally beautiful cities, Vancouver has no shortage of parks and green spaces. Take advantage of nice weather at Stanley Park, located near the city's West End and home to 14 miles of waterfront biking and walking trails. One of Vancouver's most popular parks, Queen Elizabeth Park features an impressive arboretum, a conservatory with multiple climate zones, and plenty of gorgeous city views. During the summer, head to Kitsilano Beach or Spanish Banks Beach, both great spots for fun in the sun.

For a getaway right in the city, set your sights on Grouse Mountain, which features hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. To get an exceptional view of the city, go to the Vancouver Lookout, which offers a panorama from atop the Harbour Centre building in the heart of downtown.

A matchless city in any season, Vancouver offers something for everyone. Whether you're planning a high-end corporate event, looking for an upscale getaway, or thinking of a fun family vacation, make Vancouver your destination.

A visit to Vancouver Recapped

Vancouver is any immigrant's dream. Where else can you see a mayor who awards mothers after giving birth, maternity privileges, free education, and a whole lot of perks? But before British Colombia's pride became an immigrant hub, Vancouver has long served as Canada's foremost tourist destination. The city is Canada's third largest metropolis, with 640,000 residents, and growing. Its port is considered Canada's largest and busiest dock, bringing in millions of visitors yearly, as tourism has long been Vancouver's second largest industry. Vancouver has been a favorite among film locations, and the film industry has aptly named it Hollywood North. One of the world's most livable city has been the site of Olympics, Paralympics, games, and expos. Such events have designed much of the cityscape. Downtown has the Vancouver Art gallery, a neoclassical architectural feat. Edwardian buildings grace the city center, surrounded by buildings for theater and film. The Vancouver International Film Centre attracts thousands of guests in one month, but Vancouver's natural, untouched views draw millions per year.

Seth Rogan, a world-famous TV personality, comedian and actor “ who also hails from Vancouver “ is often quoted saying, 'I have never really loved Vancouver as much I should have. But when I'm down and out, with nowhere to go, I know Vancouver will still be a place I'd proudly call home. These words embody what Vancouver means to those who grow up and live here. One of the liveliest and most populated cities in Canada, Vancouver is home to over half a million people. Quite notorious for its bone chilling winters and gentle summers, a trip to Vancouver will definitely allow you to get a closer look into how people have made Canada what it is today, through centuries of hard work with and, at times against, the forces of nature that can never be tamed. 

Apart from the natural beauty of it, Vancouver holds many architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings and places that will definitely make your Vancouver trip worth a while. 

Hotel Options for Travelers on a Budget

Every tourist knows what a travail it is to find a hotel that is good enough yet not too pricey. That's why, finding cheap hotels is the most time consuming activity while planning and preparing for any tripe “ Vancouver is not an exception in any way. That being said, it should also be mentioned that finding a budget hotel in Vancouver is not that much of a task, provided that you know where to look for one. Most of the budget hotels in Vancouver are either seasonally affordable or affordable over long terms. Hence, the real challenge is to find a hotel that is affordable for typically short stays of 3 to 5 days. Like other cities, a budget hotel in Vancouver is best hired only after a round of negotiation with the management. 

Luxury Overload in Vancouver

Being a city of international repute, Vancouver houses its share of high end hotel chains that can be found in many other cities in the world. As almost all luxury hotel establishments in the world have now been franchised, staying in a luxury hotel in one city is much akin to staying in a luxury hotel in a city at the opposite end of the world. In that sense, luxury Vancouver hotels like Hyatt, Park Regency, Hilton, Marriott, Marigold, Accor, BLU, Georgina Court, L'Ermitage all make faithful appearances. 

Staying in a luxury hotel in Vancouver, however, can be a slightly different experience to those who aren't really aware of Canadian ways of life “ especially food. From various kinds of seasonal as well as perennial fish to traditional meat recipes using completely locally sourced food materials, these establishments can certainly add a dash of tasty excitement to your pallet. 

Must See Places in Vancouver

Vancouver is often called the fishing capital of North America. During on-season, thousands of people from distant corners of the world flock to Vancouver just to enjoy the traditional fly fishing and other methods of fishing that have now become deep rooted into the British Columbian culture. Vancouver is a city only in the sense that it houses thousands of people, offices and businesses. But one would find it really tough to find a city that has as many mountains surrounding it, as many waterfalls adding loads to its beauty, as many forests making it more enigmatic and as many ships rendering it busy. Canada has been blessed abundantly in regard with natural beauty, and Vancouver is a great example of it. 

The most popular tourist attraction in Vancouver seems to be Stanley Park, located just outside city limits. The park houses hundreds of local and exotic plant species that often attract travelers, academics and researchers from around the world. Another natural phenomenon that beautifies Vancouver further is the Seawall. This Seawall provides peace of mind, scenery, colourful ambiance and true relaxation, far from the madding crowd. 

Vancouver aquarium, the largest in Canada, is another perennial crowd favourite. It houses over 250 marine species of all sizes and origins, and is visited by over 15,000 people every year. The Museum of Anthropology, present in the heart of the city, also attracts many visitors, especially researchers and curious minds. 

Airport Hotels in Vancouver 

Vancouver airport is not quite isolated from the heart of the city. Considering this fact, it should become clear to tourists and travelers that many popular hotel outfits (luxury as well as budget) can be found around the airport campus with ease. Like is the procedure in all parts of the world, one (if they already haven't made a booking for a hotel) can simply hail a cab and drive to the neared hotel to strike a deal. Cheap hotels, mostly concentrated in the residential areas of the city, can be a little farther away than the ones situated near to the airport. However, considering the overall expense view, it should be understandable that it's always the best idea to save on hotel expenses, rather than saving on transport expenses. 

Transportation in Vancouver

Vancouver airport is one of the busiest ones in Canada. Vancouver, on account of being a mega-city, is extremely well connected to most parts of the world with direct and/or connecting flights. As far as connections to the US are concerned, Vancouver has busy road connections with the mainland US, apart from plentiful aerial connections and even busier water transport connections. 

Vancouver is also well-connected by various means “ air, road and rails “ to other major Canadian cities (Toronto, Ottawa etc.). If getting to Vancouver is easy, getting around Vancouver is even easier. Because of heavy traffic generated by over 100 business headquarters it hosts, public and private transport is very easy to avail of in Vancouver. If you are planning on making short trips around the city, you will better off hiring a private car for the duration of your stay. Many Vancouver hotels do provide their own cars for tourists. If not, most hotels in Vancouver do provide mediation and assistance with the process of car hiring.