Vancouver: Best Hotels in Different Price Categories

As a Vancouver BC resident and ardent traveler I have to say I am always amazed at the quality of the hotels that continue to keep popping up in this lovely Metropolis of ours. Raising our children on a busy schedule, we often took advantage of an evening or weekend spent in one of the local luxury Vancouver hotels. I don’t mind using hotwire or priceline so we usually got good deal but Vancouver is not a cheap place for hotels. Still it was often great fun to just spend a night away in our own city. For visitors to the city, you will likely be amazed at the quality of hotels and restaurants in the area. Vancouver is definitely a food lover’s haven and we have had terrific meals in our hometown that would cost us double the price in many other cities around North America.

There are so many great things to see and do in Vancouver but that is a subject for another day. The one thing I would recommend for travelers is that staying in Vancouver is much more enjoyable if you actually stay in one of the downtown Vancouver hotels. It will cost a little more but it will be worth it in terms of convenience to sights and attractions. It’s just not the same if you don’t feel like you are in the heart of the city. There are three main areas to stay downtown: Near the waterfront in Coal Harbour between gas town and Stanley park, along Robson street near most of the boutique shops or closer to the central business district and entertainment district on streets along both sides of Granville street.

My Vancouver best hotels list is fairly eclectic and I will try to cover a few different price ranges because I know not everyone can afford a $300 a night luxury hotel room. In fact I only included two hotels in the $300+ category. Most of my best Vancouver hotels are in the $200 to $250 range. A few quality hotels have rooms that can also usually be found from $100 to $150 but rooms can sometimes even be found at lower prices especially during off peak times. However, from mid May to Mid September, during the cruise ship season, rates usually don’t go down too much. Unfortunately there aren’t a lot of budget options in the area but it is still a city worth visiting. I have been a tourist in my own town on many occasions and I have always been impressed by the quality of amenities and high level of service. I hope these suggestions are helpful.

The rates I am quoting here for best Vancouver hotels are based on a search of hotels using online suppliers for dates in mid-May 2011. Rates can vary a lot depending on what is going on in town, the length of stay, weekdays vs weekends, and the time of year. The rates listed here are starting rates for the standard or king rooms (except the Sandman, which is all suites).

L’Hermitage Hotel is a 60 room four star boutique Vancouver hotel that garners rave reviews from travelers who stay here. The level of service is exemplary and it is probably the best value of the luxury Vancouver hotels. The smaller size of the hotel means you will get the unpretentious genuine attention from staff that most travelers prefer. It rates number one on our Vancouver best hotels list as it regularly tops the ratings among sites with unbiased reviews.

This Vancouver hotel is also in a great location on the corner of Richards and Robson near entertainment and sports venues yet not far from the downtown core and shopping. It can easily be accessed from the airport on the LRTs Canada Line which stops about three blocks away. The rooms are all well appointed with high quality linens and bedding and the bathrooms have a wonderful array of toiletries. The hotel is also dog friendly and even has a canine concierge, a French bulldog named Hippo, so there is information on places to walk your dog as well as others services for pampering your pooch.

This boutique Vancouver hotel also has a nice lap pool and whirlpool, a steam room, and a fitness studio with the latest equipment. Opened in 2008, L’Hermitage is relatively new on the Vancouver hotel scene but it has quickly earned its place as one of the best hotels in Vancouver. L’hermitage could be found during my May search for about $220 per night for a petite room (not too petite at 330 square feet).

Loden Hotel is another four star boutique Vancouver hotel that opened in late 2008 and is located in trendy Coal Harbour approximately midway between Canada Place and Stanley Park. If you want to be close to nature while staying in a luxury Vancouver hotel in the city, the Loden is a fantastic option with Stanley Park nearby. It is also not far from Robson street shopping. The Burrard Skytrain Station is within walking distance as well if you are on foot.

This is another boutique Vancouver hotel property that consistently gets excellent reviews from travelers who stay there. A friend of mine stayed there for an anniversary evening with his wife and told me it was absolutely wonderful. He told me the hotel staff were very pleasant and professional and he liked the quiet laid back feel of the place even though it was still quite elegant and modern. The beds I have also been told are very comfy with amazing mattresses and down comforters. The 77 stylish rooms have floor to ceiling windows for breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains and the bathrooms are well appointed marble affairs. This hotels is also pet friendly, has a 24 hour fitness studio, a spa, and a business center. This hotel was available in mid May with rooms starting at $220 per night.

Fairmont Pacific Rim is a five star luxury Vancouver hotel located next to Canada Place along the waterfront in Coal Harbour. After opening in 2010, the Fairmont Pacific Rim quickly set a new standard for luxury hotels in Vancouver. The reviews of the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel to this point have been nothing short of stellar. The 377 rooms are well appointed with luscious bedding and amazing mattresses. The room is wired with state of the art technology, there is even a television built into the mirror in the bathrooms. The bathrooms also have a deep tub and separate shower and lush robes and towels are provided. The views of the harbour and the city are spectacular.

There is very little this Vancouver hotel doesn’t offer the discerning traveller. There is a full service spa, a fitness center, whirlpool baths, and even something referred to as meditation pods. On the roof there is a pool, private cabanas, and even fire pits. The price point is something many travellers may not be able to afford but if you can you will be staying in the lap of luxury in a wonderful part of downtown Vancouver. The rates for the days I looked at in May started at approximately $400 per night.

Shangri la Hotel in Vancouver represents the arrival of the Shangri-la chain of luxury hotels in North America. Located near Robson street and not far from Coal Harbor, it is in a great area of Vancouver for business travelers and those on vacation. Shangri-la is known throughout the world for providing luxury resorts and hotels that often set the standard other chains can only try to imitate. The Shangri-la Vancouver appears to provide a combination of contemporary Asian and sophisticated modern design for discerning travelers.

The rooms at this superb five star luxury Vancouver hotel are sleek and stylish yet have warm wood tones and details that truly standout and set them apart from many other rooms found in other Vancouver hotels. The bathrooms are large at 150 square feet and have separate tubs and showers. There is also a TV in every bathroom with some having the screen built into the mirror. The rooms start at 450 square feet with the largest suit a significant 1400 sqare feet. There are also floor to ceiling windows that showcase stunning views of the city. Many rooms at this Vancouver hotel also have balconies. The hotel has a full service spa, a fitness center, a pool, and even arranges private in house pilates and yoga classes. The room rate i found for mid May started at $350 per night. Not exactly budget fair but for those who desire this type of luxury it might be considered a good value.

Wedgewood Hotel and Spa is a four star boutique Vancouver hotel that is approximately twenty five years old. It is located on Hornby Street near the Vancouver art gallery and has one of the best locations in the city. It is very close to Robson Street, is walking distance to most entertainment venues, and is a short walk to Coal Harbour as well. It is a city block away from the Burrard Skytrain station for travelers getting around on foot. This is another luxury Vancouver hotel that gets rave reviews and appears to have a lot of loyal patrons who refuse to stay anywhere else when visiting Vancouver. The devil is in the details they say and from all accounts it appears that attention to detail is one of the hallmarks of the Wedgewood.

The Wedgewood is in a lively part of town so be forewarned if you are a light sleeper, noise can often reportedly be heard to some degree in the rooms. However, for most travellers who want to be close to the nightlife and energy of the city, this is a great Vancouver boutique hotel option. The basic queen rooms are appointed with lush bedding, comfy bathrobes and slippers, and marble bathrooms with deep soaker tubs. Wifi is complementary and there are flat panel tvs as well as dvd players in all the rooms. As you might guess by the name there is also a full service award winning spa for those who need a little extra pampering. The award winning Bachus Restaurant has also had a great reputation for many years so you don’t have to go far for a great culinary experience. My May search had the Wedgewood at $260 per night but they do sometimes offer specials as low $199 per night.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is the Grande Dame of Vancouver hotels. Located in downtown Vancouver at Georgia and Burrard this four star Vancouver hotel opened in May 1939. It is near many Vancouver attractions and is a short walk to Robson Street as well as Coal Harbour. Those on foot gave easy access to the Burrard Street Skytrain station across the street so taking public transit couldn’t be easier. For traveler’s looking for a charming Landmark hotel in Vancouver with an ideal location, the Hotel Vancouver is an excellent choice. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is architecturally unique in a city that is dominated by modern high rises. Some recent reviewers have commented the rooms may be in need of some updating, but I am guessing most travelers stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for the overall ambience of the hotel itself. Like most Fairmont hotels this is another of the Vancouver hotels that is renowned for its excellent service. T

he Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is also host to many business and social events. With two grand ballrooms and 12 meeting rooms it is a great place for wedding receptions. The 556 rooms at the Fairmont Vancouver include lush bathrobes, a complimentary newspaper, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, and working desks with computer dataports. Wifi is available for a fee. The hotel also has a fitness room and indoor pool. Traditional afternoon high tea is another hallmark of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver that is appreciated by many visitors. Those wanting to stay in a unique older hotel known for its quality service should consider staying at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The rates I found in my search for a room in mid may showed rooms starting at about $240 per night.

The St. Regis Hotel is a three and a half star boutique Vancouver hotel is located near Granville street and the Granville Street Skytrain station. It is in the downtown core and is within walking distance of entertainment venues, Robson Street, and Coal Harbour. The hotel is located in an older building that has been recently renovated and underwent a complete 11 million dollar renovation in 2009. Over the last two years it has received the tripadvisor award for best service among Vancouver hotels. Unlike other Vancouver hotels, the St. Regis includes several complementary amenities in their room price, including free wifi, water, complimentary breakfast, and even complimentary worldwide long distance calling. The attention to detail throughout the building is very noticeable and there are nice touches, like beveled glass, throughout.

This is definitely a nice model for how a heritage building should be renovated to suit the tastes of modern travellers. It is definitely one of my favorites as the owners have taken what was an uninspired older building and turned it into a minor masterpiece. The 65 guest rooms in this Vancouver hotel are well laid out with flat screen TVs, plush comfortable bedding, terry cloth robes, and bathrooms that have relaxing soaker tubs. The rooms also have individual climate control (something that is sometimes missing in hotels in heritage buildings), ipod docks, hair dryers, coffee makers, and safety deposit boxes. The St. Regis hotel Vancouver also has an onsite massage therapist and access to a high quality local fitness center, the Steve Nash Sports Club. Anyone wanting a pleasant stay in one of the small boutique Vancouver hotels that goes the extra mile should consider staying at the St. Regis Hotel Vancouver. The room rates I found for mid may started at $190 per night.

Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton is a three star Vancouver hotel located a little further south than most of the downtown hotels listed. It is on the southern end of Robson street and is a short walk to the Yaletown  area and entertainment venues near the Vancouver Public Library. It is about five blocks from Granville Street and is also not far from Stadium Skytrain station. This is another hotel that gets great reviews. It doesn’t look like your typical Hampton Inn though, as it is fourteen stories of mainly glass and steel. This hotels offers a lot of value for the price guests pay.

|Included in the price of a room is complimentary wifi, complementary bottled water, and even complementary bicycles in season. The 109 guest rooms are comfortable and well furnished and include coffee makers, mini fridges, microwaves, irons and ironing boards, and in room safes. For those who like a bit of a home away from home this Vancouver hotel is an excellent choice.The Hampton Inn and Suites vancouver also has a rooftop fitness area and whirlpool. Overall, this is a good Vancouver hotel option and the price is a little less than many of the four star options in the downtown area. For my search dates rooms started at $170 per night.

The Sandman Suites Davie is a good choice for travelers trying to keep their Vancouver hotel costs down but still want to stay in a fairly good quality all suites hotel. It may not be right in the downtown area as it is about five blocks south of Robson and the downtown core but Davie is still a very lively street with pharmacies, coffee shops, and grocery stores are all nearby. For beach lovers it is also closer to English Bay than any of the other Vancouver hotels listed here. There are lots of colorful and interesting people in the area. This is the heart of Vancouver’s gay district so there are some unique shops and good restaurants abound.

Many of the rooms in this mid-range three star Vancouver hotel have great views of the mountains and city or of the bay itself. I have had relatives stay in this hotel as many fellow Canadians trust the Sandman brand as a solid moderately priced option for hotels especially across western Canada. I have been told the service is excellent and that value for dollar it is one of the best deals available in the downtown area. This is a smoke free hotel, the suites have full kitchens with stoves, fridges, and microwaves, and there are in suite washers and dryers. The hotel also has a fitness center, spa facilities, and a seasonal pool. For many travelers who want the convenience of home while visiting Vancouver, the Sandman Suites Davie is a great Vancouver hotel option. For my search rooms at the sandman started at $120 per night.

The Best Western Plus Hotel Downtown Vancouver is another quality option that is a little more affordable among the downtown Vancouver hotels. This moderate three star hotel is located at the southern end of the downtown area so it would be a nice twenty minute walk or short busy ride to Robson or the downtown core, but it is located near sunshine beach and Davie Street so there are still plenty of restaurant and shopping options available. It is also closer to Kitsilano beach, the planetarium, and the Kitsilano shopping area on the other side of the Burrard street bridge. This Vancouver hotel is also near the aquatic centre where you can also find water taxis nearby to ferry visitors to Granville Island.

Like the Sandman this is another fully non-smoking Vancouver hotel. All the rooms have 32” or 37” flat screen TVs, free high speed internet, in room safes, irons and ironing boards, coffee makers, complimentary tea, coffee, and bottled water, as well as a complimentary newspaper. Refrigerators and microwaves are available in some rooms. There are free local calls if they are less than 30 minutes. The hotel also has a small exercise area as well as a steam room and whirlpool. Rooms for this Vancouver hotel during my mid May search started as low as $100 per night. This is an excellent value for a mid-range Vancouver hotel in a fantastic location.

The YWCA hotel is another option for those on a more limited budget who would still like to stay at a Vancouver hotel in the downtown area. The YWCA offers private rooms and shared dorm rooms. The private rooms often range between $60 to $100 per night. This is a no frills option but it is a clean and comfortable hotel that also gets very good reviews from traveler’s.

Even better deals can be had for adventurous travelers who don’t mind using hotwire or the bidding option in priceline. I have gotten some very good deals staying in $300 per night rooms for significantly less. Just because you want to save a few dollars doesn't mean you can't appreciate a high quality hotel. You may not know what hotel you are going to get but if it is listed as a four star property it will likely be very good quality. Using hotwire my mid May search looked for Vancouver hotel rooms in downtown Vancouver West and the downtown Vancouver entertainment district, the two areas I would recommend for a great stay. The lowest room rate I found was a four star hotel in downtown Vancouver West for $128 per night, a very good value indeed for a quality four star Vancouver hotel.