Hotels in Downtown Vancouver, Vancouver

Downtown is the beating heart of Vancouver, housing the Central Business District, the main shopping and entertainment venues, and spectacular Stanley Park. A wander through this vibrant neighborhood will bring you face to face with the many facets of the city’s personality: from the cobbled sidewalks of its Victorian past to the office blocks where deals are being made that will shape its future. And all the while, the snowcapped mountains in the background are a reminder of the permanence of nature.

Hotels in Downtown Vancouver

Hotels in Downtown Vancouver are among some of the most exclusive in the city, with classically elegant options such as l’Hermitage rubbing shoulders with more modern designs including the boutique hotel Moda and the deluxe 5-star Shangri-La. The majority of luxury hotels in Downtown Vancouver tend to cluster together at the North of Granville Street, while discount hotels and backpacker hostels can be found a little further away from the commercial center. A good low-price option is the Buchan Hotel, a 3-star hotel in Downtown Vancouver which offers decent no-frills rooms a few minutes away from Stanley Park. Alternatively, head just to the south of Granville Street for a broad choice of inexpensive hostels and B&Bs.

Things to see in Downtown Vancouver

Downtown is a blend of Vancouver’s historical past and its modern reincarnation. The Central Business District is a booming financial neighborhood, which houses Vancouver’s major commercial and business interests. The Granville Entertainment District, meanwhile, is home to most of the city’s bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. In stark contrast to this bustling center of modernity, Gastown is a throwback to the city’s past. It is here that the City of Vancouver was born, a history which is still visible in the quaint cobblestoned streets and elegant Victorian buildings. The atmosphere here is also a little more low-key, making it a great place to soak up the ambience and people watch. One of the most significant sights in Downtown stands in opposition to the area’s urban atmosphere: Stanley Park, spread across 1,000 acres of land, provides expansive stretches of water, towering trees, and stunning views of the Vancouver Mountains.

Good for couples

The beautiful 5-star hotels in Downtown Vancouver make it an ideal destination for couples looking to enjoy a romantic vacation in the city. The neighborhood offers a little of everything, from sprawling parkland to fine dining restaurants and trendy bars, all within a few blocks of your hotel. Reviews of Downtown describe a buzzing, urban center which maintains a strong connection with nature through the hiking trails and biking routes that are scattered throughout the city. In the space of a day you can shop ‘til you drop, swim at the beach, indulge in fine cuisine, and watch the sun set over the mountains with a perfectly mixed cocktail.

How to get to Downtown Vancouver

Vancouver is very close to the American border and it is possible to drive there from Seattle in just a few hours. Amtrak trains also connect the two cities, with a slightly longer journey time of 5 hours. For those traveling from a little further afield, flying into Vancouver International Airport is a good option, as it is directly connected to Downtown Vancouver by train. Travel in Downtown is mainly done on foot, as the area is relatively small. However, the neighborhood is well connected to the rest of the city and the surrounding area by bus, train, and sky train.