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The Best Budget-Friendly Hotels to Book in Vancouver, Canada

Coal Harbour is home to many of the top hotels in Vancouver
Coal Harbour is home to many of the top hotels in Vancouver | © robertharding / Alamy Stock Photo

Sitting on the edge of the Pacific and enjoying a mild climate, Vancouver consistently ranks in the top ten most livable cities in the world. The allure of mountains and beaches in this Canadian destination in picturesque British Columbia means visitors are often left jostling for affordable hotel rooms. Demand is always high, but there are some diamonds in the rough. Whether you visit the city to explore Stanley Park or Granville Island, here’s the list of the most affordable hotels in Vancouver, all bookable with Culture Trip.

YWCA Hotel Vancouver, for great views in downtown Vancouver

Hotel

YWCA Hotel Vancouver room with wood floor and tv with pattern on the wall
Courtesy of YWCA Hotel Vancouver / Booking.com

There’s a place you can go when you’re short on your dough in downtown Vancouver and it doesn’t involve Seventies disco stars with big mustaches: the YWCA is actually a completely different organization from the YMCA. There’s nothing remotely institutional about the look and feel of this hotel. It’s fun and bright and just look at those views! You can practically hear the crowds cheering in BC Place. The common areas and shared kitchens are perfect for meeting like-minded folk who can explore Vancouver with you.

Sylvia Hotel, for proximity to the Stanley Park Seawall path

Hotel

Room at Sylvia Hotel with pattern carpet, double bed with headboard and desk
Courtesy of Sylvia Hotel / Booking.com
It’s hard enough to find cheap hotels in Vancouver but one where you just have to cross the street to hit the beach and the Stanley Park Seawall path? Jackpot! This historic hotel – the building dates from 1912 and in the 1950s Vancouver’s first cocktail lounge opened here – is pet-friendly too. After all, it was a cat in a popular children’s book series that really put the hotel on the map. The original cocktail lounge is long gone but in the onsite restaurant, the cocktails are still going strong and the views are spectacular.

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Vancouver-Downtown, for a rooftop hot tub

Hotel

Hampton Inn & Suites, by Hilton with floor to ceiling windows with city view and desk, tv and pattern floors

As you start your day with a run on the treadmill in the fitness center while looking out over the roof of the BC Place stadium, what better motivation do you need than the fact that kitty-corner from this cheap hotel in Vancouver, there’s a famous statue of Terry Fox? If you love sports, you couldn’t have asked for a better location – Rogers Arena is a short walk away too. After a day’s exploring all the treasures of downtown, head to the rooftop to watch the city lights from the hot tub.

The Burrard, for a motel stay with a mid-century vibe

Boutique Hotel

The Burrard garden with palms and table tennis setup
Courtesy of The Burrard / Expedia.com

Motor hotels were the answer to a budget-conscious traveler’s prayer in the 1950s. The Burrard is still answering the call. Updated with new tech, this low-slung, three-story walk-up motel has moved the cars underground and transformed the central courtyard into a palm-tree-filled oasis. The mid-century vibe is still there, along with low prices, proving that everything old can be new again.

Skwachàys Lodge, for First Nations art

Boutique Hotel

Skwachays Lodge with fireplace and traditional art on the wall
Courtesy of Skwachays Lodge / Expedia.com

Canada’s original First Nations art hotel invites guests to explore the culture and myths of various First Nations people through first-hand experience. Each room is carefully curated with furnishings and art created by 24 artists-in-residence. Themes resonate with passion for the land, the ocean and the community of all living things. This non-profit venture supports the Vancouver Native Housing Society, along with sales from the art gallery that features crafts of all kinds, from beaded moccasins to prints and carved masks.

Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown, for sightseeing on foot

Hotel

Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown exterior at dusk
Courtesy of Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown / Expedia.com

A value-per-square-foot choice, the Residence Inn offers larger than average rooms and suites, all with kitchenettes. A hearty continental breakfast is included, and there’s a complimentary grocery shopping service, perfect for home-away-from-home chefs. Most attractions, like the Vancouver Aquarium and Stanley Park, are within walking distance. Alternatively, grab a rental car, conveniently located onsite, to explore the far reaches of the city.

Riviera Hotel on Robson, for self-caterers

Hotel

Riviera Hotel on Robson room in plain style with wood floor and curtains drawn
Courtesy of Riviera Hotel on Robson / Booking.com

A tranquil atmosphere and affordable prices make the Riviera the first choice for many couples and families on a budget. All rooms and suites come with basic kitchenettes; full kitchens are available for an additional charge. Ask about rooms with fireplaces, private balconies, and harbor or mountain views. For guests embarking on one of the popular Alaskan cruises, the ship dock at Canada Place is a short taxi ride away. Note that early check-in and late check-out are available at an additional cost.

Sunset Inn and Suites, for a family stay

Hotel

Sunset Inn and Suites classic style lobby with porter entering with a luggage trolley
Courtesy of Sunset Inn and Suites / Expedia.com

This former apartment block turned hotel is a favorite with families. It features separate bedrooms, always a plus when traveling with children, and a location near Sunset Beach. There’s a coin laundry for wet bathing suits and free parking, an almost unheard-of amenity in Vancouver. Breakfast is complimentary, but clean dishes should be returned to the tiny breakfast area.

Hotel Belmont Vancouver MGallery, for funky decor

Hotel

Hotel Belmont Vancouver, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member bar area in funky style with pink stools, pattern floor and verdant decorations
Courtesy of Hotel Belmont Vancouver / Expedia.com

If a guest of the original hotel, which opened in 1912, found a time-travel porthole to today, they’d first notice the bright colors. Then they’d notice the quirky touches in the décor. They’d follow the music to the Basement and teach everyone how to do the cakewalk, even if the music isn’t ragtime. They’d have a snack in the Living Room, dote on someone’s dog – the hotel is pet-friendly – and then have a lie-down on the comfortable bed in their room. And they’d never want to go back to 1912.

Victorian Hotel, for a stay in a historical building

Hotel

Victorian Hotel room with minimal decor including red armchair, large tv and white sheets
Courtesy of Victorian Hotel / Expedia.com

The Victorian opened during the Gold Rush of 1898, making it one of the oldest hotels in Vancouver. Guests who seek it out will be rewarded with sensitively updated rooms comprising high ceilings, exposed brick walls, deep soaking tubs and original hardwood floors. Euro Rooms with shared baths offer the best value. Fluffy bathrobes are complimentary in all rooms. There is no elevator, but friendly staff will assist with luggage.

Doug Murray contributed additional reporting to this article.

For more budget-conscious options, discover our guide to the best hostels in Vancouver. Prefer an escape in nature? Head over to Nanaimo and read our guide on where to stay, now bookable with Culture Trip.

Culture Trip Fall Sale

Save up to $1,058 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

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