Where to Stay in Vancouver, Canada, for a Local Experience

Hosting A-listers since 1939, this former Canadian Pacific Railway hotel underwent a five-year $75m renovation, completed in 2019. The lobby, the Heritage Suites and the Fairmont Gold floor sport new modern decor, with nods to the hotel’s historical roots. From here, walk to the Stanley Park Seawall and the trendy restaurants of Gastown. Back at the hotel, visit Ella and Elly, the hotel’s canine ambassadors, and explore the lower level boutiques for luxury goods such as Hermès and Louis Vuitton.

Since its opening in the 1920s, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia has hosted many celebrities, including Marlene Dietrich, Sir Laurence Olivier and the Rolling Stones. Here, you’re surrounded by discreet service and old-world glam, from the warm, wood-paneled lobby to rooftop suites with private gardens, plunge pools and fireplaces. Explore the city from this central location or allow the concierge to arrange a Forbidden Vancouver walking tour, led by local actors and entertainers, for a deeper dive.

Backdrops in refreshing shades of lime green, mustard yellow and mango orange energize the guest experience at Opus Vancouver. Fashionistas will appreciate the upscale Yaletown shops just outside the front door, while aspiring chefs can bob over to Granville Island Public Market in a tiny Aquabus to stock their modern kitchenettes with organic goodies. It’s dog-friendly to the max, with pups staying for a small fee and friendly staffers happy to take them for a walk.

Get your Greta Garbo on at this serene spot in a quieter part of Vancouver’s West End district. The Loden Hotel is where simplicity meets elegance. The Garden Terrace spaces having patios with reflecting pools and waterfalls to induce a Zen-like state of relaxation, and the sixth floor, which is pet- and feather-free, caters to sensitive souls. Past guests rave about the thoughtful and personalized service, especially when they want to be alone – no wonder it was voted the Top Hotel in Vancouver by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in 2019.

The First Nations people recognized the site of this hotel as a place of transformation centuries ago when it was still a salt marsh fed by fresh springs. Honoring that spirit, Skwachàys Lodge became Canada’s first Indigenous arts hotel in 2012. Each room features original artworks by a First Nations artist, many of whom are artists-in-residence in one of the 24 studios above the hotel. Crowning the historic building is a rooftop sweat lodge with a 40ft (12m) totem pole guarding the entrance. As a guest, you’re welcome to take part in a sweat or smudge ceremony for your own transformative experience.

Act like you’re putting down roots at this long-stay hotel with all the modern conveniences. Live like a Vancouverite with a private balcony, spotless full-service kitchen and in-suite laundry. Weekly housekeeping service and a 24-hour concierge will have your back. Pick up groceries from nearby Granville Island Public Market, or order something from the great Belgian waffle shop next door.

If you’re looking for stars, you’ve come to the right place. With Rogers Arena and BC Place nearby, you may find yourself elbow to elbow with a Vancouver Canuck hockey player or a touring musician at one of the hotel’s several bars and restaurants. The decor is contemporary industrial, with marble, wood and leather accents, and rooms range from simple doubles to lavish, split-level suites. DJs turn the lobby into a dance floor on Friday and Saturday nights.

Neon lights and palm trees set the stage at this former 1950s motor hotel. Renovated and ready for its close up, the low-slung, three-story building surrounds a lush garden courtyard that was once the parking lot. We give it a big thumbs up for value and its location in the heart of downtown. Cruise around on one of the hotel bikes, or sip local Four Winds Beer alongside Vancouverites in its sidewalk cafe.

Panoramic views of English Bay, the North Shore Mountains and Vancouver await you at Blue Horizon. Each of the spacious rooms has corner windows – a rarity in the area – where you can watch the sunset or the twinkling lights of downtown. It’s close to the shops and restaurants of Robson Street and within walking distance of Stanley Park. Make sure you grab coffee and cake from Breka Bakery and Café across the street – it’s a local favorite.

Based on the way guests sing its praises, this tall, Queen Anne-style bed and breakfast should have its own musical. It has a lyrical past – it’s where Ewing Buchan wrote an early version of Canada’s national anthem. Amenities are modern, while the original fireplaces, antiques and replica period furniture put guests squarely into 1897. The Gastown Historic District is minutes away, as is the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a green sanctuary in the heart of Vancouver. Join time travelers from around the world for sherry at sunset.