Where to stay in Vancouver
Wednesday, 30 Aug 2006 17:04
Advice on budget, affordable and luxury accommodation in Vancouver
Budget accommodation in Vancouver
Bright, breezy and very Canadian, Samesun Backpacker Lodge is the largest hostel in downtown Vancouver, which means it is full of young travellers keen to be near the fun. It has a very good pub, an outdoor patio, private rooms and dorms.
Right in the thick of Granville Street's entertainment district is HI-Vancouver Central. Featuring a well-stocked bar, all-you-can-eat breakfasts and decent promotions on ice hockey tickets and ski lift passes, it is popular with travellers who want to get the most out of the city.
Affordable accommodation in Vancouver
Cosy rooms with homely and grand furnishings can be found on the Waterfront at Granville Island Hotel. It is well-placed for picking up a bit of culture and a decent bite to eat, with many art galleries and restaurants on its doorstep, and the quayside views are hard to beat.
Sandman Suites is well-placed for downtown activities but is in a quiet area of the city. While there are great restaurants nearby, you can also take advantage of the hotel's excellent kitchen facilities. Staff are very helpful and knowledgeable about the surrounding area, ensuring you will get the most out of your stay in Vancouver. There is also an excellent pool, as well as a small beach just down the road.
Luxury accommodation in Vancouver
A grand hotel with fine attention to detail, the Wedgewood Hotel and Spa is a beautiful boutique-style place to stay. The rooms are gloriously decorated, with some even featuring Jacuzzis by the bed, which you can just plop into in the morning. The large balconies give fine views across the city, and small touches like gifts from the manager make your stay feel special.
Not ideal for light sleepers, but great for party animals who only want to walk upstairs to go to bed after a night out, the Opus Hotel is a bizarre creature. Featuring all the trappings one would expect from a luxury hotel, on Friday and Saturday night the foyer turns into a nightclub.