The City Centre is the heart of Vancouver's downtown and contains the city's Financial District, the Granville Entertainment district, and many of its hotels, clubs and historical buildings. For the visitor, it's a good base from which to explore Vancouver because of its easy access to public transit, shops and restaurants. And if you want to sample Vancouver's cuisine or nightlife, or take in the mountains and harbour, it's a great place to be.

Get in

The City Centre is the destination for most transit users, so it's not much of a stretch to say all roads, buses and trains lead here. Waterfront Station is the main hub (Cordova, at the foot of Granville St), with the Skytrain, Seabus and many bus routes terminating there. A large number of buses also pickup outside Burrard Station (corner of Burrard & Dunsmuir Sts).

Driving into and around downtown isn't usually a problem outside of rush hour, but it can be a nuisance (particularly parking), so your best bet is to leave your car outside of the city centre and use SkyTrain (from the east or south) or SeaBus (from the North Shore). If you drive, Georgia Street is the main street through the CBD. It continues on through Stanley Park and the West End and across the Lions Gate Bridge to the North Shore. Access from the south is by bridge over False Creek (the Burrard, Granville and Cambie bridges). All of them will lead downtown so just take the one closest to you.

Parking downtown is as you would expect for a city centre: expensive and, at times, hard to find. Expect to pay between $12-25/day for parking in a parkade. On-street parking meters are in effect from 9AM-10PM, 7 days a week. Many of the streets become no parking zones during rush hour.

Get around

There are plenty of bike rental stores in the area, from which there's easy access to the seawall and Stanley Park.

• Van City Bikes, Waterfront Station, 601 W Cordova St #25 (inside Waterfront Station), ☏ +1 604-559-5450, contact@vancitybikes.com. 8am–8pm every day. High quality bike rentals at reasonable prices. (updated Sep 2019)

See

Canada Place - cruise ship terminal, convention centre, Imax theatre and Vancouver landmark

• 1 Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, 639 Hornby St (W side of Hornby between W Georgia & Dunsmuir), ☏ +1 604-682-3455. W-Su 11AM-5PM. The Gallery showcases the permanent collection of acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid (1920–1998) and changing exhibitions of contemporary Northwest Coast Art. Gallery highlights include over 40 pieces of Bill Reid’s gold and silver jewelry, Reid’s bronze masterpiece Mythic Messengers, several of Reid’s works that were featured on the Canadian $20 bill and a full-scale totem pole, carved by James Hart of Haida Gwaii. $5-$10. 
• 2 Jack Poole Plaza (Olympic Cauldron), Canada Place & Thurlow St (at the foot of Thurlow St on the west side of the new convention center). Brick-paved plaza with good views of the North Shore mountains, Stanley Park and Coal Harbour. It is also the home of the Olympic Cauldron. 
• 3 Library Square & Vancouver Public Library, 350 W Georgia St, ☏ +1 604 331-3603. M-Th 10AM-9PM, F-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su Noon-5PM. The modern and attractive central branch of the City of Vancouver's Public Library is located in an architecturally interesting building, designed by Moshe Safdie. Constructed as a 'square within a circle', this building is reminiscent of a modern Roman Colosseum. Its design was chosen in a public competition. There are large public spaces around the building and a nice atrium space in the lobby. Guest internet access is available at VPL and visitors can also obtain guest wireless privileges from the library. If you prefer not to obtain a guest login, there are a few terminals that allow access to selected resources (bus schedules, government pages, etc) without logging in. 
• 4 Robson Square, 800 Block, Robson St (Robson & Howe St). Both an office building and public space designed by Vancouver architect Arthur Erikson, it houses the Provincial Courts and a satellite UBC campus. The building, which was built to represent a skyscraper on its side, is noted for its use of water and greenery and is mostly underground. The public space features a skating rink underneath Robson Street, which is the only outdoor rink in Vancouver. Skating is available during winter and is free, skate rentals are $3. 
• 5 Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St, ☏ +1 604 662-4719. You can see and learn a lot about Emily Carr in the permanent collection, but the rest of the gallery varies in quality depending on what they have been able to attract as special exhibits. Take advantage of admission by donation on Tuesday (5PM-9PM) and sample what is there before paying the full admission. $22.50 (adults) / $17 (students). 
• 6 Vancouver Lookout, 555 W Hastings St (top floor of Harbour Centre), ☏ +1 604 689-0421. 9AM-9PM daily (winter), 8:30AM-10:30PM daily (summer). Located on the top floor of the Harbour Centre, the Lookout offers a full 360-degree panoramic view of the city from 130m up. You'll see the downtown area, Stanley Park, the North Shore mountains and even the skyline of nearby Burnaby. The ticket is good for two trips during the day, so you can see it in the daytime and return for the sunset view. $18.25, discounts for children, seniors and students available; best prices if bought at Tourism Vancouver office. 

Architecture

Exterior of Telus Garden offices

While Vancouver may not be famous for its architecture, the City Centre is home to some unique buildings both new and old.

• 7 Canada Place, 999 Canada Pl. Built for Expo 86 as Canada's exhibit, today the building serves as a cruise ship terminal and convention centre, and is also the site of an IMAX theatre and the luxurious Pan Pacific Hotel. Walk around the unique sailed structure and take in views of the building itself, Coal Harbour, and the North Shore. It uses white colour with a roof of funky "sails" or "waves", which is a curved triangular shape, that has made it a modern gem.  
• 8 Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard St. Vancouver's oldest surviving church was completed in 1889. Often in the shadow of its neighbour, the 23 story Cathedral Place, you should visit in the afternoon to see the sun shining through the stained glass windows. 
• 9 Marine Building, 355 Burrard St. This 22 story Art Deco office tower was completed in 1930. Because of the Great Depression, only four floors were occupied for the first several years. Note the attention to detail on both the exterior, and in the lobby. 
• 10 Hotel Vancouver, 900 W Georgia St. The third such hotel in this spot, the Hotel Vancouver was built over 11 years and completed in 1939. As with all Canadian Pacific hotels in Canada, the chateau-style is truly impressive. It was the tallest building in Vancouver until 1972. The hotel's first guests were King George and Queen Elizabeth. Bring binoculars for a close-up view of the building's many gargoyles.  
• 11 One Wall Centre (Sheraton Wall Centre), 1088 Burrard St. Voted the world's best new skyscraper in 2001 by Emporis. 
• 12 Telus Garden, 510 W Georgia Street. (updated Jan 2017)

Do

Skating at the rink at Robson Square

• Vancouver Opera, 835 Cambie St, ☏ +1 604 683-0222. Offers world-class performances from some of the world's best composers. 
• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, ☏ +1 604 876-3434. A great night out at reasonable prices. Students can purchase $10 tickets with the VSO Access Pass. 
• 1 Long Table Distillery Ltd., 1451 Hornby St., ☏ +1 604 266-0177, info@longtabledistillery.com. F-Sa: 1PM-9PM, W-Th: 1PM-6PM. A craft distillery of vodkas, gins, and other spirits, many of which bubble in the back room. Free tastings are offered on a 14-foot recovered-tree "long table" in the front room. If your only experience of gin and vodka comes from uninspiring mass-market pap, you are in for a treat. The friendly staff love explaining the finer points of which aromatics go in which chamber of their gleaming, copper 300-litre still. On Friday evenings 4-6PM, they park a food truck out front and hold a gin and tonic happy hour. Follow the buzz at #TGIGNT on Twitter. 

Events & Festivals

• 4:20. On April 20th people congregate at the Vancouver Art Gallery to smoke marijuana and celebrate this unofficial holiday, a reflection of B.C.'s relaxed attitudes towards cannabis. 
• Canada Day at Canada Place, 999 Canada Pl (On a pier stretching north from Canada Place (a street) between Burrard and Howe Sts), events@canadaplace.ca. 1 Jul only, 10AM–7PM. A large, engaging, though somewhat corporate celebration of Canada's national holiday. The citizenship ceremony can be moving. There are usually several bands, fun activities for the kids, and exhibits of Canadian Forces and other bits of Canadiana. Free. 
• Canada Day Fireworks, ☏ +1 604 925-1912, events@canadaplace.ca. 1 Jul only, 10:30PM-11PM. Restarting an old tradition, there is a fireworks display after dark on Canada Day. In 2008, this was a coordinated two-barge show, one barge off Canada Place and the other off West Vancouver. Free viewing from streets, premium Canada Place seating for a fee. 
• Vancouver Zombie Walk. Usually either in the summer or near Halloween, anyone can choose to dress up and act as the living dead during this parade through Downtown. Although this has only been in Vancouver for about 2 years, thousands of people have already participated, and at least 500 people each year join in on this zombie walk. It is free, and mostly for plain fun, and is also an unofficial event. Each year, there is a set meeting spot. Everyone then walks throughout Downtown and up streets and parks all in one large group. 
• Public Dreams Illuminares Lantern Festival, Coal Harbour Seawall outside Canada Pl. Annually near the end of July. This popular annual festival, previously held at Trout Lake in East Van, is a feast for the eyes thanks to the procession of beautiful and remarkably creative handmade lanterns that light up the dark. Public Dreams holds lantern-making workshops in the weeks leading up to the festival so keep an eye on their website in early July for details. Free. 

Buy

Robson Street downtown is the main shopping district. The intersecting Burrard & Alberni street houses some of the most high-end shops in the region.

Stores

• H-Mart, 590 Robson St (at Seymour St). 9AM–10PM daily. Hidden on the second floor is a large grocery store featuring a wide range of high-quality, primarily Korean groceries. Part of a North American chain of Korean stores. The food court offers a number of good lunch choices, too. 
• BCMP Bookstore (BCMP), 307 W Hastings St, ☏ +1 604 682-1172, Marc@cannabisculture.com. usually to 9PM. The BCMP "Bookstore" is arguably the centre of the marijuana subculture of Vancouver. It is the party headquarters for the provincial marijuana party as well as a store and lounge. Proceeds from the BCMP go towards the party and the legal battle against the extradition of the party leader who faces life in prison in the USA. The front half of the store is taken up by display shelves of bongs, pipes, rolling papers and pretty much anything you could imagine. The lounge costs $5 to go into but it has a very relaxing atmosphere and you're able to use the Volcano Vaporizers. $5 per hour (lounge only). 
• New Amsterdam Café (The Amsterdam), 301 Hastings St W, ☏ +1 604 682-8955. The New Amsterdam Café, directly next door to the BCMP Bookstore, permits the smoking of marijuana. The Amsterdam offers a friendly environment to meet new people and to exercise some of the more unique freedoms that Vancouver offers. While it is not, however, generally permitted to buy or sell marijuana on or near the premises, it is not policed or enforced, so long as it in the spirit of sharing, within reason. They also sell a smaller number (but more impressive) selection of pipes, bongs, busters, rolling papers, and other marijuana-related items, including clothing. Of note are the array of specialist pipes, bongs, and busters, with the unusual titanium Space-Case also on sale. 
• Roots, 1001 Robson St (at Burrard St), ☏ +1 604-683-4305. Their fashionable designs with motifs of beavers, maple leaves, and canoes gave rise to what has been called "Roots nationalism", a kind of branded Canadian pride. There are several stores for this brand of clothing, bags and shoes in Vancouver, but if you're looking for a Canadian souvenir that is less obviously touristy, or are from the part of the world where the word "roots" with a picture of a beaver is a double entendre, this outlet store will probably be your best bet. 

Eat

The different parts of the City Centre have diverse characteristics. The central business district has, as you would expect, a high number of coffee shops and lunch places, the West End has a wide variety of restaurants, Yaletown has a number of high-end restaurants and Chinatown has many Chinese restaurants. Some of the best Japanese food outside of Japan is in Vancouver and its Cantonese and Korean offerings are also reputable.

Budget

• 1 Caffè Artigiano, 1101 West Pender St, ☏ +1 604-685-5333, fax: +1 604-685-3366, dejan@caffeartigiano.com. M-F 6AM–6PM, Sa-Su 6:30AM–5PM. Excellent coffee shop featuring "latte art," but it's still great. IntelligentsiA coffee available. Great espresso. This small chain has a total of four locations in this district, plus other locations in the Lower Mainland and Calgary. 
• 2 Cartems Donuterie, 534 West Pender St, ☏ +1 778-708-0996, hey@cartems.com. M-Th 8AM-8PM, F 8AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 10AM-6PM. They modestly claim the title of "best donuts in Vancouver". They certainly have some of the most interesting flavours. Try the "whiskey bacon" donut. Also coffee and tea, served with a friendly smile in a hip setting. $3 each, $30/dozen. (updated Apr 2015)

A large helping of poutine from Fritz

• 3 European Breads, 1262 Burrard St (at Drake), ☏ +1-604-569-0708, info@EuropeanBreads.com. M—F 10AM–9PM, Sa 11AM–9PM, Su 11AM–8PM. An organic crêpes café, which also sells various freshly-baked breads of organic wheat, rye, spelt, and other grains. Well set up for a light breakfast, lunch, or snack. Free wifi. Crepes $6.95-9.95, Sandwiches $6.95. 
• 4 Fritz Frie House, 718 Davie St (near Granville), ☏ +1 604 684-0811. This restaurant boasts what is arguably the best poutine in town. The curds are imported from Quebec. The garlic lover's mayo is fantastic too. Cleverly located next to the local Fitness World. $5 for a medium. Open until the wee hours in the morning, frequented by nightclubbers. Regularly wins local awards for fries. 
• 5 Japadog, 530 Robson St, info@japadog.com. Open daily from noon. A Vancouver street food icon that now has its own shop. It's a twist on the traditional hot dog with your choice of pork, turkey or bratwurst smothered in Japanese flavours and toppings like seaweed, miso glaze, Japanese chilli and teriyaki sauce. There are also several Japadog carts around downtown, some with a kobe beef option. Look for the carts on Burrard St and in front of Waterfront Station. $4-8. 
• 6 Mink, A Chocolate Café, 863 W Hastings St (on the park across from Hornby St), ☏ +1 604 633-2451. M-F 7:30AM-6PM, Sa Su 10AM-6PM (closed holidays). The coffee is strong, the hot chocolate is rich and the chocolate is plentiful. Waffles and fruit parfaits. The chocolate fondue with pound cake and seasonal fruit for dipping is excellent (just make sure there's at least two of you to share!). $5-10. 
• 7 Pita Wrap Café, 565 Dunsmuir St, ☏ +1 604 681-7634. M-F 8AM-4PM. The usual falafels, souvlakis, shawarmas and Greek plates, but very well executed. $5-8. 
• 8 Tree's Organic Coffee & Roasting House, 450 Granville St, ☏ +1 604 684-5060, fax: +1 604 684-5026, tocoffee@telus.net. M-F 6AM-10PM, Sa-Su and holidays 8:30AM-10PM. A coffeehouse featuring carefully selected, 100% certified organic, coffee. Justifiably proud of its reaaaally good cheesecake. This is the flagship of a small local chain; there are other locations in Yaletown, Gastown and Richmond. 
• 9 Vancouver Community College Cafeteria, 250 W Pender St (located on the second floor), ☏ +1 604 443-8479. Weekdays Breakfast & Lunch. The cafeteria is run by the culinary arts program so you get gourmet food at cafeteria prices. Usually have a large seafood selection. Don't miss the Asian Food program which has a separate service area. As you would expect from students, the quality can vary. However, it is hard to complain when you get a fancy meal for less than $8. Under $10. 

Mid-range

• 10 Art Gallery Café, 750 Hornby St, ☏ +1 604 688-2233. M W-F 9AM-6PM, Tu 9AM-9PM, Sa Su 10AM-6PM. A convenient place for grabbing a glass of wine or a quick bite to eat before wandering through the Vancouver Art Gallery or doing other activities downtown. Cafeteria style with a mix of sandwiches, paninis and different hot dishes each day. There's also a large selection of tarts, squares and cakes to satisfy your sweet tooth. Large outdoor patio; great for watching the activity around Robson Square. $6-13. 
• 11 Elbow Room, 560 Davie St (at Seymour St), ☏ +1 604 685-3628. A restaurant that is famous for abusing its customers--in a good way. Expect to line up to get in on weekends. Open for breakfast and lunch. $10-14. 
• 12 India Gate, 616 Robson St (between Seymour and Granville Streets), ☏ +1 604 684-4617, fax: +1 604 682-1000, gurmeet@indiagatefood.com. Monday–Friday 11:30am–10pm, Saturday 12pm–10 pm, Sunday 5pm–9:30pm. Vividly-flavoured curry, vindaloo, tandoori, and vegetarian dishes, spiced to your preferred level, and served promptly in a comfortable dining room. $18 for a dinner platter. (updated Oct 2015)
• 13 Italian Kitchen, 1037 Alberni St, ☏ +1 604 687-2858, fax: +1 604-687-2859. Lunch M-F 11:30AM-on; Dinner 4:30PM-on daily. Corporate sibling of Yaletown's Glowbal. Valet parking most hours the restaurant is open. Reservations recommended. Lunch $11-16, Dinner $18-28. 
• 14 Kalypso Restaurant & Ouzeria, 1025 Robson St (near Burrard St, on second floor), ☏ +1 604 689-5550. 11AM-1:30AM. This restaurant has a very pleasant second-floor patio above busy Robson St, which is a treat on a warm day. Well-done Greek food with a respectable vegetarian selection. Mains $15, Dinner $25/person including drinks & tips. 
• 15 Kamei Royal, 1030 W Georgia St, ☏ +1 604 687-8588, fax: +1 604-687-8488. This is the Japanese restaurant to which you can bring your homesick Japanese business partners. Excellently prepared, professional-grade sushi, rice dishes, kushiyaki, and cooked-at-the-table sukiyaki. An authentic Japanese atmosphere, from the irasshaimase greeting to the pretty pictures in the bilingual menus to the serene decor. Tucked above a Tiffany's store on the second floor, you look out over the crowds on Georgia and Burrard, or inside at the chefs in the glass-walled kitchen. Another branch is on W Broadway in Kits. dinner $20. 
• 16 Medina Café, 780 Richards St, ☏ +1 604 879-3114. M-F 8AM-4PM, Sa-Su 9AM-4PM. Weekend brunch served 9AM-3PM. Menu includes Moroccan-influenced dishes, fricasse (fried eggs with braised short ribs) and Belgian waffles with a choice of unusual sauces like milk chocolate lavender and white chocolate pistachio rosewater, plus many other breakfast and lunch concoctions. The new location now seats about 75 or so, but lineups and long waits are still normal, especially for brunch on weekends. $5-19. (updated Mar 2015)
• 17 Plus Alpha, 1099 Richards St (Richards at Helmecken), ☏ +1 604 633-0355. M-Sa 5PM-1AM; Su 5PM-midnight. "Plus Alpha" is a Japanese term meaning "a little extra", and this compact fusion of polished Japanese with trendy Yaletown provides a little extra interest, a little extra style, a little extra fun. New interpretations of contemporary Japanese standards such as Pumpkin Croquette and "Pimp My Tofu". Lychee martinis in a futuristic glass. A good place to get a dinner with that "plus alpha". dinner $20/person. 
• 18 Shabusen Yakiniku House, 202 - 755 Burrard St, ☏ +1 604 669-3883. Lunch and dinner daily. A Japanese and Korean BBQ House specializing in a large all-you-can-eat menu. Fun part of eating here is that you can order raw meat and cook it yourself on the grill installed at the table. There is another location in South Granville. 

Splurge

• 19 Coast, 1054 Alberni St, ☏ +1 604 685-5010, fax: +1 604-629-5014. M-Th 11:30AM-1AM, F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa 4:30PM-2AM, Su 4:30PM-1AM. Fresh seafood from coastal regions throughout the world. Try the Chef' s Community Table, where the chef prepares the food for up to 14 diners right at the table. Dinner $30-60/person plus wine. 
• 20 Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar, 637 Hornby St, ☏ +1 604 683-7671. dinner daily, lunch M-F. The most amazing service in Vancouver. Classy steakhouse that has been serving Vancouver for some fifty years. Charcoal steaks are the house specialty, but the menu also includes local cuisine like Pacific Salmon and Ahi Tuna. The servers do an incredible job and the food is excellent. Starters $6-16, mains $28-52. 
• 21 Joe Forte's Seafood & Chop House, 777 Thurlow St, ☏ +1 604 669-1940. Open daily for lunch and dinner; reservations strongly recommended. Usually mentioned amongst the top 5 restaurants in Vancouver, here you will find great food and great service. In the lavishly decorated open space, you may even catch a glimpse of a celebrity as you savour the oysters that are a specialty here. With glamour comes a price; expect to spend about $70/person for a complete dinner. 
• 22 Miku, 200 Granville St (corner of Howe St & Canada Place Way), ☏ +1 604 568-3900. M-F 11:30AM-10PM, Sa Su Noon-10PM. Japanese restaurant that specializes in aburi (seared on the outside while raw inside). There's also a small bar at the entrance. Sushi $5-20, mains $20-50. 
• 23 Yew Seafood + bar, 791 West Georgia St (in the mezzanine floor of the Four Seasons hotel, at Howe St), ☏ +1 604 692-4737. 6:30AM–10:30AM (breakfast), 11:30AM–2:30PM (lunch), 5–10PM (dinner). A gleaming, gratifying dining experience, with a price to match. In addition to the seafood promised by the name, there is a pleasantly extensive vegetarian menu. The cocktails are creative, tasty, and also priced to match. Entrees $40-$55/person. (updated Jul 2015)

Drink

Granville Street Entertainment District

Many of Vancouver's nightclubs are located in the Entertainment District along Granville Street from Robson to the Granville Street Bridge.

• 1 Commodore Ballroom, 870 Granville St, ☏ +1 604-683-9413. This is a large venue frequent location for live concerts. Has a large famous 'sprung' dance floor. Capacity is 900 people. On most nights, tickets are required to get in. 
• 2 The Railway Stage & Beer Cafe, 579 Dunsmuir St (On the second floor above the 7-11, entrance is on Dunsmuir), ☏ +1 604-564-1430. Su-Th 4PM-2AM, F-Sa 11AM-3AM. Popular bar that frequently features live music. The crowd is a mix of ages, although probably more 30+. It's not a big place, so it gets packed easily. There are more tables at the other end of the long bar if you want to sit down and talk. Drinks $6-12, food $7-12. (updated Aug 2019)
• 3 The Roxy, 932 Granville St, ☏ +1 604-331-7999. Long-time Vancouver club which features top 40 rock. The house band, Dr. Strangelove, covers some of the best of the recent 'classic rock' and dance music. 

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	under $100
Mid-range	$101 - 199
Splurge	$200 and over

The city centre has a wide range of accommodation options to suit every traveller's budget and style, but it's definitely tilted towards the higher end. Independent, boutique and chain hotels are all there so shop around and you will probably find something that suits your needs. The most expensive hotels tend to be in the main business district — between Georgia and the waterfront — with the priciest overlooking the harbour and mountains. Cheaper options tend to be more to the edge of the city centre, closer to False Creek and Yaletown. Hostels are located near the nightspots: along Granville Street or near Gastown.

Prices noted below are generally for the summer season when rates are most expensive.

Budget

If you plan to stay in a hostel downtown, it is probably better to ensure it is located west of Main Street and caters mainly to backpackers (tourists on a budget). Staying downtown keeps much of the frequently visited spots in walking distance. If you plan to find a cheap (significantly less than $90) hotel downtown, be aware that it is likely to be located in the "East Side", infamous for its prostitution and drug problems.

• 1 Ambassador Hotel, 1212 Granville St, ☏ +1 604 687-8293. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. A boutique-style hotel with single, twin, double and queen rooms. Washrooms are shared (per floor) but are private upon entry. $75-105. 
• 2 American Backpackers Hostel, 347 W Pender St, ☏ +1 604 688-0112. The rooms are average but the dorms are to be considered by only the poorest of travelers. There are benefits like free beer on summer Saturdays. Book on their website and get a $5 discount on the first night. Minimum age 17, maximum age 35. Dorm bed $25, Single $35, Double $50. 
• 3 Cambie Hostel - Downtown, 515 Seymour St (between W Pender and Dunsmuir), ☏ +1 604-684-7757, toll-free: +1-866-623-8496. Check-out: 10AM. Dorms start at $27, or $24 with Cambie Card. 
• 4 HI-Vancouver Central, 1025 Granville St, ☏ +1 604 685-5335. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Free wireless internet, free breakfast, lockers, and luggage storage. Dorms start at $37 for members and $41 for non-members in summer, private rooms start at $94 in summer. 
• 5 SameSun Vancouver, 1018 Granville St, ☏ +1 604 682-8226. Hostel with modern amenities and decorated by bright splashes of colours on the wall. Dorms start at $35, private rooms at $85. 

Mid-range

• 6 Best Western Plus Chateau Granville, 1100 Granville St (corner of Granville & Helmecken, 550 m from Yaletown-Roundhouse station for Canada Line; 950 m from Granville station for Expo Line), ☏ +1 604 669-7070, toll-free: +1-800-663-0575, fax: +1 604 669-4928, res@chateaugranville.com. Rooms and suites with tea/coffee maker, microwave, and refrigerator. Exterior of building is unattractive, but rooms are pleasant. Surrounding area still in the process of being gentrified. From $149. 
• 7 The Burrard, 1100 Burrard St, ☏ +1 604 681-2331. Old motor inn remodeled to go for the funky factor. Some of the rooms are small and its age still shows in spots, but there's lots of character, free wifi, new beds and mini-fridges and espresso machines in each room. $150 and up. 
• 8 Days Inn Vancouver Downtown, 921 W Pender St, ☏ +1 604 681-4335. It's an old building so some of the rooms are small and noisy. Otherwise, a typical Days Inn - clean, simple rooms, but not many extras. Free wireless Internet available. From $150. 
• 9 GEC Granville Hotel, 718 Drake St, ☏ +1 604 669-9888, reservations@gecgranvillesuites.ca. Mix of rooms with single queen, single king, two double beds or two queen beds. From $159. 
• 10 Kingston Hotel, 757 Richards St, ☏ +1 604 684-9024, toll-free: +1-888-713-3304. Check-out: 11AM. Single rooms have a 3/4 double bed and shared washroom facilities. Twin and double rooms have their own washrooms. Comes with a free continental breakfast. Single $75-125, Double $85-155, Twin 115-175. 
• 11 L'Hermitage, 788 Richards St, ☏ +1 778 327-4100, toll-free: +1-888-855-1050. Boutique-style hotel in a condo tower. Room options range from "Boutique" rooms that have a queen or king-size bed to one and two bedroom suites for extended stays. Amenities include a fitness room, heated outdoor saltwater pool and complementary wifi. From $180. Valet parking $25/night. 
• 12 Ramada Vancouver Hotel, 1221 Granville St, ☏ +1 604 685-1111. Accommodation includes full hot breakfast, adjacent fitness center, business center, guest laundry/dry cleaning service, 24hr concierge, complimentary wifi and baggage storage. The hotel is pet friendly and also has an on-site bar and lounge. Some rooms have kitchenettes. From $179. Parking $15/night. 
• 13 Victorian Hotel, 514 Homer St, ☏ +1 604 681-6369, toll-free: +1-877-681-6369. One of Vancouver's first guest houses, the hotel retains a lot of its original woodwork and Victorian-era details. Economy rooms have one or two beds and a sink, with a shared bathroom. Luxury rooms have one to three beds and full bathroom. There is complementary continental breakfast and wifi; secure parking is available for a fee. Economy rooms $69-119, Luxury rooms $99-189. 

Splurge

The landmark Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

• 14 Exchange Hotel Vancouver, 475 Howe St. Opened in 2018 in the former stock exchange building. (updated Jan 2020)
• 15 Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 W Georgia St, ☏ +1 604 684-3131. Vancouver's grand old hotel. Beautifully decorated and a firmly established part of Vancouver's history. The lounge is noted for its traditional afternoon tea. From $319.  
• 16 The Fairmont Waterfront, 900 Canada Place Way, ☏ +1 604 691-1999. A 5-star hotel with a stunning view wherever there's a window. Across from Canada Place. From $369. 
• 17 Four Seasons Vancouver, 791 W Georgia St, ☏ +1 604 689-9333, fax: +1 604-684-4555. Luxury hotel decorated in classic style but with modern amenities. Pool, gym and the excellent restaurant and bar "YEW". From $475.  
• 18 Hotel Le Soleil, 567 Hornby St, ☏ +1 604 632-3000, toll-free: +1-877-632-3030. Suites and guestrooms with luxury touches like marble bathrooms and unique artwork and decor from local artisans and the Old World. Rated "One of the Top 100 Hotels in the World" - by Resorts & Great Hotels Magazine. From $235. Valet parking $30/night.  
• 19 Loden Hotel, 1177 Melville St, ☏ +1 604 669-5060, toll-free: +1-877-225-6336. Has the modern look and feel with earthy tones, deep soaker tubs and a yoga studio. There's also a 24 hour fitness center and free bike rentals. The floor to ceiling windows provide good harbour or city views (depending on which way your room faces). From $279. Additional fee for valet parking, internet access $15/day. 
• 20 Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel, 1128 W Hastings St, ☏ +1 604 684-1128, toll-free: +1-800-207-4150. A good weddings and meetings hotel steps away from the harbour and cruise ship terminal. Fitness centre, indoor lap pool and whirlpool. From $259.  
• 21 The Metropolitan, 645 Howe St, ☏ +1 604 687-1122. Luxury hotel featuring marble washrooms and soaker tubs. From $270.  
• 22 Pan Pacific, 300-999 Canada Pl, ☏ +1 604 662-8111. A harbour location just steps away from Stanley Park. If you are staying here, consider paying extra for a view of the coast mountains. At these prices, it would be a shame to miss out on the view. From $299.  
• 23 Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 W Georgia St, ☏ +1 604 682-5566, toll-free: +1-877-767-3966. A historic Vancouver hotel where the rich and the royal have stayed in the past. Those guests have moved on but the hotel retains a mix of elegant rooms and suites. Amenities include a fitness center and indoor saltwater pool. From $425.  
• 24 Shangri-La Hotel, 1128 W Georgia St, ☏ +1 604 689-1120. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A luxury hotel located in the tallest building in Vancouver with 119 guest rooms, executive suites and space for meetings and events. Rooms include marble bathrooms, PVRs and floor to ceiling windows to take in the marvelous view. Other amenities include a 24 hour health club, outdoor pool and access to the Chi spa. The hotel also offers MARKET by Jean-Georges, Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Canadian debut. From $475. 
• 25 Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrard St, ☏ +1 604 682-5511, toll-free: +1-866-378-8866. Classic-styled luxury hotel with spa, gym, concierge and the usual room amenities. Reviewers like the ambiance, the friendly staff and the location, but find the WiFi signal weak and thought some of the furnishings looked a bit dated. From $275.  
• 26 Wedgewood Hotel and Spa, 845 Hornby St, ☏ +1 604 689-7777, toll-free: +1-800-663-0666. European-style boutique hotel listed on Conde Nast's gold list. The decor isn't modern but reviewers like the elegance and class of the hotel and found the rooms well appointed and comfortable. Amenities include a spa and fitness centre and business centre for internet access (no wifi in rooms). From $280. 

Go next

• Gastown & Chinatown
• Kitsilano & Granville Island
• Stanley Park & the West End
• Yaletown & False Creek

Routes through City Centre

Whistler ← West End ←	N  S	→ Kitsilano-Granville Island → Seattle / Victoria via
END ←	W  E	→ Gastown-Chinatown → Surrey
END ←	N  S	→ Yaletown-False Creek → Richmond
END ←	W  E	→ Port Moody → Mission
END ← North Vancouver ←	N  S	→ END