Looking for a funky web savvy boutique hotel in downtown Vancouver that won’t break the bank? Recently Mark from Chicago contacted me through the blog to ask about such a place since he’ll be coming to town this fall.
I don’t want to pay stratospheric prices […] Is there a smaller, classy, tech-friendly place you could recommend?
Mark’s email stated what he was looking for:
– Close to downtown city center.
– Not a corporate chain ( i.e. no Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, etc.).
– Ideally something more “boutique”, artsy, good for a web 2.0 geek.
– Close to public transportation and ethnic restaurants.
– Maybe close to Stanley Park.
– No stratospheric prices, but something between 3 and 4 star.
Although there’s no shortage of amazingly tasty ethnic food everywhere you go, I’ve done a little digging, put the word out, and come up with the following places to stay (with help from Dave, and Jordan).
The Kingston ** I know the restaurant/pub has a fantastic rooftop patio but didn’t know there was a hotel/b&b at that location as well, go figure. Rooms appear to be from $55 to $160 a night, with continental breakfast and yes, they do have wifi. [Google Map]
Pacific Palisades **** Just off Robson street it’s in the downtown core but still a nice walking distance to Stanley Park. From $220 a night, ADSL internet in room. [Google Map]
Blue Horizon **** Located near the Palisades on Robson, I always see people doing brunch outside when I walk by. From $164 a night during peak.
[Google Map]
Opus Hotel **** Slightly pricey (from $300 during peak season) but hip and full of style. High speed wifi and wired internet throughout the hotel. 1 restaurant and 2 bars, and the manager’s even got a blog. [Google Map]
The Listel Hotel **** Artsy hotel on the inside but not so much on the outside save for a giant orange, metal pretzel-looking piece. Rates from $209 a night ($50-$150 during the off season). It’s got a great location though, on the “quieter” side on Robson and close’r’ to the park. [Google Map]
Le Soleil **** Beautiful little boutique hotel tucked away in the financial district. From $260 a night during peak tourist season it also has wifi.[Google Map]
The Buchan Hotel *** Tucked away among the walk-ups of the West End, only 2 blocks from Stanley Park and Lost Lagoon, everyone always forgets about the Buchan. Looking at their rates they seem pretty reasonable ($90 to start, during the season) and it’s also only 2 blocks from Denman Street – where you can catch any bus and eat anything from African Fusion to Montreal-style BBQ. (Unsure about internet availability though) [Google Map]
The Sylvia Hotel **** Charming heritage hotel right at English Bay and beside the entrance to Stanley Park. Rates during the season start at $110. Do a Flickr search for photos to see the Sylvia [Google Map]
I can think of a couple more hotels but the goal is to be “non-chain” but also “non-nasty”. If all else fails, stay outside of downtown and just hop a bus in, I hear the view from the Holiday Inn on Broadway is lovely…
If anyone has any more to add to the list (downtown only to start) please feel free to submit it in the comments, thanks!
At this point I’m seriously wondering when Tourism Vancouver is going to start sending some monetary love my way, this is the second out-of-town reader I’ve helped within the last week. At least I hope this helps, have a good time in Vancity, Mark!
Updates and reader submissions below:
Wedgewood Hotel ***** Submitted by Charlene – Starting at $308 during the season, The Wedgewood is centrally located downtown across from Robson Square, just South of the Vancouver Art Gallery. It looks super nice from the photos yet I’m unsure about internet access — note to hotels in Vancouver, this is a big selling point. [Google Map]
Carmana Plaza **** Submitted by Mom604 – Rooms start at $350 during the summer and seem to book up pretty fast so they must be doing something right. Off Robson, near lots of restaurants (and a liquor store…), view of the mountains. No word on internet access on their website [Google Map]
Update: A nice mention of this post by Vacant Ready “100% Occupied by Hotel People”. They suggested the following hotel, which I’ve added to the list:
“The only addition I would probably make would be Moda Hotel on Seymour Street. This is a renovated heritage property with still more interesting reno projects to come in the restaurant and wine bar. Rates are definitely on the budget side (summer rates start at $119), so it might be worth checking out.” [VacantReady]
11 Comments — Comments Are Closed
Hi Rebecca,
Here via Netchick. One to add to the list is the Wedgewood on Hornby.
Cheers
Charlene
How about the Carmana Plaza on Alberni Street (between Robson and West Georgia. Heart of downtown, not far from Stanley Park, right across the street from the now-being-built Shangri-La. There is some construction noise, but a lot of ethnic restaurants all around. Tim Horton’s right next door. I know because my office is nearby.
Thanks for this post. I haven’t booked my hotel yet, still researching.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
We really enjoyed our stay at the Days Inn on Pender when we were in Vancouver for your wedding. I told the lady at the front desk we were from the midwest and rarely got to see mountains or waterfront views and she very graciously gave us a room with somewhat of a view. If we looked between the buildings, we could see the bay and of course the mountains, both of which we love. If you want a good view, you would need to stay away from the downtown area or stay at some pricey hotel. Rooms at this Days Inn start at $159 TO $235 depending on when you stay.
http://www.daysinnvancouver.com/rates.html
P.S.
$159 to $235 is CAD.
Thanks Rebecca! Gosh, I sure hope _all_ those prices above are in CDN. 🙂
I just updated my blog with a linkback to this post. Hope the trackback shows up correctly.
I plan to twitter while I’m there, so hopefully be able to connect and thank some of you in person.
[…] those with an upcoming trip to the city should consider the options listed on my post about boutique hotels (wink wink, nudge […]
Just found out my meeting will be at SFU Harbour Campus, so looking around there. Moda sounds cool and reasonably priced. Also looking around for a good physical map/guidebook to the city, preferably with public transit options overlaid onto the map. Gmaps doesn’t seem to have a Vancouver public transit module to overlay unfortunately.
Your blog has been an invaluable asset for me to absorb some of the local flavour in preparation for the trip!
[…] Best Local Hotel for Out of Town Guests: Sylvia Hotel (tie) Opus Hotel (both on my Hotels list) […]
[…] family reunion. When shopping around for hotels in a city with which I’m not that familiar I rely heavily on the internet and its opinions. Frankly, TripAdvisor is a downer… everything has mildew in the showers, […]