7 Unique Places to Stay in Vancouver

Beyond the wide variety of options locals and visitors can choose from when looking for a place to stay, there are just as many great deals they can take advantage of as well. We partnered with Expedia.ca to spotlight seven Vancouver hotels offering guests a unique staying experience.  

Natural sophistication: The ultimate Pacific Rim experience impresses with the hotel’s inspired-by-nature suites and stunning views. The North Shore Mountains and Coal Harbour make for the perfect natural backdrop where hotel guests can watch floatplanes and cruise ships enter Vancouver’s spectacular waterfront. Natural serenity also abounds at the Willow Stream spa, with panoramic views and authentically Canadian experiences like the maple butter Coastal Mountain body wrap.

Where city meets forest + sea: An enviable waterfront location and a romantic heritage are just two reasons why the 1912 ivy-covered Sylvia Hotel has been enticing travellers for decades; and the fact that it’s a pet-friendly hotel just adds to the appeal. The sandy shores of English Bay are just across the street, affording easy access to the seawall where guests can enjoy a stroll to Vancouver’s emerald beauty: Stanley Park.

Sexy speakeasy: While the legendary hotel’s glamorous rooms, captivating artwork and award-winning Hawksworth Restaurant are always alluring, Prohibition — the hotel’s new underground cocktail bar — is keeping guests entertained well into the night. The intimate space is evocative of the Roaring Twenties. Bespoke cocktails are served, like the Inception Negroni — a mind-bending innovation where the classic cocktail is suspended inside a hollow ice sphere.

Hip hangout: Mid-century styling comes alive in this 1950s hotel upgraded for modern urbanites. Think Mad Men, but eco-chic and affordable. Retro-styled rooms sport Nespresso CitiZ espresso machines, and fridges are stocked with B.C. spring water in recycled bottles. Looking for a little added adventure? Hop on one of the complimentary Electra Cruiser bikes (the bike route is right out front) and explore the city’s beaches, boutiques and beyond.

High-tech + trendy: Want to stay at your cool pal’s trendy Yaletown condo? That’s the vibe at the boutique Opus Hotel, where rooms are distinctively designed with bold hues, urban views and local artwork. Trendy, tech elements include complimentary iPad and high-speed wifi, making staying wired effortless. The Opus Signature Suite offers the ultimate city getaway, with a wraparound balcony, two-sided fireplace and a wet bar. Cocktails, anyone?

Elemental Oasis: Little luxuries are expected at any boutique hotel, but L’Hermitage elevates such elements to sophisticated heights. Inside, boutique rooms and suites feature cozy gas fireplaces, and outside, the heated salt-water swimming pool is “kept enticingly warm.” Make a splash and swim some laps before soaking in the Jacuzzi. Then retreat to your room and curl up in front of the fireplace.

Entertainment hot spot: Non-stop excitement awaits at this resort located right along the Canada Line, providing effortless access to Vancouver International Airport and world-class shopping at the new McArthurGlen Vancouver. The centrepiece, though, is its 24-hour entertainment mecca: a 70,000-square-foot casino. Try your luck in the 25-table poker room or play at one of the 900 gaming machines.