Cheap Vancouver Hotels
With the 2010 Winter Olympics approaching, finding a hotel in Vancouver is becoming an Olympic sport of its own. Whether you’re in it for the winter slopes, or strolling through downtown during the nice weather, there’s a place in Vancouver for you. For an upscale Vancouver hotel experience, head straight Downtown, where an anthem of shops and boutiques create a consumer-driven theme for the area. Remove yourself from the whirl with a quiet Vancouver hotel room in the West End, or stay in the West Side among museums and parks that make it easy to explore both the outdoors and history of Vancouver. If the mountains are your preferred majesty, then skip the crowds and make a beeline for the North Shore. No matter what your personality, there’s a hotel in Vancouver for you.
Downtown & Yaletown: Vancouver’s downtown area is where you’ll find most chain hotels in the city. Bustling with tourists and locals on wide sidewalks and busy streets, the Downtown & Yaletown area is most people’s first stop when they visit. The majority of Vancouver hotels in the area on the higher-end side of the price spectrum, thanks to well-known brands and five-star rates. But, there are economy franchises as well, so it’s easy to find cheap Vancouver hotels Downtown. Most downtown Vancouver hotels are within a 5-10 minute walk to the shops, restaurants, and attractions. More glamorous than other parts of the city, Yaletown is known for its exquisite shopping opportunities and lively restaurant patios in the summer time. Especially for consumers, finding a Vancouver hotel in Downtown or Yaletown makes it easy to dump your shopping bags without a long commute. If you have a sunny afternoon free, be sure to stroll around the beautifully kept streets before returning to your room.
The West End: Even though this area of the city might look and feel a little more like a suburb, don’t worry, you’re not missing the city life if your hotel in Vancouver lies in the West End. Tree-lined garden-filled residential streets line the West End, making this area especially appealing for those travelers who plan to run, walk, or jog on their Vancouver trip. Stanley Park, one of the Vancouver’s famous green areas, radiates relaxation and gives a delightful reprieve from the pace of downtown while staying close to all of the wonderful amenities of Robson and Denman Streets. There, shops and restaurants exist tightly side-by-side, and most have beautiful views of the English Bay and Second Beach. There aren’t a ton of super-chains in this section of town, but if you’re looking for a Vancouver hotel with a little more character and unique charm, then the West End is a perfect place to stay.
The West Side: Not to be confused with the West End, the West Side has its own story. Cheap Vancouver hotels spring up around here, and if you’re looking for more personable accommodations, then swap a big chain hotel in Vancouver for a cozy bed and breakfast that will infuse you with the city’s spirit. In between the triad of Granville Island, Kitsilano, and Kits beach, the West Side has a pedestrian, casual vibe with an academic feel. Nearby are the Museum of Anthropology and the highly talked about gardens on the University of British Columbia campus. Take a stroll through Queen Elizabeth Park, and enjoy the outdoors. Close proximity to the Vancouver airport gives this area bonus points, as well.
The North Shore: Want a hotel in Vancouver that’s a little more removed? The North Shore districts are calling your name. North and West Vancouver prove to be ideal winter spots, mostly for the incredible slopes. If you’re traveling to Vancouver in the winter, the vertical draw here will amaze you. In the summer, the altitudes make for awesome hiking trails and camping sites, and beautiful vegetation frame the experience in a happy outdoor glow. Book a Vancouver hotel in the North Shore and you’ll be close to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Mount Seymoure, Grouse Mountain, and the Cypress Bowl.