That’s why your choice of area matters so much. It decides how far you have to walk to the metro on a cold winter evening, how much nightlife you hear through the window and what the room costs. Here are my five recommendations for where to stay in Montreal, with hotels in three price ranges.

The Best Areas in Montreal

• Old Montreal - best area for first-time visitors and couples
• Downtown & Golden Square Mile - best area for shopping, museums and winter trips
• Quartier des Spectacles - best area for festivals, concerts and culture
• Quartier Latin & The Village - best area for nightlife and low prices
• Le Plateau-Mont-Royal - best area for cafés, local life and a quiet base

Below, I’ll take you through the five areas one by one, each with three hotels in different price ranges. First, two things that apply to all of them. The metro ties the areas together: the Orange Line runs from Old Montreal via Berri-UQAM to the Plateau, and the Green Line runs through Downtown, the Quartier des Spectacles and the Village. From Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL), the 747 bus runs around the clock, and according to the airport’s own guide, the journey takes around 30 to 35 minutes to Lionel-Groulx metro station and 45 to 70 minutes to the terminus at Berri-UQAM. The ticket costs 11.25 Canadian dollars and, according to the public transport operator, STM, it doubles as a 24-hour pass for buses and the metro, so you can continue to your hotel by metro on the same ticket.

1. Old Montreal - best area for first-time visitors and couples

• Distance from the centre: Around 1 km from the Quartier des Spectacles and the shops in Downtown. My estimate is a 15 to 20-minute walk.
• Transport: The metro’s Orange Line from Place-d’Armes and Champ-de-Mars on the northern edge of the neighbourhood. You can cover Old Montreal itself on foot.
• Time from the airport: 30 to 35 minutes on the 747 bus to Lionel-Groulx metro station, then five stops on the Orange Line to Place-d’Armes.
• Price range: €€€ to €€€€. One of the most expensive areas in the city, and there are hardly any real budget hotels.
• Safety: Safe and busy all day. The cobblestones are uneven, so wear sensible shoes, especially when it’s wet or slippery.

Old Montreal, Vieux-Montréal in French, is the city’s historic quarter down by the St. Lawrence River, and it’s where I’d stay on a first trip. You walk on cobblestones between grey stone buildings, and Notre-Dame Basilica, Rue Saint-Paul and the Old Port waterfront are just a few minutes from one another. Down by the water stands the Ferris wheel La Grande Roue de Montréal.

Tourisme Montréal describes Old Montreal and the Old Port as a neighbourhood almost 400 years in the making, with everything from churches and museums to a Ferris wheel and boat trips on the river. If you’d like to know more about the city’s early history, the Pointe-à-Callière museum is here too. Everything is within walking distance, which is why the area suits a short trip or a couples’ break where you want to be able to walk home from the restaurant.

See hotels in Old Montreal here.

The metro stations are on the edge of the neighbourhood. The Orange Line stops at Place-d’Armes and Champ-de-Mars just north of the old streets and at Square-Victoria-OACI to the west. From Place-d’Armes, it’s two stops to the Berri-UQAM interchange and four to Mont-Royal in the Plateau, so you’re not tied to the cobblestones.

The price is the downside. Old Montreal is usually one of the most expensive places to stay in the city, and there are hardly any real budget hotels. That’s why my cheapest suggestion here is a hostel. If you want an ordinary hotel room at a low price, the Quartier Latin, two metro stops away, is a better place to look.

Expect plenty of other visitors in summer too, and expect to drag your suitcase over cobblestones. Book well ahead if you’re travelling in festival season, because there are fewer hotels to choose from here than in Downtown.

Places to Stay in Old Montreal

Hotel Nelligan - five-star boutique hotel on Rue Saint-Paul

Hotel Nelligan is on Rue Saint-Paul in the middle of Old Montreal, around 150 metres from Notre-Dame Basilica and just under 500 metres from Place-d’Armes metro station. The smallest rooms measure 25 square metres, the Deluxe rooms 33, and the suites range from 46 to 57 square metres.

It’s my suggestion for a special occasion or a couples’ trip where the hotel should be part of the experience. There’s a restaurant, a bar with live music and a rooftop terrace that’s open for service in season. A few guests find the bathrooms a little more dated than the rest of the room, and the gym is small.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything about the room was exceptional: beautiful decor, large room with comfortable bed and great pillows.”

See photos and book Hotel Nelligan here.

Hyatt Centric Montreal - modern hotel with a heated rooftop pool

Hyatt Centric is on Rue Notre-Dame Est at the eastern end of Old Montreal, around 450 metres from Champ-de-Mars metro station and 500 metres from Place Jacques-Cartier. The rooms measure 32 square metres and come with a king-size bed or with two queen-size beds for up to four people.

There’s a heated outdoor pool on the roof, and the hotel also has a restaurant, a bar and a gym. Choose it if you’d rather have a newer hotel with facilities than an old stone building. The windows don’t open, some rooms look out onto a car park, and several guests find the breakfast selection small.

Here’s how one guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “Great staff, clean rooms, lovely rooftop area, good location.”

See photos and book Hyatt Centric Montreal here.

Auberge Alternative - hostel with a shared kitchen in the western part of Old Montreal

Auberge Alternative is my budget suggestion, and you should know that it’s a hostel. Old Montreal has virtually no ordinary budget hotels, so this is where the cheapest beds are. The hostel is on Rue Saint-Pierre, around 400 metres from Notre-Dame Basilica and just over 500 metres from Square-Victoria-OACI metro station.

There are dormitories and private rooms for three or four people, all with shared bathrooms and toilets down the corridor. The smallest private room measures 8 square metres and has a bunk bed, and the largest, at 15, has a double bed and a bunk bed. You get a shared kitchen and a lounge, but there’s no lift, and guests mention small lockers and room temperatures that go up and down.

One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “Staff were lovely, super friendly and hard working.”

See photos and book Auberge Alternative here.

2. Downtown & Golden Square Mile - best area for shopping, museums and winter trips

• Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying in the centre. The shopping street Rue Sainte-Catherine runs right through the area.
• Transport: The Green Line from Guy-Concordia, Peel and McGill and the Orange Line from Lucien-L’Allier and Bonaventure. RÉSO, the underground city, links up a large part of the area.
• Time from the airport: The full route to Berri-UQAM takes 45 to 70 minutes on the 747 bus, which stops along the way on Boulevard René-Lévesque in Downtown.
• Price range: €€ to €€€€. The biggest choice in the city, from simple chain hotels to the most expensive luxury hotels.
• Safety: Safe and busy all day. Around Rue Crescent, there are bars and noise until late at weekends.

Downtown, Centre-Ville in French, is Montreal’s modern centre, with office towers, department stores and the big chain hotels. The part that runs up towards Mount Royal is called the Golden Square Mile, and it’s home to luxury shops and some of the city’s most expensive hotels along Rue Sherbrooke. The area is my pick if you want to shop, visit museums and have the metro right on your doorstep.

In the 19th century, the Golden Square Mile was the neighbourhood of the city’s wealthiest families. Today, the city’s tourism office also calls it the museum quarter, because it’s home to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the McCord Stewart Museum and the Redpath Museum. To the north, the neighbourhood ends at the foot of Mount Royal, so it’s a short walk up into the park and to the Kondiaronk lookout.

In winter, Downtown is the most practical place to stay. Beneath the streets is RÉSO, the underground city, which is more than 33 kilometres long and connects metro stations with shopping centres such as Centre Eaton, Place Montréal Trust and Place Ville Marie. In other words, you can get a long way without stepping out into the cold.

See hotels in Downtown and the Golden Square Mile here.

The transport links are the best in the city. The Green Line stops at Guy-Concordia, Peel and McGill, the Orange Line at Lucien-L’Allier and Bonaventure, and the 747 bus from the airport runs along Boulevard René-Lévesque through the area. A taxi between the airport and Downtown has a fixed fare, which is just under 50 Canadian dollars during the day and just over 55 Canadian dollars at night, according to the airport.

On the other hand, there’s less charm here than in Old Montreal and the Plateau. You get traffic, offices and chain stores, and around Rue Crescent, there are pubs and terraces that stay noisy until late at weekends. Stay a couple of streets away if you’re a light sleeper.

Places to Stay in Downtown & Golden Square Mile

The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal - classic luxury on Rue Sherbrooke

The Ritz-Carlton is on Rue Sherbrooke in the Golden Square Mile, around 200 metres from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and just under 300 metres from Peel metro station. The smallest rooms measure 37 square metres, and there are suites from 56 square metres upwards.

Here, you get the Maison Boulud restaurant with French cuisine, a bar, afternoon tea, an indoor saltwater pool and a spa. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide and only an option if your budget is generous. Guests miss having a stocked minibar in the room, and some find the breakfast too small for the price.

One guest points out on Booking.com: “Very helpful concierge and reception staff.”

See photos and book The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal here.

Hôtel Monroe - apartment hotel with kitchens and a rooftop pool in summer

Hôtel Monroe is on Rue Mackay, around 100 metres from Guy-Concordia metro station and 250 metres from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. You stay in a studio or an apartment with a kitchen. The smallest studios measure 32 square metres, and the largest apartments have three bedrooms and room for six.

I’d choose it for a family or a group of friends who want space and the option of making their own breakfast. The reception is staffed around the clock, and there’s a sauna, a hot tub, a gym and a rooftop pool that’s open from May to September. There’s no restaurant and no breakfast, and guests complain about long waits for the lifts.

One guest keeps it short on Booking.com: “Clean, spacious and well located.”

See photos and book Hôtel Monroe here.

Auberge Les Bons Matins - cosy inn right by the metro

Auberge Les Bons Matins is my good-value suggestion in Downtown. It’s a small inn on Avenue Argyle, less than 100 metres from Lucien-L’Allier metro station and around 250 metres from the Centre Bell arena. The rooms measure 19 to 22 square metres and have a king-size bed, and there are suites of 35 square metres and a family suite for four.

It’s a place with a personal feel, with breakfast served à la carte, a guest kitchen with a microwave and a terrace. The building has no lift, so it isn’t the place for you if you struggle with stairs or travel with heavy suitcases. A few guests also mention noise from the lower floors.

One guest describes the place on Booking.com: “The staff are excellent, the building is beautiful and so are the rooms, and the location is great.”

See photos and book Auberge Les Bons Matins here.

3. Quartier des Spectacles - best area for festivals, concerts and culture

• Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying in the eastern part of Downtown. It’s around 1 km to Old Montreal.
• Transport: The Green Line from Place-des-Arts and Saint-Laurent. From Complexe Desjardins, you have access to the underground city.
• Time from the airport: 45 to 70 minutes on the 747 bus to the terminus at Berri-UQAM, then two stops on the Green Line to Place-des-Arts.
• Price range: €€ to €€€. Prices are often higher when the big festivals take over the neighbourhood.
• Safety: Safe around Place des Arts. During the festivals, the crowds are tightly packed, so keep an eye on your bag and phone.

The Quartier des Spectacles is Montreal’s cultural quarter, in the eastern part of Downtown around Place des Arts and the Place des Festivals square. This is where the big outdoor stages go up in summer, and it’s where I’d stay if your trip is planned around a festival or a concert.

According to Tourisme Montréal, the quarter has more than 80 venues and hosts over 40 festivals a year, among them the jazz festival, Just for Laughs, Les Francos and the winter festival Montréal en Lumière. The festivals are spread across all four seasons, so there’s life in the squares in winter too. Place des Arts alone has six halls, including the Maison Symphonique concert hall.

See hotels in the Quartier des Spectacles here.

You’ll be staying centrally without being right in the middle of the shops. The Green Line stops at Place-des-Arts and Saint-Laurent, and from the Complexe Desjardins shopping centre opposite Place des Festivals, you have access to the underground city. To the west, it’s one metro stop to McGill and the shops in Downtown. It’s around a kilometre to Old Montreal, and the walk takes you down through Chinatown.

Check the festival calendar before you book. When a big festival fills the squares, the hotels are often more expensive and booked up early, and you can hear the music from the stages until late. That’s an advantage if you’re going to the concerts yourself, and a drawback if you want an early night.

Outside the festival days, it’s quieter here, and the quarter has more concrete and open squares than cosy streets. If you’d rather have cafés and small shops outside your door, the Plateau is a better choice.

Places to Stay in the Quartier des Spectacles

Honeyrose Hotel, Montreal - design hotel with a pool by Place des Arts

Honeyrose is on Boulevard De Maisonneuve, less than 100 metres from Place-des-Arts metro station and just under 200 metres from Place des Festivals. All the rooms have city views and measure 44 to 48 square metres, which is a lot for a city hotel.

The hotel has a French restaurant, a bar, a coffee bar, an indoor pool, a sauna, a hot tub and a gym. It’s my first choice in the quarter if you want to treat yourself and have only a very short walk home from the concert. The rooms don’t have bathtubs, and a few guests mention stains on the bed linen.

One guest writes about the location on Booking.com: “The location was perfect for a city trip.”

See photos and book Honeyrose Hotel, Montreal here.

DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal - large chain hotel in Complexe Desjardins

DoubleTree is on Rue Jeanne-Mance and is connected to the Complexe Desjardins shopping centre, so you have indoor access to the underground city. It’s around 150 metres to Place des Festivals and 250 metres to Place-des-Arts metro station.

The rooms measure 31 to 33 square metres, some with a sofa bed or two queen-size beds for four people, and the hotel has a restaurant, a bar, a heated indoor pool and a gym. It’s a good choice for a family and for a winter trip. Some guests think the price is high for the facilities, and you may have to wait for the lifts.

One guest names the best things about the hotel on Booking.com: “Location, pool and breakfasts.”

See photos and book DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal here.

Le Dauphin Montréal Centre-Ville - three-star hotel with breakfast included

Le Dauphin is the cheapest of my three suggestions and is on Rue De Bleury between the Quartier des Spectacles and Old Montreal. It’s around 250 metres to Square-Victoria-OACI metro station, just over 500 metres to Place des Festivals and roughly the same distance to Notre-Dame Basilica.

The smallest rooms measure 23 square metres and the largest 31, and all of them have a fridge and a coffee machine. A continental breakfast is included in the price, and there’s a gym. Don’t expect a restaurant or a pool. The breakfast is simple, and some guests find that the rooms can be chilly.

One delighted guest writes on Booking.com: “The shower and bed are amazing!”

See photos and book Le Dauphin Montréal Centre-Ville here.

4. Quartier Latin & The Village - best area for nightlife and low prices

• Distance from the centre: Around 1 km east of Place des Arts. From Berri-UQAM, it’s two metro stops to Place-des-Arts and two to Place-d’Armes in Old Montreal.
• Transport: Berri-UQAM is the city’s main interchange, with the Green, Orange and Yellow Lines. Beaudry on the Green Line is in the middle of the Village.
• Time from the airport: 45 to 70 minutes on the 747 bus, which terminates at Berri-UQAM.
• Price range: € to €€. This is often where you’ll find the lowest hotel prices of the five areas.
• Safety: Rougher around the edges than the rest of the centre, especially around Berri-UQAM. Stick to the well-lit main streets in the evening.

East of the Quartier des Spectacles are two neighbourhoods that I’ve grouped together because they share a metro station. The Quartier Latin is the student quarter around Rue Saint-Denis and the UQAM university, and the Village is the city’s LGBTQ+ neighbourhood along Rue Sainte-Catherine. This is where you’ll find the nightlife and often the lowest hotel prices in the centre.

The Village is one of the largest LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods in North America, according to Tourisme Montréal, and Beaudry metro station, with its rainbow-coloured pillars, is right in the middle of it. Rue Sainte-Catherine is the main street, with restaurants, shops and nightclubs that stay packed late into the night. As well as the hotels by Berri-UQAM, there are several small B&Bs here if you’d like somewhere with a more personal feel.

See hotels in the Quartier Latin and the Village here.

The big practical advantage is Berri-UQAM. The station is the city’s main interchange, with the Green, Orange and Yellow Lines, and the 747 bus from the airport terminates here. From here, the Yellow Line runs one stop to Parc Jean-Drapeau on the islands in the river. The coach station, Gare d’autocars de Montréal, is also within walking distance if you’re travelling on by long-distance bus.

The downside is what you see on the streets. Around Berri-UQAM, it’s rougher than in the rest of the centre, and hotel guests mention that the area can feel unsafe in the evening. I’d stick to the well-lit main streets.

At weekends, there’s also noise until late along Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Denis, so ask for a room away from the street. If you can live with that, you get a lot for your money: three metro lines on your doorstep, two stops to Old Montreal and the concerts in the Quartier des Spectacles within walking distance.

Places to Stay in the Quartier Latin & The Village

Hyatt Place Montreal - chain hotel with an indoor pool by Berri-UQAM

Hyatt Place is the best equipped of my three suggestions here and is on Rue Saint-Hubert, around 150 metres from Berri-UQAM. The rooms measure 29 square metres and have either two queen-size beds or a king-size bed and a sofa bed, so there’s room for up to four people.

The hotel has an indoor pool, a sauna, a gym and a bar, which makes it a good option for a family. Several guests mention that the immediate neighbourhood can feel unsafe in the evening, and that the parking spaces are tight.

One guest praises the cleanliness on Booking.com: “The hotel and the room were super clean.”

See photos and book Hyatt Place Montreal here.

Tru by Hilton Montréal Centre-Ville - newer chain hotel with breakfast included

Tru by Hilton is on Boulevard De Maisonneuve Est at the western end of the Village, just under 200 metres from Berri-UQAM and around 450 metres from Beaudry. The rooms measure 22 square metres with a king-size bed or 27 with two queen-size beds.

Breakfast is included in the price, and the hotel has a gym, a games room and a small shop. There’s no restaurant, bar, pool or parking of its own. I’d pick it for a city break where you’re out all day and want somewhere new and simple to stay. The breakfast selection is limited, according to several guests.

One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Location, functional rooms, friendly staff.”

See photos and book Tru by Hilton Montréal Centre-Ville here.

Hotel Labelle - studios with a kitchenette close to Berri-UQAM

Hotel Labelle is my budget suggestion in the area and is on Rue Labelle, around 200 metres from Berri-UQAM. All the rooms are studios with a kitchenette, a fridge and a microwave. The smallest measures 18 square metres, and the larger ones 35 to 39 square metres, some with room for four.

A continental breakfast buffet is included in the price, and there’s a lift and a terrace. That makes the hotel an obvious choice for a longer trip or for a family keen to keep costs down. The furniture is a little worn, and one guest writes that the room was smaller than the photos suggested.

One guest says of the location on Booking.com: “Excellent location, close to metro station, shops and restaurants.”

See photos and book Hotel Labelle here.

5. Le Plateau-Mont-Royal - best area for cafés, local life and a quiet base

• Distance from the centre: Around 2 km north of Downtown. From Mont-Royal, it’s two metro stops to Berri-UQAM and four to Place-d’Armes in Old Montreal.
• Transport: The Orange Line from Sherbrooke, Mont-Royal and Laurier.
• Time from the airport: 45 to 70 minutes on the 747 bus to Berri-UQAM, then one stop on the Orange Line to Sherbrooke or two to Mont-Royal.
• Price range: € to €€€. Few hotels, and mostly small inns, B&Bs and apartments.
• Safety: A safe residential neighbourhood. Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Rue Saint-Denis have bars that are busy until late, so choose a side street if you’re a light sleeper.

Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is north of Downtown and, for many people, it’s the very picture of Montreal: colourful terraced houses, outdoor spiral staircases and one café after another. At its northern end, the Plateau merges into Mile End, which is known for vintage shops, strong coffee and bagels. I’d choose the Plateau for a second trip to the city, or if you’d rather have everyday life in a residential neighbourhood than sights outside your door.

The tourism office’s page on the Plateau and Mile End describes the area as a mix of busy shopping streets and quiet side streets with colourful houses. Life centres on Avenue du Mont-Royal, Rue Saint-Denis and Boulevard Saint-Laurent, which locals call The Main, and where the bars are busy until late. At the southern end is Square Saint-Louis, with a fountain and old trees.

See hotels in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal here.

The neighbourhood’s green lung is the 40-hectare Parc La Fontaine. According to the city’s own page, you can go ice skating and sledging here in winter and walking and cycling in summer. The Orange Line stops at Sherbrooke, Mont-Royal and Laurier, and from Mont-Royal, it’s two stops to Berri-UQAM and four to Place-d’Armes in Old Montreal.

The choice of hotels is small. You’ll mostly find small inns, B&Bs and apartments, and the big luxury hotels are in Downtown and Old Montreal. It’s also further to Old Montreal and the museums, so expect to use the metro every day.

What you get in return is a neighbourhood where Montrealers themselves live, eat and go out. That’s hard to find in the streets around the big hotels.

Places to Stay in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal

Hôtel de l’ITHQ - the hotel school’s own hotel by Square Saint-Louis

Hôtel de l’ITHQ is run in partnership with a hotel and tourism school and is on Rue Saint-Denis, less than 100 metres from Sherbrooke metro station and right by Square Saint-Louis. The rooms measure 22 to 25 square metres, and there’s a junior suite of 50 square metres for four people.

It’s the most complete hotel in the Plateau and my choice if you want proper hotel service in the neighbourhood. A breakfast buffet is included in the price, and the hotel has a restaurant and a bar, but no gym or pool. You’ll be staying at the southern end of the Plateau, so it’s just over a kilometre up to Avenue du Mont-Royal.

Here’s what one guest says on Booking.com: “Everything was exquisite: the room, the breakfast, the staff, the cleanliness, the location.”

See photos and book Hôtel de l’ITHQ here.

Auberge de La Fontaine - small inn opposite Parc La Fontaine

Auberge de La Fontaine is on Rue Rachel Est, directly opposite Parc La Fontaine and around 800 metres from Mont-Royal metro station. It has double rooms, rooms with two queen-size beds for four and a family suite for six, and some rooms have a terrace or a balcony.

It’s a good fit if you want a quiet stay in a residential neighbourhood with the park as your front garden. You can use the guest kitchen, while breakfast costs extra. There’s no lift, the staff aren’t on site around the clock, and you should allow a good ten minutes’ walk to the metro.

One guest says on Booking.com: “Loved having the balcony overlooking the park.”

See photos and book Auberge de La Fontaine here.

Auberge du Plateau - hostel with private rooms and a rooftop terrace

Auberge du Plateau is a hostel, but you can get a private double room with its own bathroom here, measuring just under 14 square metres. It’s on Rue Sherbrooke Est on the southern edge of the Plateau, around 400 metres from Sherbrooke metro station and 600 metres from Berri-UQAM.

A continental breakfast buffet is included in the price, and there’s a shared kitchen, a lounge and a rooftop terrace with views over the city. The cheapest private rooms have a shared bathroom down the corridor, so check what you’re booking. The building has no lift, and a few guests are unhappy with the cleaning of the shared bathrooms.

One guest describes their room on Booking.com: “My room was so cosy and really clean.”

See photos and book Auberge du Plateau here.

Where should you avoid staying in Montreal?

I wouldn’t stay out by the airport unless you have a very early flight. The airport is around 20 kilometres from Downtown, and although the 747 bus runs around the clock, the trip into the centre can take up to 70 minutes each way.

I wouldn’t choose a cheap hotel a long way from a metro station either, and certainly not in winter. Check on the map how far it is to the nearest station on the Green or Orange Line before you book.

If you’re a light sleeper, avoid rooms directly facing Rue Crescent, Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Rue Sainte-Catherine in the Village at weekends. The same goes for the hotels around Place des Festivals when the big festivals are on.

If I had to choose one area for a first trip, it’d be Old Montreal for the atmosphere and the short distances. Downtown is the practical choice, especially in winter, and the Quartier des Spectacles is the place to be if you’re travelling for a festival.

The Quartier Latin and the Village give you the most for your money and the easiest arrival from the airport, if you can live with streets that are rougher around the edges. The Plateau is for you if you’ve seen the big sights and now want to live like a Montrealer.

Factor in the time of year too. Winter is cold, and Tourisme Montréal’s practical guide recommends an insulated winter coat, warm, waterproof boots, a hat, a scarf and gloves. That’s when it’s nice to stay close to a metro station or the underground city. In summer, the days are warm, the evenings can be cool, and it’s the season for big festivals such as the jazz festival and Osheaga.

The same guide has good news about the language. You’ll usually be addressed in French, but virtually all Montrealers are at least bilingual and will switch to English when you ask. It’s appreciated if you try a little French first.

Many travellers combine Montreal with a big city south of the border. I’ve written similar guides to where to stay in New York and the best areas in Boston if your trip continues down the east coast. If you’re heading further west or south, you can read about where to stay in Chicago and where to stay in New Orleans, the USA’s own city with a French past.

The post Where to Stay in Montreal? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

That’s why your choice of area matters so much. It decides whether you wake up to the harbour and cruise ships, to a beach and a park or to cafés and restaurants, and how easy the trip from the airport will be. Here are my six recommendations for where to stay in Vancouver, with hotels in three price ranges.

The Best Areas in Vancouver

• Downtown & Gastown - best area for first-time visitors who want everything within walking distance
• Coal Harbour - best area for views, luxury and cruises from Canada Place
• West End - best area for Stanley Park, the beach and quiet streets
• Yaletown - best area for restaurants and an easy trip from the airport
• Granville Island & Fairview - best area for the market, mini ferries and a quieter stay south of False Creek
• North Vancouver - best area for mountains, nature and views of the skyline

Below, I’ll take you through the six areas one by one, with three hotels in each, one in each price range. A couple of things are good to know first. From the airport, YVR, the SkyTrain’s Canada Line runs to Waterfront Station in the city centre in around 25 minutes. According to TransLink’s guide for visitors, you pay an airport surcharge, the YVR AddFare, on top of your fare when you travel from the airport. You can pay by tapping a contactless card or your phone at the fare gate. The surcharge doesn’t apply when you’re heading out to the airport. Hotel prices are usually highest in summer, when the weather is driest, and it often rains from October to March, so that’s when it’s nice to stay close to a station.

1. Downtown & Gastown - best area for first-time visitors who want everything within walking distance

• Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying in the city centre. It’s a 10 to 15-minute walk to both the waterfront at Canada Place and Gastown.
• Transport: The SkyTrain from Vancouver City Centre, Granville and Waterfront Station, which is also where the SeaBus to North Vancouver docks.
• Time from the airport: Around 25 minutes on the Canada Line to Waterfront Station. The train also stops at Vancouver City Centre.
• Price range: A wide choice, from simple city hotels to the city’s classic luxury hotels.
• Safety: Safe on the busy streets. The eastern end of Gastown borders the Downtown Eastside, so I’d stick to the streets around Water Street in the evening.

Downtown is the obvious choice for a first trip to Vancouver. This is where you’ll find the shops on Robson Street, the Vancouver Art Gallery and many of the city’s big hotels, and you can walk to most things. From the middle of Downtown, it’s a 10 to 15-minute walk to the waterfront at Canada Place and about the same to Gastown.

Gastown is the historic part of the city centre. According to Destination Vancouver, the neighbourhood began in 1867 with a single tavern opened by John Deighton, known as Gassy Jack. Today, it’s a National Historic Site with cobbled streets and brick buildings, and it’s home to some of the city’s most popular cocktail bars and lots of small shops. The steam clock on Water Street dates from 1977.

See hotels in Downtown Vancouver here.

The transport links are the best in the city. The Canada Line from the airport stops at Vancouver City Centre and terminates at Waterfront Station. There, you can change to the Expo Line, to the buses or to the SeaBus across to North Vancouver. That makes Downtown the easiest base if you want to see several parts of the city in a few days.

Gastown has only a handful of hotels, so my suggestions are in the city centre and on the edge of Gastown, a couple of streets from Water Street. That’s also where I’d choose to stay myself, because the eastern end of Gastown runs into the Downtown Eastside, which I write more about at the end of this guide.

Expect noise from traffic and nightlife when you stay in the middle of a big city. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room on a high floor or away from the street. You won’t need a car as long as you’re staying in the city.

Places to Stay in Downtown and near Gastown

Rosewood Hotel Georgia - classic luxury hotel in the heart of the city centre

Rosewood Hotel Georgia is on West Georgia Street, around 150 metres from the Canada Line’s Vancouver City Centre station and 100 metres from the Vancouver Art Gallery. The standard rooms are 30 to 38 m², and the hotel has an indoor saltwater pool, a spa, the Hawksworth restaurant and the 1927 Lobby Lounge.

It’s my suggestion for a special occasion or for the last nights of a longer trip through Canada. The price is among the highest in the city. One guest mentions that the lobby is very noisy in the evening, and another was first given a room facing the street, so mention it when you book if you want a quiet room.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were amazing, everything was catered for and anticipated before you had to ask.”

See photos and book Rosewood Hotel Georgia here.

Delta Hotels by Marriott Vancouver Downtown Suites - spacious suites at the entrance to Gastown

Every room here is a 37 m² suite. The hotel is on West Hastings Street, around 150 metres from Waterfront Station and 250 metres from the steam clock in Gastown, and it’s around 500 metres to the cruise terminal at Canada Place.

The suites have either a king-size bed and a sofa bed for three people or two queen-size beds and a sofa bed for four, so it’s a good option for a family. There’s a restaurant and a gym, but no pool. One guest found that the final bill was higher than the quoted price, so check what’s included in the price when you book.

One guest writes about the location on Booking.com: “Great location, close to Gastown and Canada Place.”

See photos and book Delta Hotels by Marriott Vancouver Downtown Suites here.

Victorian Hotel - renovated hotel in an older building two streets from Gastown

Victorian Hotel is the cheapest of my three suggestions in the city centre. It’s on Homer Street, around 300 metres from the steam clock in Gastown and 350 metres from Waterfront Station. The hotel has a lift and a restaurant, but breakfast isn’t included in the price.

Read the room description carefully. The smallest double room is 14 m², the larger ones are 22 to 29 m², and some of the rooms have a shared bathroom. One guest writes that the room was smaller than expected, even though it had been described as small. For a couple who are out all day, it’s good value.

One guest says on Booking.com: “This hotel has been recently done up and it’s beautiful.”

See photos and book Victorian Hotel here.

2. Coal Harbour - best area for views, luxury and cruises from Canada Place

• Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying on the waterfront on the northern edge of the city centre. From the hotels, it’s a 5 to 15-minute walk to Burrard Station and the shops.
• Transport: The SkyTrain from Waterfront and Burrard stations, the SeaBus to North Vancouver and the seawall on foot or by bike.
• Time from the airport: Around 25 minutes on the Canada Line to Waterfront Station, which is next to the cruise terminal at Canada Place.
• Price range: The most expensive area in the city. There are no real budget hotels here.
• Safety: A safe, well-kept neighbourhood of hotels, offices and apartment towers.

Coal Harbour is the waterfront on the north side of the city centre, from Canada Place in the east to the entrance to Stanley Park in the west. Several of the city’s finest hotels sit side by side with marinas here, and from the north-facing rooms, you look across the water to the mountains. The area is for you if the views and the short walk to the ship matter more to you than the price.

If you’re going on a cruise, to Alaska for example, this is where I’d stay the night before. The ships sail from the terminal at Canada Place, and the Port of Vancouver says the terminal is right next to Waterfront Station. So you can take the Canada Line from the airport and walk the last stretch with your suitcase. The port also reminds passengers not to leave passports or medication in the luggage they hand over.

See hotels in Coal Harbour here.

The seawall runs along the water here. It begins at the Vancouver Convention Centre and continues all the way around Stanley Park. On Jack Poole Plaza by the convention centre stands the cauldron that held the Olympic flame at the 2010 Winter Games. I’d start the day with a walk from here towards the park.

The price is the big catch. Even my cheapest suggestion in Coal Harbour costs a good deal more than the cheap hotels in the rest of the city, and in summer, prices usually rise further.

The neighbourhood is also more offices and apartment towers than café life. A guest at one of the hotels mentions that there aren’t many places to eat right outside the door, so expect to walk up to Robson Street or over to Gastown when you want to eat out.

Places to Stay in Coal Harbour

Pan Pacific Vancouver - luxury hotel on Canada Place by the cruise terminal

Pan Pacific is on Canada Place itself, right by the cruise terminal and around 300 metres from Waterfront Station. The standard rooms are 33 m² and come with a view of the city or the harbour, and the hotel has a heated outdoor pool, a spa, the Oceans 999 restaurant and a bar.

You can’t get any closer to the ship, which is why it’s my first choice for the night before or after a cruise. You’re paying for the location. Several guests feel the decor is starting to look dated for the price, so choose it for the views and the short walk to the quay.

One guest who was going on a cruise writes on Booking.com: “The property was in an excellent location for the cruise ship terminal, which is what we required.”

See photos and book Pan Pacific Vancouver here.

The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver - large waterfront hotel with two pools close to Stanley Park

The Westin Bayshore is right down by the water at the western end of Coal Harbour. It’s just under a kilometre to Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park and about the same to Burrard Station. The rooms are 31 to 34 m² with a view of the marina, the city, the harbour or the pool, and some have a balcony.

With both an indoor and an outdoor pool, a spa, a restaurant and a bar, it’s a good choice for a family or if you want to combine the city with morning walks in the park. It’s the middle option among my three suggestions, but it’s still a five-star hotel. One guest mentions that there aren’t many places to eat right around the hotel.

Here’s what one guest says on Booking.com: “Great views, it was quiet and the room was a good size.”

See photos and book The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver here.

Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA - cheapest of my three suggestions, with a heated outdoor pool

Coast Coal Harbour is on West Hastings Street, around 350 metres from Burrard Station and 800 metres from Canada Place. The standard rooms are 28 m², and the largest rooms with a view are 37 m² and have a sofa bed.

You get a heated outdoor pool, a hot tub, a gym, a restaurant and a bar at a price that’s usually below the neighbouring hotels on the waterfront. It’s the hotel for you if you want to stay in Coal Harbour without paying for one of the really big names. One guest calls the rooms a little dated, and another mentions that sound carries between the rooms.

One guest highlights the pool on Booking.com: “Swimming pool and hot tub were great.”

See photos and book Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA here.

3. West End - best area for Stanley Park, the beach and quiet streets

• Distance from the centre: From English Bay, it’s just over 1.5 km to Burrard Station in the city centre. That’s a 20 to 25-minute walk or a short bus ride.
• Transport: City buses through the neighbourhood. There’s no SkyTrain station in the West End itself, and the nearest one is Burrard Station.
• Time from the airport: Around 25 minutes on the Canada Line to the city centre, then a bus or taxi for the last stretch.
• Price range: Mostly mid-range, plus a few older, cheap hotels. In summer, prices are often considerably higher than during the rest of the year.
• Safety: A quiet residential neighbourhood, with life on Robson, Denman and Davie Street until late in the evening.

The West End is the residential neighbourhood between the city centre and Stanley Park. It’s one of the city’s oldest residential neighbourhoods, the streets are lined with trees, and high-rises stand side by side with old houses. I’d choose it if you want a quiet place to stay with both a beach and a park within walking distance.

The park is the reason to stay here. Stanley Park covers 400 hectares and is the city’s largest, and the seawall around it is 9 km long, according to the City of Vancouver. The loop takes two to three hours on foot and around an hour by bike, and the path is divided, with walkers on the side nearest the water. To the south-west is English Bay Beach, and the seawall continues past it, so you can walk or cycle along the water most of the way.

See hotels in the West End here.

You won’t be short of places to eat. Robson Street has shops and restaurants from all over the world, and Davie Village around Davie Street is the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ community. If you’d like to cook for yourself, several of the hotels in the neighbourhood have rooms or suites with a kitchen.

Transport is the neighbourhood’s weak point. There’s no SkyTrain station, so you walk or take the bus into the centre, and if you’re arriving from the airport with suitcases, I’d take a taxi for the last stretch from the Canada Line.

Many of the hotels are also in older buildings. Of my three suggestions, one has no air conditioning and another has no lift, so read the details before you book. Prices also vary a lot with the season, and a room in summer often costs considerably more than the same room in winter.

Places to Stay in the West End

The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver - five-star hotel with an indoor pool and a spa

The Sutton Place is on Burrard Street at the eastern end of the West End, around 400 metres from both Burrard Station and Vancouver City Centre. The hotel has an indoor pool, a spa, a gym, a restaurant and a bar, and as well as the standard rooms, there are suites that sleep three or four.

Here, you’re closer to the shops than to the beach, because it’s around a kilometre and a half down to English Bay. That makes the hotel a good compromise if you want the West End and the city centre in the same stay. Guests are happy with the rooms, although one guest says the pool area needs a refresh, and another mentions the price of parking.

One guest keeps it short on Booking.com: “Beautiful room, amazing view and excellent service.”

See photos and book The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver here.

The Sylvia Hotel - older hotel with character by English Bay

The Sylvia Hotel is on Gilford Street, around 250 metres from English Bay Beach and 800 metres from Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park. The rooms are around 30 m², and there are 61 m² one-bedroom suites with a kitchen. The restaurant and bar are on the ground floor.

It’s the hotel for you if you’d rather have atmosphere and location than something new and sleek. You should know that the rooms don’t have air conditioning. The windows open, and the hotel lends out fans, but one guest missed having some cooling on a hot day in August. You only get a view of the bay from the rooms facing the water.

One guest describes the hotel on Booking.com: “Beautiful old-world classic hotel with lots of wood.”

See photos and book The Sylvia Hotel here.

Barclay Hotel - simple, cheap hotel on Robson Street

Barclay Hotel is my budget suggestion in the West End and one of the cheapest hotels in the central part of the city. It’s on Robson Street, around 700 metres from Burrard Station and a kilometre from English Bay Beach. The standard rooms are 14 m², and there are larger 33 m² rooms with two double beds.

Expect an old, simple hotel. The rooms have air conditioning, but there’s no lift and no restaurant, and the ratings are lower than for my other suggestions. A few guests complain about the cleaning and dim lighting. I’d book it for a couple of nights when you’d rather spend your money out in the city.

One guest sums it up well on Booking.com: “The hotel is older style: not glamorous but very clean and comfortable, and the location on Robson Street is fabulous.”

See photos and book Barclay Hotel here.

4. Yaletown - best area for restaurants and an easy trip from the airport

• Distance from the centre: One stop on the Canada Line to Vancouver City Centre, or a 10 to 15-minute walk.
• Transport: The Canada Line from Yaletown-Roundhouse Station, the Expo Line from Stadium-Chinatown Station and mini ferries on False Creek.
• Time from the airport: Under 25 minutes on the Canada Line direct to Yaletown-Roundhouse Station, two stops before the terminus at Waterfront.
• Price range: Mid-range to expensive. The cheapest rooms are up by the BC Place stadium.
• Safety: Safe and well kept. Around BC Place, there are big crowds and more noise on game and concert days.

Yaletown was once a neighbourhood of warehouses and railway tracks. Today, according to Destination Vancouver, the clatter of trains and industry has given way to clinking glasses and lively patios, and the neighbourhood is full of cafés, brunch spots and restaurants.

This is also where the trip from the airport is easiest. The Canada Line stops at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station in the middle of the neighbourhood, two stops before Waterfront, so you get here without changing trains and without a taxi. If you’re heading on into the centre, it’s one stop to Vancouver City Centre.

See hotels in Yaletown here.

Down by the water are David Lam Park and the seawall along False Creek. From Yaletown, the little Aquabus ferries sail across to Granville Island and over to Science World, among other places, and it’s a fun way to get around when the weather’s good.

Yaletown is a small neighbourhood, and only one of my three suggestions is in the middle of it. The other two are up by BC Place on the neighbourhood’s northern edge, 700 to 800 metres from Yaletown-Roundhouse Station, and Booking.com lists them under Downtown. On the other hand, they’re cheaper, and you have Stadium-Chinatown Station on the Expo Line around 300 metres away.

Yaletown is mostly for adults who want to eat well and go for walks along the water. If you want the sights right outside your door, Downtown is a better choice, and if you want a beach and a park, head for the West End. At weekends, there can be noise from the bars until late, so ask for a room on a high floor.

Places to Stay in and around Yaletown

OPUS Vancouver - boutique hotel right by the Canada Line

OPUS Vancouver is on Davie Street in the middle of Yaletown, under 100 metres from Yaletown-Roundhouse Station and around 300 metres from David Lam Park. The standard rooms are 23 m² and the larger ones 28 to 30 m², and the hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a gym.

Choose it if you want to stay in the heart of the neighbourhood and be able to wheel your suitcase straight from the train to reception. There’s no pool. One guest on one of the lower floors was bothered by noise from the nightclub next door and recommends a room on a high floor at the front of the hotel.

One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “Beautifully located, hotel was quiet but with enough going on to give it a great vibe.”

See photos and book OPUS Vancouver here.

Georgian Court Hotel, WorldHotels Elite - mid-range hotel by BC Place

Georgian Court Hotel is on Beatty Street, around 200 metres from BC Place and 300 metres from Stadium-Chinatown Station. The rooms with a king-size bed are 23 m², the rooms with two queen-size beds are 32 m², and there are 40 m² suites with a sofa bed.

The hotel has the restaurant Frankie’s Italian Kitchen, a bar, a gym and a hot tub, but no pool. It’s a solid mid-range choice within easy reach of both Yaletown and the city centre, and it’s a good fit if you’re going to a game or a concert. Several guests miss having a kettle and a microwave in the room.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Lovely big bed, very helpful and nice staff.”

See photos and book Georgian Court Hotel, WorldHotels Elite here.

Hotel Willo - simple hotel with a shared kitchen by BC Place

Hotel Willo used to be called YWCA Hotel and is my budget suggestion here. It’s on Beatty Street, a few doors from Georgian Court and around 250 metres from Stadium-Chinatown Station. There’s a shared kitchen and a gym, but no restaurant and no breakfast.

Look carefully at what you’re booking. The cheapest rooms have a shared bathroom, and the smallest double rooms are 11 to 12 m², while the largest rooms are 22 to 25 m². The hotel is a good fit if you want to do a bit of your own cooking and save on accommodation. A few guests aren’t keen on the shared bathrooms.

Here’s how one guest describes the hotel on Booking.com: “Clean, comfortable rooms and convenient location.”

See photos and book Hotel Willo here.

5. Granville Island & Fairview - best area for the market, mini ferries and a quieter stay south of False Creek

• Distance from the centre: On the south side of False Creek, directly across from the city centre. From Broadway-City Hall Station, it’s three stops to Vancouver City Centre.
• Transport: The Canada Line from Broadway-City Hall and Olympic Village, bus 50 to Granville Island and the Aquabus and False Creek Ferries mini ferries.
• Time from the airport: Under 25 minutes on the Canada Line direct to Broadway-City Hall Station, four stops before the terminus at Waterfront.
• Price range: Often lower than in the city centre, especially at the small guesthouses near City Hall. The hotel on Granville Island itself costs more.
• Safety: Quiet, in the evening too. According to guests, the guesthouses near City Hall are in a peaceful residential area.

If you want to stay outside the city centre and still be close to it, the south side of False Creek is my suggestion. This is where you’ll find Granville Island, which was created in 1916 with material from False Creek and was an industrial area for many years. Today, the Public Market, the island’s food market, is housed in the old warehouses, and it’s one of the places in the city I’d set aside a whole morning for.

The easiest way to get there is by water. According to Granville Island’s own transport page, the little Aquabus and False Creek Ferries boats run all year round, and bus 50 runs direct from Gastown and the city centre. From the stop at the end of Granville Bridge, it’s a 5 to 10-minute walk down under the bridge. Aquabus docks right by the Public Market.

See hotels near Granville Island here.

A little further south is Fairview, around West Broadway. There aren’t many sights here, but the Canada Line stops at Broadway-City Hall Station, so you’re in the city centre in three stops and can travel to and from the airport without changing trains.

In the side streets near City Hall, there are several small guesthouses in older houses, and they’re among the cheapest places in the city with good reviews. You’ll be staying in a quiet residential neighbourhood, and according to guests, there are shops and places to eat a couple of streets away.

The downside is the distances. From the hotels around West Broadway, it’s a kilometre and a half to two kilometres to the Public Market, and the hotel on Granville Island is more than a kilometre from the nearest SkyTrain station. So choose according to whether it’s the market or the train you’d most like to be close to.

Places to Stay on Granville Island and in Fairview

Granville Island Hotel - waterfront boutique hotel on Granville Island itself

Granville Island Hotel is on Johnston Street at the eastern end of Granville Island, around 450 metres from the Public Market. The standard rooms are 21 to 23 m², some have a balcony, and the more expensive categories look straight out over the water. The hotel has the Dockside restaurant, a gym, a sauna and a hot tub.

I’d choose it for a couple who want to wake up by the water and walk to the market before the day’s visitors arrive. The rooms aren’t big, and one guest mentions that it’s hard to make the room dark because of all the windows. Remember, too, that it’s more than a kilometre to the Canada Line, so you’ll mostly be getting around by ferry, bus or taxi.

One guest says on Booking.com: “The room was clean and cosy. The beds were comfy.”

See photos and book Granville Island Hotel here.

Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre Broadway by IHG - chain hotel with an indoor pool on West Broadway

Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre is on West Broadway, around 450 metres from Broadway-City Hall Station and a kilometre and a half from the Public Market. The rooms are 25 to 33 m², several have a balcony, and some guests praise the views from the rooms on the higher floors.

With an indoor pool, a gym, a restaurant and a bar, it’s a practical choice for a family who want space and easy access to the train. The decor isn’t new. Several guests describe the furniture and carpets as dated but well kept and clean, and one guest thinks the rooms look older than they do in the photos.

One guest writes about the location on Booking.com: “The location is really very good. Bus stop right in front of the building.”

See photos and book Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre Broadway by IHG here.

Windsor Guest House - bed and breakfast in an older house near City Hall

Windsor Guest House is a small Victorian-style bed and breakfast on West 11th Avenue, around 250 metres from Broadway-City Hall Station. A vegetarian breakfast is included in the price, so the first meal of the day is paid for.

The rooms are small, 11 to 14 m², and some have a shared bathroom, so look out for that when you choose. The place has no car park, only street parking nearby. It’s my suggestion if you want somewhere cheap, quiet and personal and you’re happy with a simple room. Guests particularly mention the short walk to the Canada Line.

One guest praises the place on Booking.com: “Host was very nice and cheerful, the room was clean, quiet and comfortable.”

See photos and book Windsor Guest House here.

6. North Vancouver - best area for mountains, nature and views of the skyline

• Distance from the centre: 12 minutes on the SeaBus from Lonsdale Quay to Waterfront Station in the city centre.
• Transport: The SeaBus every 15 minutes during the day and buses from Lonsdale Quay, including route 236 towards Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Grouse Mountain.
• Time from the airport: Around 25 minutes on the Canada Line to Waterfront Station, then 12 minutes on the SeaBus. Allow around an hour in total, including the change and waiting time.
• Price range: Usually lower than on the waterfront in the city centre for the same standard.
• Safety: Safe and quiet. By the quay, there are lots of people out at the restaurants in the evening.

North Vancouver is on the other side of Burrard Inlet, with the mountains behind it and the city centre skyline as its view. My three hotels are all by Lonsdale Quay, where the SeaBus docks, so you’re never more than a few minutes’ walk from the ferry.

The SeaBus is the reason staying here works. According to TransLink, the crossing to Waterfront Station takes 12 minutes, and the ferry sails every 15 minutes during the day. You pay in the same way as on the SkyTrain and the buses, and the trip across the water is a little outing in itself.

See hotels in North Vancouver here.

By the quay, you’ll find the food market Lonsdale Quay Market and The Shipyards, a waterfront square with restaurants, cafés and shops. From here, nature is close by. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park itself recommends taking the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay and then bus 236, and the same bus route terminates at Grouse Mountain.

So you don’t have to cross the whole city every time you want to get out into nature. From the quay, you look straight across the water to the high-rises in the city centre, and the view is even better in the evening, when the lights are on. You also often get more for your money than on the waterfront on the other side.

The downside is that you depend on the ferry. You don’t have Gastown and Robson Street right outside your door, and if you’re heading home late from the city centre, you should check the time of the last sailing, especially on Sundays. I’d choose North Vancouver for a trip where nature matters more than the city, or for the last few nights of a longer tour.

Places to Stay in North Vancouver

Seaside Hotel North Vancouver - boutique hotel in the middle of The Shipyards

Seaside Hotel is on Victory Ship Way in the middle of The Shipyards, around 300 metres from the SeaBus terminal. The rooms are 23 to 26 m², and the largest suite with a sea view is 60 m². The hotel has a spa, a gym, a bar and a seafood restaurant.

It’s the best-rated of my three suggestions in North Vancouver and an obvious choice for a couple. There’s no pool, and there are no balconies. One guest misses having a lounge or somewhere to sit outside the room, and reception is in a small room next to the bar.

One guest mentions the area on Booking.com: “The many restaurants by the waterfront were a big plus.”

See photos and book Seaside Hotel North Vancouver here.

Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier - large hotel with an indoor pool and views of the city centre

Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier is a few steps from Seaside Hotel on Victory Ship Way, around 300 metres from the SeaBus terminal. The rooms are 28 m², and you can choose categories with a full or partial view across the harbour towards the city centre. There are also studios and junior suites with a sofa bed.

Of the three, it’s the one with the most facilities: an indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, a gym, a restaurant and a bar. That makes the hotel my suggestion for families. The pool is divided into lanes, and one guest thinks the pool area and changing rooms could be cleaner. Breakfast is described as a little expensive.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The harbour view was great. The room was very comfortable.”

See photos and book Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier here.

Coast Lonsdale Quay Hotel - simple hotel above the market by the SeaBus

Coast Lonsdale Quay Hotel sits on top of the Lonsdale Quay Market hall, around 150 metres from the SeaBus terminal. The rooms are 28 to 33 m², and there’s a gym.

It’s the cheapest of the three and also the one closest to the ferry. The hotel has no restaurant, bar or pool, but you have the whole market right downstairs for breakfast and lunch. A couple of guests mention that the air conditioning unit in the room is noisy, so bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

One guest points out on Booking.com: “The staff were very friendly and the daily housekeeping was very good.”

See photos and book Coast Lonsdale Quay Hotel here.

Where should you avoid staying in Vancouver?

I wouldn’t stay in the Downtown Eastside, which is around East Hastings Street and Main Street, right next to Gastown and Chinatown. The City of Vancouver describes it as one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods and writes that, in recent years, the area has struggled with issues including drug use, crime, homelessness and housing problems. The city also highlights the many volunteers and residents who feel at home in the neighbourhood, but it isn’t somewhere I’d choose as a base for a holiday. So check the address on the map if a hotel at the eastern end of the city centre is surprisingly cheap.

I wouldn’t stay out by the airport either, unless you have a very early flight. The Canada Line is fast, but the trip takes around 25 minutes each way, and you pay the airport surcharge every time you travel from the stations at the airport.

If I had to choose one area for a first trip, it’d be Downtown, for the transport and the short distances. Coal Harbour is the choice if you have a big budget or you’re joining a cruise ship. The West End is for you if you want Stanley Park and the beach on your doorstep and don’t mind taking the bus.

Yaletown gives you the easiest arrival from the airport and the best restaurants around the corner. Granville Island and Fairview are quieter and often cheaper, and North Vancouver is for you if you’ve come for the mountains. In all six areas, you can manage without a car.

The time of year matters too. The figures from Destination Vancouver show that November and December are the wettest months, with around 180 millimetres of rainfall each, while July and August are the driest, with around 40. Winter is mild with lots of rainy days, and summer is warm without being hot. If you travel in the wet half of the year, though, you’ll usually pay less for your hotel.

Many travellers combine Vancouver with a trip down the US west coast. I’ve written similar guides to where to stay in San Francisco and the best areas in Los Angeles. If your trip takes you to the east coast instead, you can read about where to stay in New York.

The post Where to Stay in Vancouver? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.