8 Best Hotels in Vancouver

You might say the Fairmont brand has a monopoly on Vancouver, with four hotels in the city alone. Its latest addition, Pacific Rim, is also the nicest: located in a sleek tower by the water, the guest rooms (some of which have private patios with built-in fireplaces) look out onto either the city skyline or Stanley Park. The hotel's Oru restaurant is a destination all its own, spotlighting seasonal Pacific Northwest flavors like braised lamb and seared black cod, and the Willow Stream Spa has outdoor meditation “pods” and decadent seaweed body wrap treatments. But the rooftop pool steals the show, with its fire pits and hot tub that keep the place buzzing even in cold months.

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This classic grande dame is everything you’d expect from the Fairmont portfolio: historic detailing like a roof decorated with gargoyles, Montebello marble staircases, a see-and-be-seen lobby lined with shops by Gucci and Louis Vuitton, a jazzy bar scene where live music happens seven nights a week, and a private lounge reserved exclusively for guests. The guest rooms are just as glamorous, with reproduction antique furniture, damask drapes, and crystal chandeliers. Bonus for high-end shoppers: Tiffany, Hermès, and other top boutiques are just outside the door.

Vancouver’s most iconic hotel, in the heart of downtown, is an atmospheric glimpse of the Roaring Twenties. A five-year renovation returned the 1927 landmark to its glamour days, when the property welcomed the likes of Katherine Hepburn and Elvis Presley. Inside, there are Art Deco-style details like a gilded lobby clock and an elevator dial surrounded by walls of mahogany, and the 156 rooms showcase works by Canadian artists. After a trip to the spa and a dip in the saltwater lap pool, head to the rooftop lounge for stiff cocktails and tapas before dinner at Hawksworth, run by star chef David Hawksworth.

If you're hoping for a view of Vancouver’s waterfront and the North Shore Mountains beyond, you’ll find it at the Loden Hotel. This modern 70-room sleep that has a knack for anticipating every traveler's need, from in-room yoga mats and deliciously deep soaking tubs to free lobby espresso and pet-friendly policy. Come for the hip, young vibe, but stay for the food: the buzz at Tableau Bar Bistro carries on from noon to night and serves up classic French fare with a twist like brioche toast with mushrooms and duck breast with citrus marmalade.

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It may not be Vancouver’s most boundary-pushing hotel, but the L’Hermitage charms in other ways. The décor is understated yet stylish, service is impeccable, and the amenities check all the right boxes: designer robes, Nespresso coffee machines, and spacious baths are standard in the guest rooms, and anything beyond the “Petite” room category comes with its own fireplace, kitchen, and washer and dryer. Bikes are on loan for exploring, and there’s a garden patio complete with a heated lap pool for those who’d rather kick back with a cocktail in hand. While the dining room only serves breakfast and high tea, there are many restaurants within short walking distance.

The fact that this 83-room Relais & Châteaux property is family-owned is telling of the kind of service (and attention to detail) you can expect here. Reproduction antiques, gold candelabras, toile and brocade fabrics, doormen wearing top hats, a massive carved stone front desk—the look is old-world European elegance with a slice of 21st century (rooms come with Nespresso machines and Frette towels). The central location is fab—Vancouver Art Gallery is right across the street, while Gastown’s hip cafés and boutiques are just a ten-minute walk away.

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The Asian brand’s first foray in North America offers a bit of both worlds—the laid-back hospitality of the PNW with the sleek aesthetics of the Far East. A two-story painting by Shanghai artist Zuyuan Wang hangs in the lobby, while cream-and-chocolate-hued guest rooms mix black-and-white artwork with modern furniture by B&B Italia and up-to-the-minute tech (like a bedside control for your curtains and blinds). Not to be missed: a signature Wushu massage at CHI spa, which features bamboo to stretch muscles, or a meal at MARKET, one of the city’s best restaurants run by renowned chef Jean-Georges.

This 30-story five-star hotel is a decidedly cosmopolitan affair but pays homage to its mountainous surrounds. The guest rooms are full of natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the city, and are decorated in natural hues of green, aqua, and cream. Downstairs, YEW Seafood + Bar is a foodie’s paradise, and spotlights seasonal local bounty like Qualicum Bay scallops and Pacific ceviche alongside an impressive selection of 300-plus wines by the glass. Another perk we love: the swimout pool, which is heated year-round.