If you're visiting Vancouver and need a place to stay, you'll likely consider local hotels before you arrive in the city. But, there are a number of bed and breakfasts located around Vancouver that afford visitors a more intimate stay in a peaceful home environment rather than in a bustling multi-room hotel.
The main differences between a bed and breakfast and a hotel are:
› Staying at a bed and breakfast feels like staying at a home, rather than a hotel
› A Vancouver B & B has fewer staff
› Most bed and breakfasts are run by the owners, who usually live onsite
› You will often be served breakfast or other meals in the main dining room with other guests and the owner.
Vancouver's bed and breakfasts are found in a few areas of the city, mostly in the West End, on the West Side, and in North and West Vancouver.
West End Bed and Breakfasts
While downtown Vancouver has been largely built into condominiums and office towers, if you venture to the Davie and Denman area, known as the West End, you'll see lovely heritage homes lining the streets, mixed in with apartment buildings and newer homes. The average cost for a night at one of these Vancouver B and B's starts at $200. The closer you get to
Stanley Park and
English Bay, the more you'll pay – up to around $300 per night.
One of the benefits of staying in a Vancouver bed and breakfast in the West End is that you are nearby to most of the
city's lounges,
nightclubs and
restaurants. You'll be within walking distance of the
Robson Street shopping district and Pacific Centre.
The majority of the tourist attractions are also located in this part of the city: the
Vancouver Art Gallery, Stanley Park, English Bay, Harbour Centre Tower and Gastown. You won't need to commute much to get to local attractions, and you're close to Skytrain Stations and the SeaBus that takes you to North Vancouver.
› Barclay House Bed and Breakfast (1351 Barclay Street) is a five-star bed and breakfast located in downtown Vancouver, very close to Stanley Park, English Bay, and numerous other attractions on Robson Street and in
Yaletown. Barclay House was built in 1904, but has recently been renovated with custom furnishings and original artwork. Rates start at $140 per night.
Vancouver West Side Bed and Breakfasts
The other area of the city that has most of the city's bed and breakfast are on the West Side of Vancouver. While homes on the West Side are some of the most expensive in Vancouver, you can find top-rated bed and breakfasts starting at around just $135 per night. The West Side of Vancouver is considered to be the area from the
University of British Columbia to Ontario Street (near Main Street).
› Granville House B & B (5050 Granville Street). The Granville House B & B is Tudor-style home that is Vancouver’s only Canada Select 5 Star bed and breakfast. It's been recently renovated, and each room has king beds and private en suite bedrooms. Included in the price, which starts at about $140 per night, is a buffet-style breakfast in the dining room.
North & West Vancouver Bed and Breakfasts
Just minutes from downtown sits North and West Vancouver. Because you're getting out of the city core, you'll find cottage-style getaways and mountainside accommodations with spectacular views of downtown and English Bay. You'll find North and West Vancouver bed and breakfast accommodations starting at around $150 per night.
› Thistle Down House (3910 Capilano Road). The Thistle Down House B&B is a stylish, traditional and comfortable place in North Vancouver, where you will experience the fine hospitality of the North Shore. Breakfast menu is different everyday and absolutely delicious and sophisticated. You can also enjoy an afternoon tea in the lounge or in the garden. This B&B is the winner of TripAdvisor 2012 Traveller's Choice. Prices starts at $165 per night in the summer and $135 in the winter.
› Crystal's View Bed & Breakfast (420 Tempe Crescent). Crystal's View is a tasteful and spotless B&B, with an amazing view on Vancouver. The hosts will welcome you warmly, offer you home cooked meals and help you organize your visits in the area. It is 5 minutes away from Grouse Mountain, Lynn Canyon and Capilano Suspension Bridge, and just 15 minutes away from downtown Vancouver. Prices start at $145 per night.
While North and West Vancouver are beautiful, one drawback is that you will be out of the way for most attractions in the city. You will need to either commute by bus or Sea Bus to downtown Vancouver, or rent a car.
To make sure you find quality accommodations in any area of Vancouver:
› Check that the bed and breakfast is a member of the British Columbia Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Guild and the
Association of Bed and Breakfast Accommodations.
› Check out
reviews of the Vancouver B and B you're considering.
Find
listings of bed and breakfasts all across Canada here.
Find
listings of all Vancouver bed and breakfasts.