Luxury Getaway Guide to Vancouver

The cosmopolitan destination of Vancouver is home to a unique array of luxury experiences along with some of the most lavish dining, shopping and accommodation options that North America has to offer. If you’re pining for a pampering getaway, it’s time to start planning your itinerary as we reveal our top recommendations on where to eat, play and stay in the sophisticated city of Vancouver.

Sablefish dish at Hawksworth Restaurant | Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver \ Hawksworth Restaurant

Eat 

Vancouver boasts some of the most innovative and highly rated restaurants in Canada, with its culturally diverse and constantly evolving food scene. When in search for the most important meal of the day, settle in at the elegant Chambar, which serves a daily breakfast of modern Belgian cuisine in a refined downtown setting. By the time lunch rolls around, grab a private waterfront table at Peruvian-Japanese hot spot Ancora: here, you can take in Vancouver’s famous views with a glass of Champagne in hand, and treat yourself to premium cuts of sashimi or an exclusive caviar tasting. Pre-dinner, delight in curated wine flights at the romantic hidden gem, Salt Tasting Room, or sip on extravagant herbal-infused cocktails at Botanist, located at the opulent Fairmont Pacific Rim.  For a truly memorable night out, savour Vancouver’s renowned Chinese cuisine at Mott 32, the award-winning Hong Kong-based restaurant located at Trump International Hotel and Tower, or spend an evening at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s award-winning Hawksworth Restaurant – a true icon of Vancouver fine dining.

 

Couple taking a selfie in front of Harbour Air seaplane
Harbour Air flightseeing tour | Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver \ Harbour Air

Play

Shop until you drop on Vancouver’s Alberni Street, also known as ‘Luxury Road’ and deemed as one of the most prestigious retail addresses in North America. Here, the blocks are lined with lavish storefronts that are home to high-end global fashion brands like Prada, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, De Beers and more. Rest up after shopping at the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver’s sublime Spa Utopia, which features 11,500 square feet of total indulgence including relaxation lounges, essential oil-infused steam rooms and a lush VIP suite. Top off your itinerary with a once-in-a-lifetime Vancouver Panorama Experience by Harbour Air Seaplanes, and take in breathtaking aerial views of the city via an exclusive flightseeing tour.

Photo of downtown Vancouver's Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Stay

Luckily for visitors, Vancouver provides a varied selection of luxe accommodation options, all located conveniently in the downtown core. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which opened its doors in 1916, is known as the ‘Castle in the City’ and reflects the timeless luxury and history of the booming metropolis. For a prime seaside location and upscale resort-like experience, check in to the Westin Bayshore, just steps away from the world-renowned Stanley Park and seawall. Tucked away on a tranquil downtown side street is the boutique Wedgewood Hotel, a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux and one of the only hotels in the city with private balconies that open up to sweeping urban views.

Visitors who book The Luxury Package through Stay Vancouver Hotels will receive a $50 hotel credit (toward food & beverage and spa services used during your stay); free room upgrade; free Wi-Fi; and the best rates at a number of Vancouver’s luxurious participating hotels. Or, try our Discover Downtown Package, where you can choose from a number of top downtown Vancouver hotels and receive a $25 gift card, free room upgrade, free parking and free Wi-Fi.

Five Tours You Should Experience in Vancouver

When it comes to exploring Vancouver, there’s no shortage of tours to choose from. Whether you want to experience the city’s food scene or soak up the top Instagram-worthy locations by bike, here’s a look at some of our favourites.

Image of group walking tour in Gastown
Forbidden Vancouver walking tour | Photo courtesy of Suzanne Rushton

Forbidden Vancouver: The Forbidden Tour. Delve into the Prohibition era, and uncover the seedy underbelly of Vancouver. This two-hour walking tour takes guests through the alleyways and lanes of Gastown and Chinatown as they uncover the history of Vancouver’s speakeasies, cabarets, opium dens, bootlegging, vice and corruption. This tour is designed for adults, and runs every night until mid-October. Tickets are $28 (plus tax).

Vancouver Photowalks. Whether you’re snapping shots with a DSLR, point-and-shoot or smart phone, Vancouver Photowalks has you covered. With photography instructors as your guide, this two-hour tour takes visitors and locals by foot to a select scenic location as your classroom, with options including Gastown, Stanley Park, Chinatown, Granville Island and more. Guests learn great photography tips and tricks along the way and, best of all, take home some incredible snaps. Click here for tour options, rates and availability.

 

Image of group biking through the streets of Gastown
Cycle City Tours’ Grand Tour

Cycle City Tours: The Grand Tour. With an expanding network of more than 300 kilometres of dedicated bike lanes, it’s no surprise that one of the best ways to explore Vancouver is by bike. To get a true lay of the land, we recommend Cycle City Tours’ Grand Tour, which takes attendees on an epic spin around Vancouver’s top landmarks and attractions. Highlights include Stanley Park, English Bay, Granville Island, False Creek, Chinatown and Gastown. And while this tour covers lots of ground, this is an easy-to-moderate ride with frequent stops, photo ops and flat trails. This five-hour tour is $89.95 (plus tax), and runs daily, year-round.

Vancouver Brewery Tours . Vancouver’s craft beer scene has boomed in recent years, with more than 45 microbreweries – many less than five years old – within the city limits. Get a taste of this thriving scene for yourself, and book Vancouver Brewery Tours’ popular Brewery Tour. Here, guests experience three breweries – each located in a unique brewery district and neighbourhood – where they receive multiple tastings and behind-the-scenes access. The three-hour tour includes transportation, and costs $79.99 plus tax. To check on availability, click here.

World’s Best Street Eats | Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver/ Nelson Mouellic

Vancouver Foodie Tours: World’s Best Street Eats. Vancouver might be known as one of the best food cities in the world, but did you know it’s also one of the top street food destinations in North America? Join Vancouver Foodie Tours for a fun and interactive experience that includes tastings at four award-winning food trucks (with delectable eats ranging from Japanese-inspired hot dogs to crispy fish tacos), VIP access (skip the lines and avoid lunch rush!), and introductions to the colourful purveyors behind this thriving community. This two-hour walking tour is $56.99 (plus tax); click here for tour dates and availability.

Do you have a favourite tour that you want to share? We’d love to hear about it. In the meantime, start building your Vancouver itinerary and book a stay at one of our 36 downtown Vancouver hotels or take advantage of the unique offers only available here.