Staying in Vancouver's West End puts you within walking distance of Davie Village and adjacent to Stanley Park, one of the larger urban parks in North America. The West End is the logical base for visitors whose main interest is the gay scene, and it is a genuinely pleasant neighbourhood to be in regardless of that.

West End location

The West End is a dense, walkable residential neighbourhood immediately west of downtown. Davie Street runs through it. Stanley Park sits at its northern tip. English Bay beach is at the southwestern corner. For a neighbourhood this close to downtown, it has an unusually residential and community-oriented feel — a result of its long development as a place where people actually live rather than just work.

Hotels in the West End tend to be smaller boutique properties rather than large convention hotels. The big hotel inventory is in downtown proper, which is a short walk or transit ride away from Davie Village.

Downtown as an alternative

Staying downtown rather than in the West End adds a few minutes of transit or a 15-to-20-minute walk to Davie Village, but puts you closer to other parts of the city. The downtown hotels tend to be larger, with more facilities, and prices across a wider range. For visitors with mixed plans — some gay scene, some general sightseeing, some business — downtown is the more flexible choice.

Cost

Vancouver accommodation is expensive. The West End specifically prices at a premium because of the desirability of the neighbourhood. Expect to pay more here than in comparable neighbourhoods in Toronto, significantly more than Montreal, and at a level roughly comparable to San Francisco. During Vancouver Pride the city fills up and rates rise further — booking several months in advance for Pride weekend is necessary.

The hotels

    • Best Western Plus Sands — Eco-friendly Vancouver hotel in West End, near Granville Island Public Market Popular property highlights Pets allowed Free WiFi Restaurant Business centre Laundry facilities Location Located in West End, this eco-friendly hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Sunset Beach, Granville Island Public Market, and Stanley Park. Canada Place and BC Place Stadium are also wi
    • Sandman Suites — All-suite West End smoke-free hotel near Granville Street Popular property highlights Pets allowed Free WiFi Restaurant Swimming pool Business centre Close to Robson Located amidst the shops, cafés, and nightclubs of Davie Street, this 24-story West End smoke-free hotel is 5 blocks from Robson Street and 8 blocks from the Vancouver Art Gallery. Restaur
    • Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre — Popular property highlights Pets allowed Free WiFi Restaurant Swimming pool Business centre Near business district This centrally located hotel is in the heart of downtown, 2 blocks from Robson Street shops, 4 blocks from the business district, and less than 1 mile (2 kilometers) from the convention center and Stanley Park. Additional nearby attractions include Rogers Arena and the Van
    • Sunset Inn and Suites — Popular property highlights Free breakfast Free parking Free WiFi Business centre Laundry facilities Near Sunset Beach Situated in downtown Vancouver's West End neighborhood, this hotel is a 10-minute walk from Sunset Beach, and just 1 block from the Davie Village area. Robson Street is 1 km (a half-mile) away and Granville Island is only 3 km (1.2 miles) away.
    • The Burrard — Eco-friendly Vancouver hotel in Downtown Vancouver, near Granville Island Public Market Popular property highlights Pets allowed Free WiFi Business centre 24/7 Desk Multilingual Location Located in Downtown Vancouver, this eco-friendly hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Contemporary Art Gallery, Granville Island Public Market, and Canada Place. Stanley Park and BC

    Practical notes

    • Best location: West End for proximity to Davie Village and Stanley Park.
    • Pride booking: Book months ahead for late July / early August. The city fills completely for the parade weekend.
    • Transit: The West End is walkable from downtown. Bus 6 runs along Davie Street.
    • Airport: Canada Line SkyTrain from YVR to downtown takes about 25 minutes.

For the full Vancouver picture, see the Gay Vancouver Guide.