True to its global and cosmopolitan character, Vancouver offers more than just "good" options to sleep. For your perfect staycation, we suggest two places to truly de-stress in the city and enjoy more on-trend "relaxation services."
Vancouver is one of my favorite places on Earth. It's gray and rainy there a lot of the time, but for some reason, even though it's gray and rainy, I feel like it's a sunny day.
Billy Campbell
Luxury Hotel Packages
🍽️ 🦞 Sutton Place Hotel
🌇 🧖🏻♀️ Georgian Court Hotel Vancouver
The Georgian Court is well-known as an excellent option for groups, offering its "Friends & Family Staycation Package" with rooms starting at $149/night and amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi and in-room Nespresso coffee. What are you waiting for to book the best hotel for your staycation in Vancouver?
Vancouver has been commercially resonant for hundreds of years. And the proof lies in its oldest neighbourhood, Gastown, whose first establishments opened around 1860; the Gastown district is named after “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a British seaman who founded a tavern here, officially the first in the area. Today, its Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, well-preserved brick buildings, the Maple Tree Square, and the Gastown Steam Clock are must-see spots for experiencing Vancouver's rich history.
Unique Glamping Experiences
An adventure in Vancouver means waking up to breathtaking views, relaxing, and enjoying yourself from a cabin, a spacious tent, a luxury lodge, or a treehouse; that's the world of glamping in Vancouver.
In some of the most beautiful forests in the world, surrounded by wildlife, marine life, lakes, and birds, you'll find an excellent option for outdoor recreation in a relaxed manner: the most comfortable accommodation to recharge after a stressful week in the city.
Glamping experiences in Vancouver are the perfect option if you're looking for a romantic weekend getaway, tranquillity, and a connection with nature, stepping aside from the standard Canadian trip with a hike to the mountains or the typical holiday with winter sports in Montréal.
Are you looking for privacy, comfortable beds, a fire pit, a hot tub, and the beauty of a lake or mountain just beyond the window? Check out the following accommodation options for the perfect romantic staycation in Vancouver:
| Place / Glamping Site | Main Amenities | Price Range | Forest / Nature + Nearby | Distance from Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out There (Private Eco-Island, Sunshine Coast) | Private island setting with treehouses, tent cabins, yurts; ocean & forest views; star gazing; rustic luxury off-grid experience. (Out There) | $$$ | Accessible by boat, surrounded by ocean and Sunshine Coast forest, close to marine and forest trails, ideal for kayaking & wildlife viewing. | 140 - 180 km + ferry (approx. via Sunshine Coast routes) |
| Stay Wilder (Sechelt, Sunshine Coast) | Off-grid eco-glamping domes with private decks, outdoor community kitchen & washrooms; nature-focused design. | $$ | Located in a 160-acre coastal rainforest with nearby beaches, hiking, ocean access, and Sunshine Coast community trails. | 145 - 160 km + ferry (Vancouver via Sunshine Coast) |
| Rockwater Secret Cove Resort (Sunshine Coast) | Luxury Tenthouse Suites (ocean-cliff glamping), spa, heated pool, boardwalk & decks, TuBird restaurant, kayaks, yoga, firepit nights. | $$$ | Perched in coastal forest above Secret Cove, with hikes and marine views; minutes from Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park & Sunshine Coast trails. | 160 km, around 2 hrs drive + ferry (Horseshoe Bay to Langdale) |
| Free Spirit Spheres (Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island) | Treehouse spherical accommodations, suspended in forest canopy; bathhouse & sauna nearby; kitchenette; unique rainforest immersion. | $$$ | Set in coastal rainforest between Nanaimo & Comox Valley, ideal for forest walks & outdoor cycling trails; near Big Qualicum River Hatchery and Lighthouse Country trails. | 260 km + ferry (Vancouver to Nanaimo/Qualicum area) |
| Wya Point Resort (Ucluelet, Vancouver Island) | Waterfront yurts & lodges; private beach; kayaking, surfing, whale-watching packages; fully equipped kitchens & decks on lodge units; walk-on beach access; free Wi-Fi & parking. | $$ | Located amid 600 acres of old-growth coastal rainforest on Ucluelet First Nation traditional territory, with Pacific Rim National Park minutes away and endless trails & beaches. | 310 km ( around 4.5 hrs plus ferry/bridge depending on route) |
In addition to privacy and spacious areas, some of the above glamping options offer experiences such as visits to nearby farms or craft breweries for gastronomic tourism, whale-watching tours, and beach hikes.
Cozy Cabins and Vacation Rentals
Vancouver is the ideal destination for both romantic getaways and large groups, thanks to its diverse accommodation options; you'll find something to suit your needs year-round. Family-friendly, private, close to a hiking trail or the beach, pet-friendly, easy to reach… follow our recommendations before planning your itinerary.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Breeze Vacation Rentals, located on Vancouver Island near Parksville and Nanaimo, offers a selection of cabins and cottages ideal for a tranquil getaway. It's an excellent option for multi-day family vacations, take note of its main amenities and features:
- 🌊 Ocean View
- 🍖 Barbecue facilities
- 🔥 Outdoor fire pit
- 🐾 Is pet-friendly
- 🪵 Cabins and treehouses
- 🥘 Kitchen (some with wood stove)
- 🫧 Jacuzzi
- 🛀🏻 Hot tub
- ⛱️ Near coastal towns
🐦 Vancouver Island Vacation Rentals offer ocean-view accommodations in Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island, perfect for those looking to experience its natural beauty and local wildlife (mostly eagles and sea lions). These cabins, chosen by many for their oceanfront views and proximity to restaurants and cafes, are also an excellent option for adventurers seeking a cozy staycation in Vancouver, as they include:
- 🛖 Large and comfortable rentals (adaptable for families or groups)
- 🥾Excellent access to the Wild Pacific trail
- 🚘 Free parking and self-check-in
- 🍖 Barbecue facilities
- 🛀🏻 Bathtub
- 🥣 Full kitchen
🌸 Activities to Enhance Your Staycation
Explore Local Parks and Beaches
You'll find that most Vancouver vacation guides include parks, an essential part of local life used not only for sports but also for communal entertainment and culture.
Stanley Park
A top spot for locals, this park transforms into an open-air theatre in the summer. It becomes a must-visit to learn about our history, especially the indigenous cultures, with tours that explain their origins, way of life, and heritage. Among the activities that attract thousands of tourists to Stanley Park throughout the year are:
- The beautiful gardens (The Rose Garden and the Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden)
- Lost Lagoon Lake
- Summer theatre shows
- Vancouver Aquarium
- Lake trails (with views to: Lions Gate Bridge, Burrard Inlet, and North Shore Mountains)
- Totem Poles (located in Brockton Point, The Ga'akstalas Totem Pole depicts important figures in Kwakwada'wakw culture)
- Vast areas with giant trees (take the Talking trees tour to learn about the indigenous use of the trees for food and medicine).
Some tribes of this culture, originally from Vancouver Island, yet survive. Their primary forms of expression for honouring the land, cedar trees, rivers, and animals are music, dance, objects such as colourful masks, and, of course, the spoken word. The alphabet of the Kwak'wala language consists of 43 characters; it is a living language still spoken by many members of the First Nations.
Kitsilano Beach
- Best for swimming activities and connecting to other beaches (Spanish Banks)
- Kitsilano pool (Canada's longest outdoor saltwater pool)
- All types of sports courts (volleyball, basketball, tennis)
- Very accessible playgrounds
- Restaurants
- Kits beach (best spot for photos)
- Cycling roads
- English Bay views
Indulge in Culinary Experiences
Just as Ontario and Nova Scotia boast about their vineyards, a tour in Vancouver is not complete without a taste of the local cuisine. Vancouver's culinary experience begins with its festivals, especially the largest in the country, the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Held every winter since 2002 and featuring over 400 restaurants and producers of wine, beer, and cider, if you're a foodie, the Dine Out Festival is a must-do during your staycation in Vancouver; enjoy the best gastronomic showcase in Canada from January to February. You'll have the opportunity to savour several dishes at once, attend a masterclass with a top chef, and visit the street food celebration (a central part of the event with many food trucks around Vancouver).
Also, it's an excellent option for touring the city's most important neighbourhoods. From historic Gastown to Chinatown, Kitsilano, Monument Pleasant, and Yaletown (to name a few), enjoy curated menus for a fixed price at the city's best restaurants; listen to the locals' experience here:
Discover Nearby Attractions
🌳 🐟 This park combines the best of the forest and the sea. It's a favourite spot for its spectacular ocean views - and its tranquillity, being far from the city- but above all for being a special meeting place for marine wildlife; here you can see not only whales, but also sea lions, otters, and of course, birds.
🌊☁️ Located northeast of Lasqueti Island, Jebediah Island has a spectacular park in a remote location for those seeking a true adventure. Unlike Wakes Cove, Jebediah is an excellent option for a multi-day vacation near Vancouver.
⛱️ Tips for Planning Your Vancouver Staycation
As one of Canada's most popular destinations, it's essential to keep in mind that Vancouver's beaches, parks, and wildlife-viewing spots can be very crowded, especially between May and September. Likewise, visitors tend to flock to ski resorts during the winter season, as Vancouver has excellent infrastructure for winter sports.
If you're a local looking to avoid the crowds, consider the following recommendations: book in advance, choose off-peak times, and secure better rates for your best Canadian staycation.
| Top Activities in Vancouver | When to book? | Recommended for | $ and discounts for locals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley Park & Seawall Cycling | Vancouver’s most visited attraction; features a 9 km Seawall, beaches, rainforest trails, and cultural landmarks. Receives 8 to 9 million visitors per year. Best season: May–September (summer is the busiest time). | Families, kids, teens, couples | $0 - $25 (bike rentals). Local advantages: Free park access, discounted bike rentals, annual attraction passes nearby |
| Capilano Suspension Bridge Park | Historic attraction opened since 1889). More than 1 million visit the iconic suspension bridge and the Cliffwalk. Best season to visit the park: April–October. Winter lights are popular too. | Teens, families, couples | $66 - $71. Discounts for local residents: BC resident annual passes and seasonal discounts; free return visits with pass. |
| Granville Island Public Market | Cultural hub with artisan food, theatres, waterfront paths. Summer it's the busiest season | Families, couples, seniors | $0 - $40+ (food). Discounts for local residents: Frequent free entry, free workshops and theatre deals. |
| Whale Watching Tours (Vancouver / Steveston) | One of the best urban whale-watching regions in the world; orcas, humpbacks. With more than 300,000 tourists a year. Best time to visit is from April–October (peak summer). | Kids (8+), teens, couples | $180 - $260. Discounts for residents: off-peak pricing, bundled ferry/tour deals. |
| Grouse Mountain Skyride & Alpine Activities | Operating since 1926, you can visit year-round (skiing in winter, hiking in the summer). Enjoy the panoramic city views, the wildlife refuge, and sport activities. | Families, teens, couples | $70 - $85. For locals: North Shore resident deals, season passes, winter lift discounts. |
| Dine Out Vancouver Festival | Canada’s largest food festival; showcases 300+ restaurants and culinary events. Around 300,000 attendees per season. Best season to visit: January to February | Couples, adults, foodies | $25–$65 menus. Locals: Exclusive resident dining deals, hotel staycation packages, attraction discounts. |
| Kitsilano Beach & Pool | One of Vancouver’s most popular beaches; features Canada’s longest saltwater pool. More than 1 million visits/year. Best season: June–September. | Families, kids, teens | $0 - $10 (pool entry). Advantages for residents: Reduced pool fees, easy transit access, free beach amenities. |
Summarize with AI:
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
