Vancouver is one of the best cities in the world for adventure seekers, thanks to it's stunning landscape and beautiful natural surroundings. The perfect combination of 'wilderness escape' and 'trendy culture hub', there's plenty to experience no matter where you visit in this tremendous city.

No matter how you hope to spend your thrill-seeking getaway in the heart of British Colombia, here are some of Vancouver's best hotels, restaurants, and activities for you to enjoy.

Vancouver offers a truly outstanding selection of hotels, many of which make a great base for those looking for an adventurous getaway. Whether you're looking for a simple yet sleek, modern hotel, or a unique art project complete with traditional Aboriginal ceremonial experiences, you'll find the perfect spot to begin your adventure in Vancouver. 

Part of Parq Vancouver, The Douglas is situated in a huge casino and hotel complex, located on the edge of Yaletown. This purpose-built entertainment resort is perfect for those looking for a great combination of adventure and opulence, with plenty to do right on the doorstep.

As per the hotel's name, the reception area features a massive, hollowed-out Douglas fir tree built into the desk. This stunning piece of modern artwork welcomes you to the hotel, giving you a taste of the luxury you'll be experiencing here right from the get-go.
There is a selection of outstanding on-site restaurants, and many visitors hail Victor, the steakhouse located near the lobby, to be the best of the bunch.

Aside from the restaurants, there's also a great on-site bar and patio, which welcomes occasional performances from DJs, and a spa, which makes for a great relaxing retreat after a full day out having adventures.

The rooms at this hotel are quite unique, with some being extremely outstanding in design. Standard rooms have a casual yet upscale aesthetic with plenty of luxurious touches, and guests can enjoy free on-site Wi-Fi during their stay.

As the only hotel on Granville Island, the aptly named Granville Hotel is nothing short of special. While the unusual architecture of the hotel can be quite striking at first, its interior is incredibly relaxed and contemporary. This gorgeous hotel is just a five-minute walk from the amazing Public Market and the shops, galleries, bars, restaurants, and boutiques that sit nearby.

This hotel is the perfect spot to stay if you're looking for somewhere you can enjoy adventure without being too caught up in the busy downtown hub of Vancouver. With a gorgeous waterfront location, being near the water-taxi docks makes it easy to hop on a boat and venture to Yaletown.

Despite its somewhat remote location, you'll be pleased to know that this hotel offers everything you could need on-site. With stunning views of the docks, an on-site fitness center, free Wi-Fi for guests to use throughout the property, seasonal bike rental for exploring the nearby parks during the warmer months, and the excellent Dockside Restaurant and Bar, complete with a terrace that opens for outdoor dining during summer.

The interior design of the 82 rooms is both simple and comfortable, creating a casual retreat that feels just like home. Each room is complete with a 42" flat-screen cable TV, a fully stocked mini-bar, and a coffee maker. 

The location of this hotel is really what makes it so special. Sitting on Vancouver's English Bay, many of the rooms provide stunning views of the Ocean. Despite being somewhat unremarkable on the interior, if your priority is being in the perfect spot, then look no further than the Sylvia Hotel. Only a short distance from both the Robson Street shopping district, Stanley Park, and The Vancouver Art Gallery, the Sylvia Hotel is truly in the heart of it all.

On-site dining and drinks are available at Sylvia's Restaurant and Lounge, which serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests are welcome to dine inside the elegant dining room, or out on the bistro patio overlooking the bay, weather permitting.

Rooms at this hotel may be simple, but they are a testament to the character of this old-school hotel and prove that some of the best stays don't need the luxury of avant-garde decor to make them so special. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi during their stay. Flat-screen TVs and a comfortable seating area are provided in each guest room, and suites also boast a full kitchen and a sofa bed.

Located in Downtown Vancouver, Skwachàys Lodge Hotel & Gallery prides itself on being Canada’s first aboriginal boutique arts hotel. Part tourist accommodation and part social housing, Skwachàys isn't just a hotel, but rather, a cultural experience unlike any other in the city. Its unique concept, intriguing design, and traditional ceremonies and experiences make it the best place in Vancouver for those looking to stay somewhere that is completely out of the box. It's also in a very convenient location, with Rogers Arena and BC Place both within a 10-minute walk.

Skwachàys Lodge is a renovation project, which sought to create housing for artists facing homelessness. Today 24 rooms are set aside as accommodation for the people who live here, and just 18 are suites for tourists, so be sure to book well in advance if you'd like to secure a place here.

Easily noticeable thanks to the huge totem pole jutting out from the peaked roof, this establishment features a gift shop and an art gallery where you can see and purchase Indigenous artworks. There is also the Kayachtn room, located on the ground floor, where you can order light meals or have a glass of wine or craft beer at a communal carved totem table.

As we mentioned before, there are some traditional ceremonies you can experience during your stay here. You'll need to call well in advance to book them, but you can have the experience of participating in a traditional First Nations sweat lodge ceremony or a traditional native smudging ceremony.

All the rooms at this lodge are unique works of art in their own right. Each one was assigned to a different design team that worked alongside an Aboriginal artist to create something original and authentic. Each room also comes with free Wi-Fi, a fridge, cable TV, and tea and coffee-making facilities.

Situated just across the street from the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Rosewood Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Robson Street Shopping District and a 5-minute drive from Stanley Park.

This swanky, modern hotel boasts an indoor saltwater lap pool, a spa, and a gym. Alongside 24-hour room service, there are a variety of dining options on-site, including Bel Cafe, which serves baked goods, specialty sandwiches, and coffee, Reflections Outdoor Lounge, which serves light fare and cocktails, the 1927 Lobby Lounge, and Hawksworth Restaurant, which serves up contemporary Canadian dining.

Rooms at this hotel each boast a modern interior and have flat-screen TVs, spa-inspired bathrooms with heated floors, and some even have spacious living rooms with comfortable seating.

Vancouver's dining scene is adventurous as the city its self! With innovative dishes and a wide range of cuisines to choose from, you can indulge in a great selection of hand-crafted foods across a range of exciting establishments.

Whether you're looking for a mouth-watering escape with some of the city's best Japanese or Italian fare, or are simply hoping to soak up the atmosphere at one of the Vancouver's only rooftop restaurants, there's the perfect spot for everyone in this outstanding Canadian city!

Phnom Penh Restaurant, located in Strathcona is probably the best Vietnamese Cambodian spot in the country. Situated in the Chinatown area, it's easily distinguishable by the queues that form outside of it. 

Although fairly unassuming on the inside, this Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant serves up mouth-watering fare at a very reasonable price. With an extensive menu, it can be difficult to decide on what to order, but you absolutely can't go wrong with the deep-fried crunchy chicken wings (the sauce they come with is truly amazing) if the chicken isn't your thing though the platter of thit bò butter beef, garlic squid, and beef lúc lắc with egg and rice are all exceptional choices.

Located in the West End of Vancouver, Maxine's is the place to be no matter the time of day. With brunch, happy hour, and dinner menus, it's been a hit with locals since 2021.

Be sure to arrive well in advance on a weekend, as the queues can get pretty long! But once inside, you'll be able to feast on some of this beautiful cafe's most delicious dishes, including the smoked salmon rosti, and the mouthwatering smash burger, all served up alongside a selection of wines and cocktails. 

Whether you want to settle into a cozy booth to graze for a few hours or sit outside on the gorgeous sun-trap patio, you can have the perfect evening here at Maxine's Cafe & Bar.

Situated in the bustling West End of Vancouver, Maruchi Ra-men Westend is one of the city's favorite, most authentic ramen spots. Guests continually praise this restaurant, so much so that there are a few to visit across the city now.

The interior is simple yet classy, combining minimal, Japanese-inspired decor with modern touches.

Of course, the food here is just as authentic and delicious as you can imagine. Creating 500 4.4-ounce balls of noodles per day, the ramen, as the name may suggest, is truly their specialty. Maruhachi's signature ramen dish features a rich, silky chicken broth, rather than the popular, heavy-flavored tonkotsu ramen, which gives it a unique edge and appeal to those looking for something a little more fragrant.

If you're looking for the perfect place to enjoy some light bites and drinks alongside stunning city views, look no further than Parker Rooftop.

This gorgeous rooftop bar, sat atop the Parker Hotel in Downtown Vancouver, boasts a relaxed, yet sophisticated vibe, complete with modern decor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a trio of patios (one of which is an adorable take on a Cabo-style beach bar!)

One of the things that makes this restaurant so unique is the discount wine Wednesday when you can enjoy some excellent bottles at an enormous 50 percent off! They also have a daily happy hour, so be sure to indulge in some of the most delicious classic dishes over a few drinks. Fan favorites from the menu include the sliders, fish and chip cones, steak, and of course, the amazing baked Alaska.

If you're looking for the best pasta in all of Vancouver, you'll want to be sure to make a trip to Caffé La Tana. Situated in a gorgeous, friendly neighborhood with a wonderful patio culture, this restaurant (or should I say wine bar/cafe/grocery store/restaurant combo) is certainly a unique place to visit.

Depending on the time of day you choose to visit there are three different menus available that run through brunch, aperitivo hour, and dinner. If it's available the overstuffed muffuletta sandwich is a favorite, or, perhaps the sage-topped agnolotti stuffed with chicken and pork is more to your taste? Enjoy your meal with a section of Italian wines and spritzes.

Before you leave, be sure to pick up one of the house-made sauces, bread, or pasta from the grocery section to take home with you, or choose from a selection of imported olive oils, bottled cocktails, and other intriguing items for your pantry.

Vancouver is truly the place to be for adventurous activities. From diving the great lakes and sea to explore the marine life, to some of the most fast-paced, heart-pumping mountain biking in the world, there's plenty to get you out and about when it comes to the best things to do in Vancouver.

Visitors can enjoy various activities around the city, but take note, the North Shore Mountains simply can't be missed.

If you're looking for a truly adventurous activity, something to really get the blood pumping, mountain biking along the north shore should be right at the top of your list!

Vancouver's north shore is known by many as the birthplace of freeride mountain biking,  thanks to its multiple challenging and death-defying trails.

Many of the trails can actually be quite dangerous. If this sounds like your kind of fun though, get ready to push yourself to your limits on the greens, push a bit further on the blues, hold tight on the blacks... and if you dare... say your prayers on the double blacks!

Don't worry about not having your equipment should you be flying in though, plenty of companies, including the popular "endless biking" have a selection of rentals, tours, and lessons available - So you can enjoy this activity without needing to be a pro!

Vancouver has three local mountains, all within eyesight of downtown, so if you're an avid skier, it's a great idea to set aside some time to head out on the slopes.

Rent a car (or take your own), rent some equipment (or, again, take your own), and head out to the snow-capped mountains of Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour. Many ski-fanatics recommend Cypress Mountain thanks to it being home to the most vertical drop, most terrain, most lifts and best snow conditions on the highest skiing and riding peak of Vancouver's Legendary North Shore Mountains.

If you prefer your adventure activities to be enjoyed on foot, rather than by bike or skiis, why not spend a day hiking Crown Mountain in North Vancouver?

Several prominent peaks stand out among the North Shore mountains, but none boat quite the adventurous and intense hike that Crown Mountain does.

Should you be an avid hiker, be sure to come well-prepared for this one, as it's quite intense, but well worth the climb thanks to it's breath-taking views of Greater Vancouver from the top.

This hike is accessible from the top of Grouse Mountain, which can be reached via hike on the Grouse Grind or BCMC (if you're feeling particularly enthusiastic), or by Gondola.

Deep Cove is a gorgeous little community, located only 17km from downtown, but once you're there, it feels like a whole other world. Consisting of just a tiny strip of shops and a marina, this adorable escape is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing dinner on the patio at Arm’s Reach Bistro, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The gorgeous waters here mean there are some incredible opportunities to explore off-land, and what better way to enjoy this than by kayak? Deep Cove Kayak offers tours, courses, and rentals for kayaking as well as a number of options for SUP Boarding, in case you feel like trying something a little different.

Once you're back on dry land, be sure to warm up with a hot cup of coffee from Cafe Orso, or enjoy a tasty donut from the popular Honey Donuts.

When you think of Scuba Diving, Vancouver, or indeed, Canada in general may not be the first place that comes to mind. In fact, it may surprise you to know though, that British Colombia was actually named the #1 diving destination in North America by Scuba Diving Magazine!

The incredible  biodiversity and vibrant marine life make this area a divers paradise. Head to the diving locker and consider taking a dry-suit course to ensure you stay warm and safe in the waters.