Vancouver › Kid-Friendly Hotels
Updated: February 6, 2023
By Santorini Dave
The 5 Best Hotels for Families in Vancouver, BC
1. Shangri-La Vancouver (luxury)
Fantastic location a block from Robson Street (packed with shopping, cafes, and restaurants) and walking distance to Stanley Park. Nice outdoor pool and hot tub. Urban Fare grocery store is just out the door and has my favorite oatmeal-chocolate-chip cookie in the city.
2. Hilton Vancouver Downtown (midrange)
The rooms are large, pleasantly decorated, and all have a full kitchenette. Kids get a special welcome gift upon arrival. A great outdoor pool is heated to a comfortable 83 degrees (29 degrees Celsius). The Robson Street location makes shopping and an array of dining choices steps away. Rogers Arena and BC Place are within easy walking distance making it great for concerts and hockey and football games.
3. Granville Island Hotel (midrange)
Awesome location on Granville Island surrounded by parks, playgrounds, water, and a bike-pedestrian path. The wonderful Granville Island market is nearby and the Aquabus (a tugboat commuter boat for getting around False Creek) leaves every few minutes for downtown, Stanley Park, and the kid-friendly Science Centre. This is a wonderful hotel and location for families.
4. Auberge Vancouver Hotel (midrange)
This is a great value hotel with a nice pool and large suites with kitchens and living rooms and separate bedroom for the parents. The location is central with the cruise port and much of downtown Vancouver within easy walking distance (though the street that the hotel is on can feel deserted at night).
5. Fairmont Vancouver Airport (luxury)
I usually don’t recommend airport hotels as a place to stay but this is such a wonderful hotel: pool, hot tub, incredible views, and great breakfast that I’m making an exception. It’s located right in the international terminal and is a short walk to the Skytrain which can have you downtown in 20 minutes. Or sit in your room and watch planes land and takeoff. If you’re in Vancouver for 2 nights or more you would want to stay in downtown Vancouver, but if your visit is just one night (or a long layover) and you’re arriving and departing by plane this is a great choice.
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Trying to decide between the Four Seasons and the Hilton Downtown Vancouver. What are the pros/cons when comparing the two in terms of location, rooms, kid friendly features. We are traveling with an 18 month old and a 4.5 year old.
Jen
Both have good pools but the Four Seasons has an indoor-outdoor pool (Hilton is only outdoor) which is great if it’s winter weather. Both have central locations but Four Seasons is slightly more central for downtown and closer to Stanley Park. Both are good choices for families and I wouldn’t worry about your decision too much.
We are considering the Four Season Vancouver or the Shangri La. Can you tell me which one is more kid friendly, has a better pool, and best location?
Thanks,
Henna
Both are wonderful hotels but I would definitely recommend the Four Seasons over the Shangri La. The suites are larger, the pool is bigger (and has an inside portion and outside portion), and there’s a kid’s room with games, books, and video games. The Shangri La has a slightly more pleasant and central location near Robson Street and closer proximity to Stanley Park but the Four Seasons is closer to the main mall in downtown Vancouver – and in any case the two hotels are only 3 blocks from each other so not a huge difference in terms of location.
Is the Capilano Bridge a good destination for kids, ages 6, 8, and 11? I know it’s a little way out of town. Would you call it a good use of time for a family in Vancouver, Canada for 2 days and 3 nights.
Thanks,
A.B.
Capilano Bridge is a great destination for kids and adults. There’s a good kids’ treasure hunt that can be done that’s a lot of fun. The bridge and views are pretty cool. Now, I wouldn’t put Cap Bridge as one of my top 2 or 3 things to do in Vancouver so it’s a close call as to wether you want to drive to North Van to do it (it’s not a long way but it still means getting in your car). Top of my list in Vancouver are renting bikes and riding around the Stanley Park Seawall, the Vancouver Aquarium, and the Science Centre. So if you could do the Seawall and Aquarium on one day and the Science Centre and Capilano Bridge on the other, then go for it. But if that seems too busy then leave Capilano for the next visit.