Oliver EvansA few years ago, I stayed in a motel out of town where my roommate was a cockroach. We didn’t exactly hit it off. He hogged the remote, and I’m pretty sure he judged my choice of nightwear.
By the end of the night, I was seriously considering splitting the bill with him since he clearly planned on staying longer than I did.
Since then, I’ve stayed in some questionable spots and a few hidden gems while moving around Vancouver for work. And along the way, I started keeping track of the motels that are actually worth booking.
If you’re heading to Vancouver and want a motel that’s clean, comfortable, and roach-free, here’s a list you can count on.
How much does it cost to stay at a motel in Vancouver?
It costs at least 70 CAD to stay at a motel in Vancouver. The price will change, depending on the motel you choose to stay at and how many nights you stay.
1. Tropicana Suites
Address: 1361 Robson St
Contact Details: +1 604-687-6631
Operating Hours:
- Check in – 2 PM
- Check out – 11 AM
Tropicana Suites is for anyone who wants to step outside and be instantly surrounded by shops, movie theaters, and enough restaurants to choose from without having an existential dinner crisis.
With Robson Street basically in your backyard, this is prime territory for anyone who loves grabbing a midnight snack or catching late-night film screenings. If you’re the spontaneous type, you’ll probably love the location.
The rooms feel more like mini-apartments than hotel suites. There’s a separate living room with a pull-out sofa, a bedroom you can actually shut the door on, and a kitchenette that’s perfect for reheating leftovers or cooking.
There’s also a pretty good range of amenities for a motel. There’s an indoor pool and a sauna, which guests consistently praise for being perfect for decompressing after a long day.
There’s also Wi-Fi that actually holds up during your stay. The front desk and staff are also always ready to accommodate requests, like when I asked for extra towl late at night.
Free parking is technically on offer, but there are only a few spots, so it’s a bit of a parking version of The Hunger Games. If you snag a space, consider yourself lucky. If not, welcome to the world of downtown street parking.
Wonderful and a very beautiful beautiful view
“This is the best kept secret in all Vancouver. I’ve been coming to this wonderful hotel for many years. It’s an older hotel but it has a lot of soul. Have a wonderful and
A very beautiful beautiful view of English, Bay and Robson Street and the ambiance is comparable to Montreal!!”
–Timothy Berglund, Google Reviews
Great hotel, staff, location
“Great hotel, staff, location. Stayed here twice now, recommend this hotel for convenience and price. Balconies in every suite.”
–NabeelKhanMusic, Google Reviews
2. HI Vancouver Downtown
Address: 1114 Burnaby St
Contact Details: +1 604-684-4565
Operating Hours:
- Check in – 3 PM
- Check out – 11 AM
If you want to wake up steps from English Bay and still get a good night’s sleep, HI Vancouver Downtown is your sweet spot. You’re close to all the good stuff in Vancouver, but also get a little peace when it’s time to rest.
The vibes strike a great balance—friendly and social, without the typical motel chaos. I’ve stayed at enough motels to know that being able to hear yourself think in the common area is a rare gift—and here, it’s actually possible.
The rooftop patio and garden are my favorites. They’re where you can soak up the sunset with a cup of tea or something stronger, no judgment.
There’s also a working space that digital nomads can actually use.
Rooms are basic, but spotless. If you’re traveling solo or on a shoestring, the four beds are a solid deal: you get your own locker, a sink, clean linens, and—bless them—fresh towels. Some rooms even have private bathrooms.
There’s laundry on-site, bike storage, and even a spot for your sports gear. However, it’s a no-pets, non-smoking zone. So leave your pets and your cigarettes at home.
Service was so welcoming
“This was my first solo trip and I am so happy that I chose HI Vancouver Downtown as my accommodation! The service was so welcoming, helpful, and kind from the start. The rooms and common areas were always clean and inviting! BUT MY FAVOURITE PART were the activities they provided at affordable costs! This is where I met some of the coolest people and made connections that lasted throughout my trip! Shoutout to the famous Erik and his Lynn Canyon tour! Will definitely stay in an HI Hostel again!!”
–Olivia Lema Vella, Google Reviews
Front desk personnel are also kind
“Nice place to stay for solo travelers. Comfortable and clean. They don’t assign rooms like sardines and try to put as many people in a room as possible. Front desk personnel are also kind and willing to help. They also have fun events for the residents. It really was a good time. Facilities are nice and they even have a filtered water dispenser. Convenient in many ways than most other places I have roomed.”
–Sado Kim, Google Reviews
3. 2400 Motel
Address: 2400 Kingsway
Contact Details: +1 604-434-2464
Operating Hours:
- Check in – 4 PM
- Check out – 11 AM
If you want a no-nonsense place to crash, with your car parked literally steps away from your door, 2400 Motel is a solid pick.
Forget about awkward elevator small talk or hunting for a luggage cart. You just pull up, pop your trunk, and settle in. It’s about as close to a home as a motel can get, and honestly, that simplicity was one of the highlights for me.
The place sprawls across 3 1/2 acres, so it doesn’t feel cramped. Families I talked to love the suites with living rooms and appreciate the space for kids to bounce around without risking a lamp or two.
My own stay was in a queen bachelor suite, which had a tiny but mighty kitchenette.
The essentials were all there: a mattress that didn’t swallow me whole, and Wi-Fi that didn’t make me want to throw my phone out the window.
Booking was refreshingly painless. I zipped through their online reservation form in no time.
Now, the price: $220 a night for a standard double isn’t exactly a bargain deal. But if you’re sticking around for a week or more, several guests told me they’ll knock some dollars off.
Would definitely recommend staying here
“Just stayed here with my 2 daughters, they loved it. The room we stayed in had 2 separate bedrooms
Big improvements from when I stayed in 2020
it was quiet, they have a big yard with picnic tables and the staff were super nice.
Easy check in and check out
when we checked out my daughters were having a hard time listening (climbing the desk,etc) and who I’m guessing was the manager gave them cookies and was really understanding and patient with them.
it’s walking distance to stores and restaurants, trains, etc
We’ll be staying again in the future
Would definitely recommend staying here especially if you’re looking for a place for multiple nights.
They also have an electric vehicle charging station.”
–Alyssa Yeates, Google Reviews
Extremely helpful
“The establishment is wonderful, staff were extremely helpful in a situation where my documentation wasn’t sufficient enough however they worked with me in all ways to get me to successfully check in”
–Morgan Kelly, Google Reviews
4. Horseshoe Bay Motel
Address: 6588 Royal Ave
Contact Details: +1 604-913-6588
Operating Hours:
- Check in – 4 PM to 11:30 PM
- Check out – 11 AM
Horseshoe Bay Motel is perfect for anyone who wants a front row seat to the sea, a cozy room, and a little break from the city grind.
Most rooms come with a fireplace—perfect for pretending you’re in a seaside novel— and, praise be, actual ceramic mugs for your morning coffee while you watch the boat drift by.
The bed in my room was marshmallow-soft, which was amazing to sink into after a long day.
That said, if you’re a light sleeper, I’d recommend bringing earplugs. The occasional noise is unfortunately part of the rooming package.
On the upside, the room I stayed in had a flatscreen TV and Wi-Fi that worked without “hotel network” issues or endless buffering.
There are a few things I have an issue with, though. For one, the cancellation policy. You have to cancel at least four days ahead, and even then, they keep 25% of your payment.
Also, a queen room will set you back $308 a night, which isn’t exactly pocket change. However, if you’re after an hourly or long-term deal, you’ll need to pick up the phone and ask for prices.
5-stars for everything under Horseshoe Bay Motel’s control
“Great location, amenities, and front desk customer service. Room was clean and water pressure AMAZING. Lovely views from second story. For best experience, bring noise canceling headphones and a sleep mask. The building is older and noise carries– this is more about the lottery of your neighbors and not the motel. Order evening food early as surrounding restaurants (a good selection) close at 8:30/9pm. Hence 5-stars for everything under Horseshoe Bay Motel’s control. Looking forward to returning for a longer stay.”
–Bray MW, Google Reviews
Very quaint homey space, comfortable and warm
“Very nice motel, it’s a very quaint homey space, comfortable and warm. The hostess too was wonderful and made us feel invited before we even walked in the door”
–Brandon Gunderson, Google Reviews
5. Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Downtown
Address: 921 W Pender St
Contact Details: +1 604-681-4335
Operating Hours:
- Check in – 3 PM
- Check out – 11 AM
Days Inn by Wyndham is for travelers who dread taxis and love exploring on foot. Canada Place, Gastown, Stanley Park, and the skytrain are within a 10-minute stroll.
For those driving, there’s no on-site parking at this place, so you’ll have to shell out extra cash for a spot in the nearby lot. This can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’re juggling luggage or arriving late.
That aside, the rooms themselves are clean, compact, and stocked with all the important things. There’s decent linens on the bed, signature Days Inn toiletries in the bathroom, and a Keurig to jumpstart your morning.
One perk I really liked is that the breakfast at the on-site restaurant is usually included in the room rates. However, the building does have “vintage character, which is a nice way of saying the walls are on the thin side.
Guests (myself included) could hear hallway chatter and occasional door slams. If you’re a super light sleeper, a pair of earplugs and a good playlist wouldn’t hurt.
Comfortable beds. Great location and the best staff ever
“After reading reviews we were not sure we had made the right choice. Lucky for us we had. Older downtown hotel updated and very clean. Comfortable beds. Great location and the best staff ever.”
–Wilma Hays, Google Reviews
Room service was also the best we’ve ever had
“Me and my girlfriend were visiting the city for the weekend and picked the Days Inn due to its location. All staff were friendly, and the rooms were very tidy. Room service was also the best we’ve ever had, every day when we came back to the room, it was spotless and the beds were well made. Only downside was that it was right on one of the main streets, so at night it was slighlty noisey. Overall this is definitely a good hotel and a good location if you want to explore the city.”
–Zachary Golden, Google Reviews
