The Westin Bayshore is an upscale chain hotel with 511 classically decorated rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows -- many with excellent city or harbor views. There’s a breakfast buffet and a separate seafood restaurant with a patio that offers beautiful views of the harbor. Some of the rooms are older than others, and past guests recommend staying in the newer tower, which has more modern furnishings in rooms. There's a fee for both parking and Wi-Fi. Visitors wanting free Wi-Fi and a more elegant experience, may prefer the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, which has beautiful rooms and doesn't charge for Wi-Fi.

The budget YWCA Hotel Vancouver offers basic accommodations with attractive, modern decor for rates that are hard to beat. It's a step above typical hostel-like hotels, and it has a convenient downtown location across the street from BC Place Stadium. Features include an on-site coffee shop, guest kitchens, fitness center, laundry room, and free Wi-Fi. Its 155 units have a hint of style, and they're well-equipped with AC, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and many have city views, but some have typical hostel-style shared bathrooms. Rates are among the best in downtown Vancouver for value, and the property often sells out. The mid-range Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Vancouver is an option that offers an equally convenient location, and more amenities.

The four-and-a-half pearl Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver is on top of Vancouver's iconic Canada Place building, which it shares with the Vancouver Convention Centre and the cruise line terminal. Buzzing with activity, the huge chain hotel has 503 elegant rooms. There’s a sophistication to the hotel that makes it a good fit for business travelers and those seeking luxurious accommodations. The views of the harbor and mountains are breathtaking and can be seen from the rooftop pool, the lounge terrace, and from most of the rooms. Guests looking for a more intimate hotel may want to consider L'Hermitage Hotel, a small boutique hotel with elegant rooms in a residential building.

The mid-range Sylvia Hotel is a nice choice for those looking for a comfy and homey hotel away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Vancouver. Built in 1912 as an apartment house, the ivy-covered hotel is a designated landmark that exudes loads of charm -- but guests should also some expect wear and tear. Rooms are renovated to include up-to-date technology such as flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. But some bathrooms are smallish, and the decor goes a bit heavy on clunky woods. The on-site restaurant gets rave reviews, as do the views of English Bay and the location next to Stanley Park.

The 377-room Fairmont is an upscale property on the northern edge of Downtown Vancouver, across the street from the Convention Center, and blocks to the harbor and public transport. The hotel has a modern, business-y vibe throughout, with clean lines and contemporary decor. Up-to-date amenities include an outstanding fitness center with a yoga studio, a rooftop heated pool open year-round, and a high-end spa. Spacious rooms feature Nespresso coffeemakers, plush name-brand beds, floor-to-ceiling windows (most boasting great views of the port and the mountains), flat-screen TVs and iPod docks.

With its focus on sustainable business practices plus mountain and water views, the 489-room Fairmont Waterfront checks all the boxes for a quintessential Vancouver experience. This upscale property has large outdoor pool, but it's the small details like an on-site beehive and herb garden that give it an edge. Oh, and the harbor views don't hurt either. Rooms are tastefully finished in light tans and blues, and many have those same harbor views. While the hotel's access to downtown attractions makes it tourist-friendly, the Vancouver Convention Centre is also nearby for business travelers. These benefits come at a price, but location is key in Vancouver. Travelers looking to be even closer to the water should look at the Pan Pacific Vancouver, directly across the street, which adds a spa.

The 116-room Ramada Inn and Suites is a decent pick for value-minded partiers. Located in Downtown Vancouver, the hotel offers fairly comfy, small rooms with plain decor, plus studios and suites that come with kitchens. But there's little in the way of amenities -- just free passes for a fitness center down the street, a free business center, and a loud, hip nightclub on the ground floor.

Located in the heart of the entertainment district, the 67-room Samesun Vancouver is a lively and conveniently located spot. Features are numerous and geared toward the young and social. Expect a communal kitchen, a sports bar and restaurant, and free continental breakfast. The majority of the rooms are unisex dorms, though guests who aren't keen on sharing may want to consider reserving a private room. Some of these have en-suite bathrooms. Personal fans are available, but there's no air-conditioning. Noise from Granville Street's nightlife is a major issue at the Samesun, so if you're not part of the party don't expect to sleep through it. Travelers looking for a budget option without the noise might consider the HI Vancouver Downtown Hostel instead. It's just a few blocks away.

This 77-room luxury boutique has a modern, stylish feel, with a glam lobby (think: velvet couches, dark wood ceilings, and a stunning black-and-white granite fireplace surround) and a popular French bistro. The large, sleek rooms may be the highlight, with subtle earth tones, floor-to-ceiling windows, and decadent marble bathrooms, but the Downtown Vancouver location is convenient as well. The only real downsides are the extra fees for valet parking and Wi-Fi.

Despite the "St. Regis" name, this historic, mid-range boutique hotel in Downtown Vancouver is unaffiliated with the famous luxury brand. Rooms are on the small side for Vancouver, but they are cute and modern, and extras like free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and free long-distance calls add value. There's a casual bar and grill on-site, and two excellent restaurants next door: Gotham Steakhouse and the chic Shore Club Restaurant.