We are going to BC for the first time this a March for a family member’s graduation. Will be flying in and out of Vancouver and spending a few days skiing in Whistler before heading to Abbotsford (stopping for one night in Vancouver on the way).
I’m looking for suggestions on where to stay near Abbotsford (resorts or areas to rent a cottage) and ideas for how to spend 24 hours in Vancouver ( thinking to stay in Gastown).
Thanks!!

I just came back from my second trip to Vancouver. For 1 day my suggestions are Granville island, Capilano bridge and Stanley park. You might not be able to do it all but those are quite cool. The waterfront area at night is a great idea too. We stayed in North Vancouver and loved it. If you are only flying from Abbotsford is nicer to stay in Vancouver.

Yoanella thank you. All of those places sound great but not sure how great they’d be in March. I understand it’s warmer there though

Kirsti March in Vancouver is very different than here. The daffodils will already be gone and the tulips will be out. People will be at the beach.

Kirsti we were in March the first time we went to Vancouver, Capilano bridge was so beautiful then. Granville island is an art district and have a great market, it's a visit you can do all year around, same for Stanley park. The totem poles are quite impressive

Kirsti I’m from Toronto and lived in Vancouver for 3 years. Geoff is right about not staying in Gastown. Lots of homeless and opioid deaths that restaurant staff carry naloxone.
The best hotel is the Pacific rim. Great views and restaurants with a wonderful location. Any of the fairmont are good.
Hotel Georgia is great too. Pan Pacific is also a good location with amazing views.
Sheraton Wall is central also.
Anything in the coal harbour area, yaletown and Robson/burrard area are good. Kitsilano and Granville island are a bit further if you’re only there for one day.

Pauline Pacific Rim is about $800 per night. She is travelling with a family!! Agree it is a lovely hotel, but…..

Pauline hence I also made other suggestions. I don’t assume what people can afford and give only one option. I did say it was the best but also gave plenty of other choices and suggested areas.

Pauline

Yoanella Thank you.

Pauline Thank you. I appreciate the hotel options.

Kirsti we stayed in a very simple hotel in north Vancouver and I found the area so convenient to move around, also loved the fact that had a living room because I go to bed earlier than my husband

Lynn Canyon over Cap bridge. Free and will be fine in March.

Jon The Lynn Canyon bridge is free (and good) but there is no denying the Capilano Bridge is better. It's longer and higher and the treetops adventure is really, really good. Expensive and touristy to be sure, but impressive IMO.

Also go to the Eatery on West Broadway for sushi. Not the best sushi but the most unique place you will eat it.

Jon I agree The Eatery is unique, but Vancouver's sushi is so much better than Toronto's it would be a shame to go somewhere that is "not the best." After all, you can get that here

Thank you all so much for the valuable info. Looking forward to reading up on them:)

Yoanella go to Lynn valley instead of Capilano. Free! And right beside it

Allison I have been twice to Capilano and will be back again whenever I go back to Vancouver for sure

Yoanella but Lynn canyon is free and just as nice.

Allison The Lynn Canyon bridge is free (and good) but there is no denying the Capilano Bridge is MUCH better. It's longer and higher and the treetops adventure is really, really good. Expensive and touristy to be sure, but impressive IMO.

The only resort areas near Abbotsford are Harrison Hot Springs (about an hour drive northeast) or Cultus Lake (about a 45-minute drive east). Abbotsford itself is farm country and a commuter suburb for Vancouver. Of the two, I'd choose Harrison.
I moved from Vancouver to Toronto 26 months ago. I wouldn't stay in Gastown. It's charming enough, but it backs onto the Downtown East Side, so you'll have to contend with the risk of property crime.

Geoff thanks for the feedback. Which area of Vancouver would you suggest staying in?

Kirsti I don't know what your budget is but look at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, or downtown somewhere

Kirsti If there is space at The Granville Island hotel that's a pretty nice area. You can take the passenger ferries across (and around) False Creek. There are also a number of options at Lonsdale Quay - From there you can take the Seabus across Burrard Inlet to Downtown. If you want to stay in downtown proper and your budget supports it, I'd aim for Coal Harbour / Waterfront: https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.2881201,-123.1218609,16.94z
GOOGLE.CA
Google Maps

Kirsti I agree. Don’t stay in Gastown. I’d stay in a hotel that fits your budget on Burrard Street.
Sutton Place is a reliable choice among others: https://www.suttonplace.com/vancouver
SUTTONPLACE.COM
The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver | Vancouver Hotels

Kirsti - its 'old school' and a bit of secret gem, but my favourite is the Sylvia Hotel in the West End. Directly on English Bay, next to Stanley Park, and a walk along the water to the little passenger ferry that travels over to Granville Island.

Kirsti I second the Sylvia. Great value.

Barry I keep hearing about The Sylvia. Thank you.

Kirsti The Sylvia is in a great location.

Kirsti The Sylvia is charming and in a great location, but you *must* set your expectations correctly. The rooms are old and quirky. The elevator is tiny. I love the place, but read some tripadvisor reviews to know what you're getting into.

Kirsti I stayed at the Sylvia last fall. Definitely oldschool, and not super quiet, either. But the beds were good and the food was excellent

Geoff sounds like anywhere I’ve ever stayed in Europe
. I’m debating between that and Sutton Place.

Kirsti Sylvia is in a nice location but is, as you say, very "European"
Sutton place is closer to the city center but is just a generic nice hotel. Vancouver's downtown core is much smaller than Toronto's, so it's only about a 25-minute walk between the two hotels.

Consider renting an airbnb in Yaletown for your stay in Vancouver. It is central to everything and 100% more pleasant than Gastown.

Daniel - Kirsti will need to proceed with care if she books an airbnb in Vancouver. The only airbnbs that are legal in Vancouver are scenarios where you are renting a room in someone's house or apartment - Where you are sharing their space. Something like an apartment in Yaletown is not legal and if she books it she mind find her booking cancelled out from under her days before she is due to arrive.

Geoff thanks for the heads up.

Geoff my intent is not to argue, rather offer official information, which is available on the city of Vancouver website. *Full homes*, not only rooms, are allowed to be used for short term rental, as long as they are licensed. The licence number is visible with the airbnb listings; so perhaps this is less of a risky endeavour for the travellers who go by official sources of information.

Don’t stay in gastown lots of homelessness around there. Definitely recommend harrison hot springs like someone said above or if you choose to stay in vancouver ; the west end closer to Stanley park to insure a safer day in vancouver
Riveria on Robson is a clean budget hotel in a great area.

Museum of Anthropology at and Grouse Mountain.

A small boutique hotel is the exchange hotel. Used to be the location of the stock exchange many years ago. Really well located. I second the museum of anthropology. The Fairmont hotels are great as is the Hotel Georgia, stayed there many years ago.

Walk-through gastown and sightsee but don’t stay there overnight!

Granville Island is wonderful

From March 18-26, the CARHA World Cup (adult recreational hockey's largest international tournament ) is being hosted by Richmond. Two thousand players, officials, and fans will be circulating around the Lower Mainland. Hotel occupancy will be impacted. If you enjoy hockey , plan on coming by one of Richmond's (location of YVR) arenas for a glimpse of amateur hockey's Holy Grail.

George Thanks. We will be there earlier.

When in Vancouver you must go to Grenville Island. It is a fest for the eyes and stomach.

Linda Definately plan to go there. Thanks.

Vancouver has a serious problem with drugs in Downtown East, and Gastown is right next to that neighbourhood.

Granville entertainment district over weekend.

The Seabus is a nice way to get a view of the Downtown.
Transit is pretty good in Vancouver - when I travelled there for work I would put $20 on a Compass card and go all over the place using bus of subway.

If you wan to be close to downtown, there are some nice hotels around Robson street (Hilton and delta are in the area)

Love Gastown !!!- we actually stayed at the sandman in Abbotsford for 1 night before leaving and it was nice & close to the airport ! As far as Vancouver - there’s SO much to do & Gastown is a great area to stay and check out ! We stayed at the sandman on Davies - great little area !