For my first visit to Vancouver, I chose a unique place to stay in the heart of downtown. The historic EXchange Hotel Vancouver is a luxe reinvention of the city’s Old Stock Exchange. This breathtaking British Columbia base camp pairs classic architectural features from the ‘20s with modern amenities and premium perks.
This trip was hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Pros:
- Convenient location in the heart of downtown Vancouver near popular attractions
- Beautiful, modern property with a rich history
- Spacious rooms and ample amenities
- Contactless mobile check-in is available when you download FLEXIPASS and enter your reservation information on the day of your visit
Cons:
- No pool
- Bathtubs only in select rooms
- Environmentally friendly geothermal heat exchange system can be finicky
SheBuysTravelTip: If you’re a chocolate lover, there’s a Lindt store attached to the hotel so you can get a sweet treat for dessert at the end of the night.
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Rooms at EXchange Hotel Vancouver
The hotel has several room types available including deluxe queen and deluxe king. I stayed on the Dividend floor (11th floor) and the room had one king bed and some more upscale amenities. including access to the lounge area which had light bites and wine.
Some of the in-room perks I had were:
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- Dyson Supersonic
- A B&O Beoplay HX headphones
- A Nespresso coffee machine
- Pillow menu
- Minifridge
The only downside was that the air conditioning shut off in the middle of the night which made it a little hot and stuffy.
The price points for the rooms at EXchange Hotel Vancouver vary based on room type and time of year with prices ranging from $269 to $589 CAD and a $100 security deposit. They offer packages though that include free breakfast and there are discounts available for AAA members and if you book two nights you can get the third free.
Amenities at EXchange Hotel Vancouver
The property has numerous amenities for guests to enjoy during their stay, including
- a 24/7 fitness center
- business center
- an on-site restaurant
- concierge services
- free wifi
- valet parking ($61 CAD per day)
I didn’t have a chance to use the gym; however, it has a decent amount of cardio and weight machines to get a quick pump in.
As for the business center, it is on the smaller side and you need to get a key from the front desk to access it. That said, if you’re visiting on business or are a digital nomad, then it can be helpful to get some work done or print out a few documents.
Food at EXchange Hotel Vancouver
I was blown away by the food at Exchange Hotel Vancouver at the on-site restaurant Hydra. If you’re a fan of Mediterranean cuisine, then you’ll want to stop by Hydra during your stay. On the menu, you’ll find classic dishes like spanakopita, saganoki, roasted chicken, moussaka and souvlaki to name a few. I highly recommend getting a few dishes and sharing them with the rest of your party so you get to try a bit of everything — it’s all delicious.
If you have a sweet tooth, then you’ll want to try the baklava with pistachio ice cream. It’s truly one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in my life.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Hydra also offers breakfast if you’re looking for something to help get your day started. It’s very convenient if you’re staying at the hotel and don’t want to venture out to find a place in the downtown district.
Things to Do Near EXchange Hotel Vancouver
The EXchange Hotel is in the heart of the downtown area which means there’s so much to do and see. For starters, you’ll want to head over to the Vancouver Lookout where you can go up to the observation deck where you’ll get 360-degree views of the city.
Afterwards, you’ll want to head to the Gastown steam clock to check it out in person. It does draw crowds since it’s one of the handful left in the world. If you’re more adventurous, then you could make a trip over to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island or the Vancouver Aquarium to check out some aquatic life in the area.
Getting to EXchange Hotel Vancouver
If you’re flying into the Vancouver airport, the hotel is only a 30-minute drive making it super convenient and an easy drive. You can either get a rental car or utilize rideshare to get to the hotel from the airport if you don’t have a ride in Canada.
SheBuysTravel Tip : Keep in mind that if you’re flying in from the US or outside of Canada, you’ll go through customs which can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, so you’ll want to plan that into your travel time.
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