Review: Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites

I stayed at the Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites while attending a function in downtown Vancouver over a weekend. I chose this property primarily because of its close proximity to Waterfront Station, where the event took place.

If you are looking for an ideally located property with a comfortably appointed room and a solid breakfast in the morning, the Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites checks all the right boxes. Here is what you can expect during a stay at this hotel.

Booking

I booked my stay at the Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites using a travel industry rate for a two-night stay. Standard nightly rates can fluctuate greatly depending on the season and whether any large concerts or sporting events are taking place in the city that evening. During the quieter winter months, rates can fall to around $250 per night.

However, prices can rise sharply in the busy summer months, particularly during peak cruise season. At that time, it’s difficult to find nights below $500, and rates in June and July can climb to more than $1,000 per night.

During these busier periods, redeeming points can offer solid value. Most nights priced at over $1,000 have redemptions available for under 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, which represents a value above one cent per point. If you visit during the low season, you may even be able to use a 35,000-point Free Night Award with only a small top up, making this a great property for redeeming a free night.

Check-in

The main entrance of the hotel is located on West Hastings Street, and those who are arriving by car can access the valet entrance at the rear of the property via Seymour Street.

The lobby has the feel of a communal workspace, which makes sense given the hotel’s strong appeal to both business and leisure travelers. The space includes plenty of comfortable seating areas, along with several long tables equipped with charging outlets.

The hotel underwent a renovation in 2017 and has held up exceptionally well since. The public spaces are in excellent condition and create an inviting atmosphere, whether you’re looking to make use of the flexible workspaces or relax.

I arrived in the early evening when there was no wait at check-in, and a friendly agent assisted me right away. He acknowledged my Titanium Elite status and confirmed that I had been upgraded to a City View Room. While this is a fairly minor upgrade, essentially just a higher floor, it was appreciated nonetheless.

Additionally, because of my Titanium Elite status I had the choice of a complimentary breakfast or 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a welcome amenity. As usual, I selected the breakfast option.

Finally, the check-in agent handed me a welcome treat consisting of a chocolate chip cookie and a dissolvable electrolyte drink mix to enjoy in my room.

One notable amenity worth mentioning is that the hotel has plenty of umbrellas available for guest use in case you don’t have your own. This is an essential item when visiting Vancouver in the winter and spring months.

Location

Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites is located in downtown Vancouver on West Hastings Street, within the city’s central business district. The hotel is in a convenient location between several of the city’s most popular areas, including historic Gastown and the waterfront district.

Within walking distance is the cruise terminal at Canada Place, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and shopping along Granville Street. Waterfront Station is only a short walk away and provides access to the Expo Line and Canada Line SkyTrain lines, making it easy to get around the city.

Taking the train from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is easy and should take less than 30 minutes and no more than a 5-minute walk from Waterfront station to the hotel. Overall, this is a great location, especially for cruise goers looking for a convenient homebase pre- or post-cruise.

While I would consider this hotel to be in a great location, I do feel it deserves mentioning that its location is right on the fringes of some of the more unpleasant areas of downtown Vancouver. About six blocks east of the hotel along Hastings Street is ground zero of the opioid crisis in British Columbia. Some of the effects of this situation can spill over into nearby areas around the Delta Suites Vancouver, particularly in the form of property crime. However, I would not describe the area as unsafe, though I would recommend being diligent and mindful of your surroundings.

Parking

Underground parking is available and accessible from the alleyway at the back of the building at a cost of $52 per day.

Room – 1 King Suite City View

I was assigned a suite on the 23rd floor.

As an all-suite property, every guest room at Delta Vancouver Downtown Suites features a separate living area and bedroom.

However, the entry-level suites are a generous interpretation of the term, given the very compact dimensions of the room. Though the added separation may still be useful, especially when traveling with the family.

Immediately upon stepping inside the suite is a small foyer that faces directly into the main living area of the suite. 

Adjacent to the entrance door is a wall-mounted coffee station that included a kettle, ice bucket, and a couple of complimentary bottles of water.

The living room sofa converts into a bed, allowing the room to accommodate up to four guests.

A flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall between the living room and bedroom, with a small workspace and office chair positioned beneath it. A mini refrigerator was tucked under the desk.

Very little separates the living room from the bedroom, as the divider is only a partial wall with no way to close off either room. When I think of a suite, I expect two distinct rooms with a door or sliding panels that can completely separate each room, though I understand that given the compact layout some tradeoffs were necessary. 

Similar to the living room, the bedroom is fairly compact, with the king-sized bed occupying most of the space.

The shelving unit behind the bed had plenty of outlets for charging devices.

Across from the bed was a small storage unit, an ideal place for a suitcase, and above was another wall-mounted flatscreen TV.

Both the living room and bedroom featured large, almost floor to ceiling windows that let in lots of natural light. Both windows could open, allowing fresh air in, which is rare in a high-rise building.

The views weren’t anything spectacular, mostly just of the surrounding buildings, though from my room you could see the peaks of the North Shore mountains.

A small closet area next to the bathroom offered space to hang a few items and contained an extra set of bedsheets, an iron with an ironing board, and a safe.

The bathroom was basic but adequate and contained a single vanity, toilet, and a walk-in shower.

Not a lot of counter space around the vanity, but I liked the updated look and use of the LED lighting built into the mirror.

The shower was thoughtfully designed, and I loved how impeccably clean the entire bathroom was.

The provided bath essentials were mounted on the wall in pump bottles.

Overall, the room met my needs perfectly. Since I was traveling alone, the compact size wasn’t an issue, and it would comfortably accommodate two people. While a family could stay in one of these rooms, it might feel quite tight. Otherwise, these suites are ideal for business travelers or couples seeking a comfortable stay.

Restaurants

Stock & Supply is the only restaurant on the property, open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Stock & Supply – Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Complimentary Breakfast

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members and higher who select the breakfast benefit at check-in receive a daily complimentary breakfast that includes one breakfast entree plus coffee, tea, and juice. I really appreciated that the hotel covered the entire cost, so I didn’t have to deal with a breakfast credit, service charges, or exclusions. Receiving a free hot breakfast without any upcharges or hidden conditions has become all too uncommon in North America.

The breakfast itself was excellent. Dishes arrived promptly, were well prepared, tasted fresh, and clearly reflected the care of the kitchen staff.

Below is the breakfast menu, and you can view the lunch and dinner menu on the Stock & Supply website. 

I ordered the barbacoa brisket bowl, which ended up being fantastic. The eggs were poached perfectly and the rest of the ingredients were fresh and plentiful.

Facilities

Fitness Center

The fitness center at Delta Vancouver Downtown Suites is modest but has most of the essentials for a solid workout. It offers a reasonable range of free weights, a multifunction machine, and a handful of treadmills.

The space is fairly compact, and with a limited number of benches and machines, it can get crowded during peak hours like early mornings. This can result in short waits for equipment, which is unavoidable but understandable given the size of the facility.

Conclusion

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Delta Vancouver Downtown Suites. Its location is ideal for anyone attending events in the city, and its convenient proximity to transit, the convention center, and cruise ship terminal are tough to beat. 

As long as you don’t venture too far east along Hastings Street you’ll stay out of trouble, and I would have no hesitation staying at this property again or recommending it to others.