Westin Bayshore Vancouver Review: Harbor Views, Breakfast Highlights, and What to Expect from a Stay
We recently spent five nights at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, using Marriott Bonvoy points — and it turned out to be an excellent base for exploring the city. Located right on the waterfront near Stanley Park and Coal Harbor, this Westin blends city convenience with resort-style relaxation.
We actually started this trip by flying to Vancouver in Air Canada Business Class on points (you can read my full review here). It was the perfect way to kick off a trip where our biggest expenses were entirely covered by points and miles, from the flight to the hotel stay.
Here’s everything you should know before booking, from room details and breakfast options to tips on parking, views, and the best time to visit.
Location & Getting There
The Westin Bayshore is located at 1601 Bayshore Drive, right between Stanley Park and Coal Harbour. It’s one of the best-located hotels in Vancouver if you love being outdoors — you can walk straight onto the Seawall, rent bikes nearby, or walk to Downtown Vancouver in about 15 minutes.
The neighborhood offers marina views, coffee shops, and restaurants just steps away.
Getting there:
- From Vancouver International Airport (YVR): It’s about a 25–30 minute drive (roughly 9 miles).
- By Uber or Lyft: Expect to pay $35–$45 CAD, depending on traffic.
- By SkyTrain: You can take the Canada Line from YVR to Waterfront Station, then a quick 10-minute taxi or Uber to the hotel.
- Car rental: Not essential if you’re staying mostly in Vancouver — the hotel’s location makes it easy to get around on foot or by rideshare. But if you plan to explore places like Whistler or the Sea-to-Sky Highway, you can easily rent a car from downtown for a day or two. We opted to rent a car because we like to explore beyond our immediate vicinity.
First Impressions
We arrived around 7:30 p.m. on a Saturday, and the hotel was incredibly busy. When we asked at the check-in desk, they mentioned they were hosting a conference, so we assumed the conference guests caused the business. However, the staff mentioned they’re “always busy,” which seems fitting given the property’s size and waterfront location.
We were placed in one of the Tower rooms, upgraded to a Harbor and Mountain View — not requested, but granted thanks to our Marriott Platinum status. Watching the seaplanes land in front of the North Shore Mountains was a highlight of our mornings.
On Sunday, we were walking through the hotel and saw large groups of people near posters that said SPN – we were trying to figure out what organization or company SPN referred to. A hotel staff member saw us looking and asked if we were wondering what SPN is. When we said yes, he told us it was the Supernatural convention for the tv show, because it had been filmed in Vancouver. That made more sense as we’d noticed people taking pictures with a car outside – which we had thought was just a hotel feature but apparently was a car from the show.
They also had the fanciest display we’ve seen for guests to take pictures in. Typically it’s an Adirondack chair that says Marriott, the name of the hotel, or maybe is painted like something in the location. Safe to say this elaborate hot air balloon got a lot of attention from guests – that’s what Marriott wants though, right? Free advertising when people share these photos on social media.
The Room
Our room was clean and comfortable. The room was nicely sized and offered plenty of space for our family of 3.
The balcony was incredibly small — more for fresh air than lounging — but the harbor view more than made up for it. We did notice a few quirks: there was no outlet on one side of the bed, and the glass side table tops weren’t attached, which could be a hazard if you’re traveling with kids or adults. P2 rested his hand on it and had it start to slide.
Still, the room was a nice place to relax after long days exploring Vancouver. While the room was nice, the bathroom had one of those half shower doors, so water spilled out onto the floor despite our best efforts. It was a nice touch though that they provided umbrellas to all guests in the bathroom to account for Vancouver’s rainy weather.
Breakfast at the Westin Bayshore
Breakfast is served at H2 Kitchen + Bar, and it quickly became one of our favorite parts of the stay. Every morning, the staff was incredibly attentive — checking in constantly, refilling coffee before you had to ask, and making sure everything was just right. They were also incredibly engaging with our toddler, which is always nice to see as a parent.
As Marriott Bonvoy Platinum elite members, we were given the choice between 1,000 points or a daily breakfast credit when we checked into the hotel. We chose breakfast, which came as a $32 per person credit that could be used toward the à la carte menu or the full buffet (for an extra $9 per person). I don’t know about you, but breakfast for the whole family for 5 days seems to be worth a lot more than 1,000 points.
The buffet offered a mix of Western and Asian dishes:
- Congee with fried garlic, onion, roasted peanuts, and chili crisp as optional toppings
- Hong Kong–style soy sauce noodles with grilled zucchini and mushrooms
- Maple-glazed bacon Benedict
- Pancakes, waffles, sausage, and bacon
- Oatmeal with toppings, pastries, and smoothies (mixed berry or green kale)
The omelet station was available only on weekends, much to my chagrin (I love an omelet station). On weekdays, omelets could be ordered from the menu, but the kitchen didn’t allow substitutions or modifications, which felt a little inflexible. I opted for the buffet some days but then ordered avocado toast off the menu the others. My credit covered that order.
Amenities and Atmosphere
The Westin Bayshore has a lot of amenities for its guests. It has both an indoor and outdoor pool, a large fitness center, and a full-service spa. The outdoor pool area, surrounded by trees and lounge chairs, offers several saunas and fire pits for guests to utilize.
There was also a Peloton studio, hair salon, and coffee shop on the first floor of the hotel.
We also noticed the hotel hosting an event for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a touch that reflects the history of the community.
Parking at the Westin Bayshore
Parking was easy. Self-park is available across the street in a public garage. There was always plenty of space, but make sure not to park in a reserved spot. Valet parking is also an option at the hotel, but we found self-parking convenient and reasonably priced. Plus, we prefer to not have to wait for our car to be brought around.
Self-park was around $45 and valet parking would have cost $55.
How Much Does It Cost to Stay at the Westin Bayshore Vancouver?
Cash rates at the Westin Bayshore vary based on season:
- Peak season (May–September): $250–$500+ per night
- Off-peak (October–April): often under $250 per night
Award stays at the Westin Bayshore typically run 50,000–70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, with the 5th night free for longer stays, which we took advantage of. For our five night stay in late September – early October, we spent 252,000 Bonvoy points. The cost per night would have been about $415, so saving $2,075 was worth it for us to use our points on this stay.
Redeeming points here felt like excellent value given the location, amenities, and views and over $400 a night just isn’t an amount we’re comfortable paying.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Vancouver?
The best time to visit Vancouver is late spring through early fall (May–October). You’ll get mild weather, long days, and easy access to outdoor activities — perfect for biking the Seawall or relaxing by the pool.
For our visit in late September, temperatures were in the high 50s and the weather was overcast most days. A bit too cold for us to lay by the pool, but plenty nice for us to enjoy all Vancouver has to offer. Rain was a limiting factor only on one day, but bring a rain jacket, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
If you visit in the off-season (November–April), you’ll enjoy smaller crowds and better rates. The weather can be cool and rainy, but Vancouver is great year-round destination.
Final Thoughts
The Westin Bayshore Vancouver strikes a great balance — resort feel, city access, and beautiful scenery all in one. It can get busy, especially on weekends or during conferences, but the staff manages it well and keeps the experience warm and personal. From the attentive breakfast team to the harbor-view rooms, it’s a property we’d happily return to.
Fast Facts:
- Location: 1601 Bayshore Dr, Vancouver, BC (near Stanley Park & Coal Harbour)
- Brand: Marriott Bonvoy (Westin)
- Check-in: 4 PM | Check-out: 12 PM
- Parking: Public garage across the street, always available
- Points Range: 50K–70K per night (5th night free)
- Elite Welcome Gift: $32 per person per day or 1,000 points for Marriott Bonvoy elite members
- Best Rooms: Harbor or Mountain View
- Closest Airport: Vancouver International (YVR), ~25 minutes away