Vancouver's Walkable Harborfront Neighborhood Has Great Food, High-End Hotels, And Shopping

Vancouver, Canada, is one of North America's most livable cities, with a mix of city amenities and natural beauty. But you don't have to move there to enjoy this British Columbia city; Vancouver's a great destination for a solo trip or getaway with friends. And if you stay in Coal Harbour, you have easy access to many of the city's great sights and some fantastic hotels to choose from, along with tasty food and fun shops.

The neighborhood gets its name from the discovery of coal here in the 1850s, and it's become a trendy, bustling waterfront district that's easy to walk around. It's right along the Burrard Inlet in Downtown Vancouver, and if you've visited Vancouver on a cruise, you've seen this neighborhood even if you didn't know its name; it's right next to Canada Place, Vancouver's cruise ship dock. The neighborhood is also home to the Jack Poole Plaza, which has the Olympic Cauldron from the 2010 Winter Games, as well as the "Digital Orca," a giant sculpture that looks like a pixelated killer whale. Plus, the plaza's the site of the annual Vancouver Christmas Market, a beloved festival that's modeled after German Christmas markets with booths selling treats like mulled wine and all kinds of handicrafts.

Coal Harbour is just about 20 minutes on foot to the artsy, historic Gastown district in one direction. It's about the same distance the other direction to Stanley Park. Take a moment to stop and watch the boats and float planes from Harbour Green Park as you walk; this small waterfront park brings some green to the neighborhood full of skyscrapers. And it's about a 37-minute direct train ride from Vancouver International Airport, one of North America's best airports, so it's easy to start exploring right away once you fly in.

If you're going to be staying in the Coal Harbour neighborhood in Vancouver, you're spoiled for choice, especially when it comes to luxury. One award-winning option is the Fairmont Pacific Rim, which was built in 2010 for the Winter Olympics. To help you indulge and recharge on your Vancouver vacay, this glass skyscraper has a high-end spa and a heated rooftop pool. The 367 guest rooms have city or water views, and they've got all the modern elegance and comforts that you expect from a Fairmont, like luxe linens and large marble bathrooms with Le Labo products.

The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver is right in the Marina, near G dock, and with its literal waterfront location, many of the rooms have fantastic views out to the North Shore Mountains on the other side of Burrard Inlet. For wellness, it has a spa, a gym with Peloton bikes, and both an indoor and outdoor pool.

For something a bit more boutique, the Loden Hotel has 77 rooms, and it has earned one "key" from Michelin, denoting it as "a very special stay." The guide noted that the rooms at this sophisticated spot "are available in five levels of understated fabulousness." Many of them have deep soaking tubs, and when you combine that with the Molton Brown bath products, it's the perfect way to relax.

For luxury shopping, Alberni Street near the southern end of Vancouver's Coal Harbour neighborhood has just about everything you might want, with shops like Prada, Hermès, and Burberry. Robson Street is another popular shopping spot in Downtown Vancouver, and it's just a block or so southwest from Coal Harbour itself. You'll also find boutique shops in the neighborhood. If you want a permanent souvenir from your trip, Leah Alexandra Jewelry, which is based in Vancouver, specializes in permanent jewelry that is welded on. And at Motrati, you can shop for elegant, European-inspired designs for women.

When it comes to dining in the Coal Harbour neighborhood, some of its hotels have the best options. At Fairmont Pacific Rim, there's Botanist, which is all about celebrating local flavors. At the craft cocktail bar, you can get particularly unique drinks, like the Marine Martini, which contains kombu and sea asparagus. And at the restaurant, the seasonal menu features dishes like wagyu beef carpaccio and black pepper-crusted salmon. The Loden Hotel has Tableau Bar Bistro, which serves French cuisine. A popular spot for seafood is Cardero's Restaurant & Marine Pub. It's right on the water, and you can get freshly shucked oysters, black tiger prawns, Dungeness crab, and more.

If you find yourself in need of a caffeine boost as you explore the neighborhood, Harbour Cafe is a good choice for specialty coffee; you can also get breakfast and lunch there. And for those with a sweet tooth, Breka is a Vancouver bakery chain known for being open 24/7 and offering all kinds of tasty scones, donuts, and breads.