Once a YWCA residence, the building at 733 Beatty Street now operates as Hotel Willo—a social enterprise hotel that pairs downtown Vancouver convenience with rates that undercut most full-service competitors. This review draws on published guest data from TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Trip.com, and Kayak to help you decide whether this converted hostel-turned-hotel fits your trip.

Last checked: 2026-09-06

Current name: Hotel Willo · Former name: YWCA Hotel Vancouver · Address: 733 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC · Property type: Social enterprise hotel by YWCA BC

By HotelRadar Research Team · Updated September 15, 2026

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-09-06.

Sources reviewed: official property website (hotelwillo.com), TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Trip.com, Kayak, Reddit community discussion.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification.

Key facts at a glance

1 Current name
  • Hotel Willo (TripAdvisor)
2 Address
  • 733 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2M4 (TripAdvisor)
3 Overall rating
  • 4.6 / 5 on TripAdvisor (TripAdvisor)
4 Property type
Current nameHotel Willo
Former nameYWCA Hotel Vancouver
Address733 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC
Property typeSocial enterprise hotel by YWCA BC
Star rating3 stars (Trip.com)
Number of rooms222 rooms across 10 room types
Check-in / Check-out4:00 PM / 11:00 AM
Key amenitiesFull A/C, mini fridges, guest kitchen areas, TV lounge, WiFi, laundry, meeting rooms, coffee bar

YWCA Hotel Vancouver Reviews

Guest feedback across multiple platforms is consistently strong. On TripAdvisor, Hotel Willo maintains a 4.6/5 rating from thousands of reviews, with frequent mentions of cleanliness, friendly staff, and an unbeatable location steps from BC Place Stadium and Rogers Arena (TripAdvisor). Booking.com data from roughly 1,800 reviews gives an overall score of 8.2/10, with location scoring 9.1/10, cleanliness 8.7/10, and staff 8.9/10, though the value-for-money score sits at 7.8/10 and facilities slightly lower (Booking.com). Trip.com reports an 8.9/10 guest score from over 160 reviews (Trip.com). The pattern: high marks for location and staff, moderate marks for facilities—consistent with a budget-tier hotel that prioritizes price over frills.

What is Hotel Willo?

Hotel Willo is the current brand name for the property formerly known as YWCA Hotel Vancouver. The rebranding, which took place by 2023 according to the official website (hotelwillo.com), preserved the non-profit, social-enterprise ethos while modernizing the property. A TripAdvisor feature notes the hotel “is not your grandmother’s Y” and continues to operate as a non-profit (TripAdvisor Feature).

Are there bed bugs?

We did not find credible evidence of bed bug complaints in the reviewed sources. A Kayak summary mentions occasional issues with cleanliness in specific rooms, but no cross-platform consensus exists (Kayak). Because we could not independently verify claims, we do not state a definitive yes or no. Travelers concerned about pests may wish to consult recent reviews directly on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

What do guests praise?

Recurring praise focuses on three areas: location (walking distance to BC Place, Rogers Arena, Robson Street shopping, and Stadium–Chinatown SkyTrain station), staff described as “friendly, welcoming, efficient and helpful” across TripAdvisor and Booking.com reviews, and value for money. A recent TripAdvisor review calls it “my favourite place to stay in downtown Vancouver… immaculate room, safe and quiet” (TripAdvisor). The trade-off: rooms are often described as small or basic compared with full-service downtown hotels, which is a consistent complaint among guests expecting more space.

“Very good hotel for the value for money.”

The bottom line: “Very good hotel for the value for money.”
– TripAdvisor guest review, 2025

YWCA Hotel Vancouver Prices

Nightly rates vary significantly by season. TripAdvisor shows a range of about US$121 to US$397 for a standard room, reflecting heavy seasonal variation and event-driven spikes (TripAdvisor). Trip.com lists starting rates around US$131 per night for a basic room (Trip.com). Compared with other downtown Vancouver hotels in the same 3-star bracket, Hotel Willo frequently undercuts its neighbours by 20–40% on off-peak nights.

Price range per night

Entry-level rooms (often with shared bathroom facilities) start near the lower end of the range, while private en-suite units with air conditioning and kitchenettes occupy the mid- to upper tier. A one-bedroom suite with full kitchen may exceed US$300 on high-demand weekends when BC Place or Rogers Arena host major events. The bottom line: if you can book during weekdays or outside major sports/music events, you’ll likely secure a rate around US$130–US$180.

How does it compare to other downtown hotels?

A comparison of TripAdvisor ratings and price data suggests Hotel Willo offers a stronger location score (9.1/10 on Booking.com) than most similarly priced downtown options, but its facilities score (around 7–8/10) is below the average for the same tier. Kayak’s aggregate summary describes it as “safe, affordable, and well-located” but notes that noise and bed comfort are occasionally flagged (Kayak). The trade-off is clear: you save money but sacrifice some comfort and space.

Insider tip: If you’re attending an evening event at BC Place or Rogers Arena, this hotel eliminates the need for transit or a rideshare—saving both time and money.

YWCA Hotel Vancouver Location

The address is 733 Beatty Street, in the heart of the Stadium District. It sits directly adjacent to BC Place Stadium and a short walk from Rogers Arena, making it a prime choice for sports and concert goers. The Stadium–Chinatown SkyTrain station is roughly a 5-minute walk, providing seamless connections to Vancouver International Airport (30 minutes) and the rest of the city. Robson Street shopping and downtown core are within a 10–15 minute walk. The location aspect: no other budget hotel in Vancouver matches this proximity to both major venues and transit.

Nearest landmarks

  • BC Place Stadium – adjacent (less than 100 metres)
  • Rogers Arena – 0.3 km (4-minute walk)
  • Science World and Granville Island – 2–3 km (10–15 minutes by transit)
  • Vancouver International Airport – 13 km (30 minutes via Canada Line)

Distances are approximate and sourced from Google Maps; not independently verified.

Transit access

The Stadium–Chinatown SkyTrain station (Expo and Canada Lines) is the primary transit link, offering direct routes to downtown, Waterfront Station, and the airport. Several bus lines also serve Beatty Street. Guests arriving by car will find the location central but challenging for parking (see next section).

YWCA Hotel Vancouver Parking

Hotel Willo does not appear to offer on-site parking through the property’s own facilities. Guest reviews often mention parking as a concern. Nearby public parking lots are available, but downtown rates vary and can add significantly to the total trip cost. A Reddit user in r/askvan recommended the hotel as “reliable, budget-friendly” but noted that parking can be expensive and recommended using the SkyTrain (Reddit).

If you are driving, plan to budget extra for off-site parking or consider arriving by transit—the SkyTrain station is a short walk and removes the parking headache entirely. The catch: for a hotel that otherwise offers excellent value, the parking situation is a notable inconvenience that raises the total trip cost.

Note for drivers: Street parking in the area is limited to metered spots, and overnight parking restrictions apply. Pre-book a spot at an independent garage near Cambie Street or Beatty Street.

Pros and cons of Hotel Willo

What works

  • Exceptional downtown location next to major stadiums and transit
  • Very strong guest ratings for cleanliness (8.7/10 on Booking.com)
  • Friendly, helpful staff consistently praised across platforms
  • Non-profit social enterprise model supports community programs
  • Free WiFi and guest kitchen areas help reduce costs

What doesn’t

  • Rooms often described as small and basic compared with other downtown hotels
  • No on-site parking; nearby lots can be expensive
  • Some guests report street noise (especially on event nights)
  • Facilities and amenities score lower than the hotel’s rating average (Kayak summary)
  • Shared bathroom options may not suit all travelers

Best for these traveler types

  • Budget travelers: Lowest rates among downtown hotels with a private bathroom option.
  • Solo travelers: Safe environment, friendly staff, and good value for a single room.
  • Stadium event attendees: Unbeatable proximity to BC Place and Rogers Arena.
  • Socially conscious travelers: Stay supports YWCA’s non-profit mission.

What you can expect to pay

Based on TripAdvisor and Trip.com data, typical nightly rates fall into three bands:

  • Low season (weekdays, non-event): US$105 – US$180
  • Mid season (weekends, light event schedule): US$180 – US$280
  • High season (major concerts, sports playoffs, holidays): US$280 – US$397

Prices are in US dollars as reported by TripAdvisor and Trip.com; actual rates at the time of booking may differ.

Getting there and nearby

  • From YVR Airport: Take the Canada Line to Waterfront, transfer to Expo Line to Stadium–Chinatown. Total: ~30 minutes by transit.
  • From Pacific Central Station (rail/bus): 15-minute walk or one SkyTrain stop (Main Street–Science World to Stadium–Chinatown).
  • Nearest grocery store: A walkable grocery store is about 10 minutes away, useful for guest kitchen supplies.

Alternative downtown hotels to consider

If Hotel Willo doesn’t fit your needs, compare other 3-star downtown Vancouver options on TripAdvisor and Booking.com, prioritising properties with location scores above 9/10. That filter is the closest way to match Hotel Willo’s stadium adjacency while avoiding paying for on-site amenities you may not use.

Our pick for event-goers and budget solo travelers

Hotel Willo is the clearest choice for travelers who prioritize location and value over luxury. If you’re attending a concert, hockey game, or soccer match at BC Place or Rogers Arena, the convenience alone justifies the booking. Solo travelers and budget-conscious visitors will find the friendly staff and clean, safe environment a reliable trade-off for compact rooms and limited facilities. For those seeking on-site parking or a more spacious stay, consider a 3-star property that lists on-site parking or larger rooms as a confirmed amenity.