FIFA World Cup matches begin at BC Place in mid-June, with Vancouver hosting seven fixtures across the group stage and knockout rounds, including a Round of 32 on July 2 and a Round of 16 on July 7. The city offers a wide range of accommodation options for visitors planning their stays. Smithe House, the boutique aparthotel at 225 Smithe Street, is worth a close look for anyone planning to settle in for a few days rather than just overnight between matches.
The location is a major draw. BC Place sits a few minutes’ walk from the building, with Robson Street shopping roughly the same distance the other way. The SkyTrain to Vancouver International Airport is just as close, and the seawall is around the corner. For a tournament expected to draw heavy traffic into downtown over a four-week stretch, this walkability is a big advantage.
Smithe House runs on the aparthotel model, with full apartments rather than hotel rooms, spread across 37 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom and family layouts. Each comes with a proper kitchen built around full-sized appliances rather than the in-room espresso-and-minibar arrangement, stocked with Pallet Coffee beans and Fable dishware from local Certified B Corp. Kitchen, bath, and body amenities are produced in collaboration with Vancouver maker TALLU & Co., which puts the property well clear of the standard plastic-sachet hotel toiletry. Tea comes from the Vancouver brand Tealeaves.
With downtown restaurants likely to be booked for the duration of the tournament, the option to cook is a real perk. A dining table and a living room also mean a group of friends has somewhere to gather that isn’t the edge of a bed.
The interiors are designed for longer stays rather than overnight stops. Polished wood floors, full-height windows and sound-insulated glass that keeps street noise out. Bedrooms feature pillowtop beds and blackout curtains. Each unit has high-speed Wi-Fi and at least two smart TVs. A small fitness centre is on-site for guests who want to maintain their workout routines during the tournament. The property is also pet-friendly with an additional $50 nightly fee.
Smithe House has no front desk. After booking, guests receive a link to an online guest portal that includes apartment details and a Vancouver neighbourhood guide. The door code appears in the portal 24 hours before arrival. Day-to-day requests are routed to the host team via text message, and guest reviews consistently highlight response times.
Two amenities deserve specific mention. Secure underground parking, available at $30 per night, is genuinely scarce in the stadium district. In-suite laundry is also standard across the units, which matters for any stay running longer than a weekend.
Vancouver-based Kalido Hospitality Group, the company behind Smithe House, runs two sister properties under the Kalido House Hotels brand. Keefer House opened in Chinatown in 2025 with studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and terrace apartments. Select units include private balconies, and a rooftop apartment opens onto a shared terrace with city views.
Block House arrived this past March in Gastown at 211 Columbia Street, tucked inside the restored 1893 Commercial Block, designed by architect William Blackmore and once home to one of Vancouver’s earliest elevators. Nineteen loft-style suites carry exposed brick and timber beams above original hardwood floors, with mid-century furnishings layered in. Some include full kitchens, others kitchenettes. Both properties are worth a look for a stay in Vancouver. But for a World Cup utility, Smithe House is the standout. Nothing else in the group sits this close to the pitch.
IF YOU GO
Smithe House is at 225 Smithe Street, Vancouver. Sister properties Keefer House (Chinatown) and Block House (Gastown) are bookable through kalidohotels.com. Rates vary by unit type and season. —Mark Sissons
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May 12th, 2026 at 7:30 pm
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May 13th, 2026 at 6:19 am
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May 14th, 2026 at 12:51 am
The pet-friendly policy is so thoughtful—bringing a dog to stay is convenient, plus there’s underground parking. Parking in downtown during the World Cup is a nightmare, this place solves a huge problem!