Overview
1169 Granville St is a residence offering one‑bedroom apartments in Vancouver’s downtown core. Located at the corner of Granville and Helmcken, it sits within walking distance of Gastown, Granville Island, and the Yaletown SkyTrain station. The property is listed on amberstudent with a monthly rent range of CAD 1,450–1,500 for a private apartment, and allows dual occupancy (two people sharing the same unit). Minimum lease is 3 months. The building provides in‑unit Wi‑Fi and laundry facilities. On Google, the property has a 4.0 rating based on 2,184 reviews.
This review is written for prospective tenants – particularly students and young professionals – looking at accommodation in Vancouver for 2026 or 2027. All prices cited are indicative and must be confirmed with the operator.
Who This Residence Suits
Downtown‑focused residents. The address is a short walk from Granville Street’s nightlife, Robson Street shopping, and the Seawall. Public transit is nearby – Yaletown–Roundhouse SkyTrain station is about 800 m away, connecting to Waterfront and the rest of the metro area. For someone who wants to be in the centre of Vancouver’s activity, the location is a clear advantage.
Travelers or students on short stays. Minimum lease is three months, shorter than many purpose‑built student housing leases that require 8–12 months. If you only need a place for one semester or a summer internship, this flexibility works.
Couples or flatmates sharing. Dual occupancy is allowed with no extra fee mentioned. Sharing the rent brings the per‑person cost to about CAD 725–750 per month – significantly lower than the city’s from‑price of CAD 500 (which typically refers to a private room in shared accommodation). If you are two people who want a private apartment but not a full two‑bedroom, this is a budget‑efficient option.
Those who prioritise modern furnishings and a comfortable room. Guest reviews consistently note that rooms are large, beds are comfortable, and furniture is modern. One reviewer, Sarah Hayes, gave 5 stars and wrote: “Our room was large and the bed was comfy, and w” – the full review was cut off, but the positive tone is clear. Another guest, Trenton Nebel (4 stars), said “the rooms are nice” and praised the lobby’s chandeliers.
Non‑car owners. Parking is available but costs CAD 45 / 24 h, as noted in ALFRED CARV’s 4‑star review. If you do not need a car, that expense disappears. The surrounding area is walkable and well‑served by transit.
Who It Doesn’t Suit

Budget maximisers. At CAD 1,450 – 1,500 per month, this property costs about three times the city’s from‑price of CAD 500. The from‑price likely reflects shared dormitory‑style rooms or basement studios far from the centre. If your absolute ceiling is close to CAD 500, this is not the right choice unless you split the rent with someone.
Long‑term, low‑cost housing seekers. With a minimum lease of only three months, you may need to renew or find alternative arrangements after that time. The price is also higher than many year‑lease apartments in surrounding neighbourhoods such as Burnaby or Richmond – though those would require a longer commute.
Those expecting free breakfast. Two reviews mention that breakfast is an extra charge – CAD 22 for standard and CAD 26 for the full hot buffet. The property appears to operate partly as a hotel, and the daily rate can exceed what a typical student residence would include. If you rely on included meals, look elsewhere.
Families or group of more than two. The available unit type is a one‑bedroom apartment. There are no two‑bedroom or larger units listed. Up to two people can stay comfortably, but a family of three or more would be cramped.
What Residents Actually Say
Three Google reviews are available in the dataset. Here are key excerpts – note that some reviews are cut short in the source.
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Sarah Hayes (5 stars): “We stayed here for three nights before our cruise and really enjoyed our stay. The location is perfect, within walking distance from Gastown, Granville Island, the Yaletown SkyTrain stop, and the cruise terminal (there’s even a good poutine place right around the corner). Our room was large and the bed was comfy, and w” – The review emphasises location and room comfort.
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Trenton Nebel (4 stars): “It was a good hotel! The lobby is very pretty with chandeliers hanging from above the staircases. And the rooms are nice! The breakfast is not free ($22 for standard breakfast and $26 dollars for full hot buffet breakfast) which as an American is unusual for me. I definitely recommend getting the full hot buffet breakf” – He appreciates the aesthetics but notes the paid breakfast as a surprise.
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ALFRED CARV (4 stars): “*The building and the location is the strength point, really close to the downtown attractions and not too old like the average hotels. Small balcony to enjoy the city view we were in the 633 room. Parking $45 / 24 H not included. The bed and furnitures modern and nice. Amenities good and enough for the rate. The bads: *” – He highlights location, balcony, modern furniture, and parking cost as a notable expense.
All three reviewers gave 4 or 5 stars, suggesting overall satisfaction. The common positives are location, room condition, and modern feel. The negatives are extra costs for breakfast and parking.
Price Positioning vs. Vancouver’s From‑Price
The platform’s city from‑price for Vancouver is CAD 500 per month. That figure typically covers a bed in a shared room (e.g., dormitory‑style in a hostel or a room in a shared house with multiple roommates). At 1169 Granville St, the one‑bedroom apartment starts at CAD 1,450 – roughly 2.9 times the minimum. However, this is a private apartment with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living area. For comparison, many private studios in downtown Vancouver start around CAD 1,600–2,000. At CAD 1,450–1,500, this property is slightly below the median for a one‑bedroom in the city centre.
But note: the city from‑price of CAD 500 may also include units listed on other platforms or in peripheral suburbs. If you are looking strictly within downtown Vancouver, the from‑price could be higher. The actual range for 1169 Granville St is competitive for a fully equipped apartment in this location.
All prices are indicative – confirm with the operator.
Room‑Type Guidance
The only unit type listed is “1b apartment” – a one‑bedroom apartment. Data from the source does not specify square footage or floor plan details. Based on the reviews, units appear to have a balcony (some rooms, like 633) and modern furniture. The apartment is self‑contained with a private bathroom and kitchen (implied by the hotel‑style but likely kitchenette or full kitchen). The tags indicate Wi‑Fi and laundry facilities are included – likely in‑unit or building‑shared.
If you are a single person, the space is generous. If you share with another person, you will have one bedroom and a living area. No separate living‑room‑cum‑bedroom layout is mentioned. For two people, ensure you are comfortable sharing a single bedroom.
No other unit types (studio, two‑bed, etc.) are available on this listing. If you need more space, you will need to look at other properties.
Booking Timing
The property has no specified “available from” date in the dataset. In general, for Vancouver’s downtown market, it is wise to book at least 2–4 months in advance for a September move‑in (peak student season). For mid‑year or summer, 1–2 months lead time is often sufficient. Because minimum lease is 3 months, you can plan for a short stay and extend if needed. However, availability changes rapidly; always check the current calendar with the operator.
Given that this residence appears to operate with hotel‑style flexibility, last‑minute vacancies may occur, but competitive pricing (below the downtown median) means it fills quickly. Booking earlier gives you better chance of securing the unit in the lower end of the price range (CAD 1,450).
FAQ
How far is this residence from Simon Fraser University?
SFU’s main campus is in Burnaby, about 14 km east. By public transit (SkyTrain Expo Line from Yaletown–Roundhouse or Granville station), the journey takes roughly 40–50 minutes. A student pass will reduce commute costs. The residence is closer to Vancouver Art Gallery, Robson Street, and other city amenities than to SFU.
Is the rent inclusive of utilities?
The listing does not explicitly state which utilities are included. The property tags include “wi‑fi” and “laundry facility,” so internet and laundry access are likely covered. Other utilities such as electricity, water, and heating are typically included in monthly rent for this type of hotel‑style apartment, but you should confirm with the operator. The reviews do not mention extra utility charges.
Can I book for just one month?
No – the minimum lease term is 3 months. If you need a shorter stay, this property does not accommodate. You would need to look at short‑term rentals or hostels.
Sources & Data Date
Data from amberstudent (inventory ID amber‑1533384) retrieved July 2026. Prices, availability, and unit types are indicative and may change. Always confirm directly with the property operator before making any booking decision.
For live availability and current pricing on this residence, use the on‑site assistant at the top of the page.
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