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Hotels for Sale in BC: Complete 2026 Buyer's Guide to British Columbia Hotel Investments

Written by Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®•Rexara Realty Inc.•Published: March 11, 2026•11 min read
Hotels for Sale in BC: Complete 2026 Buyer's Guide to British Columbia Hotel Investments

Hotels for Sale in BC

Your Complete 2026 Buyer's Guide to British Columbia Hotel Investments

Updated March 2026 | British Columbia, Canada

Quick Stats: BC Hotel Market 2025–2026

✅ Vancouver RevPAR: CAD $223.05 — Highest in Canada

✅ BC Hotel RevPAR Growth: +2.9% in Q1 2025

✅ BC Forecast: Fastest provincial hospitality CAGR at 5.85% through 2031

✅ Tourism Revenue: $22.1 billion generated in BC (2023)

✅ Vancouver Needs: 10,000 additional hotel rooms by 2030

Hotels for Sale in BC: Why 2026 Is the Best Time to Buy

If you are searching for hotels for sale in BC, you have landed in the right place. British Columbia's hospitality market is booming — and savvy investors from across Canada and around the world are moving fast to secure their piece of this high-growth sector. From boutique inns on Vancouver Island to highway motels in the BC Interior, the opportunities have never been more diverse or more lucrative.

This guide covers everything you need to know about buying a hotel in British Columbia: current market data, top investment regions, types of properties available, what to look for in a hotel deal, and how to take action. Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced hospitality investor, this is your definitive resource.

BC Hotel Market Overview: Record-Breaking Performance

British Columbia's hotel sector delivered its strongest-ever annual results in 2025. According to data from CoStar, Canada's hotel occupancy reached 66.1% nationally — and BC stood out as the clear frontrunner.

Key Metric

2025 Performance

Vancouver Occupancy Rate

78.4% — #1 in Canada

Vancouver ADR (Avg. Daily Rate)

CAD $284.44

Vancouver RevPAR

CAD $223.05

BC RevPAR Growth (Q1 2025)

+2.9% Year-Over-Year

Victoria RevPAR Growth (Q1 2025)

+8.6% Year-Over-Year

BC Hospitality CAGR Forecast (2026–2031)

5.85% — Fastest in Canada

Tourism Revenue (BC, 2023)

$22.1 Billion

Tourism Contribution to BC GDP

$9.7 Billion

What is driving this performance? A surge in post-pandemic tourism, the return of international visitors (especially from China and the US), landmark events in Vancouver, and a structural shift of developers from struggling office markets into the hospitality sector. Vancouver city council has even updated policy to encourage hotel development, targeting 10,000 new rooms by 2030.

For buyers of hotels for sale in BC, this translates into one clear message: the fundamentals are strong, demand is durable, and the window for entry at today's valuations is now.

Why Buy a Hotel in British Columbia?

There are compelling reasons why BC continues to attract both domestic and international hospitality investors:

• Year-Round Tourism Demand: Unlike markets dependent on a single season, BC draws visitors year-round — skiers in Whistler, wine tourists in the Okanagan, beach travellers to Tofino, and city visitors to Vancouver.

• Record RevPAR Metrics: BC's RevPAR reached a five-year high of $178 in 2025, up from $136 in 2019 — representing a 31% increase in revenue yield per room.

• Fastest-Growing Hospitality Province: BC is forecast to record a 5.85% CAGR through 2031, the highest of any Canadian province — making it the prime growth story in Canadian hospitality.

• Diverse Property Options: From franchise-branded highway motels with stable cash flow to luxury ski-in/ski-out resorts with premium ADRs, BC offers entry points for every investor profile and budget.

• Strong International Interest: US investors, in particular, are actively acquiring BC hospitality assets — drawn by long-term appeal, currency advantage, and coastal location appeal.

• Limited Prime Supply: Coastal and resort markets like Tofino, Victoria, and Whistler have constrained supply, supporting high occupancy and pricing power for existing owners.

• Infrastructure & Event Pipeline: Major events — the Invictus Games, Rugby Sevens, international conferences — continue to drive room nights and anchor demand in gateway markets.

Top Regions for Hotels for Sale in BC

1. Vancouver & Metro Vancouver

Vancouver is Canada's top-performing hotel market. With an occupancy rate of 78.4% and an ADR of CAD $284.44, it leads every major metric. The city's status as a global business hub, major event destination, and international tourism gateway makes it the premium target for hotel investment in BC. Properties in Metro Vancouver are tightly held, but when they come to market, they command strong prices and attract competitive bidding.

Key opportunity: Boutique hotels and boutique conversions in Kitsilano, East Vancouver, and suburban corridors near Skytrain development sites.

2. Vancouver Island — Victoria & Tofino

Victoria saw RevPAR growth of 8.6% in Q1 2025 — the second-highest growth rate in Canada. Average rates hit $262/night with occupancy rising steadily. The boutique hotel segment is particularly strong, with buyer activity described by brokers as 'noticeably strong.' Tofino, on the island's west coast, commands premium ADRs driven by eco-tourism and surf culture, with severely limited supply ensuring consistently high occupancy.

Key opportunity: Boutique inns, eco-lodges, and waterfront motel conversions across Vancouver Island.

3. Whistler & Sea-to-Sky Corridor

Whistler is one of the world's premier ski-and-summer resort destinations. The area commands some of the highest nightly rates in BC, and properties with ski-in/ski-out access are rare and highly coveted. The Josie Hotel in nearby Red Mountain — a 106-room full-service luxury property — is an example of the calibre of asset that can trade in this corridor.

Key opportunity: Boutique lodges, resort hotels, and condo-hotel properties along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

4. Okanagan — Kelowna, Penticton & Osoyoos

The Okanagan's wine country, warm-water lakes, and growing culinary scene have fuelled a tourism renaissance. Domestic visitor numbers surged during and after the pandemic, and this level of demand has been sustained. Properties like the Best Western Penticton — a 64-room property on 2.3 acres with pools and dining — represent the type of established, income-generating asset available in this region.

Key opportunity: Motel-to-boutique conversions, lakefront lodges, and wine country B&Bs scaling to full hotel operations.

5. BC Interior — Cariboo, Thompson & Northern BC

The BC Interior offers some of the province's most accessible price points for hotel acquisition. Highway corridor motels, lodge-and-pub combinations, and RV-resort hybrids are all available with proven revenue histories. The Cariboo Lodge in Clinton — a 21-room lodge with a pub and restaurant generating approximately $1.3 million in annual revenue — is a prime example. Northern BC is emerging as a major opportunity zone, particularly near LNG Canada and resource industry hubs like Kitimat.

Key opportunity: Highway motels, lodge-pub combos, and new-build opportunities near LNG and resource projects.

6. Fort Nelson & the Alaska Highway Corridor

Located on the Alaska Highway with approximately 300,000 annual travellers passing through en route to and from Alaska, Fort Nelson offers a unique, infrastructure-driven hospitality investment thesis. The city is growing rapidly thanks to oil, natural gas, forestry, and shale gas development. Hotels here benefit from both leisure travellers and resource-industry workers.

Key opportunity: Existing hotel acquisitions and new-build development to serve growing workforce accommodation demand.

Types of Hotels for Sale in BC

Understanding the types of properties available helps buyers match investment strategy to asset class:

Hotel Type

Best For

Boutique Hotels (10–40 rooms)

Lifestyle buyers, premium ADR markets, Tofino/Victoria/Okanagan

Highway Motels & Lodges

Cash flow investors, Interior BC, Alaska Highway corridor

Franchise Hotels (Best Western, Econolodge etc.)

Operational simplicity, brand recognition, stable RevPAR

Pub + Lodge Combinations

Revenue diversification, BC Interior towns

Luxury Resort Hotels

High net-worth buyers, Whistler, Gulf Islands

Motel + RV Park Hybrids

Multi-income stream investors, rural/tourism BC

Development Sites

Developers; new-build hotel projects, Kitimat, Golden, LNG corridor

How to Buy a Hotel in BC: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Define Your Investment Criteria: Determine your budget, target region, property type, and desired return profile (cash flow vs. appreciation vs. lifestyle). Are you looking for a fully operational business, a fixer-upper, or a development site?

2. Engage a Specialized Hotel Broker: Hotel transactions are more complex than standard commercial real estate. Work with a broker experienced in BC hospitality assets. Specialists such as Royal LePage Commercial, Avison Young, Colliers, and CBRE all have dedicated hotel sale advisory teams in BC.

3. Analyze the Financials: Request trailing 3-year financials. Key metrics to review include: occupancy rate, ADR, RevPAR, total revenue, NOI (net operating income), and capital expenditure history.

4. Conduct Due Diligence: Review zoning and permits, liquor licensing (if applicable), building condition, employee agreements, supplier contracts, existing bookings, and any outstanding municipality obligations.

5. Understand BC-Specific Regulations: Compliance with BC's zoning bylaws, liquor control regulations, health authority requirements, and short-term rental restrictions (which vary by municipality) is essential.

6. Secure Financing: Hotel financing in Canada typically requires 30–40% down payment for conventional financing. Alternative structures include vendor take-back mortgages, seller financing, and CMHC-backed loans for qualifying properties.

7. Negotiate and Close: Engage a lawyer experienced in BC commercial real estate and business transactions to manage the purchase agreement, asset or share sale structure, and closing process.

Due Diligence Checklist: Hotels for Sale in BC

Essential Due Diligence Items

✔ 3 years of audited or reviewed financial statements

✔ Current occupancy rate, ADR, and RevPAR data

✔ Building inspection and capital expenditure schedule

✔ Zoning certificate and land use confirmation

✔ Liquor licence status and transferability

✔ Property tax assessment and payment status

✔ All operating licences and health authority permits

✔ Review of existing employee contracts (Employment Standards Act BC)

✔ Environmental assessment (if applicable for older properties)

✔ Existing reservations and group booking pipeline

✔ Franchise agreement terms and transferability (if branded)

✔ Outstanding insurance claims or litigation

BC Hotel Market Outlook: 2026 and Beyond

The 2026 outlook for British Columbia's hotel sector remains fundamentally positive. A CBRE report projects continued Canadian RevPAR growth, reaching CAD $142 nationally in 2026. BC, as the strongest provincial market, is expected to lead this trajectory. The Canadian hospitality market overall — valued at USD $20.29 billion in 2025 — is forecast to grow to USD $27.46 billion by 2031.

Victoria's rates climbed to $262/night with RevPAR growth of 13.4% in recent months — a clear indicator of luxury travel strength in BC. Boutique hotel buyers and lifestyle investors are increasingly targeting coastal and resort markets.

Headwinds to monitor include elevated borrowing costs, potential softening of US cross-border travel driven by geopolitical factors, rising operational costs, and labour market pressures. However, BC's track record of tourism resilience — it recovered quickly from the pandemic — and its structural undersupply of premium rooms in key markets provide a meaningful buffer.

The long-term thesis is clear: BC's combination of natural beauty, world-class cities, diverse regional tourism, and growing international profile makes it Canada's most compelling province for hotel investment.

Frequently Asked Questions: Hotels for Sale in BC

How much does a hotel cost in British Columbia?

Hotel prices in BC range widely by region, size, and property type. Small highway motels in the Interior can be purchased for $500,000–$2 million. Mid-sized branded hotels in secondary markets range from $2 million to $10 million. Boutique coastal properties typically sell for $2–$8 million depending on location and condition. Metro Vancouver and Whistler luxury hotel assets can range from $10 million to $50 million+.

Can a foreigner buy a hotel in British Columbia?

Yes. Unlike residential property (which is subject to BC's foreign buyer restrictions), commercial hospitality properties can generally be purchased by foreign nationals and foreign-controlled corporations. It is advisable to work with a Canadian lawyer and accountant familiar with non-resident property acquisition and Canadian tax obligations.

What is a good RevPAR for a BC hotel?

This varies by market. In 2025, Vancouver's RevPAR reached CAD $223.05 — the highest in Canada. For a highway motel in the Interior, a RevPAR of $50–$80 may represent strong performance. For a boutique coastal property, $100–$150+ RevPAR is achievable. Always benchmark any acquisition target against comparable properties in the same market.

How do I find hotels for sale in BC?

Listings appear on commercial platforms such as LoopNet, Businesses For Sale, Find Businesses 4 Sale, and through specialized hotel brokers including Royal LePage Commercial, Avison Young, Colliers International, CBRE, and regional firms. Engaging a broker proactively is the most effective approach, as the best deals are often transacted off-market.

What due diligence is required for a hotel purchase in BC?

At minimum, buyers should review three years of financial statements, conduct a full building inspection, verify all licences and zoning compliance, assess liquor licence status and transferability, review employee agreements, and have a lawyer conduct a title and encumbrances search. For properties with restaurants, additional health authority and Food Safe compliance reviews are required.

Ready to Find Your Hotel for Sale in BC?

Start Your Search Today

Whether you are a first-time buyer looking for a small motel in the BC Interior or an experienced investor targeting a coastal boutique hotel or Okanagan resort property — the opportunity is here.

Browse our current listings of hotels for sale in BC and connect with our hospitality specialists to discuss your investment goals. We provide exclusive access to on-market and off-market BC hotel opportunities, detailed financial analysis support, and end-to-end transaction advisory.

Contact us today to begin your BC hotel investment journey.

Gurjit Ghai

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Rexara Realty Inc.

(C) 7788552019

• Destination BC tourism statistics page

• BC Hotel Association(bcha.com)

• CBRE Canada hotel market reports

Gurjit Ghai Personal Real Estate Corporation

Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®

Gurjit Ghai Personal Real Estate Corporation

Brokerage: Rexara Realty Inc.

📞Call 604-262-1212

Licensed Managing Broker specializing in commercial transactions, residential acquisitions, ALR farmland, and business brokerage across British Columbia.

Verify licence on BCFSA public registry →

⚖️Important Real Estate & Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial, or professional real estate advice. Real estate laws, BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) guidelines, municipal bylaws, and tax regulations (including Property Transfer Tax, GST, and cooling-off rules) are subject to change and apply differently based on individual circumstances.

Readers should not act or rely upon any information contained herein without obtaining competent professional legal, tax, or financial counsel and consulting directly with a licensed British Columbia real estate professional. Rexara Realty Inc., its managing broker, and its associated licensees expressly disclaim all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on any content in this article.

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