Patricia Hotel (Closed)
Vancouver, B.C.
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The tall neon sign on the Patricia Hotel has been catching the eyes of Vancouver travelers for generations. Rising high above East Hastings Street, it is the kind of landmark that naturally draws your attention as you pass by. Even surrounded by larger buildings, the old sign still has plenty of presence. 11-05

The hotel dates to the early 1900s, while the familiar vertical neon was added in the 1950s. For decades it welcomed visitors looking for an affordable place to spend the night, and its glowing sign became a familiar sight in this historic part of the city. It is easy to imagine how much brighter the street must have looked when the neon was in its prime.

UPDATE: The Patricia Hotel no longer operates as a commercial hotel and has been converted to supportive housing. The landmark neon sign remains on the building, preserving a familiar piece of Vancouver's streetscape. 07-26

Waldorf Hotel
Vancouver, B.C.
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Waldorf Hotel has always been easy to spot along East Hastings Street. Back in 2005 it wore a bright green backlit sign that stood out from the surrounding buildings, making it one of those places you couldn't help but notice as you drove by. 11-05

The hotel opened in 1948 and soon became known for its lively lounges and entertainment. A few years later it embraced the Tiki craze, creating one of Western Canada's oldest surviving Polynesian-themed bars. Although the green sign wasn't the hotel's original one, it became a familiar sight for many years.

UPDATE: The Waldorf remains open as a boutique hotel and live music venue. The green plastic sign has since been replaced with a neon Waldorf sign and illuminated palm tree that give the landmark a fresh nod to its mid-century roots. 07-26

Empress Hotel
Vancouver, B.C.
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Waldorf Hotel has been a familiar sight along East Hastings for decades. When this photo was taken, the large green sign may not have been original, but it still did a great job of catching the attention of passing motorists. Photo date: 11-05

The hotel opened in the late 1940s and became one of Vancouver's best-known landmarks after adding its famous Tiki lounge in the 1950s. Over the years, the exterior signage changed with the times, replacing what was likely an earlier neon display with the backlit sign seen here.

Today the Waldorf has a new vintage-inspired neon sign that better reflects the hotel's mid-century roots. The old green sign is gone, but the building remains one of Vancouver's classic roadside landmarks and a favorite stop for lovers of retro architecture and Tiki culture.

UPDATE: The Waldorf Hotel continues to operate, and its modern neon sign pays tribute to the property's vintage past. 07-26

Hotel Regal
Vancouver, B.C.
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Rain and neon always seem to go together, and the Hotel Regal sign is a perfect example. Rising above Granville Street, the glowing vertical marquee adds a little extra color to a wet Vancouver evening. Photo date: 11-05

The hotel has been part of Granville Street for more than a century, while the classic neon sign has become one of the street's familiar nighttime landmarks. Restored in 2005, it continues to shine along a stretch once famous for its theaters, hotels, and brilliant neon displays.

Granville Street has changed over the years, but signs like this still hint at the days when downtown Vancouver was lit by one glowing marquee after another.

UPDATE: The Regal Hotel continues to operate, and its restored vintage neon sign remains a bright spot on Granville Street. 07-26

Kingston Hotel
Vancouver, B.C.
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Kingston Hotel sign is another classic piece of Vancouver neon. Glowing above Richards Street, the colorful vertical marquee is hard to miss and looks especially good after dark. Photo date: 11-05

The hotel has been welcoming guests since 1913 and remains one of downtown Vancouver's longtime independent hotels. While glass towers now surround the neighborhood, the vintage sign continues to stand out as a reminder of an earlier Vancouver.

There's something about an old hotel sign that always catches the eye. Maybe it's the bright colors, or maybe it's knowing how many travelers have looked up at those same glowing letters over the years.

UPDATE: The Kingston Hotel continues to welcome guests, and its vintage neon sign still lights up Richards Street. 07-26

St. Regis Hotel
Vancouver, B.C.
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The glowing marquee of the St. Regis Hotel is hard to miss as you make your way through downtown Vancouver. Wrapped in bright blue and red neon, the sign can be spotted from blocks away and has been welcoming travelers for generations. When the lights come on after dark, it becomes one of the city's classic neon landmarks. 11-05

The hotel opened in 1912 and has remained in business ever since, making it one of Vancouver's longest-running downtown hotels. The building has been updated over the years, but the restored marquee and towering vertical sign still capture the look and feel of Vancouver's mid-century neon era. It's the kind of place that makes you slow down for a second look, even if you're just passing by.

UPDATE: The St. Regis Hotel continues to operate as an independent boutique hotel, and its beautifully restored neon signs still light up the corner each evening. 07-26