Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Jun 20, 2009
This superb hotel sets the benchmark for 5 star hotels. A shiny modern hotel with all the best and latest facilities, spotlessly clean and run to the very highest standards.

My wife & I rarely return to hotels as they never seem the same or as good as you remember, but this one is outstanding, we have been to this hotel 3 times now and plan to return again, it’s so difficult to find fault with, everything is well managed, from efficient check and check out to the notes left in the room from the maid as well as personally addressed weather forecasts. The staff are all the friendliest in the business and can’t do enough for you.

Fairmont Presidents Club; well worth enrolling in this free loyalty club as you get immediate benefits such as free broadband in the room, morning newspaper, preferential room rates, upgrades and discount vouchers for hotel dining and spa.

Location; set in a prime location and as the name implies it is set on the waterfront directly opposite the Canada Place Convention Centre, Pan Pacific Hotel & Pier where cruise ships birth. There is a fantastic view from waterfront facing rooms, you can watch float planes taking off & landing, cruise ships arriving and leaving and all kinds of watercraft buzzing about, never a dull moment. Convenient for those on business and perfect for tourists, being near the main shopping areas, will be well used for the 2010 Winter Olympics as it is close to the brand new grass roofed Convention Centre which will serve as the Olympics Media Centre. Fairmont is building another hotel directly opposite the media centre, so there may be some spare capacity after the Olympics are over and prices may drop.

Convenience; all of the major tour coaches and operators pick up and drop off at this hotel using the hotel lobby. There is also a small shopping mall and food court under the hotel as well as a Translink rail station.

Rooms; standard rooms are of good quality and reasonable size, cheapest have city view and if you aren’t bothered about the view then these are perfectly acceptable and represent good value. Next up are the Harbour and Waterfront View rooms which are basically the same as the City View rooms but have superb views of the harbour, some rooms have floor to ceiling glazing. Next up are the suites, we had a waterfront facing suite for one stay which had separate lounge & bedroom, TV & CD player in both areas and the loan of some CDs. The same high quality toiletries are used throughout the hotel regardless of room type.

Restaurant; we used Herons Restaurant for breakfast & evening meals which serves the second best buffet breakfast we have ever had anywhere (the Fairmont in Banff will take some beating and needs to be seen to be believed). You will be addressed by name at Herons. As with all good quality hotel restaurants they cook eggs to your individual requirements and make a superb eggs Benedict. In fact they say if there is anything you want but can’t see it, they will get it for you. It should be noted that you can dine in the evening at Herons and choose from the a la carte or bar menu, so you can enjoy the ambience on a budget, but prices are very reasonable and it should go without saying that the food is fantastic, using fresh herbs from the hotel roof garden, they really have superb chefs and the freshest ingredients. The room service menu is the same as the bar menu, but with a 12% gratuity and $4.50 delivery charge added, plus GST.

Pool & fitness suite; one of the rare hotels in Vancouver to have a swimming pool, set on level 3, the same level as the roof gardens where herbs are grown for the restaurant, flowers for decorations and bee hives for honey used in cooking. Nice outside heated pool, reasonable size, nice temperature and surrounded by a terrace with comfortable sun loungers, tables & chairs, towels obtained from the fitness suite you pass through to get to the pool area, could do with some parasols as the weather was unseasonably hot while we were there and there was no shade. The fitness suite has plenty of modern equipment as well as a Jacuzzi pool.

Conclusion; nice modern hotel getting it right in every respect, difficult to find fault, clean, nice friendly staff, sets the standard for benchmarking other 5 star hotels, it really is good.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Jun 5, 2009
We stayed at the Fairmont Waterfront after a cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, the hotel was just across the street from the cruise terminal which was perfect. We got off the ship, crossed the street and checked into our room. The room was large with a nice sitting area and great view of the city. Service was excellent as I've experienced at every single Fairmont I have visited over the past few years. We didn't eat at the restaurant because of the large selection of restaurants within walking distance. I highly recommend this hotel if you're taking a cruise into our out of Vancouver, it's so convenient and relaxing.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
May 2009
both my cousins held their wedding banquets here. Surprisingly the food is pretty good. The hotel is nice and classy...the location is beautiful, u can see the harbour as u step out of the hotel. I've stayed here only once, and the room was quite comfortable and clean. I wouldn't mind staying here again.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
May 2009
The Fairmont Waterfront is a hotel in the "modern" style, which I suppose means that the lobby floor is very shiny and the hotel bar is out in the open.

The hotel rooms are nicely appointed, with a minibar and cable tv. I thought the bed was average -- but i'm a very tough customer to please when it comes to hotel beds. (They're usually far too firm for me.)

The staff, like all Fairmont's is helpful and friendly. This Fairmont is out near the "Gastown" section of the city, which is quite touristy feeling. I think that in general our group would probably have had a better time in the older Fairmont downtown -- but that's really not the hotel's fault -- just a note if you're looking at staying in this part of Vancouver.

This hotel is within short walking distance of a float plane terminal, so if you were interested in using a water taxi to get to another part of the area it might be quite convenient for that.

There is an underground shopping center under this hotel, so if you need a snack or beverage, quite handy.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Apr 26, 2009
Stayed 3 nights during April and was given a city view room. I didn't mind because I only planned to use it to sleep at night. With a water view room, it would be nice during the day but at night, the view is pitch black. The room was not luxurious but had a flat screen tv and a large bathroom.

The location is ok considering it was close to the water and downtown offices but not convenient if you go out at night. The area is almost deserted at night. There are no good restaurants around and some of them only operates during the daytime (I guess there is no point staying open at night if there are no pedestrian traffic around). The food court below the hotel also closes around 6 pm.

The gym facilities is small and very intimating. There are only few exercise equipment available and with people working out so close together, you will not be comfortable.

The hotel personnel are friendly.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Apr 7, 2009
Stayed in a deluxe room with breakfast thrown in (with wife & 2 year old child, who had a cot/crib) for 3 nights prior to a skiing holiday in Whistler.
Room was large and clean.
The bath could have been larger/deeper (but I have come across these very low baths in Canada before).
Breakfast was very good, plenty of choice and helpful staff.
Dinner was also very well presented / cooked.
(& the hotel dog was very friendly).
I would say the hotel is in a great a location for walking out at night for finding a selection of nearby restaurants.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Mar 3, 2009
That Fairmont Waterfront is situated in the best possible general location around Vancouver is not in doubt - Pan Pacific and Terminal City Club Hotel are both across the street too of course. One side gives one a view of city centre and the other gives one a view of Coal Harbour and the water and North Shore of Vancouver.
Walk into the main street and turn left and within 5 minutes you are in a chic pedestrian area. Walk up the hill and within 5 minutes you are downtown and in the midst of shopping.
The staff are polite and Amit was very happy to greet me and change my room to better accommodate me (I wanted to get some ladies up so didn't want two beds!!). I also liked the fact that I could ask for a room at the end of the corridor because some of the ladies visiting are married or dating.
The breakfast was expensive ($60 for two every morning), but what was disappointing is the restaurants the concierge recommends. They seem to be, well, crap and somehow all next to the other Fairmont ten minutes away.

Disappointingly, there was no dog to pat. Reviews here indicated that a dog greets guests. Having booked through Allure Hotels I was able to procure the 17th floor for $150/night.

By the way, feel free to park five minutes away in any direction and save $15 in parking fees.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Feb 24, 2009
we had 2 nights here after skiing in Whistler
the location is excellent on the waterfront close to shops, restaurants and Gastown!
hotel is generally very good and service also good
would recommend for city stay

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Feb 21, 2009
This property, while much newer than most of the Fairmont chain, has a similar traditionalist atmosphere and solid four star level of service. Lots of natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass in the rooms. If you want to be on the waterfront, it is a good choice, connected to the SkyTrain, ferry terminal and Sinclair Centre by underground shopping mall. Service and quality in the restaurant was top notch. Would definitely stay there again.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Feb 15, 2009
We stayed in the hotel in January, which is probably not the best time to visit Vancouver. We were completely fogged in during the trip, so I cannot comment on the view from the room. The rooms themselves are good - clean, with excellent beds. The location is excellent, right in front of the Canada Place building. Presumably the view from the (17th floor) room would have been good on a clear day. We only had breakfast at the restaurant - not exactly earth shattering, but good. Overall, I would Recommend the hotel.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Feb 10, 2009
The Fairmont Waterfront is a great place to stay. It is so pleasant. The staff go out of their way to help you! It is very convenient to get around Vancouver from there. There’s lots of great shopping close by. Many wonderful restaurants close by as well. This tall hotel feels very metropolitan, very upscale; the front of it faces other skyscrapers, and the back of it faces the waterfront. I enjoyed watching my kids swim in the outdoor swimming pool next to the waterfront. The beds and pillows were puffed (another plus). It was a grand experience to stay in this hotel.


Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Feb 1, 2009
Make sure you get a sea facing room as it is great to lie in bed and watch the sea planes taking off and landing! We had a Waterfront Deluxe Room. The rooms are very comfortable with lovely big bathrooms and the usual Miller Harris products. The location of this hotel is great for getting to most parts of the city and you can easily walk to the shopping areas. There is a Starbucks right opposite the hotel if you prefer to have breakfast there.

Guest Review of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
Jan 29, 2009
We first stayed at the Waterfront during our honeymoon several years ago, when it was a CP Hotel. We enjoyed it so much we have visited every few years when we got the chance.


 

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
900 Canada Place Way
Vancouver, BC