This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
HOTEL REVIEW: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver

HOTEL REVIEW: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver

Sundays are for making travel plans, right? The perfect day to share a hotel review for the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver with you guys. As mentioned earlier this week, this was our hotel of choice for NYE – for multiple reasons. Mike and I looked at lots of options to ring in 2016, but in the end we picked the Fairmont for the location, their newly renovated rooms with floor to ceiling windows and the ARC restaurant, which offered a special New Year’s menu and live music.

Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE HOTEL:

  • The view! Oh my goodness, the view! We had two rooms as some of Mike’s family was with us as well, and even though both rooms faced different directions, both views were absolutely incredible. Our room was on the 21st floor overlooking the water and towards North Vancouver, while the second room was on the 22nd floor with a view over downtown. Amazing! For midnight, we actually ended up skipping the restaurant and went up to our room for the best seats in the house to watch the cities official fireworks go off on the water. Could not have been better!
  • Just as you’d expect from any Fairmont, the bed was heavenly. We are spoiled, because our bed at home was a huge investment when we moved and is pure bliss. However, at great hotels, they always have such cozy beds. The Fairmont definitely falls into that category!
  • Lots of space! It seems as though the rooms had just been renovated a short time ago – I loved the interior, there was lots of room, as nice desk, closet and super cozy reading chair by the big window.
  • Obviously it doesn’t get much better in terms of location. We didn’t have a car during the 2 days in downtown Vancouver, but didn’t miss it one bit. Gastown (my favorite area in the city) is literally a block away and we walked to nice breakfast places and strolled around the neighborhood. Robson street and Pacific Center (both for shopping) are 3 blocks up the street and the seabus towards North Van takes off right next to hotel – as does the Canada Line train, which goes to the airport in 25 minutes. And it cost us 5$ for the two of us. So easy!
  • If, by any chance, you don’t feel like walking at some point, the hotel offers a driver and nice BMW to take you places around town (upon availability). Since it was -4°C one morning, we decided to take advantage of the free service to be taken to brunch. Afterwards the restaurant called them and we were picked up within minutes. Such a nice touch and one of a kind service!

Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:

  • Admittedly, NYE is a busy time to be staying at hotels, but it was a tiny bit frustrating that the hotel only offered a big NYE brunch on Jan. 1st, which was completely booked. We didn’t think that we’d have a hard time getting breakfast at the hotel, so we didn’t make reservations. However, we ended up having an amazing brunch with Mike’s cousin – so everything turned out great anyhow. But if you plan on staying at the Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver, be sure to ask ahead of time about breakfast/brunch.
  • While we loved the idea of a 5-course NYE dinner at ARC (and it was amongst the main reasons we booked the hotel), we were a bit surprised. In Europe (or at least as we know it), when you have a 5-course meal, it usually ends up being about 7 or 8 courses as you get a little chef’s greeting in the beginning, truffles before leaving or other small extras. In this case, one of the 5 courses was a tiny pancake as the chef’s greeting, which arrived after the started when we asked the waitress if she had forgotten about it – I definitely would not consider a full course. Just like a single piece of brie was considered the cheese course. Also, we had to ask for bread 3 times. I totally understand that NYE is incredibly busy and all the tables filled up at the exact same time, but for an expensive dinner I would expect the service to reflect accordingly. However, I do have to say that everything we ate was absolutely delicious, especially the main courses which included scallops and steak. So delicious!

Aside from the NYE experience, however, I heard SO many good things about the ARC Restaurant and think it would be a great place to dine at on any other day of the year. Also, in my opinion the Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver really is your best option in Vancouver for sightseeing. You literally can’t beat the location, except maybe with the sister hotel next door (Fairmont Pacific Rim) and the rooms and views are amazing! Big thumbs up for our stay in Vancouver!

Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports Hotel Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | Bikinis & Passports

*thanks to the Fairmont for a wonderful stay!

8 Comments

  • 8 years ago

    I loved seeing the experience on snapchat, the view was truly amazing!! I also think that if you pay a lot for something, you want the service to be according to the price. Also think it’s weird you had to book the breakfast brunch on the 1st, but maybe it’s because it was a special occasion. =)

    xoRosie
    Rosie’s Life

  • 8 years ago

    Oh wow, that looks like such an amazing place to stay for NYE! Or any other day of the year really. The view is breathtaking!!

    Love, Kerstin
    http://www.missgetaway.com/

  • 8 years ago

    Ach wie schön! Das sieht alles großartig aus! Danke fürs Teilen!
    Liebste Grüße
    Alnis

  • 8 years ago

    Ich liebe deine Reiseposts! Sieht nach einem tollen Aufenthalt in Vancouver aus, ich möchte auch bald mal nach Kanada. 🙂
    Alles Liebe, Carina von the golden avenue

  • 8 years ago

    Klingt wunderbar, da würde ich am liebsten auch gleich hin 🙂

    Liebste Grüße ♥ Mai
    http://www.sparkleandsand.com

  • 8 years ago

    Toller Ausblick und die Beauty-Produkte wären auch genau meins 😉
    Liebe Grüße, Fiona

  • 8 years ago

    Schade, dass ihr mit dem Essen anscheinend ein paar Probleme hattet, aber vielleicht lag es ja wirklich nur an Silvester. Abgesehen davon sehen die Hotel Fotos wirklich sehr toll aus!

    Liebe Grüße,
    Sonja von Sunny Side Up I Join the Sunny Side of Travel, Life & Style ☼

  • […] Last time, we stayed at the Fairmont Waterfront, which was stunning for NYE with floor-to-ceiling windows and a great view over the water, this […]

Leave a Comment

Leave A Comment Your email address will not be published

Sophisticated Summer Shopping

TRIED&TESTED HOTELS I LOVE

The Standard

If you have ever found yourself researching hotels for New York City, chances are pretty high that you have come across, or heard of The Standard High Line Hotel.

Read More