A little while back, my friend arranged to have Fairmont Waterfront as the venue for her graduation banquet. And as a thank you, the hotel property extended a complementary one night stay to her. Considering that I was the one who introduced her to the possibility, she invited me to tag-a-long on this staycation.
We chose a busy July weekend for our stay, and in hindsight, probably should have chosen a less event driven date. The result is we found ourselves dashing around the city, making appointments, instead of settling and truly enjoying the hotel, and all its included amenities. Even more so considering we were upgraded to the Fairmont Gold package.
For those who have never experienced this, I suggest that you take notes, and do so for your next Fairmont stay, wherever and whenever that may be.
The Fairmont Gold experience is available at any Fairmont hotel and resort, anywhere around the world. On top of your regular room and lodging, you pay an additional fee to earn what is essentially VIP perks. The most notable is access to the physical Fairmont Gold level, which typically has rooms on the eighth and/or ninth floor with its own personalized concierge and lounge on either.
This is a 24 hour dedicated service for those who have opted in. Even your key card is different, in our case, a light weight wooden one, stamped with the hotel’s logo on the front, and a picturesque scene on the back. This grants you access to the aforementioned Fairmont floor and your individual room.
Our room today felt deluxe and spacious, overlooking the waterfront harbour with Canada Place’s colourful sales in the background. It was just a shame that we did not have a view of the fireworks performance that was also slated on the same day as our stay.
In-suite we had two queen sized beds. Firm with fluffy pillows and starched sheets; all with that hotel linen fresh scent. These were a beacon of comfort from the tiring week before.
Included in the unit was a work desk, television on top of a cadenza, and a lounge chaise seat by the water front window.
As a very special welcome, the hotel’s managements hand wrote a greeting card, inviting us to enjoy our time and stay. Acknowledging that we are also celebrating my impending birthday with a slice of chocolate mousse cake and a bottle of sparkling wine.
We only needed to fill our in-room ice bucket with ice from the shared water closet that included an ice machine, as well as water fountain to fill any bottles with.
As for the washroom, our suite had a luxurious rainfall shower and was equipped with luxury brand toiletries. A couple bars of soaps and body lotion on the counter. In the shower was a set of three pump dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
There were plenty of fresh folded towels, a portable hair dryer; and a laundry bag, should you need dry cleaning during your stay. The most notable feature was the television screen built into the washroom mirror. Not very practical for someone looking to do their make up, but a nice to have for the business professional looking to catch up on the day’s news as they got ready for what I assume would be a business trip.
Despite how comfortable our Fairmont waterfront Gold room was, especially compared to other older Fairmont properties I have stayed in, we decided to spend majority of our stay at the Fairmont Waterfront Gold lounge. This is a shared space for all Gold members, manned by the dedicated Gold member concierge team. A living room setting with eating tables, quiet nooks for private seating and leisurely reading; and an entire uncovered rooftop patio, shielded from the elements by golf umbrellas.
Comfortable wicker furnishings dressed with throw pillows and cushions, and draped with cosy throws. Here, we would take in the sights of the modern Vancouver cityscape at the distance. Then watch the sun disappear behind the skyscrapers as we took a nap.
Out of all the perks of opting in for the Fairmont Gold package, my favourite has to be the food. A full continental breakfast befitting of this historic luxury brand, canapés and small bites for happy hour before dinner, and fresh fruit and desserts post dinner. There were even sweet snacks and protein bites midday. If you are prone to grazing and plan your time well, you needn’t leave the floor, and can enjoy all the above as part of your package. And this in itself makes the additional fee well worth it. Especially if you consider how much room service and even a quick pop down to the lobby restaurant can be.
This is a self serve affair with a dedicated wait staff to clean tables, remove soiled dish-ware, and replenish food stuffs as necessary.
There is also hot tea and hot coffee available via machines, and a refrigerated cooler for chilled drinks the likes of soda, juice, water, and even vegetable juice. All in cans or cartons for easy, drinking and mixing.
Alcohol is also available, but by honour system, where you help yourself to a poor, a shot, or a swig of anything; and only need to write down your room number and your purchase for staff to tally and charge. Considering your ability to afford this experience in the first place, it is doubtful that anyone takes a vantage of this honour bar.
In truth, we found it just as easy and convenient to bring our own bottles. Even using one to mix into mimosas for breakfast, and sipping on another with fresh fruit for cocktail hour.
I actually wished we were hungry enough to find ourselves enjoying dinner at Arc, Fairmont Waterfront’s lobby restaurant. However, there is plenty to eat, and I found myself trying everything at the Gold bar.
There were chocolate chip and double chocolate cookies with protein balls, gummy worms, and sliced fruit for snacks.
Cocktail hour had puffed bites, deep fried cauliflower, chicken nuggets, a platter of charcuterie meats and hard cheeses, as well as pita and fresh veggies with dip.
Dessert had sliced fruit, accompanied by passionfruit cheesecake squares, a hazelnut chocolate number, and a key lime pie bite.
The most impressive of all was the breakfast buffet. It hosted the classic scrambled eggs, herbed potatoes, sausages; and some of the best, thick cut, crispy, and chewy bacon I have had.
There were also bagels and toast for the toasting, and all the mini jars of spreads and jams you could ask for to have with them. Lighter options included yogurt and fruit, oatmeal, plus two-bite pastries, and danishes.
We only got to stay here one night, but I would have loved to see a total turnover. The different food items laid out for each respected serving and time slot the next day and the day after.
As I mentioned earlier, our staycation coincided with the last night of Vancouver’s summer fireworks series. My hotel benefactor wanted to go, as her cousin owned property in the West End that included a great vantage point of English Bay, where the fireworks were set off. Having already experienced this earlier in the week, I opted to stay at the hotel and explore more of the amenities. So we parted ways here.
After a few small bites of dessert, I travelled down to the third floor fitness centre. I took note of the gym equipment that included cardio machines and weights. I thought to wake up early and take advantage of it all the next morning, but ultimately decided against it, and opted for the ability to sleep in and rest more.
Instead, I dawned my swimsuit, put on the robe and slippers made available in our suite, gathered a collection of dry towels, and sought out the hot tub.
This is located indoors within the fitness centre. A smaller tile tub with pulsating massaging jets on timer, it seats four intimately and comfortably. Anymore and without the bubbles, it felt like people soup.
A number of us submerged ourselves, enjoying the heat until uncomfortable, then cooling off with a plunge in the heated outdoor pool.
Looking for additional privacy, I eventually retreated into the sauna, located within the women’s change room. The size of a closet it had cascading wooden steps for seating.
Fully relaxed and refreshed, I then retreated back upstairs to our individual room to freshen up and settle in for the evening.
I enjoyed the city lights as they grew dim, then drifted to sleep with the gentle sounds of sirens and shouting, being engulfed by the gentle pressure of the down blanket as it hugged me firm.
Next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed and bright eyed. We took our time getting dressed and ready, timing it so that we would make it for the last 30 minutes of the Gold members lounge breakfast. We piled on our plates and found a couch on the open patio to enjoy it and our drinks on. We popped sparkling, mixed it with orange juice and called it a great morning.
Checkout is at 11am, and although you need to relinquish your room, you can still enjoy the amenities of the hotel as a Gold member until 5pm. Meaning an additional day of lounging on this private rooftop patio, grazing on available, small bites, sunbathing by the pool, and taking a plunge when the heat became unbearable.
In short, this felt was a true vacation at a four-star hotel, and so close to home that it was hassle free. This was a great way to escape without leaving the city.
Fairmont Waterfront
900 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L5
604-691-1818
fairmont.com/waterfront-vancouver
