Fairmont Pacific Rim: Best Hotels in Vancouver

If you’ve been visiting the blog for awhile, you know we love to travel.  Homeschooling the kids really allowed us to be a lot more flexible and travel in the off-season. When John has a work trip, we are able to tag along, which allows us to see much more of the country each year. Traveling off-season also enables us to visit places, have experiences, and stay in hotels that during peak season might be more out of reach cost wise for a family.  On our most recent trip to Vancouver, Canada, we had the good fortune of being able to stay in the Fairmont Pacific Rim.  This gorgeous hotel sits right on the waterfront downtown. 

best hotels in vancouver

I have stayed in a lot of nice hotels, but this particular hotel is definitely at the top of my list of favorites.  The Fairmont Pacific Rim is definitely one of the best hotels in Vancouver.  The location is perfect. Across from the convention center and surrounded by restaurants in the heart of downtown, it’s a quick walk to Gastown (a fun area of town full of great shopping and restaurants) and just about anywhere else you want to be in the city.  

Fairmont Pacific Rim

 

Stanley Park is a gorgeous urban park just a quick bike ride away from the hotel.  The Pacific Rim has free bikes available for guests, which opens up a whole new area to explore while staying in town.

fairmont pacific rim lounge

No detail was overlooked when building the Fairmont Pacific Rim. It’s clean, cool and modern and could not be more beautiful. The cavernous lobby is full of beautiful marble, exquisite chandeliers, and is home to the Fairmont Pacific Rim Lounge, one of the most happening nightspots in town.  John and I spent an evening watching the weekend activity from a sitting area on the second floor. 

fairmont pacific rim residences

Upon arrival we were taken to our room for in-room check in and while being led to our 10th floor suite, we were told about all of the different features of the hotel–the Fairmont Pacific Rim spa hours, the restaurants, fitness center etc.  Because we were traveling with the kids, we booked a suite. This was one of the nicest suites I have ever stayed in. When we opened the door to our room it was more like a luxury apartment. As you entered the room you walked into a short hallway that was nothing but closet space, into a living area with a couch, chairs, coffee table, and an entire wall of desk and media set up. What was most amazing, however, was the view. The walls of this suite were floor to ceiling windows and since we were on the corner, those windows wrapped completely around the living room, bedroom, and bathroom.  It was absolutely breathtaking. The wall of windows in the living area overlooked the pool on out to the water and the mountains behind.  The windows in the bedroom, which again, being on the corner two of the four walls in the bedroom were floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooked the city. Skyscrapers as far as the eye could see out every window in the bedroom. 

fairmont pacific rim hotel
 
Another impressive thing about the hotel was how tech savvy it was. The room was controlled by a series of buttons– the drapes, lights, music, TVs…you name it- was all controlled with the touch of a few buttons. There was also an iPad in the room from which you could do anything–call your car from the valet, order room service, you get the idea. 
 
fairmont pacific rim hotel
 
 I have stayed in hotels where they have tried to accomplish this, but the Fairmont Pacific Rim was the first hotel I’ve stayed in where everything actually worked like it was supposed to, seamlessly.  The bathroom was gorgeous with marble floors and shower, a beautiful stand alone tub, and more floor-to-ceiling windows.  I did think about letting John and kids go explore the city while I stayed in the tub on more than one occasion…I mean, that view!  
 
fairmont waterfront vancouver

The kids couldn’t get over the fact that there was a TV inside the mirror in the bathroom.  I seriously think they spent more time in the bathroom than anywhere else in the suite.  You can see here they are eating breakfast while watching TV in the mirror.  So funny!

fairmont waterfront vancouver

I had the chance to visit the Pacific Rim spa for a massage while we were staying at the hotel. I have visited several Willow Stream spas during my Fairmont stays, but this one, like the Pacific Rim itself, was a cut above the rest.

fairmont pacific rim restaurant
 
Because we are Fairmont President’s Club members we had dining certificates to use while we were at the hotel. For that reason, we ate at the Pacific Rim hotel restaurant Oru for dinner one night.  The location of the restaurant is gorgeous and during the day you can enjoy views out of the floor to ceiling windows.  
 
fairmont pacific rim restaurant
 
While the setting was gorgeous and the service was impeccable, the food left something to be desired in my opinion. 
 
fairmont pacific rim restaurants
 
 However, we returned the next morning for the breakfast buffet, which was fabulous. In all fairness, we may have just had an off night at dinner the night before.
 
As soon as we arrived and the kid saw the gorgeous pool from our window, they were begging to get in.  Late April is not exactly prime swimming weather in Vancouver, but I couldn’t deny them the opportunity to swim in such a beautiful pool!  Their swim was short lived in the cold weather, but at least they stopped begging. 😉
 
fairmont pacific rim pool
 
All in all, I cannot find one negative thing to say about our experience at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Aside from being gorgeous, the service was among the best service I’ve had at any hotel I’ve ever stayed in. From the bellman to the concierge, everyone was wonderful to work with.  If you find yourself in Vancouver, I highly recommend a stay at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.
 
Looking for more travel posts?  You can find all of our travel posts from around the world here.

If you’re on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest come join me there too.  I love to share tons of daily inspiration. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter! 🙂

Happy Travels!

Tammy

Tammy

Creative Director at Pink Peppermint Design
Tammy Mitchell is the founder and creative director of lifestyle blog pinkpeppermintdesign.com. Along with being a homeschooling mom of two kiddos, she is also an in-demand prop and event stylist, photographer, interior and graphic designer. On Pink Peppermint Design, she shares creative DIY projects, easy entertaining and gift ideas, inspiring interiors and events. She lives in Southern California, with her husband and two children.

Pacific rim view

Leave a Comment

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap