Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM
HOTEL
$$$
( 877-900-5350, 604-695-5300;
www.fairmont.com/pacificrim
; 1038 Canada Place; d $249;
; Waterfront)
Near the convention center, this chic 377-room property
is Vancouver's newest Fairmont. While many rooms have city views, the ones with wa-
terfront vistas will blow you away, especially as you sit in your jetted tub or cube-
shaped Japanese bath with a glass of bubbly. In-room flourishes include iPod docks and
Nespresso machines, but the rooftop swimming pool should monopolize most of your
time.
Check out the wrap-around text art installation on the hotel's glass exterior. And
stick around for a drink: the lobby bar is popular with local cocktail-quaffing movers
and shakers. Soothe your hangover away the next day at the Willow Stream Spa, one of
the area's most popular pampering options.
FAIRMONT HOTEL VANCOUVER
HOTEL
$$$
( 866-540-4452, 604-684-3131;
www.fairmont.com/hotelvancouver
; 900 W Georgia St; r $369;
; Vancouver City Centre)
Opened in 1939 by visiting UK royals, this
sparkling grand dame is a Vancouver landmark. Despite the provenance, the hotel care-
fully balances comfort with elegance: the lobby is bedecked with crystal chandeliers
but the rooms have an understated business-hotel feel. If you have the budget, check in
to the Gold Floor for a raft of pampering services.
And if you'd rather not pay for internet access, join the President's Club loyalty pro-
gram for free and it won't cost you a penny (this applies to all Fairmont properties). If
you're staying in the city at Christmas, this place is a good option: the lobby is always
beautifully decorated for the season.
WEDGEWOOD HOTEL & SPA
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
$$$
( 800-663-0666, 604-689-7777;
www.wedgewoodhotel.com
; 845 Hornby St; r $310;
; 5)
The last word in personalized luxury, the elegant Wedgewood is dripping
with top-hatted charm. The friendly staff are second to none, rooms are stuffed with re-
production antiques and the balconies enable you to smirk at the seemingly grubby
plebs shuffling past below. Steam up your monocle with a trip to the spa, then sip a sig-
nature cocktail in the fireplace-warmed lobby bar.
