Travel Reference
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a wide variety of amenities. Like other full-service hotels, it offers valet parking, a large
health club, an outdoor pool, and a variety of eating and drinking choices, including a café
where a buffet breakfast is served daily from 6:30am ($26) and the stylish Grain Tasting
Bar specializing in regional craft beers. Rooms on the Regency Club floor are larger than
those elsewhere in the hotel, and for the rate of $420, guests enjoy a private concierge,
their own lounge, and complimentary breakfast.
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, best known for landmark accommodations such as the
Fairmont Empress in Victoria and the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, operates three
properties in the downtown area. Most spectacular and newest is
Fairmont Pacific Rim
(1038 Canada Place, 604/695-5300 or 800/257-7544,
www.fairmont.com
, $380 s or d),
acrosstheroadfromtheVancouverConventionCentreandBurrardInlet.Openingjustpri-
or to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, the property boasts 377 rooms, many with sweep-
ing views extending across the water to the North Shore Mountains. The rooms have an
elegant yet earthy feel, outfitted with luxuries such as marble bathrooms. Other amenities
include spa services, three dining areas, and a Fairmont Gold level.
The copper-roofed
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
(900 W. Georgia St., 604/684-3131
or 800/257-7544,
www.fairmont.com
, from $370 s or d) is a downtown landmark—you
can'thelpbutnoticethedistinctivegreencopperroof,thegargoyles,andtheclassic,Goth-
ic château-style architecture of this grande dame. The original Hotel Vancouver, which
opened in 1887, was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Destroyed by fire in the
early 1930s, it was rebuilt from the ground up and reopened amid much fanfare in 1939.
Today with its former glory restored, the Hotel Vancouver is one of Canada's grandest ac-
commodations, from the cavernous marble-lined lobby to the high ceilings and 556 eleg-
antlyfurnishedrooms.Facilitiesincluderestaurants,acomfortablelounge,anindoorpool,
saunas, a weight room, health facilities, 24-hour room service, ample parking, and a large
staff to attend to your every whim.
You'll be knocked out by the views at the
Fairmont Waterfront
(900 Canada Place
Way,604/691-1991or800/257-7544,
www.fairmont.com
,from$389sord)rising23stor-
ies from beside Canada Place. The 489 rooms are all spacious, and more than half of them
enjoystunningharborviews.Muchoftheartworkthroughoutthehotelwasspeciallycom-
missioned for the property. Guest facilities include a third-floor health club and outdoor
pool, and rooms are equipped with luxurious bathrobes, a work desk, and remote check-
out.ConsiderupgradingtothelargerFairmont Deluxeroomoverlookingtheharborforan
extra $60.
