Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver | ALL Accor

Vancouver was adorned in its finest spring colours during my visit for a press trip to the Canadian Rockies. The scent of cherry blossoms, pleasant temperatures for exploring the city on foot, and radiant sunshine; even Vancouverites seemed to marvel at such beautiful days. My stay at the Fairmont Waterfront, within walking distance of Vancouver’s most beautiful spots, was already shaping up to be a very pleasant one.

For this stay, the rate for a night in a Signature Harbour View King Corner room started at $647 CAD.

Located just steps from Canada Place in the harbour district, the hotel offers stunning views of the mountains and the harbour. From the airport, it takes about 45 minutes by taxi or by public transit with the Canada Line to Waterfront Station in 25 minutes.

When you stay at the Fairmont Waterfront, you’re within walking distance of many of the city’s most popular areas, including historic Gastown, Stanley Park, the convention center, the cruise terminal and, of course, the waterfront promenade.

The lobby, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, is filled with natural light, offering a constant view of the incredible mountains. Works by local and Indigenous artists line the walls, chairs and sofas are arranged throughout for guests, and in a more private corner you’ll find the reception and concierge desk.

I was lucky enough to get my room as soon as I arrived, even though it was early in the morning, allowing me to put my suitcase down before setting off to explore the city. The staff are very friendly, smiling and courteous from the second the cab drops you off at the front door.

The ARC restaurant is also located in the lobby, with its elegant bar.

My room, the Signature Harbour view King corner was not only spacious, modern and bathed in natural light, but the 180-degree view from the two large windows took my breath away. There’s even a large bay window in the bathroom.

On one side, you can watch the seaplanes take off, and on the other, the ferries and the harbour. The bed was extremely comfortable, and the armchair by the window allowed me to admire the ships departing at sunrise.

I really appreciated the work desk, although it was hard to concentrate with such a view. I had to look around a bit to find the coffee station with the Keurig machine, which was tucked away in drawers to the left of the minibar.

I definitely enjoyed the Rose 31 bath products (available in all hotels of the chain) and the cozy bathrobe. The soundproofing was excellent, even though you can still hear the small planes taking off and the cruise ship sirens as they depart. If I had to mention a minor downside, it would be the absence of a balcony, although the view from the large windows more than made up for it.

ARC offers seasonal local cuisine featuring producers from British Columbia. I even had the opportunity to visit some of the restaurant’s suppliers by touring Granville Island Market with the chef.

Open from morning till night, it is particularly renowned for its weekend brunch and craft cocktails. The “Sip and Shuck” happy hour featuring oysters and bubbles is particularly popular, and honey from the bees foraging on the roof is at the heart of several dishes.

Room service is also available, which I used for breakfast. By placing an order the night before using the card left during turndown service, breakfast is delivered at the requested time the next morning.

The Fairmont Waterfront features a year-round heated outdoor pool overlooking the mountains and downtown, a Jacuzzi, a well-equipped fitness center and a spa offering massages and facials. I didn’t use the spa services, but the pool and workout room were impeccably maintained. The lounge chairs are perfect for sunbathing between visits.

The hotel also offers some unique activities right on site. I was able to attend a Sound Bathing session, an immersive relaxation experience guided by soothing sounds and therapeutic vibrations, offered in a quiet space within the hotel.

Another unique activity is a visit to the rooftop garden, during which you can meet the beekeeper responsible for the hotel’s hives, learn more about urban beekeeping and taste the honey produced on site, which is also used in the signature dishes and cocktails of the ARC restaurant.

The area is ideal for exploring Vancouver on foot. Just a few minutes away, you can go to Gastown for its steam clock and small boutiques, stroll along the harbour promenade, or head to Stanley Park for a bike ride.

The Fairmont Waterfront is an excellent choice for those who want to combine comfort, a dream location and spectacular views. The service was impeccable, the facilities very well maintained and the proximity to all downtown attractions makes it a perfect place for a first visit to Vancouver or a stay before a cruise or departure on the famous Rocky Mountaineer train. I’d particularly recommend it to couples or business travellers, as it’s right across the street from Canada Place.

Fairmont hotels are part of the Accor Live Limitless program. However, no Canadian credit card allows you to quickly earn points directly in this program. Therefore, the standard method is to collect points by staying at Accor hotels.

But the good news is that there are other ways to use credit card points to stay for free at these hotels. Take a look at our guide to independent hotels – the same trick works very well with Fairmont hotels.