Most of us are probably stir crazy with the travel ban and quarantine restrictions of the past couple year. I don’t blame you! As a huge traveler myself, it has definitely been hard to stay home. With BC well into Phase 3 and Canada wide travel is finally available again, I am still wary of travelling too far from home, so a local staycation it is! Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Downtown Vancouver is one of the premier luxury hotels in the city. It is the perfect for your next staycation with your bestie, significant other, family or even for yourself! Check out my review below to plan your perfect Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver staycation.
Fairmont Waterfront – Stay Local Summer Staycation Package
As we are now able to travel Canada wide, Canadians should take advantage of Fairmont Waterfront’s Stay Local deal! This limited time offer includes 20% off luxury accommodations, complimentary self parking and a $25 daily dining credit. This offer is valid until Thursday September 30, 2021. In addition, with the Fairmont Waterfront’s flexible policy, if plans change you can cancel up to one day before your arrival.
Getting Here and Checking In
Address: 900 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L5
Phone Number: (604) 691-1991
Website: https://www.fairmont.com/waterfront-vancouver
Check-in Time: 3:00 PM
Check-out Time: 12:00 PM
As a local it is very easy to access Fairmont Waterfront. It is conveniently located next to Waterfront Skytrain station and is just minutes away from the R5 RapidBus. If you are planning to drive, overnight parking is available at the hotel and is in effect from 6:00pm to 6:00pm the next day. Self Parking is $56.00 per night and include in-and-out privileges.
Check in was quick and efficient. Because I went during the latest heat wave, the hotel was very busy, but the staff was professional and they all wore masks. However, a mask policy is not enforced within the hotel, so it is not mandatory for guests to wear masks. The check in staff will quickly review the new COVID procedures within the hotel. Do note that there is no daily turn down service for rooms.
Fairmont Waterfront Signature Harbor View Room
The Signature Harbor View Rooms are available on the 10th to 23rd floors. As the name suggests, these east facing water view rooms offer spectacular views of the mountains, ocean and the Vancouver Convention Center. The views from this room is truly spectacular!
Fairmont Waterfront Signature Harbor View Room – Views, Amenities and more!
The room I chose had a King size bed (but there is an option for two double beds). The bed was so soft, it was truly like sinking into a cloud! There were four pillows and they had the right amount of support my neck.
The room features a 47″ HD flat screen TV, but with such stunning views, you really won’t be using it. The room has air conditioning with individual climate control, which is perfect for those extra hot Vancouver days.
Fairmont hotels are known for their signature scent – Le Labo’s Rose 31. It’s a unique spicy and floral scent with woodsy notes. The bathroom is well stocked with all the toiletries you could possibly need and more including: shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower gel, body bar, shower cap, shoe polishing kit, etc.
Their towels are made from 100% cotton and really lends itself to a luxurious spa like aesthetic.
ARC Restaurant
ARC Restaurant is open every day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The dishes are made with fresh and local ingredients including herbs from their own rooftop garden. I have had the pleasure of eating here multiple times and it has always been a delicious and filling experience. While they no longer offer their famous ARC After Dark dinner option, they do have a new $49 three course dinner ($39 for 2 courses).
Birds and the Bees feature Grey Goose Vodka, honey syrup, lemon juice and soda water.
You can’t go to ARC Restaurant without trying their cocktails. Aside from the classics, a lot of their cocktails feature ingredients from the Fairmont Waterfront rooftop garden and apiary. The stand out was the ‘Birds and the Bees’ cocktail with honey from the Fairmont’s own honey bees!
ARC Restaurant – $49 3-Course Dinner Menu
For starters, we shared two appetizers. If there is one dish you need to try in your life it is the Seared Scallop Frisée Salad. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the sunflower puree is life changing. The salad is definitely bacon forward, however it doesn’t overwhelm the dish and complements every component well. The carpaccio was light and refreshing – very herb forward.
Both are dishes are from the supplemental menu, but it is worth it. The halibut was the perfect summer dish. An extremely refined dish with light and summery flavours and a perfectly cooked and moist piece of halibut. The tenderloin was much more flavour forward, however it was leaning more towards the medium well side (we requested medium rare).
For dessert you have the option of ordering your own dessert or picking one of the shareable desserts. If there is one dessert you must try in Vancouver it is the The Bee’s Knees Sundae. This epic sundae features rooftop honey caramel, salted-honey pecan, torched honey marshmallow, vanilla ice-cream, cocoa brownie, and fudge sauce. This indulgent dessert highlights the amazing honey from the Fairmont Waterfront rooftop. The brownie was warm and fudgey. I was in dessert heaven!
Fairmont Waterfront – Rooftop Gardens and Honey Bees
Fairmont Waterfront is a luxury hotel with a focus on sustainability. They have their own gardens where they source the food for ARC Restaurant as well as their own bees to produce honey! These gardens are available for all guests to explore – I highly recommend you make some time to do so.
Fairmont Waterfront – In Room Dining
To conclude a fantastic stay, why not order some delicious room service breakfast? In-room dining is available 24 hours a day, and they have a great selection of food and drink choices. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee while taking in the stunning view that is Vancouver. We had a traditional benedict, seasonal sliced fruits and berries and an avocado breakfast sandwich. Everything was nice and hot when it arrived it was the perfect start to our morning.
Overall Thoughts
I had a fantastic stay at the Fairmont Waterfront. With the city opening back up to tourists, the hotel was understandably quite busy but everyone was very efficient and friendly. I appreciate that staff still wore masks as did the majority of the guests that I saw. The room was cozy and the views are truly spectacular. While I didn’t get to enjoy the pool during my visit, it was quite busy as reservations are no longer needed. I highly recommend locals and Canadians take advantage of the staycation offer and book a nice relaxing retreat before the end of Summer!
Check out my quick video recap of my Fairmont Waterfront experience.
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