Located in the heart of downtown between Georgia Street and Robson, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is arguably the most famous hotel in the city.
The Hotel Vancouver on Georgia Street
Originally one of CN Rail and then later CP Rail’s flagship luxury hotels, the building was completed in 1939. It has continued since then to be one of Vancouver’s most prestigious hotels.
Canada’s two main railroad companies built luxury hotels across the country in the early part of the last century. Today there is one of their castle-like structures in most major Canadian cities, including this one in Vancouver. The Fairmont Empress, for example, is a comparable and equally grand sister hotel in Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Even if not staying at the Hotel Vancouver, it’s still an interesting building to simply walk through and admire.
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Where is the Hotel Vancouver
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is located at 900 West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver. It’s conveniently located close to all the amenities downtown has to offer including shopping, dining, transit, parks and more.
The Pacific Centre Mall is only a five-minute walk from the hotel. It is Vancouver’s main downtown shopping mall and features over 100 stores.
Across the street from the hotel is the Vancouver Art Gallery. One of Canada’s largest art galleries, the museum features work by both local and international artists. Admission is also by donation on Tuesday evenings.
Many other activities are only a short walk, bus or taxi ride from the hotel! Click City of Vancouver to see our full list of attractions within the city.
What to Expect at the Hotel Vancouver
Recently renovated, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver features over 550 guest rooms and suites. There is even the Fourteenth Floor Heritage Suites section where guests can stay in rooms that have been designed to preserve the historical look and feel from back in the 1930s.
The tradition of preserving their historical look extends to the exterior of the building as well. From the outside, this hotel resembles a castle with its stone walls, gothic decorations and green roof. It truly does earn its nickname “Castle in the City!”
Other amenities for hotel guests include a modern gym accessible 24/7, indoor pool, the Notch 8 restaurant, Absolute Spa, Sitka Physio & Wellness and more. For those who like high-end shopping, the lobby features designer shops like Gucci, Omega and the flagship Louis Vuitton boutique. The hotel is also pet-friendly for folks who travel with four-legged friends.
Rooms at the Fairmont
We stayed in a standard room at the Fairmont Vancouver and it was very nice. It had two very comfortable queen-sized beds.
In the room was the standard TV, desk, phone and bedside table. There was also a fridge full of items you could purchase, but not with space to store your own beverages and food. There was also a coffeemaker with coffee pods, as you would expect, but also a kettle (which was nice for those of us wanting tea without a coffee flavour).
In the hotel room there was a large closet with a safe, a complimentary umbrella to borrow if needed, and a couple of bath robes which were nice to use when going to the pool. The bathroom had an older bathtub, but modern-looking tiles and marble countertop.
Hotel Swimming Pool & Fitness Centre
The Fairmont Vancouver Hotel has a nice indoor swimming pool and fitness area, but no hot tub or jacuzzi.
The pool is on the second floor on the south side of the hotel. It is four feet deep in a room with lots of glass and comfortable cushioned seating all around. When we went the hotel also had an abundance of inflatable beach balls to play with. It was in February, and the room itself was a bit cool, but the water itself was a comfortable temperature.
The Hotel Vancouver Ballroom
Like many of city’s larger downtown hotels, the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel has a ballroom that’s used for private rentals and major events. The Vancouver International Wine Festival holds its annual Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction here. The venue is also a popular place to celebrate New Year’s Eve each year.
At close to 7,000 square feet in size, the Pacific Ballroom has fancy chandeliers, a wooden dance floor and north-facing windows. Its ceilings are just short of 24 feet high. The room holds between 150 and 400 guests for dinners and dance events or up to 700 people for cocktail receptions. It’s an impressive room!
Other Information
As of the last time we checked, parking at the hotel cost $62 per night. A valet service is also available at $75 per night. Pets are permitted in designated rooms for an additional cost.
Click Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for a link to the hotel’s website.
Click Fairmont Empress for information about a similar hotel in Victoria on Vancouver Island.
For a list of other hotels check out any of the following:
- StayVancouverHotels.com (our article about a website that offers special deals at downtown Vancouver Hotels)
- Vancouver Hotels and Places to Stay
- Downtown Vancouver Hotels
- Vancouver Bars and Restaurants
