We are fortunate enough that my husband works for Fairmont, so we get to stay at their hotels for a fraction of the cost. We were especially excited to check out the brand new Fairmont Pacific Rim. We’ll be the first ones to say when we find a Fairmont to be sub-standard, we can honestly say the Pacific Rim was top notch. The entire design of the hotel is done in a contemporary and minimalistic style that has influences of Asia and the West Coast.
Can I Valet Park Your Paint Wagon Sir?
We have such comical experiences pulling up in our vehicle at a Fairmont, and this was no exception. My husband is the painter for one of the hotels. We still own a white cargo van that was used for our own painting company. This Pacific Rim in the fanciest Fairmont we have stayed in yet. It’s not uncommon to see limousines sitting out front and high end vehicles waiting to be valet parked.
We pulled up in the “paint wagon” as I like to call it. A bellman immediately runs over to open my door. I can hardly keep myself from laughing as I hop out in my hoodie, blue jeans and flip flops. I can only wonder what the bellman is thinking. I find it appropriate to inform him rather quickly that we are Fairmont employees. Otherwise I fear it must seem like a scene from the Clampetts showing up in Beverly Hills. We needed to get our belongings out of the back of the van before they parked it. Out came our suitcase along with a couple bags of our own food and snacks to eat in the hotel, real high class!
A Personal Tour And Instructions On How To Use The Room
We are always treated with the utmost respect when we are checking in regardless of the fact we don’t look like the typical clientele. If it is your first time to the hotel a bellman not only takes your luggage to the room, but comes up with you to show you how to use the state of the art room. All the rooms have surround sound. A bedside control panel opens and closes the curtains and sheers and controls all the lights.
I would come back to this hotel just for the bathroom alone. All the rooms have a spacious spa-like bathroom with a luxury size tub and glass shower with a rain head. There is a waterproof remote control that operates the t.v. that somehow shows through the bathroom mirror.
We didn’t get a water view room, but we thought it was pretty cool that we could see the water and even boats moving in the reflection of one of the skyscrapers.
Restaurant Choices
There is one main restaurant in the hotel called Oru. The space is very open and all the seating offers excellent views. It is a Pan-Asian style menu with some authentic dishes from around the Pacific Rim. You can have anything from naan bread that is baked in a tandoori oven to locally sourced seafood. It claims to have the largest sake cellar in the city. The prices were actually not that bad compared to what we have experienced in other Fairmont restaurants. We both had a salmon dish for dinner that was quite good. The desserts were very creative, I had a green tea flavored item that had the look and texture of a sea sponge.
For more casual food there is Giovane, a bakery, Italian inspired cafe and deli. This is where we would grab some breakfast before heading out for the day. The soup of the day and a grilled panini hit the spot for a lunch or could even suffice as an evening meal.
24 Hour Fitness Center And Room Service
Finally a hotel that realizes not every one’s life exists within a certain parameter of hours. If I want something to eat at 1am I can get it. The fitness center is an impressive 4000 square feet. They also have a yoga studio. If you are a member of the Fairmont Presidents Club you can take out one of the hotels BMW bikes for the day at no charge. The hotel will also provide you with options of various running routes in the area. Of course you should expect some extra perks at the cost of staying at this hotel, but we thought it was a nice touch that the bellman offer you no charge bottled water and apples when exiting the hotel. We even saw them throwing a towel around runners as they were coming back from their morning jog.
Rooftop Swimming Pool And Lounge Area
The rooftop pool area is pretty cool. The 2500 square foot area offers a large swimming pool and jacuzzi, there are several sitting areas with outdoor fireplaces and large screen televisions, day beds and relaxation pods.
This Fairmont features the first Willow Stream Spa in the city. There’s a spa that takes up the entire 5th floor and offers some amazing views from the wall to wall windows. We didn’t try the Willow Stream at this location but we have been to the one in the Fairmont Banff Springs several times, and it’s pretty amazing.
The Lobby And Lounge Area
A one of a kind Fazioli piano that cost $225,000 sits in the lobby area. It’s apparently the Ferrari of pianos. There is live entertainment throughout the week. The lounge area is an impressive open space with floor to ceiling windows and double sided see through fireplace. You can enjoy a cocktail, tea or enjoy chilled seafood, oysters, sushi or sashimi from the raw bar. The lounge offers a lunch menu as well as custom brewed coffee and pastries in the morning.
Youtube Story Of the Fazioli Piano At The Fairmont Pacific Rim
After walking around the hotel it became apparent that attention to detail had been taken into consideration for every area. I was particularly impressed when I walked into on of the common area restrooms.
The Rock Star Suite
There are several specialty suites available at the Pacific Rim but the one that is the showcase of them all is the Chairmans Suite, or otherwise dubbed the “rock star” suite and deservedly so. It is 2250 square feet, has it’s own elevator and two floors of open space with floor to ceiling glass that offers views of Coal Harbour, the North Shore Mountains and the rooftop pool. The bathroom in the master suite is 5oo square feet and features a hand carved soaker tub. Two living rooms, full size kitchen and butler’s pantry and private exercise room and a private terrace that can accommodate a venue for 60 people.
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