The Fairmont Hotel at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is an airport hotel that I always look forward to staying at.
It’s extremely clean, convenient, and quiet. Most importantly? The views of the airport (and the airplanes) is outstanding.
This following a full review of my most recent experience.
Location
The Fairmont is connected directly to Terminal E (adjacent to the entrance for US departures). Not only can you access it from the baggage claim /arrivals level, there is also a really nice entrance from the departures level.
You asked for a hotel close to the airport, and gosh darn it, the Fairmont YVR delivers.You also asked for a hotel that you can access from inside of the airport (from the departures level even), and gosh darn it, the Fairmont YVR delivers again. I love it when an airport hotel does what I ask of it!Not so fast, buckaroo. It appears that the actual main entrance is up ahead.
The lobby of this hotel is as rustic and outdoorsy as the rest of the Vancouver Airport. The first thing you’ll notice when walking in is the reception desk – which is rare for large hotels these days. They usually make you look for it.
The reception desk. Those of you who have seen the interior of the Vancouver International Airport will know that all of this wood and stone is kind of a big deal here.
Checking in took about 10 minutes due to several other guests checking in ahead of me. At least that were no surprises.
The lobby: Rustic, cozy, and brown. Scandinavian farmhouse kitchen Saskatoon ice fishing hut vibes like a mofo!
Restaurant and bar
The Globe restaurant is located in the lobby, and they serve a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Jetside Bar looks pretty good too – though it didn’t seem to be open when I arrived (3pm).
An empty bar? In Canada? What the hell kind of hotel is this anyway?
It’s also worth noting that the airport food court (pre security) is just a five minute walk away. You even won’t have to go outside to reach it.
Getting to my room
The elevators are located about 100ft from the reception desk, so you won’t have to drag your luggage all that far. If you need help, be sure to take advantage of their bellhop service. I’ll admit that I was tempted to see what it was like (even though I was traveling with nothing more than a small backpack).
Watching the stone clad elevator doors open is like something straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. “It’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage.”Things are a little less rustic up here in the guest room hallways. I really like the carpet actually – it sort of looks like there was a horrific incident involving bleach not so long ago. I have arrived. Room six ought six is mine for the night.
What they gave me was a non-airport facing room with dual twin beds. It was the smallest room that I’ve ever had here at the Fairmont, but it was nice nonetheless.
Whether or not this room is ready, Big Daddy is coming in…The room is most certainly ready, but Big Daddy seems to be worried about how he’s going to defend himself from being billed for stained carpet. “I’m telling you, I never travel with bleach! It won’t even fit in my backpack!”I’ll deal with the carpet situation later. This room looks good. I’m not a twin bed kind of guy, but I am an old guy (so it was easy to appreciate how comically tall they are).*Tall bed appreciation pic*Although nowhere near a spacious as the room that I had at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel at YYZ the night before, this is a lot more cozy. And rustic. And splotchy.5 pillows per bed, x2 beds = far more pillows than I know what to do with. This is luxury to a guy who has been using the same flat a** pillow at home for the past 6 years.
Room amenities
Every room here at the Fairmont YVR has its own fully stocked minibar. There’s also a Nespresso machine and complementary water.
Everything you need for a night to remember is located in the cabinet underneath the television. There’s a fully stocked minibar, a hot water maker (with a matching ice bucket), wine, and an assortment of vessels to sip your alcohol from. There’s probably a Bible in here somewhere as well (which would pair excellently with the booze).Looks to be a very lightly used Nespresso machine. There are packages of whatever you fill this thing with located down in the cabinet below (I don’t drink coffee so I have no idea what one does with a Nespresso machine).Good news: there will be a large bottle of water for you in the room when you arrive. Bad news: there’s only one, and if you want more, you’re gonna have to trudge down to the nearest ice/water dispenser on your floor to refill it.The bathrobes are nice. They may not be warm enough for Saskatoon ice fishing, but they’d be plenty cozy enough for whipping up a plate of Smørrebrød in a Scandinavian farmhouse kitchen.
The view
There are two types of views available at this hotel:
The airport facing view
The non-airport facing view
This was the first time that I ever chose a room with a non-airport facing view here. Let’s just say that I’m not planning on doing it again.
This is the view that I had from an airport facing room a few years ago. It’s every bit as good as the view I had for my room at the Calgary Airport Marriott, and it begs the question: why is everything always better in Canada? Well, it’s better most of the time at least. This is the view that I had on my most recent trip. I think the lesson here is that you’d be a fool not to spend a little more for a room with a view of the airplanes.
The bathroom
Look. The bathroom was nice, but I have to be honest. The bathroom I experienced in my room at the Changi Airport Crowne Plaza not so long ago has totally ruined me. Nothing will ever tap that. This one here at the Fairmont (while very nice) wasn’t even close.
“Hey there! Welcome to the loo, eh?”I’m not sure what Canadian bathrooms are supposed to look like, but this looks like a bathroom I quite like.The toilet room? About the size of a Saskatoon ice fishing hut. Warmer too!I especially like how there’s a window right above the tub. This will be especially convenient for flashing your junk to travel partner when they least expect it. Because you know they wanna see it.The amenities are somewhat sparse in this bathroom unfortunately. Not all hotels provide free toothbrushes and toothpaste!
Pros and cons
All you need to know is that I will never stay at any other airport hotel at YVR other than the Fairmont. I don’t care how much it costs. It’s that convenient. And nice.
Pros
The convenience can’t be beat – especially if you’ve got a flight to the United States very early in the morning. The entrance for US departures is located right outside the main entrance.
The airport facing rooms are worth paying extra for. Especially if you’re into Canadian airlines.
It’s always quiet here. Every time I visit.
Cons
It’s almost always going to be the most expensive airport hotel at YVR (comparing prices will not be for the faint of heart).
It’s a little dark and gloomy if I’m being honest.
Food (both in the restaurant and via room service) is expensive. Thankfully there’s an indoor food court located nearby with more reasonable prices.
