Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver, review

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Fairmont Waterfront in one line

A comfortable stay close to Vancouver’s cruise terminal with fantastic service.

Price

From £309 / $414 / €358 a night, room-only.

Book your stay on Booking.com* or Expedia*.

Neighbourhood

Facing Vancouver’s busy cruise terminal, Fairmont Waterfront is a top pick for those staying in the city before or after a cruise.

Even if you’re not cruising, its downtown location is well placed for sightseeing.

Museums and galleries like the Vancouver Art Gallery are a 15-minute walk away, while the historic neighbourhoods of Gastown and Chinatown are even closer.

Stanley Park is a bit further – it’s 30 minutes on foot – but you’ll most likely want to hire a bike to explore its 405 hectares.

Thanks to the cruise terminal, plenty of city tours will pick up near the hotel as well.

Vibe

While the Fairmont brand is known for heritage properties dating back to the early 20th century, the Fairmont Waterfront, built in 1991, is comparatively modern.

It still leans into that classic five-star hotel experience.

You could hardly miss the grand lobby with its double-height ceiling, or its team of Les Clefs d’Or concierges.

Most of the guests are on the older side, and many are using it as a pit stop on their way to a cruise or tour – the Rocky Mountaineer uses it as a pre-departure base, for example.

Rooms

The 489 rooms at the Fairmont Waterfront are a little boring if I’m being honest – they’re spacious and comfortable but there are no bold design flourishes.

They also feel a little dated given the last major renovation was completed back in 2013.

If you do stay here, ask for a room on a higher floor.

The floor-to-ceiling windows really help maximise the spectacular waterfront views and you’ll only get the most out of them if you’re higher up.

The bedroom

It’s all business in the bedroom – think a working desk, executive-style rolling chairs and a tea and coffee station for a caffeine boost.

Depending on your room category, the very comfortable beds are either king, queen or double, while the decor in general is functional rather than photogenic.

I love that there’s plenty of room to walk around and robes and slippers come as standard, but the room I stayed in could definitely have done with a bit of touch-up maintenance.

The soundproofing could be also improved although in general it’s not a noisy hotel.

The bathroom

Like the bedroom, the bathroom is spacious and functional, with a shower over the bath in most of the standard rooms.

It’s also well lit with magnifying mirrors – something I always appreciate as someone with myopia.

The toiletries are Le Labo which, aside from adding a touch of luxury, are actually great to use.

The view

The views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains are one of the hotel’s strongest selling points.

While there are floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, you’ll need to book a harbour-view room on a higher floor to really make the most of the location, especially when there’s a big cruise ship in town.

Food and drink

There’s just one restaurant and bar at the Fairmont Waterfront: the open-plan brasserie-style restaurant ARC.

Its approach is “province to plate”, which means sourcing ingredients from around British Columbia for its approachable, contemporary take on a classic menu.

Expect dishes like harissa marinated chicken, roasted sable fish with cannellini beans and smoked mussels, or an old-school steak.

Other amenities

The 50ft heated rooftop pool is definitely a highlight at Fairmont Waterfront, not least because it offers those North Shore Mountain views.

There’s also a well-equipped gym with cardio machines and free weights that’s open 24/7.

A large portion of the hotel is given over to meeting spaces and conference facilities, which keeps the public areas of the hotel quite busy too.

Highlights

The location is the main reason for booking the Fairmont Waterfront.

Aside from all of the aforementioned attractions, it’s also convenient for public transport – Waterfront Station is just steps away and you can hop straight onto the Canada Line for the airport.

The second reason is the impeccable service.

When I stayed, I arrived early to drop off my luggage before going sightseeing.

As a standard service, the staff brought everything to my room once it was ready so there was no need to collect my stuff after I got back.

Downsides

The rooms at the Fairmont Waterfront are a little dated and could do with a revamp.

They’re perfectly clean and comfortable, but for the price point it’s reasonable to expect more.

The soundproofing could also be improved – I was able to hear guests talking in the corridor, for example.

Asides

If you want a comfortable pied a terre and don’t mind the five star prices then the Fairmont Waterfront is a great option.

While it’s dressed like a business hotel, almost everyone you meet in the lobby will be there on holiday.

For families

While there are no separate facilities for children, the hotel does try to cater to families.

Connecting rooms aside, you can request children’s robes, cribs, stepping stools, Diaper Genie, highchairs, and special shampoo and soap.

Babysitting services are also available on request.

For digital nomads

The hotel’s nightly rate would likely be too cost prohibitive for most digital nomads but the rooms are very work-friendly.

Aside from proper work desks, there are comfortable swivel chairs, while the internet connection is fast and free.

For pet owners

Dogs are permitted at the hotel for a nightly fee, which includes snacks on arrival, a water bowl and a dog bed.

Only certain areas of the hotel are dog-friendly though, and some floors are completely pet-free.

You can also request dog sitting services through the hotel.

Other reviews

Check its reviews and ratings on:

• TripAdvisor*
• Booking.com*
• Expedia*

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Getting here

Fairmont Waterfront is around 30 minutes from Vancouver International Airport.

Simply hop on the Canada Line SkyTrain and get off at Waterfront Station, which is just a few steps away.

A taxi takes around the same time but will cost quite a bit more – Uber is available and is probably the easiest option.

Loyalty scheme

Fairmont is part of Accor so you can earn and redeem points through the ALL – Accor Live Limitless programme.

You get access to free premium wifi as soon as you join so it’s well worth it.

Higher tier members also get a free welcome drink.

When I stayed

I stayed at the Fairmont Waterfront in September 2025.

My stay was hosted by the Rocky Mountaineer, which completes its check-in procedures at the hotel.