Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver – Pre-Cruise Hotel Review

• Introduction – Big Family Cruise in a HUGE Suite

• Why We Chose Alaska For Our Three Generation Cruise

• Crossing North America in American Airlines First Class

• Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver – Pre-Cruise Hotel Review

• What to Expect with an NCL Haven Embarkation

• Our First Time Sailing Norwegian Cruise Line

• Comparing the NCL Haven to Sister Line Oceania Cruises

• Cabin Review – Three Bedroom Haven Garden Villa

• The Haven Experience on a Jewel-Class Ship

• Flight Review – Delta Airlines Anchorage (ANC) to Atlanta (ATL) in First Class

• Would we Sail NCL in Alaska Again?

Introduction

Before we dive into our Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver – Pre-Cruise Hotel Review, a bit of background.

We were arriving in Vancouver three days ahead of our cruise.  We did this for a few reasons:

• We had never been to Vancouver before and had heard great things
• Coming from Atlanta we wanted a bit of time to adjust to the time change so we could maximize our fun on board
• We were sailing out on a Monday, so why not head out on a Friday afternoon to make the most of the vacation time
• Crossing North America in American Airlines First Class required fewer points on a Friday than the Saturday
• We ALWAYS recommend getting in at least one day before a cruise if you can afford the time and money required

WARNING: Vancouver hotels during peak season are EXPENSIVE, like REALLY EXPENSIVE.  Even when taking into account the difference in currency for those of us coming from the US.  Points hotels are available.  But they’re also limited and don’t always provide the best redemption value now that most programs use variable pricing (gouging in summer).

I looked at my preferred hotel loyalty programs in order – Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Hyatt, IHG…nothing looked like an amazing deal with very few properties at the higher end of the market.  I knew from prior time spent in Canada that Fairmont, being founded there, has a big footprint and generally has great hotels.  Vancouver is no exception with not one but four in the metro area:

• Fairmont Waterfront – Just steps from Canada Place Cruise Terminal and the Vancouver Convention Centre, this modern harbourfront property offers eco-conscious luxury, rooftop gardens and heated pool with sweeping views.  When we saw that we could book a room with a view of the port and our ship I was determined to find a way to stay here.  

• Fairmont Pacific Rim – Located at 1038 Canada Place in Coal Harbour, this upscale 2010‑opened hotel blends contemporary design and art installations with amenities like a top‑tier spa and panoramic harbour‑mountain views.

• Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – Known as the “Castle in the City,” this historic 1939 landmark sits in the heart of downtown (~0.5 mi/10 min walk from Canada Place), offering heritage‑style grandeur, Notch8 dining, and plush Fairmont Gold suites.  We enjoyed a mid-afternoon snack and cocktails in the lobby bar and can’t recommend it highly enough.

• Fairmont Vancouver Airport – The only full‑service Fairmont located inside Vancouver International Airport (YVR), it provides soundproofed runway‑view rooms, spa, gym, pool, and seamless access to gates.

I have a soft spot for Fairmont hotels as I used to stay at their location in Chicago for work 50+ nights a year back when they operated as a stand-alone chain and their loyalty program consisted of suite upgrades, fruit baskets, bottles of wine, and an annual coupon book of amazing offers at all of their hotels (alas I wasn’t wise enough in the points and miles game at the time to be able to get myself to enough of the hotels to make use of the latter amenity).

Booking

Our three night stay at the Fairmont Waterfront had a cash price of $2,854.83 CAD a whopping $951.61 per night for a Signature Harbor and Stanley Park View Corner Room, King Bed.  There was a slightly less expensive room category, but we decided that a modest upgrade in points from a standard room, guaranteeing we got the view that we wanted, was worth it.  We were not going to pay that.  Fortunately Fairmont participates in the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal including the Fairmont Waterfront.  Because I have the Ink Business Preferred card I was able to use points at a 1.25cpp valuation (vs 1.50cpp for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card or 1.00cpp for those with other cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points).  This pricing structure is going to change in the near future as Chris described here.  This was certainly NOT an amazing redemption value at 228,386 points, a 2.25cpp valuation, but I was excited to get the hotel we wanted, in the location we wanted, and not have to dip into my pocket.  I had hopes of being able to do some amazing cruise ship spotting from our room.

We had a family member travelling with us that works for IHG.  She was able to get an employee rate at the Holiday Inn & Suites North Vancouver, about 25 minutes away across the harbor using the Sea Bus, where the rate from memory was still over $200 CAD per night.  After visiting our hotel they understood the price difference…but were satisfied with their stay at the Holiday Inn for the relative “value.”

Check-In

Our flight landed just after 9:30pm meaning we didn’t get to the hotel until just after 11:00pm after clearing immigration and claiming our checked bags.  We took an Uber for the 9.3 mi/15km ride to the hotel that took exactly thirty minutes and cost us $50 CAD including tip for an XL (one of us doesn’t pack lightly).

A friendly bellhop greeted us as soon as we pulled in and helped us unload our luggage and offered to bring it to our room.  Free of most of our luggage we went to the desk to check-in.  Check-in was quick with just a credit card swipe for incidentals as they acknowledged that my room had been pre-paid.

First Impressions

The hotel is in an amazing location directly across from the cruise terminal.  As we entered the lobby it was a large atrium with marble floors, several seating areas, as well as the closed bar and restaurant.  It was attractive though clearly dated.  The elevator was interesting with a number of buttons that had not worked for some time as they had a custom sign made instructing guests to use buttons on the other side of the elevator.  A novel approach!

Our room (1807) was located at the end of a short corridor.

It was obviously dark when we got to the room so we couldn’t fully appreciate the view out of the windows which was the main draw.  The room was spacious and comfortable, with traditional decor, that was a bit past its prime.

After a Good Night’s Sleep and With the Benefit of Daylight

Waking up and drawing the curtains back to see a cruise ship pulling into the port AND a sunrise was pretty magical.  The corner room provided excellent views over the entire harbor and even the bathroom had a large harbor-facing window.

The bed was comfortable and we had no issues getting the room to our preferred temperature.  The finishes were a bit dated and worn, though the room was well maintained and felt clean.  We enjoyed having an extended interior hallway where we were able to park our larger bags that we didn’t intend to open until we got on the Norwegian Jewel.

The bathroom was clean spacious.  It had had a light renovation in the past few years, but things like the shower were original.  We had no complaints.

But the view, my lord, I just couldn’t stop peering out the window and it was really fun to see cruise ships pulling in as well as the Sea Buses crossing the harbor.  Our first morning we saw Holland America‘s Noordam dock as well as Royal Caribbean‘s Brilliance of the Seas not long after.  Later that morning Celebrity Solstice also docked.  I could not wait for our Norwegian Jewel to pull in on our embarkation morning!!!

The minibar was well stocked with items for purchase and a complimentary Nespresso machine.

Food and Beverage

Because we had paid with points and do not have any loyalty perks with Fairmont we didn’t prioritize eating or drinking at the hotel; however, we did enjoy a nightcap (photo below is from their sister Fairmont “Castle” but similar beverage program) on our second evening as well as breakfast on our checkout morning because we were up early (still battling the time change).  While the prices were high, we were at a luxury city hotel after all, the quality and service matched the price point.

It’s worth noting that directly across the street at the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal there is a Starbuck’s for those that need to get their daily fix and in the office building next to the hotel there’s a Tim Horton’s for those looking for a taste of Canada.  We did both!

Final Approach

We absolutely love the location which can’t be beat if you’re embarking/disembarking at the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal.  You can simply walk across the street to access the terminal, though be advised, it’s a very large facility and based on where your ship is docked it can be a deceptively long walk particularly if you’re carrying lots of luggage.  While the hotel is a bit past it’s prime and we wouldn’t complain if they chose to renovate, it’s well maintained and very clean.  The views, if you get a harbor facing room are the best in the city.  I would 100% recommend this hotel were it not for the price.  In peak season it’s wildly expensive.  For many that’s going to eliminate it from their list.  If you can manage to book with points or through a TA and get additional perks that can take some of the sting out of the price, but I’m still not sure it’s an appropriate value.

So answering our question – Overpriced or Awesome???  I have to say both.  The cruise ship watching, the sunrises, and access to the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal are awesome.  But in my opinion it’s clearly overpriced.  They can get away with it because of the location, the views, and the Fairmont brand.  Will we stay here again before or after an Alaska cruise?  Probably not as we’ll look to try another hotel at a more reasonable points value.

That concludes our Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver – Pre-Cruise Hotel Review.  Let us know, if you had the points would you choose to stay here? – Michael