Luxe hotel offers quintessential west coast experience
The Fairmont Pacific Rim, fronting one of Vancouver’s best addresses, is a newcomer to an area rich in history and intrigue. With unobstructed views of the north Shore Mountains, Stanley Park and Coal Harbour, guests are treated to the vistas that have transfixed travelers since Captain Vancouver arrived in 1792. Sophisticated and cosmopolitan, but casual and contemporary, the hotel combines the best of Asia and the west coast, in its plan, décor, and culinary offerings. A downtown oasis, it was designed to five star standards with resort features such as a rooftop swimming pool, meditation pods, outdoor fireplaces, and spa.
The 377-room Fairmont Pacific Rim, full for the 2010 Olympic Games, debuts in March with rates starting from $229 for a guestroom, $249 for Bed & Breakfast, and $299 for Fairmont Gold, which includes butler services. Prices (CDN) are valid through June 30, 2010, exclude taxes and are based on double occupancy. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-441-1414 or through www.fairmont.com/pacificrim.
Guests enter the marble-clad lobby, via a bridge flanked by waterfalls, where a one-of-a-kind $225,000 Fazioli piano takes centre stage. Soaring across the ceiling is a 180-foot long sculpture handcrafted by master origami artist Joseph Wu, while floor-to- ceiling windows allow light and views to enter and a sleek fireplace warms the room. The Lobby Lounge serves afternoon artisan teas and tableside cocktails via an Art Deco trolley and has a raw bar that features seasonal seafood, sushi and comfort foods with a twist. Live entertainment is played throughout the week and on Sunday afternoons.
The Pan-Asian bistro, ORU – a derivation of the Japanese word that means “to unfold” – serves authentic dishes from the scratch kitchen. A tandoori oven bakes naan, bannock and lavish and is accompanied by house-made sambal. Homemade noodles, Ocean-Wise seafood, locally sourced and organic ingredients are presented in a menu that represents the diversity of the Pacific Rim and the culinary skills of executive chef David Wong. ORU boasts the largest in the city, a wine list that emphasizes Pacific Northwest labels, a private dining room, communal table and front-row chef’s table.
Giovane is an Italian-inspired café with deli, charcuterie, ooh-la-la specialty cakes and house-roasted ethical coffee. A 50-foot long emporium wall features an eclectic assortment of local crafts and culinary items, including fresh breads made in the pastry shop, to purchase.
State-of-the-art guestrooms include surround sound, media connectivity, bedside controls and “tv mirrors”. Mascioni linens, Stearns & Foster beds, Nespresso coffee makers, and spa-like bathrooms with “mirror televisions” are a standard.
The “Bucket List” Chairman’s Suite, nicknamed the Rock Star suite for its private elevator and elegant entertaining options, and was inspired by a Balinese villa. At 2,250 square feet, it includes a custom eight-foot long crystal chandelier that cascades over a two-storey salon, master bedroom with fireplace, 500 square foot ensuite marble bathroom with hand-carved soaker tub, two living rooms, butler’s pantry, private exercise area and outdoor landscaped terrace with cabana, meditation pond and fire pit. A “rich and famous” suite, it is also ideal for a private party or wedding with a capacity of up to 60 people.
Willow Stream Spa has nine treatment areas, a lounge for couples, men, and women, a mani-pedi room, full fitness centre and yoga studio. Treatments include access to a private 2,500 square foot outdoor deck with meditation pods, cabanas, and Jacuzzis.
The hotel’s 15,000 square feet of meeting and function space consists of eight meeting rooms with pre-function space and two ballrooms capable of holding 400 guests. Synchronized service is the norm, and selections range from traditional Indian wedding menus to bento boxes for groups.
Art plays a leading role in the hotel, beginning with the building’s exterior. A million dollar artwork, created by UK artist Liam Gillick, wraps around the corner and up floors five through 22, providing a demarcation of the hotel and luxury residences above. The artwork consists of 2’ high stainless steel letters in Helvetica bold font and is a running line of repeated text: lyingontopofabuildingthecloudslookednonearerthanwhenIwaslyingonthestreet ((Lying on top of a building the clouds looked no nearer than when I was lying on the street…).
Also outside, is a “rice wall” with an abstract forest scene viewed through a series of perforated stainless steel screens. At close range appears to be a textural wall finish and it’s only from a distance that the impression can be seen, proving the maxim, “you can’t see the forest for the trees”.
BC images are exhibited throughout the hotel with landscapes and stunning vintage wildflower photographs in the public spaces. Scenes of water, forest or skies are displayed in guestrooms.
Fairmont Pacific Rim has been developed through the partnership of Westbank and Peterson Group, two established real estate companies based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Westbank and Peterson Group are innovators both well known for building luxury residential buildings.
ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS: A leader in the global hospitality industry, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a celebrated collection of 60 distinctive hotels, which includes iconic landmarks like The Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi and Canada’s Fairmont Banff Springs and more than 20 new properties in development, including London’s The Savoy and the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai re-opening next year following extensive restoration programs. Fairmont hotels are one-of-a-kind properties where sophisticated travelers can discover culturally rich experiences that are authentic to the destination. Situated in some of the most exclusive and pristine areas in the world, Fairmont is committed to responsible tourism and is an industry leader in sustainable hotel management with its award-winning Green Partnership program.
Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 95 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.
