Fairmont Vancouver Airport — Jenn Chan Photography

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport was the winner of #1 Airport Hotel in North America award in 2015; its third year in a row! Located only a convenient, 2-minute waltz to the departure gate it is a luxurious way to make an early morning YVR departure.

As soon as you cross the skywalk entry into the granite encrusted lobby you can see why the Fairmont Vancouver Airport is ranked a 4 Diamond hotel and why they have won countless international hotel commendations.

The fitness equipment is top notch and well maintained with a unique view of enthused, optimistic travellers starting the first leg of their travels. The accompanying pool and hot tub are each kept at an ideal temperature and the poolside lounge chairs offer a merry view of the aquatic activities and back onto floor to ceiling windows 20 some feet above the departure gates where passports and luggage alike are checked.

The lounge, open to hotel guests and their fellow travellers, beacons with immense floor to ceiling windows peering out onto the YVR runways and North Shore Mountains. Cypress Mountain, Grouse and Mount Seymour can be viewed simultaneously from the enchanted vantage the Fairmont enjoys. A well stocked menu fulfills the appetites of the wine connoisseur, spirit lover and beer enthusiast in addition to the toddler in search of chicken strips and orange juice.

Globe@YVR is a revelation! Microwave sandwiches, greasy burgers and fast food tacos are no longer synonymous with airport food. Now you can add Bison Tartar, Lobster Bisque, Ribeye and Sablefish to that selection. Wine pairings are expertly suggested by some of the most congenial service staff we've had the pleasure of encountering and the experience is topped off with a dessert menu large enough to satisfy even the most discerning of tastes.