There are times when I’ve flown across an ocean or a continent and had a long layover before my next flight. The airport hotels I’ve stayed in have been a welcome respite on a long journey. Some are basic; a shower and a bed for a few hours. Others are more luxurious. The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel definitely fits the latter category. The crème de la crème of the rooms available in the hotel are on the Gold Floor, essentially a hotel within a hotel. Fairmont has recently renovated and updated all the Gold rooms and the results are impressive.
The hotel access is via escalator (or elevator) next to the USA Check In area on Level 3, the departures level. From the escalator to the main lobby is a walkway with a great view over the concourse. A horizontal chandelier the length of the walkway signals that you have left the hustle and bustle of the airport behind and you are now entering a zone of elegance. Elevators from the main hotel lobby take you to the 14th floor, the Gold Floor. The redesigned Gold Floor reception desk has changed from an enclosed office to a more friendly open desk. The styling is West Coast inspired. Aeronautical, streamlined, efficiently luxurious.
There are 37 Gold Rooms (36 of them on the 14th floor) and the first one we checked out was room 1422. Talk about a room with a view! Each and every room has mesmerizing views through the large windows. A plane spotting guide and an optically excellent spotting scope (Olivon brand) are standard features in every Gold room. 1422 has two queen beds; rooms with a single king bed are also available. The feeling is residential with furnishings carefully chosen to not impede the view. Even from the soaker tub there is a clear view out the window if the privacy doors are opened. The sleek aeronautical design of the headboards is reminiscent of a sleeping pod on a First Class long haul flight.
Connected travelers will be happy to see USB charging ports are plentiful and integrated with the regular electrical outlets. Rooms have nice wall mounted large flat screen televisions, Nespresso machines, and cool wall switches by the beds to control lights and drapes. I should mention that the sound proofing is excellent. I did not notice any noise from outside and there were jet airplanes taking off and landing frequently.
As wonderful as the Gold rooms are there is another option for the discerning traveler. The Jade Suite, room 1445, is the type of room that one believes movie stars and royalty would stay in. The bed is king sized, the bathroom opulent with jade, the bespoke wood furnishings (by a Vancouver Island mill worker) fabulous. The suite is large with a comfortable relaxed seating area and a dining area. The expansive windows wrap around two sides of the suite. I’m almost tempted to describe the suite as splendiferous but that doesn’t really convey the level of relaxed elegance I experienced.
The Fairmont Gold Lounge, located directly behind the reception desk, serves a Deluxe Continental breakfast buffet between 6:30am and 10am. There is an option to have breakfast delivered to your room should you have an earlier departure. The Gold Lounge is like a Business Class or First Class airport lounge, only better and more exclusive. Snacks are available in the afternoon. Canapés and desserts are available later in the day. The honor bar is open noon to 9:30. I quite enjoyed the food I sampled. I estimated 36 people could comfortably sit in the lounge. The style is equal to the Gold rooms with bespoke wood furnishings and, of course, amazing views out the floor to ceiling windows.
I was very happy to see the redesigned Fairmont Vancouver Airport Gold Floor. It already had an excellent reputation and my expectations were exceeded. The hotel is one of the top 10 airport hotels in the world and the Gold Floor is a fantastic choice for First Class and Business travelers. I would even recommend it for a staycation if you are looking for a luxury hotel stay near home. Downtown Vancouver is easily accessible by taxi or skytrain. As Austin Powers’ villain Goldmember said, I love Gold! You will too if you stay on the Gold Floor of the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel.
The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel is located in Vancouver International Airport.
https://www.fairmont.com/vancouver-airport-richmond/accommodations/fairmont-gold/
Words: Steve McConnell
Photos: Jenn Chan