Fairmont Pacific Rim

Fairmont Pacific Rim stands on the downtown waterfront at 1038 Canada Place, a short walk from the cruise terminal and the sails of Canada Place. It holds a Forbes Five-Star rating, and with 367 rooms and suites it is large enough to have a full range of restaurants, bars and leisure facilities.

The views are the main reason to stay. Depending on the room, windows look over the harbour and Coal Harbour to the North Shore Mountains, across the city skyline or towards Stanley Park, and some rooms face Gastown. Pool-view rooms overlook the rooftop pool terrace, which is the hotel's signature space and the place to be on a warm afternoon. Room choices therefore range from city-facing rooms to those with the full sweep of the harbour. If views matter, ask about the outlook when booking, as categories differ.

Food and drink are a strong part of the hotel. Botanist serves Pacific Northwest cooking, and Botanist Bar next to it is known for its cocktails. The Lobby Lounge and RawBar is a more casual option for sushi and drinks. The Fairmont Spa is on the fifth floor, and there is a fitness centre alongside the rooftop pool.

The hotel is pet friendly. Cats and dogs are welcome, but they must be kept on a lead in public areas, cannot be left alone in the room and are not allowed in the restaurants or bars, and guests are responsible for any damage.

This is a hotel for couples on a special trip, business travellers who want to be close to the Vancouver Convention Centre and anyone starting or ending an Alaska cruise from Canada Place next door. Rooms can be booked directly through the hotel or Fairmont's toll-free reservations lines.

The location makes sightseeing easy. Canada Place and the Vancouver Lookout are close by, Gastown's Steam Clock is a short walk east, and the seawall runs west from Coal Harbour around Stanley Park. The free shuttle to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park picks up at Canada Place, so a day on the North Shore can start almost at the door. Miku, the aburi sushi restaurant at 200 Granville Street, is also nearby on the waterfront.