Latest news with #FairmontPacificRim
Vancouver Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver swimwear brand, hotel team up for a splashy collaboration
The release: Londre x Fairmont Pacific Rim Special Edition . What to know: Vancouver swim and bodywear brand Londre has teamed up with the Fairmont Pacific Rim for a chic summer swim collaboration. The partnership sees the local business transform its bestselling one-piece The Minimalist swimsuit into a stylish, striped offering inspired by the red-and-white striped cabana at the luxury hotel property and its 'carefree poolside moments,' according to a news release. The Minimalist style, the first swimsuit designed by the local brand, boasts a low, scoop-fit front and low back, along with flattering ruching through the bum area. The made-in-Vancouver swimsuit also has a sustainable spin as it's made from a material that is sourced from recycled plastic bottles. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We use a compression fabric that is double-lined, feels like butter, and accentuates your curves in all the right places,' founders Hannah Todd and Ainsley Rose said of the 'Hero' style in a 2021 interview with The Vancouver Sun . 'We've received the feedback that wearing this suit in particular feels like a hug — and I think we can all use one of those.' The limited-edition collaboration swimsuit is available in size XS to XL while supplies last. The price: $179. The retailer: Fairmont Pacific Rim , Londre
Business Insider
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
I spent a night at the 5-star Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver and regretted not booking a longer stay
I spent one night at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, a five-star hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia. I slept in a Fairmont Gold room that costs about $725 per night. I left the luxury hotel wishing I'd booked a longer stay. When I think of the Fairmont hotel brand, two words come to mind: historic luxury. From Quebec City's Fairmont Le Château Frontenac to the iconic Plaza Hotel towering over Central Park in Manhattan, every Fairmont hotel I'd stayed in or gawked at from across the street had been reminiscent of a renaissance castle — until I spent one night at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, British Columbia, in May. "We're a lot more contemporary with a different demographic," a representative of the Fairmont Pacific Rim told Business Insider. While Fairmont's heritage hotels give guests a peek into the past, the Fairmont Pacific Rim embraces modern luxury. The five-star hotel has won numerous awards since it opened in 2010, including being named the No. 1 hotel in Western Canada in the Condé Nast Traveler 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. One lavish night in a $725 room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim swept me off my feet. In fact, I left wishing I'd booked it for a longer stay. The Fairmont Pacific Rim is in downtown Vancouver's Coal Harbour neighborhood. The Fairmont Pacific Rim was one of many glass skyscrapers lining the Coal Harbour waterfront in downtown Vancouver. But it was the only one with strips of text lining several stories of the 22-floor facade. In 2-foot-tall, spaceless, lowercase Helvetica Bold lettering, each line read, "lying on top of a building…the clouds looked no nearer than when I was lying on the street." The installation by UK artist Liam Gillick was the first of many indicators that the Fairmont Pacific Rim celebrates art and design. The second was the vibrant BMW coupe in front of the entrance, which looked like a page from a comic book. According to the hotel's Instagram page, pop artist Jeff Koons hand-painted the fancy car. Inside, the lobby is known as "Vancouver's living room." From fashion and music to sculptures and paintings, the Lobby Lounge showcased all types of art. High-end fashion was displayed on mannequins in glass boxes and hanging bird cages. Nestled in a corner was a stage with a piano and drum kit, played by a range of musicians on the rise. Spinning figures of children stood over 6 feet tall on top of a marble fireplace. The Lobby Lounge also has a raw bar serving sushi and cocktails. "It's commonly known as Vancouver's living room because it's so popular for locals," the hotel representative told BI. I wish I'd had more time to hang out in the lobby and listen to live music while munching on sushi. Since I was in a Fairmont Gold room, I checked in on the 20th floor. You can think of Fairmont Gold as a first-class experience. It's an elevated section of the hotel on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd floors with premium rooms and its own mini lobby lounge with complimentary snacks throughout the day. "Essentially, the Fairmont Gold product is like a club floor," the hotel rep told BI. "It is a brand-new product for us, which we're super excited about." Fairmont Pacific Rim's Gold experience launched in March 2025. The rep said the design of the lounge and rooms was inspired by Vancouver's natural beauty. Floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded the lounge, offering views of the harbor, skyline, and mountains. The Fairmont Gold Lounge had complimentary breakfast, afternoon snacks, and evening appetizers exclusively for Gold guests. I was surprised to learn that breakfast was made to order rather than served buffet-style. I ordered scrambled eggs and chicken sausage and paired them with toast, fruit, and fresh orange juice. The eggs were soft and fluffy, just like I like them. All the ingredients tasted fresh and filled me up without spending a dime. If I had stayed longer, I would have liked to try more of the complimentary breakfast dishes, like the brioche French toast or the avocado toast. I stayed in a 400-square-foot Gold Harbour Mountain View room on the 20th floor. The hotel has 367 guest rooms and 60 Fairmont Gold rooms. I stayed in a Gold Harbour Mountain View room that sleeps up to four people. The hotel rep said that the best available rate for this room is 984 Canadian dollars, or about $725, though BI received a media rate for the one-night stay. My room had a king-sized bed, a bathroom, a sitting area, and a balcony accessible via floor-to-ceiling windows. I thought the room was stunning. With custom furniture and unique decor, this was one of the most beautiful hotel rooms I'd ever stayed in. I was immediately taken by the handblown glass Bocci chandelier, which had air plants peeking out from the bulbs. I sank into the custom velvet couch in front of the windows, and warm accent lighting made the space feel even more luxurious. Out on the balcony, I marveled at the grand views of the harbor, spotting seaplanes, yachts, and skyscrapers sitting beneath mountains. Upscale amenities enhanced the luxury feel. My bedside table had an oil diffuser, a smart tablet with room controls, spa booking capabilities, and in-room dining services. The framed TV across from the bed was a whopping 75 inches with a Bose sound bar. I appreciated the small details, too, like the leather box that held the TV remote and lifestyle magazines with elegant spreads highlighting architecture, photography, design, travel, and more. In the evening, an attendant came by for turndown service, where I selected premium pillows and oil scents from a menu. The spacious bathroom felt like a spa. Each Fairmont Gold room has an oversize bathroom coated in black marble, with two sinks, a lit mirror, a glass shower with two showerheads, and a deep bathtub topped with a resin tray. A separate toilet room with a sliding door was at the back of the bathroom. The toilet was luxurious, with a light beaming inside the bowl and an upscale bidet with options to heat the seat, change the water temperature, and a dryer mode. The bathroom had luxury amenities from Le Labo toiletries to a Dyson hair dryer that I fell in love with. After five minutes of use, my damp hair, which drapes past my waistline, looked like it had just gotten a blowout. But the real spa was down on the fifth floor. The five-star Fairmont Spa set a calming mood upon entering. Warm lighting beamed through thin wood panels with a soothing water feature against a wall. In addition to massage, facial, and meditation treatments, the spa has several amenities, including a mineral bath, fitness center, Jacuzzi, and infrared sauna, among others. There's also an outdoor relaxation lounge with gravity chairs and views of the surrounding city. During my stay, I didn't have time to book a spa treatment, but I'll be sure to do so next time. The pool is outdoors on the sixth floor. From November through April, a portion of the pool deck transforms into the Nordic Spa, which moves guests through a range of temperatures with a cedar plank sauna and cold plunge pools. On the second floor, I found the hotel's restaurant, Botanist. Botanist looked like a restaurant inside a greenhouse. Dining tables were surrounded by living plants, lit by floor-to-ceiling windows. "The menu is inspired by the Pacific Northwest, so everything is hyper-local," the hotel rep told BI. The restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. The menu features sustainably sourced proteins like wagyu beef, grilled octopus, and black pepper-crusted salmon. It also includes hand-cut pasta, locally sourced produce, and lobster Benedict. Also on the second floor, there was a rotating art gallery. "This hotel is a platform for creativity," the hotel rep told BI. "We blend influences of art, music, and fashion." The art in the Pacific Gallery rotates every three months. During my visit, the exhibit was Angela Teng's Colourwork, a series where crocheted acrylic paint acts as yarn. The vibrant art popped in an otherwise white room. I think art enthusiasts would be inspired by a stay at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. But don't book just one night like I did.
Business Insider
21-06-2025
- Business Insider
I visited Vancouver for the first time and made 5 mistakes I won't repeat
I traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia, for the first time in May. I made mistakes during my three-day trip that I won't repeat on my next visit to the Canadian city. I regretted splurging on ride-share apps and booking all my hotels in the same neighborhood. I shouldn't have spent $50 on a cab to my hotel when I landed in Vancouver, British Columbia. I also wish I'd had more time to explore the city. From arrival to departure, my travel mistakes on my first trip to Vancouver thinned my budget and left me longing for more. I spent three days there in May. The whirlwind trip went by so fast that I spent less time thinking and more time doing — from exploring coastal neighborhoods to hiking in parks and walking along the beach. Now that I've had time to process my trip, I have a few regrets. Here are five things I won't mess up on my next trip to Vancouver. First, I packed the wrong sneakers. If my trip is less than a week long, I typically travel with one pair of shoes. So, I wore my favorite sneakers for my trip to Vancouver. They're my go-to pair for most activities, but they weren't ideal for this destination. The city is home to hilly streets and hiking trails that made my trip feel adventurous, but with little arch support, my feet ached at the end of each day. I could feel the bumps of the pebbles beneath my feet on coastal trails, and I longed for a cushier sole with more traction. Next time, I'll bring sneakers more suitable for walking and hiking. I should have packed my own meal for the six-hour flight to Vancouver. When I travel internationally, there's typically a complimentary meal served on the flight, so when I flew with JetBlue from NYC to Vancouver, I didn't pack any food for the six-hour journey. I didn't realize that the airline only serves meals at no cost on transatlantic flights, according to its website. There were meals for sale, but I decided to save money and take advantage of the airline's complimentary self-service snack pantry. I wouldn't book all my stays in the same neighborhood again. I love a luxury hotel. One of my favorite parts of traveling is sampling an array of top-tier stays because it helps me develop my own taste in accommodations. For my three-day trip to Vancouver, I spent each night in a different hotel — the castle-like Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, the more modern Fairmont Pacific Rim, and the historic Rosewood Hotel Georgia. As I'd hoped, each hotel had its own take on luxury. Still, when booking, I didn't realize that all were downtown within a six-block radius, and one was across the street from another. The proximity made carrying my bags to the next hotel easier, but I missed the chance to stay in different parts of the city, like North or East Vancouver. Using ride-share apps to get around was a mistake. On the morning of my last day in Vancouver, when I stepped out of an Uber at Pacific Central Station to take an Amtrak train to my next destination, Seattle, I had an epiphany — I could have used public transportation throughout my trip. I got around town on foot and with ride-share apps that ate up a chunk of my budget. I didn't consider other transportation options, which include buses, rail lines, and ferries. I later learned that Vancouver residents are increasingly opting for public transit over driving because it's so well-connected. According to the TransLink 2024 Transit Service Performance Review, 420,000 people in Metro Vancouver commuted via mass transit each weekday in fall 2024, and annual ridership increased 3% from 2023. My biggest regret was staying for only three days. The biggest lesson I learned on this trip is that you can't do Vancouver in three days. I had time to explore downtown and the surrounding areas, as well as the beaches in the Kitsilano and West Point Grey neighborhoods, but I missed out on North and West Vancouver entirely. I got to experience three different hotels, but one night in each wasn't enough to use all the amenities. I got to view small towns in British Columbia from the train, but I wish I'd carved out time to visit some of them.
Travel Daily News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel Daily News
Fairmont Pacific Rim unveils Suite X
Fairmont Pacific Rim debuts Suite X, an immersive art-meets-hospitality experience created with Douglas Coupland, celebrating Generation X and contemporary Canadian culture. VANCOUVER, BC – Fairmont Pacific Rim, has debuted Suite X – a one-of-a-kind concept designed in collaboration with internationally acclaimed Canadian visual artist and author, Douglas Coupland and the hotel's co-owner and developers, Westbank and Peterson. Inspired by Generation X, Coupland's novel that helped define and popularize an entire generation, this immersive experience pays tribute to the demographic that reimagined identity, technology, and art. Blurring the lines between art, design, and hospitality, Suite X is a vibrant extension of the newly renovated Fairmont Gold experience, offering guests an exclusive opportunity to step inside Coupland's world – a living gallery inspired by his fascination with contemporary culture, technology, and Canadian identity. Drawing on his signature pop-art aesthetic, the suite integrates bold visuals, custom-designed furniture, an in-suite bar, and unexpected design moments that invite introspection and spark conversation. 'I'm very much a product of the late 20th century, and this suite reflects my deep love for that era.'says Douglas Coupland. 'When I was growing up, Vancouver felt like nowhere – and then, post-Olympics, it suddenly became somewhere. I never expected to witness such a transformation, but I've had the privilege of being part of the city's full evolution.' Located on the Fairmont Gold floor and offering sweeping views of Vancouver's waterfront and mountains, Suite X features original works by Coupland and curated literature from the artist's own personal collection and the TASCHEN library. The experience evokes the feeling of sitting in Coupland's own living room – every detail has been thoughtfully considered by the artist himself. Suite X marks a bold evolution in Fairmont Pacific Rim's ongoing mission to celebrate local art and culture while offering guests next-level experiences rooted in creativity and design. It also expands on the hotel's reimagined Fairmont Gold offering, which now offers a nature-inspired sanctuary featuring elevated amenities and bespoke services tailored for the discerning traveler. 'Suite X represents the intersection of hospitality and artistry, a place where inspiration lives and guests can connect with a truly unique Vancouver story.' says Jens Moesker, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Fairmont Pacific Rim. 'Collaborating with Douglas Coupland has been an incredible creative journey.'
The Province
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
Step inside the new Vancouver hotel suite inspired by artist Douglas Coupland's living room
Fairmont Pacific Rim's Suite X offers an intimate glimpse into artist's space Vancouver artist and author Douglas Coupland has created a concept called Suite X at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver. Photo by Fairmont Pacific Rim Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Douglas Coupland has spent a lot of time in hotels. 'I lived in hotels like 35 years,' the multidisciplinary artist and author says. That lengthy experience in suites around the world has made Coupland keenly aware of exactly what he feels is missing from most hotel room setups: personality. 'So many hotel rooms, even super good ones these days, are just like soul-crushingly generic,' Coupland says. The Vancouver-based artist's latest project at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel offers a solution. Called Suite X, the project saw Coupland offer a long-overdue update to the luxury hotel property's room 1706, a space previously themed around the 2010 Winter Olympics. 'It needed a little bit of Charlie Brown Christmas tree love,' Coupland jokes of the former space. And boy, did it get it. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vancouver artist and author Douglas Coupland has created a concept called Suite X at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver. Photo by Fairmont Pacific Rim In a news release shared by the property, the suite was described as being inspired by Coupland's bestselling novel, Generation X (hence the name). But, according to the artist, it's perhaps best described as a near-perfect replica of his personal living room. 'It's like my living room, away from my living room,' he says. The idea for the colourful, fully loaded space came about during a party at Coupland's house where hotel owner and Westbank Corp founder Ian Gillespie suggested they redo suite 1706 to look just like Coupland's personal living room. 'I was like, okay, we can do that,' Coupland recalls. The project took place over approximately three months, according to Coupland. During that time, the room received updates such as new flooring and installations — along with a whole bunch of pop culture pieces curated by the artist. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This is the hotel room I wish I could have stayed in,' Coupland says. Suite X at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Photo by Fairmont Pacific Rim A 'living gallery' of sorts, the suite features art pieces including a Lego model of Coupland's famous Digital Orca, canvasses, and books from both the artist's personal collection and from Taschen. Marine drift pieces recovered following the Japanese tsunami off the beaches of Haida Gwaii also feature prominently in the space, with some of the recovered items displayed as is, while others have been painted gold or covered in resin. 'It actually turns out it's all about a marine ecology, which I think is the understory there,' Coupland says of the book and suite. 'I certainly love pop culture, especially sort of 20th century pop culture. And so you put the two of those things together, and you got this very interesting combination.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. For those who can't stay in the new suite themselves, Coupland says the room will be featured in a new book about the space to be released soon. The room will change over time, with new installations and art being moved in and out of the space. 'They like trying out new ideas,' Coupland says of the property. 'So they'll always be something new.' Suite X at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Photo by Fairmont Pacific Rim When prompted to pick a favourite aspect of the newly redesigned suite, Coupland provided a very Vancouver response: the view. 'It overlooks the grass roof of Canada Place … you're looking at the harbour,' Coupland says of the impressive expanse. 'It's like a crazy view.' Aharris@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Sports News
