TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

It was an incredible experience staying here for my birthday with my daughters. We were treated like queens ?? The hotel is magical; the staff and the amenities, especially the gold level experience are incredible. Thank you so much for being amazing and helping my family and I to create such an amazing memories.

This place didn’t disappoint, it was a great stay. Everything was well maintained and clean, I’ll be staying there again. All the staff were really nice and helpful. I got there too late to try out the bar, next time. It also has great location to everything.

As I write this with the bed lamp on and my phone plugged into the nearby power bar I wonder how much updating a room built 85 years ago requires to make it 2025 worthy? As I gaze across the room at the smallish TV that actually fits perfectly in the wall space, I remember the TVs in a Courtyard are much bigger, but then again all Courtyards look alike, they certainly don’t look like this Grand old Dame exquisitely dressed and decorated in her Holiday finest. That’s why you stay at the Hotel Vancouver. Truth be told I mainly booked the Fairmont (owned by Canadian Pacific) to secure a table at Notch8 for High Tea and that was a joyous occasion. (Still hopeful the Dickens brunch eventually returns) Over the years I’ve learned you seldom remember the room rare, but you remember your stay. So if you want a historic stay - stay here! And check out the Gargoyles guarding this place!

Stayed in a suite on 6 floor with my wife and 2 young children in mid-December. Accommodation was well sized, nicely furnished, and gave us enough room to store everything away, so a good start! The view was the internal rooftop area/pool which isn’t exactly breathtaking, but it certainly was quite without street noise and appreciated after a long flight. Bathroom was small but functional. The main bed was very comfortable; the pull out sofa bed by comparison though for my eldest daughter was truly awful. It clearly needed replacing as the bed had sunk, and the springs could be clearly felt. Minus points here. Baby crib was fine. Having not read the reviews prior to booking, I was unaware of the temperature issues but faced these too. It was just so cold! I twice called down for maintenance to come and look; the first time we were out of the room, and the second time the guy bumped the thermostat up, told my wife it was fine, and to leave it for an hour to ask for a portable heater if we were still cold. Frankly a poor solution. No-one followed up or asked if it was resolved, either on the day or at checkout. The ventilation fans were noisy too, even with earplugs. Suboptimal experience for a foundational room feature. Service wise it was a mixed bag, overall decent. House keeping was decent although they missed refilling the empty shampoo until we explicitly told them, front desk was good. Room service was fine, and we had the same very friendly person both times. The pool was a minor disappointment. Yes, the gym was closed for renovation and we were told that at check-in; it’s good that there are towels available by the pool area. But, why not tell people at check-in there are no changing rooms? The pool water was on the cooler side (personal preference), but the physical pool could do with some TLC. The liner has bubbled away from the concrete walls and the whole area had seen better days. We still had fun though and my daughter found some other children to play with. Would I stay here again? It would be down to price. We’ve stayed in other great hotels in Vancouver (Rosewood, Shangri-La, Pan Pacific), so the Fairmont represented a much more wallet friendly solution, and I’m realistic about what you pay in exchange for what you receive. However, there are basics that need fixing: workable heating, fan noise and a usable sofa bed. If those were addressed, probably yes as it’s a great location and certainly provides decent accommodation for the price. If not, I’d look elsewhere next time, even if it meant paying more.

I have always loved staying at this hotel. The great location, history and beautiful rooms stand out above other Vancouver hotels. What truly sets this hotel apart is the employees and the excellent service they provide. In particular, Diana at the front desk is a stand out star. She was caring, extremely helpful and recognized the special reason for our visit to celebrate my retirement. People like Diana are what make this hotel truly special and the only hotel I will stay at in Vancouver.