Having already reviewed the best Fairmont hotels in Vancouver, we now spread our net and investigate the best Fairmont hotels in the world. These include Fairmont Ajman, Banff Springs, Beijing, Château Laurier, Chateau Whistler, Monte Carlo, Pacific Rim, Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Vancouver Airport, Canada, and Waterfront.
1. Fairmont Chateau Whistler
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has been concentrating on renovating its Suites. They have installed fireplaces (perfect for those cozy winter months), modern spa bathrooms with soaker tubs, and updated alpine decor. Plus, there’s now a generous built-in wet bar in the larger suites.
The rooms at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler are less impressive. They are more generic than 5-Star in feel. Most have decent-sized windows, but few are floor-to-ceiling. Most rooms don’t have balconies, which is a real disadvantage. The ones with a balcony only offer Romeo and Juliette style, so you can’t step out or sit out.
There’s nothing like swinging open your balcony doors to take in the summer air or stepping out barefoot onto a balcony covered in snow as the flakes are falling, only to return immediately to the warmth of your room so you can cozy up at your own private fireplace. For this joy, you have to pick the Four Seasons Whistler, I’m afraid.
The standard rooms at the Fairmont face backward, towards the car park rather than over the pool and the slopes. While they remain luxury rooms with 37m2 of space, they are nothing special, and if you are a luxury traveler, you may be disappointed if you get a car park view. If you want a fireplace in your room, only the suites at the Fairmont offer fireplaces.
The Fairmont offers small 40 mL bottles of Le Labo Rose 31 bath amenities in their bathrooms, which is standard for the Fairmont brand. These amenities smell nice but are not my favorites.
The big advantage of the Fairmont is that it’s located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain by the Wizard Express ski lift. This means you walk out of the hotel and onto the slopes. They have a ski concierge room to store your skis/boards/boots overnight, so you don’t have to carry everything back to the hotel. In this ski concierge room, there is sometimes hot chocolate available too.
The Fairmont pool is heated and is much larger than the Four Seasons, and although it has an indoor and outdoor section, it feels more traditional in design and lacks the boutique feel and interesting design of the pool at the Four Seasons. That said, it’s still a magical place to swim, and you can warm up in the hot tubs surrounding the pool.
The other big advantage of the Fairmont is that it offers a club lounge, which you can access by booking its Gold rooms. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Gold floor accommodations offer jetted tubs and gas fireplaces in every room, along with upgraded hotel amenities and Bose sound systems.
The Fairmont Gold accommodations are located on the higher floors. Privileges include:
- Private check-in and check-out
- Exclusive Fairmont Gold Lounge for Fairmont Gold guests
- Deluxe Continental Breakfast in the Fairmont Gold Lounge
- All day coffee & tea service in the Fairmont Gold Lounge
- Afternoon canapés & honour bar in the Fairmont Gold Lounge
- Complimentary newspapers and personalized wake-up calls
Exclusive access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge is a true highlight for all of those with Fairmont Gold privileges. Relax fireside while enjoying a complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast, local newspapers, and magazines, catching up on email with a complimentary laptop computer, or simply unwind after a day on Whistler Mountain
The Fairmont also has lounges and restaurants, but the overall feel is less intimate and more traditional than the Four Seasons. While the Fairmont is undoubtedly one of the best ski hotels in the world, the Four Seasons up the road is just that little bit better!
2. Fairmont Pacific Rim
The Fairmont Pacific Rim is the best Fairmont in Vancouver and is also one of Vancouver’s best luxury hotels. The Pacific Rim and Waterfront hotels are within 100m of each other by the waterfront. The Fairmont Vancouver hotel is located in the city’s center, a 5-10 minutes walk away. The Fairmont Vancouver Airport is situated on the terminal building and is a drive from the center of Vancouver.
The Fairmont Pacific Rim and the Rosewood Vancouver are probably the two best luxury hotels in Vancouver. The Fairmont Pacific Rim is located at 1038 Canada Place Way, Vancouver V6C 0B9.
This hotel also has a main lobby bar, which is the place to see and be seen in Vancouver and is great for people-watching. It probably has the most stunning pool in Vancouver, surrounded by loungers and cabanas, and is a great place to hang out in the summer. Rounding the hotel off is an outdoor terrace, a garden, and the Botanist Restaurant, which offers a menu inspired by botany, organic farming, and sustainable sourcing principles.
While the Fairmont Pacific Rim and Fairmont Waterfront are both very solid properties, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver traditionally was the worst of the three Fairmonts in central Vancouver. Still, a recent refurbishment, including the club lounge and new management, seems to be returning this as a contender for a great Fairmont choice in Vancouver. However, the best remains the Pacific Rim, which is a bit better in most respects. This “betterness” is typically reflected in its higher room rates.
As for dining and shopping, there are plenty of good options within a 20-minute walk. The hotel provides complimentary drop-off services in one of their BMW house car (7 series) on a first-come, first-served basis, and you rarely have to wait for more than a couple of minutes for a ride.
The lobby lounge is a really fun feature of this hotel as it turns into a bar at night and attracts some of Vancouver’s finest try-hards. It’s to people watch but can be quite lively and is certainly not a relaxing lounge bar to take the family or look for peace.
A Harbour View Room in the Pacific Rim is your best room choice from these hotels, although the Waterfront has a similar view. Pac Rim has more frills, a TV in the bathroom mirror, a virtual surround soundbar, iPad room controls, super fluffy bathrobes, more dining options, and a better gym.
Both the Gold lounges at the Pacific Rim and Vancouver Waterfront are great during the summer months since both have a fabulous outside patio and are two of the best club lounges in Vancouver.
3. Fairmont Waterfront
The Fairmont Waterfront offers comparable views for a lower price than the Fairmont Pacific Rim reviewed above. The Fairmont Waterfront is located at 900 Canada Place Way Vancouver V6C 3L5 and features an outdoor heated pool which is handy if you visit in the summer but not so useful in the spring, autumn and winter! If you are here on business, this hotel is connected to the Vancouver Convention Centre and Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal.
The renovated rooms at Fairmont Waterfront are very nice (and very similar in style as those at the Pacific Rim), and bathrooms now have a large walk-in shower instead of a shower/tub combo.
This Fairmont Gold Lounge has a stunning gardened terrace overlooking Vancouver’s harbor and North Shore mountains. Both the Gold lounges at the Pacific Rim and Vancouver Waterfront are great during the summer months since both have an awesome outside patio and are two of the best club lounges in Vancouver.
Fairmont Waterfront has a unique feature of lending you rain gear in partnership with Native Shoes and Moojoes (both local Vancouver companies). Like FairmontFit, guests can sign out a pair of Native rain boots and a rain poncho during their stay.
4. Fairmont Banff Springs
The world-famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a landmark in Banff, Alberta’s picturesque alpine town. Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies” has provided guests with legendary hospitality for over 125 years.
Fairmont Banff Springs offers all the amenities of a world-class resort, with 757 guest rooms and suites, superbly appointed Banff accommodations and attentive, personalized service. From cozy rooms tucked away in quiet corners of the castle to spacious suites with sweeping Alberta mountain views, Fairmont Banff Springs has the perfect guest room, suite, or Fairmont Gold accommodations for your Rocky Mountain getaway.
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel enjoys a very convenient location in the heart of Banff National Park, just above the Bow Falls and close to thermal springs.
The hotel features a large 32 m (105 ft) saltwater indoor pool is complemented by an indoor whirlpool, a kid’s wading pool, and an outdoor 20 m (66 ft) pool, which is filled with heated water and open year-round. There’s also an excellent Willow Stream Spa and numerous excellent restaurants. And let’s not forget the hotel’s magnificent golf course to exercise you between meals.
5. Fairmont Château Laurier
Fairmont Château Laurier is located in the center of downtown Ottawa and is minutes from its biggest attractions, including The Parliament Buildings, Rideau Canal, ByWard Market, National Gallery of Canada, Shaw Center, and the National Arts Centre.
Fairmont Château Laurier provides luxury accommodations in a magnificent downtown Ottawa setting, from cozy Fairmont Rooms to opulent suites. Guests seeking exclusivity will truly enjoy staying in a Fairmont Gold room or suite. Located on a private floor, Fairmont Gold is a ‘hotel within a hotel’.
The newly updated Fairmont Gold floor and executive club lounge, further solidifies Fairmont Château Laurier as Ottawa’s best luxury hotel. Fairmont Gold has been completely re-imagined and renewed at this Ottawa hotel. They have expanded to 69 rooms and suites, all of which are newly renovated, complete with modern details. The luxurious Fairmont Gold Lounge has been updated too.
Your Fairmont Gold experience begins the moment you arrive when you are invited to the private Fairmont Gold reception area located on the 4th floor. Here, your individuality is valued, your room preferences are honored, and your quick and effortless departure arrangements are anticipated. A dedicated club lounge team extends a friendly welcome in the exclusive Fairmont Gold Lounge and will arrange dinner reservations, limousines, and more.
Start your day off perfectly with a healthy and bountiful continental breakfast, including hot items. And throughout the day, you can enjoy Nespresso coffee, tea, fresh fruit, a fine selection of nuts and candies, and an honor bar (you have to pay for drinks). In the evening, complimentary canapés and desserts are served in a tranquil atmosphere.
Beyond the club lounge, this luxury Ottawa hotel offers valet parking at $45 USD per night, or you can self-park at 700 Sussex, an underground garage literally across the street from the hotel. It’s $31 USD per 24 hours and pay and display, so you can come and go as you, please. But you can only pay for 24 hours at a time, so you must return for a new ticket every day.
6. Fairmont Monte Carlo
The Fairmont Monte Carlo is located perfectly, slap bang in the centre of Monte Carlo right next to the Casino. The sea view rooms & suites are literally built out into the bay, so your balcony is sitting on top of the water, and the views can’t be beaten. Watch the numerous fireworks displays in the summer, fabulous sunsets, and all the helicopters and boats that race in and out of the marina. When a cruise ship arrives, it comes in so close it can feel like it will hit the hotel!
The Fairmont Monte Carlo is immense, making it a popular conference hotel. Its atmosphere is less formal than the other hotels in Monte Carlo, which is advantageous for families and those without a designer wardrobe. Feel free to wander around in designer gear, or Bermuda shorts, and sandals with socks. Whatever you feel comfortable in, the staff here will welcome you, and you won’t feel out of place.
The rooftop pool at the Fairmont Monte Carlo is a highlight, with a beautiful view wrapping round from the Grand Prix hairpin to the harbor entrance. On the same magical 7th floor is the “Horizon Deck” Restaurant and Champagne Bar, which offers the same wraparound views, which are particularly stunning in the Mediterranean night. In the winter, Nobu remains open downstairs but not poolside. Equally, the “Horizon Deck” closes in the Winter, but the Sapphire bar is open 24/7 all year round.
Breakfast in the summer is served in the “Horizon Deck” restaurant on top of the hotel, where views and ambiance are one in a million – I saw a helicopter land on the deck of a Super Yacht right in front of me! There is also a huge spread if you don’t mind self-service.
All rooms are very similar in design and decor, but the views aren’t. If you are going for the sea view, request a room not looking over the multicolored 60’s hexagon. For a garden view, request a high floor. The low-floor garden view rooms can be dingy. I recommend the sea view suites in particular. Views don’t get a lot better!
The bathrooms are a little tired, but this is more than made up for with their gorgeous Labo Rose 31 amenities, which smell fabulous. The rooms can be a little noisy as the hotel is located in Monaco’s middle of the action, but we have always been moved without a problem if we have felt it necessary.
While this isn’t the best Fairmont in the world, it is in one of the best destinations in the world and has some of the best views in the world, so it’s definitely worth a try.
7. Fairmont Vancouver Airport
The second best airport hotel in the world is the Fairmont, Vancouver Airport in Canada is one of the best airport hotels in the world. It is the only airport hotel directly connected to Vancouver Airport’s International terminal, although plenty of other options exist on the airport’s grounds. I have found this airport hotel to be particularly good to get over jetlag when flying in from London. I then grab a taxi, Uber or bus up to Whistler for some skiing and stay at the Four Seasons Whistler.
The hotel is connected to the airport building and is situated right above the US departures area within a minute or two‘s walk from the luggage carousel. There is so much to love about this airport hotel, but the heavily soundproof floor-to-ceiling windows have to be a highlight, as he can watch the planes take off from your bed. Beyond the rooms is an indoor pool, health club, spa, and restaurants, including a jet sidebar for live music, tapas, cocktails, and globe@yvr, an award-winning restaurant and where you can take breakfast.
There are various rooms to choose from, and if you want a luxury boutique hotel experience, there are some newly renovated rooms on the 14th floor, which give you access to a complimentary club lounge. It is well worth paying the extra for a Fairmont Gold Room because of this club lounge access. Within the club lounge, you get a continental breakfast served, or you can have the complimentary breakfast delivered to your room if you are leaving before 6:30 am. There is a selection of hot and cold canapés and desserts in the evening. Non-alcoholic drinks are included within your room rates in this lounge, including espresso tea, coffee, soft drinks, and water, and there is an honor bar that sticks your spirits, wines, and beers available. By booking a Gold Room, you also get a daily turndown service, complimentary local calls within North America, complimentary BMW car service between the hotel and YVR’s south terminal, and a golf cart service within why they are the main terminal.
8. Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Located just an hour and a half from San Francisco International Airport, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa awaits you. You’ve come to the right place if you are looking for pampering at its finest.
The expansive, meticulously maintained grounds lead you to the modern mission-style hotel where a staff anxiously sees to every detail during your stay. The staff’s unwavering attention to detail is apparent as soon as you enter the grand lobby, and everyone already knows your name.
Settle in, unwind, and be prepared to experience Sonoma as it was meant to be experienced. The only worry you’ll have during your stay is selecting which wine you’d like to enjoy with your main course…but then the staff is there to assist with that as well. It might be your first stay at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, but as many past guests have found, it probably won’t be your last.
There are a variety of accommodations to select from to meet your needs, desires, or budget. The décor is a classic and elegant Provence style with a crisp and inviting color palette. Early morning activities might be a bit delayed as the beds are heavenly.
We like the Mission Suite, which offers a private outdoor patio or balcony. This room offers an ideal place to enjoy our room service breakfast on the patio each morning while discussing our day’s upcoming activities. The large seating area by the in-room fireplace is an additional suite perk. A soak in the tub large enough for two helps relaxation, and the lights set to dimmers create a warm and inviting ambiance.
There is so much to see and do in Sonoma that many people don’t find the time to laze about the pool, but I would recommend at least a leisurely morning dip or pre-dinner plunge to enjoy all that the hotel has to offer. The lounge chairs are the perfect spot to steal a little sun. Poolside dining at Water Tower Bar is also available should you want to grab a bite or enjoy a cocktail while catching some rays. The fresh organic smoothies are also worth trying (the mixed berry flavor was out of this world).
There are many world-famous restaurants in Sonoma, but you must look no further than the Fairmont to enjoy a Michelin-rated dining experience. The acclaimed restaurant Santé is on-site and ready to serve you one of the best meals you’ll ever have. The Cal-French cuisine is refined yet unfussy. If you hit the links at Sonoma Golf, you can grab a bite at the Golf Club Grill. Take in the view of the award-winning course while enjoying some classic California cuisine.
Willow Stream Spa is the crème de la crème experience you must enjoy while staying. Listed as one of the top 25 spas in the world by Travel & Leisure, it is no surprise why from the minute you arrive. As you step through the front door, the spa staff takes care of everything. Situated atop natural mineral springs, the spa offers detoxifying and cleansing mineral baths, the same springs that Native Americans claimed offered healing and medicinal powers.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is a sensational choice for a true wine and dine experience to celebrate a special occasion, weekend getaway with friends, or romantic escape.
9. Fairmont Beijing
A 23-floor rose gold architectural landmark, rooms with cityscape views, and endless services to soothe you into the vacation mood, whether you’re traveling for a luxe getaway or for business. The Fairmont Beijing is a contemporary and charmingly unreal experience, one that should be on everyone’s bucket list. With indulgent suites, impeccable service, decadent décor, and authentic cuisine, you’ll surely find your every need met when visiting the Fairmont Beijing.
Offering guests a distinctive stay in the heart of China’s modern capital business center. Located in the business district, the hotel has easy access to popular tourist destinations such as Wangfujing Street and the entertainment center, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. The Fairmont is close to the subway, ideal for exploring the rest of the spectacular city. Only a short walk away from the Tonghui River, which provides a breathtaking scenic view of the business district in all its glory and the Silk Market.
Guest feedback suggests that the Fairmont Beijing is among the best of all The Fairmont hotels worldwide, with personalized touches and impeccable service. With top-quality amenities, unique architecture, and excellent décor, your stay will be non-other than a deluxe, indulgent experience.
The Fairmont offers elite services, including their indoor heated swimming pool with jacuzzi and sauna, a selection of 2 restaurants and 2 bars, a fitness center with techno gym equipment, personal trainers, and private yoga instructors at hand, as well as the Willow Stream Spa, which has been rated one of the best in China. You can be sure to unwind in the urban oasis that The Fairmont Beijing has to offer.
In total, the hotel offers 222 suites, each with air purifiers from Blueair, to provide the hotel with certified clean air and enhance the guest experience and well-being. From the deluxe rooms to the presidential suite, plenty of choices fit your specific needs, from budget to comfort. Guest rooms offer first-class amenities, including cutting-edge technology, hand-selected linens, and spa-inspired bath products, king-sized bed, oversized bathtubs, Wi-Fi, and a wondrous cityscape view of downtown Beijing. Other amenities include Easy mood light settings, daily newspapers, 24-hour in-room dining, AC, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The urban sanctuary of The Fairmont is one of the best-rated hotels in Beijing. Its spectacular interior and gold architecture breathe an unstoppable, lavish stay. Fairmont Beijing is an ideal choice offering comfortable, elegant accommodations and timeless attentive service.
10. Fairmont Ajman
The newest Fairmont flagship in the United Arab Emirates is The Fairmont Ajman. This immaculate five-star hotel currently comes in at under a third of the price of the Fairmont the Palm up the road. For this reason alone, it is worth considering.
Located in the emirate of perennial sunshine and stunning white sand beaches, Ajman offers a delightful contrast and a gentler pace of life set on a stretch of shoreline called the Corniche, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in opal hued and clear waters and soak in genuine Arabian traditions and hospitality.
Showcasing exotic design and sophisticated chic with polished textures using timeless palettes, the 252-room Fairmont Ajman fits its resort setting perfectly. Round seating and rugs bring in a local note to the aesthetic. Golden shades and delicate patterns add another piece to the design puzzle, while subtler touches, like an Oriental rug pattern on top of the tables, finish the statement with a quiet polish. Streamlined furniture in the guestrooms keeps the look effortless.
The hotel features seven dining venues, an expansive infinity pool with ample sun loungers and cabanas, a children’s activity facility and spa, and a fitness center. The seven meeting spaces include a 380-person capacity ballroom.
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