Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel

My flight back to Winnipeg from Hawaii wasn’t until many hours after landing in Vancouver, British Columbia, so I was thrilled at an offer from the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel (a member of the ACCOR family of properties and services) to put me up for a quick sleep and fabulous chocolate-focused lunch in their ultra-chic Globe Restaurant. I’ve written a post about the various airport hotels that have made long-haul travels and layovers more palatable for me, and was really impressed with the Fairmont Vancouver Airport and grateful for this invitation as Fairmont Hotels are known throughout the world for their standard of excellence. This was formally acknowledged in 2020, when the Fairmont Vancouver Airport won 4th Best Airport Hotel in the World from SKYTRAX.

Fairmont Vancouver Airport

The real bonus here, was that in addition to being able to gain some much-needed shut-eye after a dreadful red-eye flight, enjoying some luxury travel with a gorgeous room offering a view of the mountains and aircraft (that didn’t disturb me because of the fantastic soundproofing of the hotel), I was able to have lunch with one of my very dear friends who lives in Vancouver who was able to take the easy ride on the Canada One rapid transit from downtown Vancouver. I’m thrilled that Toronto has finally come up with a similarly direct form of comfortable and cost-effective public transportation from downtown to Pearson International Airport. Yay, Canada!

Globe Restaurant

But back to the pleasures of my stay at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. After a much-needed nap and shower, I made my down to the award-winning Globe Restaurant, and was greeted by the smiling host who led me to a table where we could watch the aircraft come and go.  Within minutes, my friend Pat arrived and we enjoyed a lunch as delicious as our 41-year-long friendship. We began with a Whipped and Beaten Martini, that featured creme de cacao and was topped with chocolate shavings.

Whipped & Beaten Martini

Our lunch of linguini carbonara was superb, and completed by a tray of chocolate pastries created by the pastry chef Lorna and the creative team at the Globe. Pat and I enjoyed meeting Pastry Chef Lorna and Sous Chef Mike who came out to explain each of the desserts that had been created for us.

Globe Resto

desserts at Globe RestoOf this tray of delectable chocolate offerings, I most enjoyed the White Chocolate with Foie Gras, Honey and Candied nuts, pictured on the left. I wish we could have had more time to linger and really enjoy those desserts, but I had a plane to catch!

The Globe offers a lovely Afternoon Tea with a selection of amazing desserts and you can bet that chocolate is always on the menu, so I’d recommend visiting this top-notch restaurant at any opportunity you may have.

If you find yourself having a layover with some time to spend at the Vancouver International Airport, I’d highly recommend a meal at the Globe, and if you have the time and opportunity to stay at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, I have no doubt your stay will be as pleasant as mine. It was a wonderful way to end an equally wonderful trip.

Please share any stories you may have about a fantastic airport hotel, special things you have done on a brief layover, or any personal reflections of the Globe Restaurant or the multi-award winning Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel. Cheers! 

Doreen Pendgracs

Known throughout the Web as the "Wizard of Words", I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I researched and wrote Volume I of Chocolatour that won a Readers' favourite Award in 2014. Always enjoy experiencing new destinations and flavours.

57 Responses

  1. Odyssey Treks says:

    Thank you for sharing this insightful blog post about the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel. It has piqued my interest and left me eager to experience the comfort, convenience, and luxury that this hotel has to offer. Whether it’s for a layover or a longer stay, the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel is undoubtedly a fantastic choice for discerning travelers seeking a seamless and indulgent experience.

  2. Red carpet Journey says:

    A well-written blog article about Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel. You provide readers with insights into the hotel’s unique features, such as its location within the airport terminal, which allows guests to easily access flights and other transportation options. Additionally, it was nice to learn of the hotel’s luxurious amenities and personalized services that guests can expect during their stay.

  3. Rajib Khanal says:

    Hey Doreen, your review has left me thoroughly impressed with the hotel’s amenities, location, and overall ambiance. It’s clear that the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel truly goes above and beyond to provide its guests with a luxurious and comfortable experience. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. Your blog post has certainly piqued my interest in this hotel, and I look forward to potentially staying there in the future.

  4. Amanda says:

    Great Post!!! I really like your thoughts. You are one of the most creative bloggers I’ve encountered. I am waiting for your next post… please post soon. Keep sharing, your positivity is infectious.

  5. Bhagwat Simkhada says:

    The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel looks very nice and luxurious. Thank you for sharing your amazing pictures. I would love to stay there in the future.

  6. Babu Karki says:

    The Chocolate looks so good. Would be great you share how to make it. Make a surprise for all the guests to my wedding party.

  7. The view from the big bottom window looks amazing clinched only by the looks of all the photos of food you’ve posted here. Looks yummy! Please give me a slice 🙂

  8. Amazing food! I love chocolate so i would devour it up.

    • Thanks to everyone for your interest in the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel. It is definitely a hotel where you can enjoy a comfortable and quiet stay while enjoying some of the best food you’d expect to find at an airport hotel. I would definitely stay there again.
      Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…Dia de los MuertosMy Profile

  9. Brian says:

    Looks like an incredible level of accommodations for an airport hotel, especially considering the desserts. Thanks for sharing!

  10. Fascinating pics! amazing. I’d like to hear more about this destination.
    Mingma @ green lotus trekking recently posted…Trekking in NepalMy Profile

  11. What a lovely hotel. I won’t mind staying there.
    Paola Fuentes recently posted…Conquista El Orgas. FemeninoMy Profile

  12. Man says:

    We were up in Canada last winter (in fact we were in Vancouver in December) and agree with the cold. That’s why picking a hotel is so important, because you are probably going to be in it for a while! Looks like you picked well and the food looks great.

    Also I want to take a couple of samples from your webpage background. Traditional Caramel will do!

  13. Chris says:

    I’ve never stayed at an airport hotel (closest for us would be sleeping on an airport bench, LOL), however those desserts look superb!!
    Chris recently posted…Upstaging the Grand Canyon?My Profile

  14. We’ve been wondering what it would be like to stay at this airport hotel (since it’s right in our home city airport). It’s great you were able to get a good night’s sleep before returning home (and tackling the endless emails, bills, laundry, etc. that face you after a long trip). And we also love the Canada Line that runs from downtown Vancouver to the airport – cheaper and faster than a taxi!
    Sand In My Suitcase recently posted…Hot Art: Orozco’s fiery murals in GuadalajaraMy Profile

  15. Cheryl says:

    Talk about making the best of a less than desirable situation. Chocolate drinks and treats! Delicious and fun! So nice that you were able to enjoy your layover in such lovely way and with a friend.
    Cheryl recently posted…Wearing Glasses is Cool… NowMy Profile

  16. Indeed, the Fairmont Vancouver Airport doesn’t resemble the airport hotels of days gone by. It makes so much sense to have fine accommodations right there at the airport. Oh, and the chocolate — looks scrumptious.
    Cathy Sweeney recently posted…From Shoes to Sex: 14 Intriguing Museums in North AmericaMy Profile

  17. Adrienne says:

    Hey Doreen,

    Oh wow, all that time in Hawaii and I bet you had a glorious time.

    That hotel is fabulous and I was more interested in those chocolates too. My goodness, I just love chocolate. I think I got that from my Mom, she’s a huge chocolate lover too. I would be as big as a house if I ate it all the time though so I have to limit myself but man that looked scrumptious. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    Heavenly!!!

    ~Adrienne
    Adrienne recently posted…The Real Truth About Blog CommentingMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Adrienne and thanks for your comment.

      Perhaps your mother would love a copy of my book. 🙂

      Eating moderate quantities of good quality chocolate will not make you fat. It’s eating mass quantities of poor quality chocolate candy that is the culprit!

      Cheers, and enjoy!
      Doreen recently posted…accepting the Versatile Blogger AwardMy Profile

  18. Doreen, you certainly found the right travel writer niche! The next time you need a “wingman”…..

    It is amazing how nice it is to be able to collapse at an airport hotel with soundproofing. We once slept through a dinner engagement at the San Francisco Airport Hotel (I think it was a Hilton) after a long haul flight from Taipei. We thought we’d just take a wee nap—wrong!
    Suzanne Fluhr recently posted…Reflections: Honolulu, HawaiiMy Profile

  19. I’ve been at two Fairmont properties in Vancouver but not this one! Thanks for taking me with you~
    Irene S. Levine recently posted…Biding time at the American Express Centurion Lounge at McCarran AirportMy Profile

  20. Catarina says:

    For an airport hotel that’s fantastic. But then again, it’s a Fairmont, so that’s to be expected. You made an excellent choice!
    Catarina recently posted…Crowdsourcing – the way of the future?My Profile

  21. That was some smart planning on your part! It would be so much more restful… and at a Fairmont. They are always lovely hotels. Top it off with chocolate? Seriously? Did you pinch yourself?
    Suzanne Stavert recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: Thoreau said it best.My Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Suzanne: I’ve been a travel writer for nearly 20 years now and have learned that it really is the little things that can make or break a trip. And ending off a trip on a high note is tons better than arriving home to my hubby tired and cranky. Cheers!
      Doreen recently posted…Fairmont Vancouver Airport HotelMy Profile

  22. Patti says:

    Ya gotta love a fabulous hotel – and pasta carbonara is my absolute favorite.
    Patti recently posted…What the Innkeeper Won’t Tell You ~My Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Right on, Patti! We really love pasta carbonara, too, and the one at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport had lovely shrimp and scallops in it. It was fantastic, and the creamy sauce paired very nicely with our creamy martinis! Makes me want to go back …
      Doreen recently posted…Fairmont Vancouver Airport HotelMy Profile

  23. A chocolate-centric lunch. That’s what I call living!
    santafetraveler recently posted…Photo of the Week: Roxanne Swentzell at the 2012 Santa Fe Indian MarketMy Profile

  24. Your posts are always a pleasure, Doreen. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

    In regards to the Toronto airport transit issue, I can shed some light on the matter, probably in more detail than most are interested in hearing. As part of the Pan Am Games (2015) initiative, a Union Station-Pearson Airport Express is currently under construction. And if you have been to Union Station lately, you would most certainly see the devastation and disruption this link is creating. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pearson_Express

    It’s an important step, but a minor fix in the city’s grave traffic and public transport issues and as a daily rider, you have no idea how challenging it is for residents, let alone visitors who are there for a few days. So, if you want to see changes to the country’s largest city’s public transit system, vote for a federal government that supports this kind of critical infrastructure. Despite the size of the local population, the cost of adding additional subway routes to the existing system is impossible for us to bear alone. It requires support on local, provincial and FEDERAL levels. 🙂

    • Doreen says:

      Thx so much for your comment, Luba. I appreciate the insights.

      Thx, also, for reminding me of the turmoil going on at Union Station. I now remember when I was in TO last year and we couldn’t get close to the bldg with a car (my friend was dropping me off at the train station) and I’d forgotten about the new line being built to connect the airport with the train station. Here’s hoping that will be a new and welcome addition to the city’s transportation options. Cheers!
      Doreen recently posted…Fairmont Vancouver Airport HotelMy Profile

  25. We have also spent a night at this hotel because of airline connections – or lack thereof. After a long flight from Europe, it was pure heaven . . .we will remember the stay for a long time! Your chocolate feast looks heavenly.
    Jackie Smith recently posted…Where Kalamata is More than an OliveMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Thx for your post, Jackie. There’s something kind of magical about a really good airport hotel, isn’t there? I’m going to dash over and read your own blog post as I love Kalamata olives and am interested in learning more about the region.
      Doreen recently posted…Fairmont Vancouver Airport HotelMy Profile

  26. Sue Reddel says:

    You just can’t go wrong with a Fairmont. It looks like you really enjoyed yourselves. The martini and desserts look decadent. Yet another reason to get to Vancouver.
    Sue Reddel recently posted…Uniquely HavanaMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Sue: Yes, I really love Vancouver — and BC in general. And you’re so right. I’ve never had a bad experience at a Fairmont property, and I’ve stayed at quite a few. Did you happen to catch my post on the Fairmont Orchid? Here’s the link if not: fairmont-orchid-kind-place/. It’s a real gem.
      Doreen recently posted…Fairmont Vancouver Airport HotelMy Profile

  27. We’re big fans of stopping over to break up a lengthy trip. It just makes sense if you live or are traveling to Hawaii. I have to say, our most recent stopover by LAX doesn’t seem like it was even on the same planet as this marvelous experience! Too fun!
    Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru recently posted…Creative Entrepreneurs: Avoid Common MistakesMy Profile

  28. Michelle says:

    This looks like a really nice hotel. I wanted to stay there when I sailed out of Vancouver recently, but it was booked. I ended up at the Pan Pacific with much lighter pockets. I would have been just as satisfied at the Fairmont. I would especially like to try those desserts!
    Michelle recently posted…Seeking Solace With Santorini’s Cats at Kamari BeachMy Profile

  29. Oh wow! Not only were you able to get some rest in a fantastic hotel and meet up with your friend, but the chocolate!! What creativity…and it’s chocolate!!! I really enjoyed reading about your layover and your lunch!

  30. Well I’m a lover of all things chocolate and those desserts look amazing, but I’m not sure about white chocolate with foie gras. The hotel looks lovely.
    Susan Cooper recently posted…Baby Boomer Who Doesn’t Think Alternative Healing is Phony: #StoryMy Profile

  31. I’m so thrilled for you to have had this amazing experience for your airport layover. I’m still trying to forget our layover in Denver, Colorado. All the airport hotels were full and we had to sleep(?) in the airport. I wouldn’t wish that night on my worst enemy’s monkey.
    Neva @ Retire for the Fun of it recently posted…Elegant French Chateau in Utah, not FranceMy Profile

  32. What a wonderful way to break up a long trip. Those chocolate pastries look fantastic. My daughter lives in Vancouver along the Canada One line. It is so great to be able to take that train right from the airport to downtown. I agree more cities should have that kind of comfortable, reasonable cost public transport.
    Donna Janke recently posted…Manitoba Lake LifeMy Profile

  33. Leigh says:

    What a civilized way to make the travel experience more enjoyable. That shower and the sheer ability to be horizontal, even for a short while is so rejuvenating. I used to live in Vancouver so I’ve never stayed in that Fairmont Hotel.
    Leigh recently posted…A Hike to Eva Lake, Mount Revelstoke National Park, BCMy Profile

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