The Vancouver Fairmont Hotel
Posted on 25 July 2009 with no comments from readers
Construction of the Vancouver Fairmont Hotel began in 1929, the year of the stock market crash, and was only completed a decade later, just in time for an opening by the British monarch before the Second World War.
A reminder perhaps that hotels live through good times and bad, and an appropriate venue last week for the Agora Financial 10th annual symposium considering the impact of recent turmoil on investment options.
Faded grandeur
This grand of lady of a hotel has 556 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a large lobby bar and a swimming pool with spa. The downtown location is also exceptionally convenient for shopping, bars and restaurants.
However, faded grandeur has its downside with small bathrooms and a slightly tired feel to the interior. But there are still some spectacular spaces such as the brasserie-style restaurant for breakfast and light meals. It still has the aura of the Canadian Pacific Railway with its original brass light fittings and high ceiling.
The service is not bad. But in North America these days people wheel their own luggage and take food into their rooms. The age of elegance has long gone and the sight of older citizens in shorts and gym shoes does not add to the ambience.
Why the residents of five-star hotels – who pay quite high room rates – choose to dress like the winos in the street outside is beyond my understanding. It is also a mystery to me why the hotel has a Gucci shop when its average guest is into grunge.
Failing elegance
Is this a great hotel be ruined by scruffy guests? Well, that might be unfair but if people do not wear their designer gear here then why do they buy it?
Against this onslaught of down-dressing the hotel has done its best to maintain a certain standard, and the rooms are comfortably furnished with all the normal facilities, except that you have to pay for the Internet and the electronic tagging of the mini bar has to be watched for false charges.
So as a return to an age of elegance this hotel falls short, but for location and convenience it scores highly.
no Comments posted by readers:
Why the residents of five-star hotels – who pay quite high room rates – choose to dress like the winos in the street outside is beyond my understanding.
That was pretty funny!! Maybe the “dress code of Dubai” has permanently affected what you now think is normal.
It may sound odd to dress up in a luxury hotel, but that is also true in Hong Kong where I am staying now! Quite how things slipped so far in North America I have not a clue – but dressing appropriately is surely just a matter of good manners towards fellow guests. Is this unreasonable?