Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver

By no means is this hotel boutique in size, but in style it's very cleverly so. There are 377 rooms in total, ranging from Fairmont Rooms overlooking the city to penthouse speciality suites, each uniquely designed with a playful Canadian theme of its own. For a city break, the Fairmont Rooms tick all the boxes for us, but if you are celebrating, travelling as a family or looking for something a little more special, opt for a Suite with a park or harbour view.

We recommend staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim on a room only basis as breakfast and brunch are most definitely ‘a thing’ in Vancouver. The hotel itself has one of the city’s finest cafés, Giovane, which, once the clock strikes 12, conveniently doubles as a wine bar. The Lobby Lounge and RawBar is the place to be as the sun starts to dip, with live music six nights a week and award-winning sushi to complement a killer cocktail list. The hotel is also home to the Botanist, named ‘Vancouver’s Best Restaurant’ by Condé Nast Traveller. Its decor immediately sets the standard of this entirely botany-inspired dining experience, with indoor pergolas, hanging vines, statement furniture and a glass-fronted cocktail lab.

The owner’s love of art and quirky design runs throughout the hotel and there are always rotating exhibitions in the lobby for guests to enjoy via a self-guided tour. Moving up to the rooftop, the Fairmont Pacific Rim boasts the best outdoor hotel pool in Vancouver, surrounded by cosy cabanas, hot tubs and outdoor fire pits. There is also a state-of-the-art gym and the Willow Stream Spa, with nine treatment rooms and a plethora of treatments in which to indulge. When you’re ready to start exploring, the Fairmont team can sort you out with your very own e-bike, or give you a lift to your desired destination in one of the guest-only BMWs, which are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.