This is a very nice, centrally-located hotel with great city and harbor views. Our room faced the harbor and had floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, including in the bathroom. We had intended to switch to a B&B in west Vancouver after a few nights, but loved this room so much that we stayed. There were nice, special touches like local lore printed on wooden shingles for turn-down treats, great rosemary shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate in the afternoon, and a chilled bottle of champagne with a cheese plate upon arrival. Oh yeah, you can take out the staff Labrador Retriever for a walk in the park if you miss your canine friends at home.

The hotel offered easy connection to the Skyrail and all other transportation within walking distance.

We had a large corner room with floor-to-ceiling windows on both walls -- fantastic views. The view through the large plate glass window in the bathroom made even sitting on the toilet inspirational.

Every time I have stayed at a Fairmont, I have been extremely pleased. And this time was no exception. First, the staff at the hotel was fantastic. The check-in was quick and easy, the concierge provided fantastic recommendations (even though we asked dozens of questions), the housekeeping staff was great about retrieving something from our first room (we upgraded after the first night), and the restaurant staff was great too. I knew I would like this hotel when I saw the hotel dog, Maggie. She has a cushion in the lobby and people can actually reserve time to walk her around the neighborhood.

The hotel was very classy in a traditional, dignified way . . . this is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Vancouver. I particularly liked the gargoyles on the outside of the hotel (and outside our window on the 14th floor). Our rooms were spacious and very comfortable . . . particularly the bed (the sheets and pillows were very nice). For bath fans, each bath room has a very nice, deep tub.

The location is another plus. Georgia Street is one of the main streets running through downtown, so it is easy to go anywhere from the hotel. Right across the street is a great mall . . . which we took advantage of. Even better, we could walk or bike to almost anything we wanted to see in downtown Vancouver. Stanley Park was about 1/4 mile away, Granville Island was about 3/4 mile away, and some cool neighborhoods like Yaletown were within blocks.

A few other highlights of the hotel:
- The spa and pool area is very nice and the workout facilities are adequate for a quick workout.
- The hotel restaurants are very nice. 900 West is a fancy steakhouse restaurant while Griffin's is a more casual place to eat. We ate at Griffin's both mornings and really enjoyed our meals.
- Every room had high-speed internet access. It was easy to connect and reasonably priced. After a week in Alaska, it was nice to be able to catch up on emails.

All said, this was a fantastic place to say and I highly recommend the Fairmont.

A man goes into his local corner store to buy a six-pack of Coors Light and a $5 scratch-off ticket. Three beers later, he remembers the ticket in his pocket and pulls out a quarter. Eureka! Though up to this point in his life the only thing he had ever won was a Supersoaker squirt gun and tickets to see Boston off the radio, he now holds in his hand a $2,000 winner. "Just in time for my trip to Vancouver," he thinks to himself. "Forget my reservation at that dingy hostel on East Hastings Street--I’m taking my girlfriend to the Fairmont!" And so begins a two-night stay at the illustrious Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for this lucky couple.

Upon arriving at the airport, they hop in a cab and are whisked downtown. After a short tour of the nearby Robson Street shopping bonanza, and taking note of the Vancouver Art Gallery across the street, they step into the grand lobby of the Fairmont, a hotel built in 1939. The helpful staff assign them the standard Fairmont room, starting at C$287 a night. Already exhilarated by the chance to stay in one of Vancouver’s classiest hotels, the lucky man’s grateful girlfriend insists that he not splurge on one of the more expensive rooms the Fairmont has to offer--the Fairmont Deluxe, Fairmont Gold, or Courtyard Suite.

Before going to their room, they walk around to survey the lobby. A piano sits adjacent to the large bar/lounge area that screams "serve me a pricey drink, please!" They take note of the two on-site restaurant options--Griffin’s, serving standard chain-restaurant fare at widely inflated prices, and the more upscale lounge, with a menu boasting dishes such as grilled portobello mushrooms, Szechuan seafood stir-fry, and a $13 grilled cheese sandwich (but it comes with spiced fries, too!). The resident dog has his own personal bed set up in the lobby as well, helping give the hotel a more homey feel amidst all the stoic grandeur. The couple also browse the Fairmont Store, St. John, Louis Vuitton, and Snowflake, all selling either designer clothes or souvenirs.

The feeling of being high rollers for a few days is invigorating. The couple's room, with a few chairs, dining table, and heavenly bed, spoils them. The health club and indoor pool, sleekly designed with a skylight above, go hand in hand with the spa they pamper themselves at every day. Yes, indeed, ‘twas a romantic stay at the Fairmont.

After checking out, the man grabs a Fairmont brochure and notices the "Fairmont Fling" special--one night's accommodation, overnight parking, a bottle of Blue Mountain wine, and strawberries dipped in chocolate for C$317 high season. Thinking of his playboy friend Ted, he pockets the brochure and laughs to himself. "This is perfect for Ted," he thinks. "After that Motel 6 incident, I know he wants nothing but the best for his next one-night stand."