Rooms are loaded with technology, such as televisions that double as mirrors in the bathrooms, surround sound and expresso machines.
Fairmont Pacific Rim 1038 Canada Place Vancouver 604-695-5300; 888-264-6877 www.fairmont.com/pacificrim 377 rooms from $229 (opening rate available through June)
Opening on the eve of the Vancouver Olympics, this property from Fairmont (which already operates two hotels in the city's downtown) arrived with little fanfare. It was only after the athletes left and Vancouver started to breathe again that the luxury Coal Harbour hotel and residence began to make some noise.
Situated across from the green-roofed new conference centre and just a hop, skip and jump from the (now extinguished) Olympic cauldron, this could well have been just another corporate tower offering good but uninspired accommodation for the business set. In fact, it's the opposite: This is a luxe, hip affair - a destination in itself.
DESIGN
James K.M. Cheng's 131-metre-high addition to the Vancouver skyline is a surprisingly smooth architectural affair. Unlike the cloud-touching intensity of his Shangri-La tower, the Fairmont building is somewhat tucked away on the waterfront - an appropriate location for the resort-style operation. Outside, the wraparound text-based artwork by Brit Liam Gillick features prominently on 17 floors of the building. It hints at the degree of chic to be found within. Inside, the vibe is all about stimulating the senses with an array of natural surfaces inviting guests to stop, stare and feel. From the six-metre-long glass and granite lobby fireplace, to the stunning use of teak on walls and doors, the muted earth tones and leather furniture, the interior space reflects the natural environment in the most sophisticated fashion. The ground floor (conceived by celebrated local design company mgb), with its raw bar, custom-made Fazioli piano and top-notch Italian café is already on the local "see and be seen list" - just look at the Aston Martins, Lamborghinis and Bentleys outside.
AMENITIES
There are ample meeting and function spaces, including two ballrooms and the Chairman's Suite - a 2,250-square-foot, two-storey salon, inspired by a Balinese villa - available for those with rock-star incomes or looking for an unusual space to hold private functions for up to 60 guests. For a real retreat, the Willow Stream Spa offers a full fitness centre, yoga studio and nine treatment rooms, including one for couples. The outdoor pool (opening at the end of May) will feature private cabanas, fire pits and meditation pods.
THE ROOMS
Guest rooms - with floor-to-ceiling windows offering city or water views - come fully loaded with technology, including hidden televisions that double as mirrors in the bathrooms, iPod docks, wireless Internet, surround sound and Nespresso machines. Luxury extends to the crisp Mascioni linens and fabulous Stearns & Foster beds. Several rooms feature Japanese ofuro tubs: cube-shaped, jetted soakers with a bench seat and room for two. Room service is 24 hours. In the style-over-substance category, the sleek touch screen lighting controls look good, but are tricky to get the hang of.
SERVICE
Service is slick and discreet, as befits a five-star property looking to position itself as an urban retreat. Perhaps opening its doors the day before the Olympics and being forced to hit the ground running, brought things up to speed quickly. Pay for the Fairmont Gold level and not only will your rate include continental breakfast, afternoon tea and early-evening hors d'oeuvre served in the Gold lounge (with its patio overlooking Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains), you will also receive full butler service. The only wrong note on our visit was a bartender who clearly hadn't learned the cocktail list and didn't know how to make a signature drink.
FOOD
No shortage of choice here. For casual eats, try Giovane, the Italian-inspired upscale café - currently gaining rave reviews from local foodies for its breads and patisserie. Or wander into the lobby lounge, where the raw bar serves up shellfish towers, sushi and sashimi all day, as well as afternoon tea and comfort offerings such as a braised short rib poutine. The lounge comes with the added value of live jazz every night, plus a deal with EMI Canada that promises interesting bills on Fairmont Fridays. For more formal fare, head up the marble staircase to the pan-Asian bistro Oru, where executive chef David Wong's menu offers everything from tuna tataki to Korean bulgogi. His Indian curries are particularly authentic and delicious.
VERDICT
Elegant surroundings with the emphasis on relaxation and retreat.
Fiona Morrow stayed courtesy of Fairmont Pacific Rim.
Editor's note: The original version of this article had the wrong surname for chef David Wong. This version has been corrected."