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hotel review: Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, British Columbia

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This post, written by Stefanie Van Aken, originally appeared on TravelingMom.com.

The Fairmont Hotel Group is known around the world for its iconic royal treatment, service and design elements second to none. One of its newest properties is the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Just a few steps away from some of the most important landmarks in Vancouver, and a few city blocks from even more, the Fairmont Pacific Rim promises to offer a modern luxury dedicated to the sophisticated family traveler.

Fairmont Hotel by James KM Cheng Architects; Westbank

Fairmont Hotel by James KM Cheng Architects; Westbank

What Works for Families

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous not having stayed at a Fairmont with our family before.The Fairmont Pacific Rim put me right at ease as soon as the doorman helped us out of the car and greeted us, and the children (ages 10 and 8), in a most charismatic way. It is always a relief when your children are treated in the same manner, or better, than their parents, as guests of the hotel. I knew right away the kids would love it here, as would I, and make our stay that much more pleasurable.

The kids were each handed a Fairmont Kids backpack, which had a coloring book, crayons and a stuffed toy. The Doorman entertained the kids while my husband and I checked in. Anything we asked for or about in reference to our children’s comfort and safety were answered right away and without hesitation.

Fairmont Pacific Rim Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Pacific Rim

Fairmont Pacific Rim Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Pacific Rim

During our visit, we stayed in a one bedroom suite with a private outdoor fireplace and patio. Rooms are spacious, room service accommodating for various palates and abundant amenities (roll away beds, pack-n-plays, high chairs, mini bath robes, and umbrellas) all made our stay so comfortable we did not want to leave. Some specific highlights we enjoyed as a family at the Fairmont Pacific Rim:

One- and two-bedroom suites are available
Suites with patios and outdoor fireplaces
Suites contain full kitchen perfect for storing leftovers, grabbing groceries
Suites also contain dining room tables easy for family meals
Order meals for room service via iPad connectivity
Some suites offer private outside areas with tables and fireplace
Some suites also offer easy access to outdoor pool and spa
Complimentary BMW House Car available for Fairmont Gold Level guests
BMW bikes available through concierge
Kid’s Menu available In-Room Dining
At all Fairmont hotels, kids 5 and under eat free off the children’s menu while kids 6-11 eat for half price off the regular menu.
The Family Affair Vancouver Vacation Package provides extra room for half the price! Families who travel together can save together when they book one room or suite, and get the second room at 50% off.

What Doesn’t Work for Families

Honestly, it was difficult to find anything that did not work for families. The Lobby Lounge + Raw Bar is a lobby bar located at the entrance of the hotel. It is the place to be for happy hour and on the weekends in downtown Vancouver. This may be the only thing that might take away from the family friendly experience. My kids are used to that kind of scene, as they are at hotels on the Las Vegas Strip often. No major concerns for us, but there is live music and crowds towards the weekend.

The Details

The Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, VC6 0B9, sits on the corner of Burrard and Cordova Streets, overlooking the Coal Harbour. It is across the street from the Winter Olympic Torch from the 2012 games, which makes for excellent family photos, as well as a keen spot for whale watching and looking for other marine life. The hotel also enjoys the excitement of being located in happening downtown Vancouver, making it easy to access all major points of interest and venues.

Lobby-Bar-at-Fairmont-Pacific-Rim

Getting There

The easiest way to get to the Fairmont Pacific Rim is by vehicle. The closest airport is the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). It is approximately 14 miles away, and about a 30-minute ride to the hotel. Just take note of heavy traffic times which may cause for some delay. There was also a bit of construction near the hotel during our visit, which also forced a bit more travel time. Otherwise, a very simple and beautiful drive over the Arthur Laing Bridge, and down some famous Vancouver streets. Valet and Self Parking is available for various rates and fees.

Fairmont-Pacific-Rim-Hotel-Details

The Hotel

When Vancouver was selected as the host city of the 2012 Winter Olympics, the city began to prep to receive the tremendous amounts of visitors set to attend the games. The Fairmont Pacific Rim was one of the projects set forth to accommodate a discerning crowd. Beautifully designed to appeal to the modern eye, yet with a hint of comfortable sophistication, the silvery colors set in a natural ambiance creates an air of approachable luxury. Location is perfect- situated downtown, across from Canada Place, around the corner from Stanley Park and The Vancouver Aquarium, and within walking distance of trendy Robson and Burrard Streets. True to its eco-conscious Vancouver roots, the Fairmont Pacific Rim was awarded the 5-Green Key rating during its first year of operation. Modern and hip, it is the spot in Vancouver for some of the best restaurants like Oru, and giovanne, and amazing views from the rooftop pool offering cabanas, hot tubs and fire pits.

Vancouver-Sites

The Rooms

Though we had the opportunity to stay in a one-bedroom suite, the Fairmont Pacific Rim has many options to choose from to welcome families of all sizes, including a single King bed or Queen/Queen bed layout. There are also several view options like city, pool, Coal Harbour, Stanley Park and North Shore Mountains or Canada Place. Additionally, there is the newly introduced Fairmont Gold Level, for even more exclusivity and conveniences. This is similar to what we call in America, a Concierge Level where continental meals are served throughout the day, and other amenities are offered. What we loved about the rooms:

  • Stearns and Fosters luxury beds with Mascioni 100% cotton linens, down comforters, pillows
  • Plush Mascioni towels embroidered with iconic Fairmont logo
  • iPad connectivity for room temperature, lighting, window treatments, In-Room Dining
  • Well appointed, very comfortable couches. Everything full sized to accommodate family of 4 or more.
  • Comforts like outdoor fireplace to enjoy outdoor space even in cool temperatures.
  • Robes and slippers available in-room. For children on request.
  • Over-sized shower and luxurious shower heads
  • Shower and Tub separate
  • Over-sized bath tub
  • 42″ Flat Screen TV with latest movie selections, children channels and game consoles on request
  • Media connectivity to TV and alarm clocks

fairmont-pacific-rim-pool-area

Amenities

With so many amenities at the Fairmont Pacific Rim from the moment you step onto the welcome mat, to the moment you say good-bye, it is hard to pinpoint the best ones. Some of our favorite amenities that top our list:

  • Complimentary use of umbrellas
  • Complimentary use of BMW house cars for Fairmont Presidential guests
  • Complimentary use of BMW bicycles
  • Rose 31 bath gel, shampoos, conditioner and lotions by Le Labo

giovanne-cafe-vancouver

Dining

Some of the best meals to be had in Vancouver are had at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. For starters, Oru offers a farm-to-table menu with savory flavors found up and down the Pacific Northwest. Hands down, giovanne cafe + wine bar, was my family’s favorite. By day, a coffee shop with signature roasted coffee and hand-crafted espresso drinks, decadent pastries and healthy options like fresh juices. By night, a savvy little Italian eatery with a wine list to die for and exceptional culinary delights like house made pastas and antipasto dishes. A fun candy wall connects the coffee shop to the wine bar. It’s very lively and inviting. The Lobby Lounge offers a Raw Bar and Afternoon Tea. Just be sure to check with the concierge as children are not allowed in the Lobby Bar after 9 pm. Biggest plus to dining at any Fairmont hotel? Children under 5 eat free off the children’s menu, and children 6-12 can select items off the regular menu and receive a 50% discount.

As a member of the press, I was not offered any special discounts or room upgrades or tickets for anything mentioned in this post. All opinions are my own.

Trump Kids at the Spa at Trump International Hotel Las Vegas

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Sure, you can take your daughter just about anywhere in town for a Mommy and Me Mani/Pedi, but why not treat her and yourself to a sweet treat at the Spa at Trump International Hotel Las Vegas? His political views may be controversial to some, but no one can deny Donald Trump has a serious knack for luxury. One of my favorite hotels in the United States is the Trump International New York. With its towering golden presence, and not to mention one of the best locations in the city, the Trump International Hotel New York is magnificent. The Trump International Hotel Las Vegas is no underdog. A smaller property, but the experience is just the same. Gorgeous flower arrangements welcome you to the grand lobby with both formal and casual dining options, an intimate pool setting, and one of the most beautiful spas Las Vegas has to offer.

Spa At Trump Las Vegas Nail Salon

Recently added to the Spa at Trump International Hotel Las Vegas menu are specially curated treatments for children and tweens.

Trump Kids’ offerings, especially for kids 12 years old and under, include:

  • Little Miss Manicure (30 minutes): A delicious manicure beginning with a yummy chocolate soak followed by shaping, buffing, and polishing. The session wraps up with a scrumptious massage using vanilla lotion.
  • Little Miss Ice Cream Pedicure (45 minutes): Like Neapolitan ice cream for your feet, the classic spa treatment with a scrumptious twist, includes chocolate soak, strawberry exfoliating sugar scrub and vanilla massage lotion.
  • Little Miss Blowout & Style (30 minutes): Hollywood-ready hair styling for any occasion.
  • Little Miss Make-Up (15 minutes): Tasteful and age appropriate makeup application.

Trump Teens’ offerings, especially for teens 13 – 17 years of age, include:

  • Teen Manicure (30 minutes): A delicious manicure beginning with a yummy chocolate soak followed by shaping, buffing, and polishing. The session wraps up with a scrumptious massage using vanilla lotion.
  • Teen Ice Cream Pedicure (45 minutes): Like Neapolitan ice cream for your feet, the classic spa treatment with a scrumptious twist, includes chocolate soak, strawberry exfoliating sugar scrub and vanilla massage lotion.
  • Teen Facial (60 minutes): A facial designed to cater to the needs of teens’ individual skin care needs and customized to provide optimal cleansing and nourishment.
  • Teen Massage (60 minutes): Luxurious, light pressure massage with unscented oil to soothe active muscles in growing bodies.
  • Teen Blowout & Style (30 minutes): Expert consultation followed by trendy hair styling.
  • Teen Make-Up (30 minutes): Tasteful and age appropriate makeup application.

My 9 year old daughter and I were invited to experience a Mommy and Me Back to School Mani/Pedi, using the Me!Bath products for the most indulgently delicious Little Miss Manicure and Ice Cream Pedicure.


TrumpSpaKidsMenu

The products are divine. We started with a chocolate soak, moved into a strawberry scrub and marshmallow foot mask, and wrapped it up with a relaxing vanilla lotion massage. My daughter fell asleep at the pedicure bowl she was so relaxed. Since I do not normally do manicures because the nail polish tends to not last on me, I opted to have us both upgraded to the gelish polish. Other products used during the mani/pedi were from the Deborah Lippmann line, also fabulous products. Click for pricing for Kid’s Spa Treatments and Teen’s Spa Treatments.

Spa At Trump Nails

Our appointments were scheduled for 12:00pm, and we finished just at 2:00pm (remember we had gelish, so more time was added). The manicurists were efficient and thorough.  We were served tea, fresh fruit and water. It was lovely. All worth it to see this sweet little face smile all day!

@TrumpLasVegas

Following, we opted for lunch at the H2Eau poolside cafe, which was reasonably priced, and the food was good. Have the Kalua Pork Waffle Fries, they are the bomb!

TrumpLasVegasH2Eau

One of the things I love most about living in Las Vegas is the opportunity to escape to a gorgeous place like Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, and feel like we actually took a little vacation. We got to feel glamourous and relaxed for those few hours, refreshing our minds and bodies and focusing on time with one another. It truly is a special treat!

Trump International Hotel Las Vegas

Locals: You can sign up for the Trump VIP Membership program at the Spa at Trump to receive special promotions and discounts. For the 2014 VIP Program (through December 2015) the following is available (VIP Membership Program subject to change in 2016):

  • 30% off treatments (blackout dates may apply)
  • 1 free wellness class per month
  • Free gift on your birthday
  • Preferred access to latest retail items
  • 30% off cabana rentals and access to the Trump Pool

Disclaimer: I was an invited guest of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas to experience the new Spa at Trump menu items for children. All thoughts and words are my own.

How To Visit An American Girl Store

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Today’s post is sponsored by the American Girl Store location at Tyson’s Corner in Washington, D.C.

American_Girl_McKennaIt was the best gift you gave and she received this year. No, you didn’t go to Jared’s, but you did research the heck out of this one special gift, deciding on the perfect American Girl Doll for your little American girl. Whether she resembles your daughter in looks, or matches her interests in history, it is the one she wanted. She had the biggest smile from ear to ear when she opened that big red box- it was the most memorable moment of the season. For the last few weeks, she’s been the center of your daughter’s world, taking her along on daily errands and joining your family for dinner. Well, that was easy. Hard part done, right? Haha…uh, no, sweetie, you are just getting started. Welcome to the world of the American Girl.

I’m not even going to mention how many dolls my daughter has, and how many more she plans to collect. We have Historical Characters, a Girl of the Year, and a couple My American Girl dolls. As much as I like to complain, the truth is that my daughter really loves these dolls. She dresses them every day, brushes their hair (that hair!), and takes them along on outings. She convinced my father to build a condominium out of plastic bins that take up a whole wall in her playroom. These dolls have travelled as much as she has, and been to as many fancy dinners, plays and special events. And, yes, they may be pricey, but they have replaced any other toy on the market for us. YouTube videos have showed her how to make her own furniture using recycled products like boxes, paper towel holders and socks. She asked for and received a sewing machine for Christmas and is learning how to make doll clothes and accessories. These dolls keep her busy and entertained for hours, and allows her to escape her reality of being the only girl out of 4 children, and into a world of girlfriends and sisters. We have spent endless amounts of time re-organizing her space to keep her items nice and neat and easy to find. Even still, it seems like we are adding new wardrobe pieces, furniture, and other accessories every month from friends, family and special occasions.

American_Girl_Travel

That all sounds like fun and games, right? Well, here comes the “hard part”. She is allowed one trip a year to the mecca- an American Girl store, and only receives new items based on grades, behavior and other realistic measures (like, eh-hem, budget). If you have not had the opportunity to visit one of these mega-stores, then continue reading. If you have, please read on, and add any of your favorite tips to the comments below. Our first store visit was to the Garden Grove location in Los Angeles, California. A skip, hop and a jump away from Las Vegas, Los Angeles seemed to be the perfect city for our first experience at an American Girl store, however, there are locations all around the country. Here are some tips on how to make your visits productive, fun and memorable, and still stick with your budget. This is how to visit an American Girl store like a RockStar!

American_Girl_Catalog

Pre-Game Plan Yes, she’s your little girl and you want to give her the world, but let’s face it, you could literally blow her college savings in this one store with one visit. It’s worse odds than Vegas. Make sure you go in prepared and confident and know where you are willing or not willing to budge on your budget. Follow these easy steps for a fool-proof pre-game plan:

  • Order a catalog. This could take a few months to get your first one, or maybe one was sent along with the doll you just purchased. Save it. It is an integral part of the plan.
  • Decide on your budget.
  • Have a conversation with your child about the budget.
  • Determine the top priority items, then rank from there. This is key because sometimes not all items are available in the store. Make sure she has a back-up just in case.
  • Book a Personal Shopping Experience for your visit. See below.

When we know a trip is in our future, we save the latest catalog. I let my daughter devour the catalog, circling her favorite items, starring her must-haves. After my husband and I set a budget, we have this conversation with my daughter. She then goes back to her Wish List, and decides which ones she wants now, and which ones she can save for later (Christmas, birthday, special initiatives, etc.). We take that catalog directly to the Personal Shopper, and she handles the rest. If it is your first visit to the store, you may want to have a look around, but remind your little one about the items she has already selected that fit within her set budget.

American Girl doll Rebecca Rubin

Store Visit Visit the store on a Monday-Thursday if possible. If you can sneak away with your daughter during the week, the store itself will not be as crowded as it would if on a week-end or during a shared holiday like Christmas and Spring Break. This will allow you more freedom to move around the store, visit the book store and the doll museum, and book appointments for hair styles, ear piercing, or general maintenance at the doll hospital. Yes, this is all a thing.

American_Girl_Bistro

Dining Options Decide if you are going to eat in the cafe for lunch, dinner or tea prior to your visit as sittings book up. Depending on location, each American Girl store offers either a Cafe or Bistro. Pricing is moderate and the menus offer a 3-course option with appetizer, main entree and dessert. There are specialty drinks for both mom (wine, champagne) and daughter (seasonal themed milkshakes and mocktails), and of course, the doll is treated like a super star given her own seat at the table along with place setting. If it is a special occasion, like a birthday, I would recommend considering the package options that include a cake and special gift for your daughter. We have done both- the birthday package for her first visit, and just lunch with the dolls and her friends. My honest opinion- is it world class dining at its best? No. But, the experience, at least one time, is worth it if it means that much to your daughter. It’s an adorable set-up, very girlie, and caters to the fantasy that her American Girl is her BFF. In any location I have been to, service staff has been friendly, and efficient. Rooms are clean, and food is good. Our recent trip to Washington D.C. happened to be during the holidays. We spent a Mother/Daughter Day at the American Girl Store at Tyson’s Corner, and they had the most adorable winter themed drinks for the little girls. My daughter also loved having mini-hamburgers and hot dogs and a fruit kabob. It really is like a Disneyland for dolls.

 American_Girl_Personal_Shopping

Personal Shopping This is a complimentary service provided at every American Girl store, and one I have found to be underrated. Book an appointment with a Personal Shopper for the day you plan to spend at the store. Check in at the main desk, and you will be directed to a private area with couches and tables. It is fabulous, and it is free. This is also how you will be able to stay within your budget. Once you have established your Pre-Game Plan (see above), put everything onto a list, or go through the catalog with your Personal Shopper. There are different ways the final task will be completed.

1. The Personal Shopper will go through the store and retrieve all the items for you, while you sit in the room, spending time with your little girl.

2. (my favorite option) The Personal Shopper will place your order through the computer and have everything shipped directly to you, shipping fees apply.

American Girl Personal Shopper

Of course, you could do both- let your daughter pick out a few items to bring home, and ship the rest, based on your situation. I prefer the shipping because normally we are flying or driving home with an already completely full vehicle. In addition to the easy shopping, the Personal Shopper will also escort you around the store and provide you with a tour of the store if desired. Another great component of utilizing the Personal Shopper is that you can call ahead for special things like having her set aside your daughter’s requested doll, scheduling hair appointments and suggesting additional items like books and videos. The book store is pretty impressive. Each Historical Character has her own series as well as videos of their own movies. There are also great finds in there for the ‘tween who has questions about her changing body, and fun activity books to share with her BFF or mommy (if you’re still cool like that).

AG_Books

OK. You can do this. You got this. Be smarter than the doll. All joking aside, a visit to an American Girl Store can really be a very enjoyable and memorable experience to share with your daughter. If you are a detailed oriented personality, you will love all the little accessories and components, and if you are a history buff, you will fall in love with the outfits and story lines. In the end, you may be the one who needs to stick to the budget! Take the time to make the experience pleasant for both of you. If you plan on incorporating more visits in the future, think of ways you can start making the visits your own and follow your inner star.

A special thank you to the American Girl Store at the Tyson’s Corner location for sponsoring today’s post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.