Fairmont Gold Review

Described by Fairmont as "our exclusive lifestyle hotel experience", Fairmont Gold offers an extra dimension to the traditional yet relaxed luxury of Fairmont Hotels. Available in a wide range of our Canadian resorts, we wanted to give you more information about the superb levels of service and personal attention on offer with Fairmont Gold.

Fairmont Gold Marquis De Lorne Suite at the Chateau Lake Louise

We could list off everything that is included - a private check-in desk, a dedicated Fairmont Gold team, a delicious continental breakfast served in the Fairmont Gold Lounge. We could tell you how big your room will be (at least 165sqft. at the Fairmont Banff Springs). Or, we could tell you what your view might be like - anyone for the Marquis De Lorne Suite at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise? Ok, so that's quite a bit of information already! What really matters, though, is the experience itself. Our Ski Groups Specialist, Vikki, was lucky enough to experience the uniquely personal and discreet Fairmont Gold service...

Vikki's Fairmont Gold Review

In March 2016 I was lucky enough to spend a week in Whistler – utter bliss! Fantastic hotels, awesome snow and such lovely people. I decided that a night in Vancouver on the way home was a must, and given that I was out there I pushed the boat out and upgraded to the Gold Level at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. I had no idea how utterly spoiling this was going to be and how one night just wasn’t enough!

Lobby at the Fairmont Pacific Rim

After an easy transfer down from Whistler we pulled up outside the 5-star Fairmont Pacific Rim – an imposing building overlooking the inner Harbour right next to downtown. The doorman appeared and swept up our luggage and took us into the hotel lobby where we were met by a friendly receptionist who got us checked in. This for me is where the 5-star service began. The receptionist got it just right, she was chatty and engaging without being intrusive. We were given directions to our room and left her with the task of looking into some quirky places to eat!

Fairmont Gold Lounge

The Gold level is the top few floors of the hotel and from the minute you leave the lift you feel like you are in your own exclusive apartment. The rooms are all amazing with stunning views of either the city skyline or the harbour. We were super spoilt and our floor-to-ceiling windows gave us views of both – breathtaking! Within minutes of arriving in our room the phone rang and it was a member of staff from the Fairmont Gold Lounge calling to welcome us and let us know there were cocktails and canapés being served. Never ones to pass up a cocktail and some nibbles, we made our way along the corridor and down the stairs to the exclusive Gold Lounge. We were hugely relieved to see that even though the service and set up was high-end luxury there was no need to dress up for the occasion and didn't feel out of place or uncomfortable in our jeans. We were met with a wonderful sight – a beautifully laid-up table offering perfectly made sandwiches, little cakes and treats. We rather greedily loaded our plates and made for the comfy sofas. The views were jaw-dropping and with one whole side being glass you got the whole view over the city. Another super friendly member of staff greeted us with champagne and we sat back and relaxed for at least an hour – taking in the views, the delicious nibbles and of course the champagne!

On returning to our room we realised our earlier request of some restaurant suggestions had been dealt with and a beautiful hand written note from Nicole on reception gave us a huge list of recommendations to suit all budgets and tastes. How many hotels provide a hand written service – the time and care taken to compile the list – seriously impressive. We decided to go for a walk and on leaving the hotel we were waved off by the doorman who having met us 4 hours previously remembered our names, nothing short of amazing given the amount of people the doorman see every day. These little touches really did leave you feeling special. After a slap up meal, we returned to the hotel to find a plate of mini desserts – I had mentioned to reception whilst ‘talking’ food that I had a dreadful sweet tooth – she remembered and went the extra mile. Given the amount of delicious food we had now eaten we needed to walk many extra miles!

After another few drinks in the Gold Lounge we retreated to our room where we slept soundly and even kept the curtains open – who wouldn't want to wake up to that view in the morning? Breakfast was, as expected, perfect. A huge buffet was on offer with locally sourced sausages, thick crispy bacon, eggs cooked to request in front of you as well as a vast selection of pastries and fresh fruit. After a few days of average coffee in our Whistler suite we relished the awesome coffee on offer here!

All in all – the most fantastic experience – sheer luxury from start to finish and a seriously special way to spend part of your holiday. Am now planning my next trip back already – I just need a good excuse!