Vancouver - Pan Pacific or Fairmont Waterfront?

Starryjean

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Hi friends!

In a fit of eternal optimism, I’m moving ahead with planning an Alaskan cruise next year. Would love to hear opinions on the two waterfront hotels in Vancouver - the Pan Pacific and the Fairmont Waterfront.

I thought I wanted PP but then read a few less than stellar reviews. Please give me your thoughts and opinions - thanks!
 
In a fit of eternal optimism, I’m moving ahead with planning an Alaskan cruise next year. Would love to hear opinions on the two waterfront hotels in Vancouver - the Pan Pacific and the Fairmont Waterfront.

I haven't started planning yet since I have one rescheduled 2 week trip in Oct. and a cruise in September to get through, but I would be interested to hear too! Thanks.
 
Hi friends!

In a fit of eternal optimism, I’m moving ahead with planning an Alaskan cruise next year. Would love to hear opinions on the two waterfront hotels in Vancouver - the Pan Pacific and the Fairmont Waterfront.

I thought I wanted PP but then read a few less than stellar reviews. Please give me your thoughts and opinions - thanks!

They’re both beautiful hotels, but I’d give the edge to the Fairmont - better customer service.

The Pan Pacific does do free luggage transfers to the ship, though.
 


We are sailing in May 2021 and I booked the Fairmont Waterfront. It will be myself, my husband, and our two sons (20 & 18.) I ended up booking two rooms that connect- a king and a double/double. We canceled our August cruise and the May cruise was much cheaper, so I splurged on the hotel. The Pan Pacific was my second choice, but I got a better price for 2 rooms at the Fairmont plus a small food credit and guaranteed connecting rooms.
 
We stayed at the Fairmont. It was lovely and the first thing that they told us when we arrived is that they would take our luggage to the ship in the am and they did. The room was beautiful and we could see the ship from our window in the morning. I would not hesitate to stay again.
 
We stayed at the Fairmont. It was lovely and the first thing that they told us when we arrived is that they would take our luggage to the ship in the am and they did. The room was beautiful and we could see the ship from our window in the morning. I would not hesitate to stay again.
This was totally our experience too. Loved the Fairmont.
 


We stayed at the Pan Pacific before a 2015 Alaska cruise but back then waking up in the morning and seeing the Wonder docked right next to the hotel was wonderful.
This was us EXACTLY. I booked rooms that overlooked the cruise port on purpose...I kept waking up to see if the ship had arrived! What a great way to start off a vacation! :-)
 
We stayed at the Fairmont last year, and it was beautiful! We splurged and got a Fairmont Gold room which included access to their concierge lounge. The food at the lounge was quite good, and the staff there were incredibly friendly making an effort to learn our names and make us feel welcome. We did the first Alaskan cruise of the season, and the morning the ship came in, I walked across the street and over to the cruise port to watch the ship dock. The short pre-cruise stay in Vancouver was the perfect way to start an unforgettable vacation, and I would stay at the Fairmont again in a heartbeat!
 
The Fairmont also has access to the shopping area below the hotel in what I believe was a connection to the cruise terminal. You just walked down a set of stairs and you were in a food court/shopping area. This area had a Starbucks! We ate out breakfast here. Easy access to the port area from another set of stairs inside the shopping area so it was easy walk right outside and see the Wonder the morning of our cruise! You can also access the Cruise Terminal from here as well. Which means no going outside at all if you like. We really enjoyed the Fairmont Waterfront. We stayed here on our first cruise and we booked the room ourselves (it was way cheaper then through Disney) but we did book the Disney Transfer. In hindsight this was not needed at all, but it being our first cruise we just didn't want to deal with anything. The transfer took care of our luggage from our room, a guide met us in the Lobby, walked us through some backdoors, through special security line and right into the check in area. I wouldn't do it again, but honestly it was a really nice treat for a first cruise since we didn't know how it all was supposed to work. Fairmont Waterfront was (I believe still is) the Disney approved hotel, so they have a representative in the lobby the day before and the day of the cruise at a special desk area to assist passengers with any questions.
 
We loved the Pan Pacific before our Alaskan cruise.
Its so clean and right on the water, we woke up the morning of the cruise with The Wonder right outside our window.
 
We are optimistically doing the same for next May! Thanks for asking this question, I've been debating too. Sounds like the Fairmont for us.
 
If you have Southwest Rewards points - you can use them to purchase gift cards for Fairmont hotels!!
we stayed at the Fairmont before our Alaska cruise and because of a issue with hotels.com I received an awesome upgrade that I didn’t even ask for !! They are wonderful there and it’s a really beautiful hotel - short stroll right across the street to the port
We got up early and watched the ships come into port
I plan on staying there again when I do Alaska again
Don’t book thru Disney as you can get it cheaper yourself
 
We also stayed at the Fairmont in 2016. It was a great experience. Would not hesitate to stay there again. Took our luggage from the room. We gathered in the lobby and were escorted as a large group to the check-in for boarding.
My daughter and I were up early and walked over to the pier to watch the Wonder sail in and dock. I was jumping up and down like a kid when I saw the red Mickey smokestacks through the trees! We still talk about it!
 
We stayed at the Fairmont Waterfront in 2011 and the Pan Pacific in 2018. We absolutely enjoyed both. The Pan Pacific had a "Cruise Special" when we stayed there with free breakfasts, free luggage check-in, and late check-out. Both are terrific hotels. The photo is 2018 Wonder preparing to dock taken from our Pan Pacific room.
 

Attachments

  • 2018-09-02 Day T-1 Ship arrives at sunrise.jpg
    2018-09-02 Day T-1 Ship arrives at sunrise.jpg
    38.8 KB · Views: 12
Can’t speak to the Fairmont, but Pan Pacific was wonderful when we stayed there before our Alaska cruise in 2015. We had incredible flight delays and didn’t get to the hotel until after 2:30 AM - which was like 4:30 AM for us. The staff was beyond kind, and even checked up on us the next day to make sure we remembered everything we discussed at check-in - as well as to make sure that we didn’t need anything. And the view of the ships and seaplanes right outside our window was a definite treat. :-)
 
I would stay at the Fairmont but for a different reason than anyone above.....
I was supposed to cruise on the Hawaii cruise in April and had booked a non-refundable room rate at the Fairmont. Well, as you know, the cruise was cancelled. I called the hotel just to see what, if anything, they could do. Without any hesitation the rep announced she would refund my non-refundable reservation.
Next time I’m in Vancouver I will definitely stay at the Fairmont.
 
I would stay at the Fairmont but for a different reason than anyone above.....
I was supposed to cruise on the Hawaii cruise in April and had booked a non-refundable room rate at the Fairmont. Well, as you know, the cruise was cancelled. I called the hotel just to see what, if anything, they could do. Without any hesitation the rep announced she would refund my non-refundable reservation.
Next time I’m in Vancouver I will definitely stay at the Fairmont.

That is an awesome reason!
 
We stayed at the airport Fairmont because our flight got in at 1am, then transferred to the PP later that afternoon. While there was nothing wrong with the PP and it was magical to get to watch the Wonder arrive the morning of our cruise, I thought that for the luxury price point, the Fairmont's room, bedding, and amenities were better. I would stay at the Fairmont Waterfront if we do an Alaska cruise again.
 
You can't beat the PP's luggage transfer option to the boat. However, unless you having nothing better to do with your money, better options exist. It can be a crapshoot whether the Fairmont is cheaper, it really depends on the time of year.

If you are open to walking 1 extra block, try the Auberge or the Wyndham and then spend you savings at Signals instead.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!







Top