Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

As stately and magnificent today as it was in 1939 when it opened just in time for the visit of King George VI, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s grand public spaces—from the lobby to the bar to the ballroom—are filled with classical dazzle and hints of Art Moderne, including marble terrazzo floors and bas-relief moldings. Owing to its vintage, the 556 guest rooms, furnished largely in Chippendale style, come in many shapes and sizes; regardless of room size, the bathrooms are small, with pedestal sinks. Since the hotel has official heritage status, there’s not much Fairmont can do by way of enlarging (it’s limited from altering the exterior structure of the building but can renovate the interior). But with the hotel’s old-school opulence and outstanding location—right in the middle of Downtown’s best shopping and dining—you won’t mind much.

Insider Tip: Miss your pooch? Beau and Mavis, the hotel’s resident Labradors, hang out next to the concierge desk and are often happy to go for a short walk.

Room to Book: Come face to face with a gargoyle in room 1307. This unusual architectural feature is right outside the window, giving guests an up-close taste of the hotel’s history. The only drawback: it’s on the hotel’s smoking floor.