Stay Fit and Fabulous at the Fairmont YVR Hotel

Enjoy a Fit on the Fly pre-vacation or staycation at the luxurious Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel

I haven’t stepped into a gym in years. That doesn’t mean I don’t work out. I personally prefer to exercise in the privacy of my own home. I have fitness equipment, including free weights and a stepper, that I use on a daily basis. So when I travel, other than walking, hiking or cycling outdoors, my regular fitness routine takes a forced break.

For exercise junkies like me, there’s a solution. Whether you’re flying off to an exotic tropical destination and want to stay at the airport the night before your flight, or you plan on taking a staycation in your own backyard, the Fairmont YVR has a room for you. It’s called the Fit on the Fly Suite.

Recently, I was invited to check out this novel idea. As you expect from any Fairmont hotel or resort, the suite is beautifully appointed. The difference with this room is that it comes equipped with a Peloton Bike, FITBENCH ONE and a balance ball (perfect for when you are working on your computer). That’s not all. I discovered a platter with healthy snacks awaiting me upon arrival.Another bonus: You don’t even have to pack your workout gear. For $75, the Fairmont will provide you with Fairmont Fit gear, a yoga mat, the use of a Saje diffuser with essential oil, a selection of Lot35 wellness teas, and a sound therapy machine.

I gave the Fairmont YVR team my sizes ahead of my stay and voilà—Lululemon sweats and a T-shirt, socks and runners—were all perfectly packaged and waiting for me bedside (you can’t take the gear home sadly). In the bathroom, I found is a Nordic-style hydrotherapy experience—a bath bomb perfect for those sore, tired muscles.

The next morning, I ordered my in-room breakfast of champions that included several healthy options. After partaking in an organic egg-white omelette and the rise and shine smoothie, I was ready to don my fitness attire.FairmontHaving never stepped onto a Peloton bike, I definitely had to read the instructions. There were a myriad of live-streaming and on-demand classes to choose from, including ones starring some fun, engaging, and more importantly, motivating instructors. I first settled on Britain’s Jess King. I tried her weight workout, which consisted of cycling while using five-pound weights. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this high-tech stationary bike and her workout. P.S. If you’re looking for a funny and entertaining Peloton instructor, give King a try. With her, the time seemed to pass by quickly. I also was able to see that my 30-minute workout burned 320 calories.

Following that, I set my sights on an easy cycle. I found the 20-minute beginner ride with Sam Ho. Sam gave great instructions on how to feel comfortable on the bike and finding the proper technique. I felt the sweat!

After all that fitness, or beforehand, let the newest culinary head, Greek-born executive chef Harris Sakalis wow you with his healthy delicious offerings.

Famed for its stunning North Shore mountains and YVR runways views, as well as its elevated Pacific Northwest dining experience, at the Globe@YVR Restaurant, guests can expect to be pampered by an extensive and expert staff and treated to a fine wine list, excellent bar, and a menu that excels in contemporary and seasonal regional specialties.FairmontIt’s no surprise. Sakalis and his team have access to seafood right off our shores, vegetables from famers in the Fraser Valley and some of the best fruit and wines from the Okanagan Valley, which are utilized to craft a menu that offers a veritable cornucopia of dishes bursting with incredible flavour. I was invited to take part in a gastronomic journey of some of the newer dishes that will be on the menu soon.FairmontEach course was a crowning dish on my tasting menu: Indigenous bannock pocket stuffed with Canadian prime beef tartare and truffle aioli, followed by potato leek velouté, with smoked salmon tartare, local beetroots and Dungeness crab risotto. The final course was a melt-in-your-mouth Australian Wagyu Strip Fillet served with truffle mashed potato and paired with my favourite B.C. wine—2019 Burrowing Owl Merlot.

There’s nothing better after an active day and an evening noshing on fabulous cuisine than to sink into a fluffy, inviting hotel bed with pillowy down sheets. I would argue it is one of life’s greatest pleasures.