Wellness At the Waterfront: Finding Zen on a Mini Vancouver Staycation

It’s been over two years since I moved to Vancouver, and yet I find myself still playing tourist. Often we’re (a.k.a, I am) too busy to truly stop and admire just how beautiful this city can be. So when I checked in at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver at the end of June—despite only living 15 minutes away—I took full advantage of the two nights to slow down, look around, eat well and enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation. 

Slowing Down: Exercise, Yoga & Poolside Lounging

The overcast skies and morning wind didn’t stop me from enjoying some outdoor yoga my first morning at the hotel. This class was exactly how you would expect yoga on a rooftop downtown Vancouver at 7:30 a.m on a Friday would be like: surrounded by the noise of the city waking up and going to work. For me, the cityscape was a peaceful white noise in the background (that, and it blended with the music our teacher was playing). By the time we ended the class in Shavasana (laying down corpse pose), I was zoning out to the sound of chirping birds, car horns, rumbling seaplanes taking off blended with the reverberating hum of sound bathing bowls. The yoga itself was calming too, led by Carolyn Anne Budgell who was filling in for regular teacher Tianne Allen. The gentle stretching was accessible for non-yogis, and was a refreshing and meditative way to start the day. The yoga runs every Friday morning until August 29 for hotel guests. 

After getting a sneak peek of the rooftop pool that morning, I was ready to jump in the water. But, I made myself wait until after I had used the fitness centre, open 24/7, that was stocked with a range of machines, free weights, towels and flavoured water so I would be ready to sit back and float in the water. Swimming in a heated pool, in my opinion, is a sign of peak relaxation. That afternoon was the ideal breezy, overcast summer weather to fully appreciate slowing down with an easy swim in the warm water. The surrounding views of the mountains, harbour, skyscrapers and rooftop garden didn’t hurt either as I lounged poolside with my book in hand. 

Looking Around: Stanley Park & Sunset Walks

Every time I walk through Stanley Park, I feel like I’m only just scratching the surface of what lives in this lush forest. When we walked the Beaver Lake loop for the Talking Trees tour led by Talaysay Campo of Talaysay Tours, I was keenly aware of how much I was learning about the forest’s biodiversity—and seeing a different perspective on the nature surrounding us in Vancouver.

Campo shared stories about the Squamish and Sechelt First Nations’ relationships with the trees, plants and wildlife in the forest, such as how what she referred to as “the big three” tree species—Douglas fir, western hemlock, red cedar—were used in different ways as traditional medicine (I will now be pulling pines from western hemlocks to get my full vitamin C intake). We ended the walk with a lovely tea made with peppermint, liquorice root, stinging nettle and rose hip buds.

No solo staycation would be complete without a sunset walk along Vancouver’s harbour—all right at the doorstep of the Fairmont Waterfront (it’s in the name). With stunning mountain and water views of the North Shore and Stanley Park, leisurely stroll around the walkways by Canada Place and the ferry terminal for some fresh air and evening ambience. This place might be bustling with visitors, making it not just a great sunset spot but also exciting to people watch.

Eating (and Drinking) Well: ARC Dining, Province To Plate & Bottomless Brunch

By far the standout of my staycation: the food and drinks. Huge kudos to head chef Harris Sakalis and the team at ARC Restaurant (the restaurant located at the Fairmont Waterfront) for continuing to wow me. Many of the menu items incorporate local, in-season ingredients (including herbs, fruit and produce from the hotel’s rooftop garden) as well as honey from the hotel’s rooftop and farm apiaries. Whether it was the simple but flavourful chive and gruyere omelette I ordered for in-room breakfast or the Apiary cocktail made with chartreuse, champagne acid, rosemary, the Fairmont’s gin and honey, guests and visitors alike can eat and drink very well at the Fairmont Waterfront. 

It’s hard to pick favourites from all the meals I ate, but some highlights include the pull-apart bread (the honey butter is insane), the Hannah Brooks farm salad, the gnocchi with asparagus, pesto and cashew cream, the crème caramel for dessert and the cherry cobbler from the Province To Plate menu with bee pollen and lavender honey ice cream. I ended my staycation with a weekend-only bottomless brunch that’s absolutely worth the $65 per person price—come hungry and sample as many of the small, sharing plates like the pulled pork benny, the padron peppers, the hot mess hash, the smoked salmon roesti, the ooey gooey skillet and the fruit parfait that’s anything but plain (trust me, leave room for that baked yogurt).

Enjoying Some In-Room R&R

Have you heard of the expression, “enjoying my rent,” when somebody stays home? That’s exactly what I did in my spacious corner bedroom suite. I took long, hot showers, used too much Le Labo moisturizer (I am thoroughly obsessed with it), donned the cozy Fairmont robe and put on a face masks. At night, I couldn’t help but keep the curtains open to the shimmering city lights as I sat in the crisply made, cushiony bed reading my book. Don’t underestimate the power of just staying in, breaking routine and doing some simple self-care to reset and get some good ‘ol rest and relaxation.

More Local Activities at the Fairmont Waterfront

• Rent bikes to explore. Complimentary for hotel guests who are ALL – Accor members, check out the cruiser bikes at the Fairmont Waterfront’s Bell Desk to explore Vancouver on two wheels. Plus, there are options to rent (also for free) tandem bikes, kids’ bikes and trailers.
• Indulge in Sip & Shuck happy hour. With happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, enjoy a glass of crisp B.C. wine and freshly shucked oysters ($1.50/per)—you can even watch them live shuck at Chef’s Bench until September 1.
• Get a sweet treat from the Hype Chocolate Pop Up. In collaboration with Hype Chocolate, the cart located outside ARC Restaurant from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends boasts four exclusive ice cream flavours and local B.C. berries drizzled in your choice of dark or milk chocolate.