Fairmont Spa — Local services in Vancouver

Came with two girlfriends for a spa day, we each paid $165 to enjoy 90 min in the Nordic Spa, followed by 90 min in the general spa facilities. Overall the facilities are alright/sufficient, but if you are looking for a luxury experience look elsewhere. I found it difficult to really relax here, there are better facilities offered at Circle Wellness, Tallity for the price comparison, Art of Sauna, Scanadive Whistler.

PROS: Shower was spacious with nice toiletries. Lots of fresh towels available. Snacks and iced water and tea was on point. Spa attendants kept the space tidy.

CONS: Upon arrival the steam room was out of order. We should have been notified before hand, or offered a discount or voucher for a drink in the lounge or something as a gesture of apology. We were really looking forward to using the steam room. For the price we paid we were expecting to use everything posted on the website and confirmation email. There is no designated change room and because our lockers were right by the entrance door it was awkward to have to strip buck naked in a hallway with limited privacy. The only option would be to change in the shower or toilet area. We had to sign an i-pad waiver before entering the Nordic area and the whole process from the spa attendant finding us lockers and towels to completing the waivers took an additional 25 minutes of our 90 minute Nordic Spa reservation time. We checked in 15-min early but something with the i-pad waivers and the attendant busy with something else we were standing there waiting for too long in my opinion. We could have happily completed the waivers upon payment or before hand, it didn't seem like a very productive system. Therefore, if you want your full 90-min time slot arrive 30-min early as the whole process can be quite tedious. The Nordic Spa includes use of the cedar sauna and cold plunge. We were really surprised that there is no outdoor shower for a quick rinse while cycling from sauna to cold plunge. The attendant said they change the water in between sessions, which means whichever 4-person group you are with for your 90-minute reservation, you will be dunking in the same sweat tub as them. This is the first cold plunge I've ever visited that does not encourage to rinse off your sweat after sauna before plunging in courtesy of other guests. On top of that, the sauna was not hot at all. They said they heat it to 90 degrees but it was the coldest sauna I've ever been in without exaggeration. Just small electric rocks (and it didn't smell like cedar). Floor 6 - Nordic spa/pool/small hot tub area: Limited ambience. No music, no propane fire pits lit. Just cold concrete with some bird poop. We aren't a very picky group so it was alright but the ambience was par to Kits public pool. Floor 5 - Shared mineral bath, sauna, hot tub are very, very small. The sauna literally has one plank of wood inside. You are butt to butt with 3 people. Same with the mineral bath and hot tub. Very small, so be prepared to sardine with other couples/families. The mineral bath is beside some sort of industrial wall vent, so it smelled like something they were cooking in the kitchen and very loud.

All in all it was nice to spend some time doing something different with friends, but I was expecting better quality amenities. I won't suggest this spa experience to friends and family, and certainly not for a romantic date, as there is limited privacy...

This review doesn’t reflect the service of my RMT. It is a review for the spa front desk. I’ve been coming here for RMT treatment for 4 years now. I never had bad massage experience here and I truly enjoy the amenities. I usually come with friends to enjoy a spa day, and left relaxed for the whole day. Unfortunately my last visit on March 8 was not the case and made me give a 1 star rating. I booked my appointment 2 months in advance. I received an email notifying me 2 weeks prior to my appointment that starting March all services will be subject to 18% service charge plus GST on that service charge. My friends who originally had appointment booked with me cancelled immediately as they don’t agree with this policy. I called the spa to get more info on the service charge and I was informed that it is a recommended amount that is going to the service provider and it is adjustable at checkout. I have no problem tipping as I do think that they provide service to make the spa clean, spotless and organized at all times. The RMTs also work to earn the tips. Everything went as I anticipated until I settled my bill at the front desk. Upon being presented with my bill, I noticed the 18% service charge plus GST and to my surprise there is another blank line underneath for Gratuity. I guess that is where you “adjust” the service charge. I did adjust the service charge to about 10%, and before I even signed my bill, the front desk lady immediately spoke up and say “usually the recommended service charge is minimum 18%, is there a reason why you are not giving that?” This question is really appalling to me because I thought 18% was a recommendation, not an obligation. If I left $0 service charge I could understand the question, but I am leaving 10% of my bill which we all know RMT service here will cost you at least almost $300. My respond to that question was that the service I got from this spa does not worth 18% of my total bill, I had much better service here in the past. If they want me to pay 18%, they need to really work for it. Tips are earned, not given. While I was answering the question, I can see that the front desk lady gave me dirty look. For a front desk to have that attitude especially in this 5 stars hotel, is a disgrace. All I can say is that the tipping culture here is really getting out of hand to the point that it is just pure robbery. I have travelled to many countries in Asia, Europe, and stayed at many 5 stars hotels and nowhere I found any place with the audacity using the pretex “recommended service charge” when the actual intention is to take and ask for more. I fully pay the spa for the amenities along with everything they provided in the price tag. I don’t get why they have to dictate how much minimum service charge I have to pay as well. I pay for what is fair, not for what is dictated. For this reason, I absolutely DO NOT recommend anyone to come to this place unless you don’t mind being dictated on how much service charge to pay for the service quality that...

Rating Eek! Methinks not.

My husband and I came here for our anniversary, and, overall, we had a great time. HOWEVER, I didn't have a good experience during my spa treatment. Upon booking, I informed two staff members that I'm seven months pregnant and I won't be able to lie flat on my back (since that's not recommended for pregnant women, as it puts a lot of pressure on an artery and could cause dizziness/fainting). They said that was fine and they could accommodate me, and even made notes on my file. When I arrived, everyone was courteous and accommodating at the front desk, and the pool staff was amazing. My esthetician was absolutely unaccommodating and borderline rude, however. I asked her if she could elevate the bed so I wasn't flat on my back, and she told me that she wouldn't be able to reach me and that she didn't want to risk an injury to herself. I asked if I could lay on my side while she completed the treatment, and she wasn't open to that either. Finally, after a few minutes of trying to problem solve with someone who wasn't interested in being flexible, I begrudgingly agreed to lie flat on my back. I think I said something like, "OK. But I may feel faint or pass out" and her reply was, "You can change positions if you feel uncomfortable." Really? I wasn't offered that option, but alright. I wasn't given an extra pillow (until I asked for one), so I strained my neck the whole time trying to relieve the pressure from my back by turning slightly sideways and trying to keep my head level for HER comfort. She could have easily elevated the bed and stood up to work on me from the front vs. sitting behind me on a stool. You're telling me that standing for ONE appointment (I can't imagine she sees pregnant women every day) could cause her injury? She can't stand up and complete the work from the front (with me slightly elevated on the bed) vs sitting on a stool and reaching down from behind me? She seemed more concerned about her own physical well-being than mine, the pregnant lady who has special medical needs. Overall, this wasn't a five-star experience and the service in the spa was inconsistent with the impeccable service in the rest of the hotel. It definitely wasn't worth the high price tag ($200 for a facial) either. I may come back to enjoy the outdoor pool and hot tub, as the amenities are lovely, but I won't be booking a spa service. The front staff was courteous and polite when I lodged my complaint, and they gave me 10 percent off, but I feel that other women (especially those who are pregnant or need special accommodations) should be aware of my experience. Try Spa Utopia at the Pan Pacific instead. Before you chalk this up to "you can't please everyone," know that I NEVER write bad reviews and I'm a very low-maintenance customer. I only write bad reviews if I feel I've had a terrible experience or feel wronged in some way, and I often write glowing reviews if someone has gone...