Disclaimer: This was a complimentary stay as a part of a prize winning.
Out of pure serendipity, I won a one-night-stay at the luxurious
Panoramic Suite at the
Pan Pacific Hotel earlier this summer. Located on the Vancouver Harbour above the Vancouver Convention Centre, the Pan Pacific is an iconic landmark of Downtown Vancouver. Since the rate for the Panoramic Suite can really reach the high range, I was
pretty excited to book a one-night staycation! To read about my full experience, click........
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Pan Pacific Vancouver | Panoramic Suite |
Offering a stunning 180-degree view of the Vancouver Harbour, the Panoramic Suite had a luxurious king-sized bed, a full bath, a living area, and a dining area (but not a kitchen). The bed was probably my favorite part of the suite aside from the view; the pillow-topped mattress was comfy yet supportive, so you are guaranteed a good night's sleep. Also, there were a ton of pillows, so you can really make yourself comfortable.
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Pan Pacific Vancouver | Panoramic Suite |
Aside from the bed, the decor of the room was arguably dated. I'm sure the room has been renovated since its opening more than thirty years ago but the carpeting and furnishing definitely lacked a modern touch. The bathroom had a nice sink but the tub looked aged. The shower was also not the best; the water pressure wasn't as strong as I would have preferred and I dearly wished that there were an extendable shower nozzle. I am a sucker for nice and luxurious bath robes but the robes offered in the room wasn't 100% cotton; it clung to the skin and wasn't at all absorbent. With that said, everything was clean and fully-functioning.
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Pan Pacific Vancouver | Panoramic Suite |
Now, the real reason one would shell out up to $1000 a night for a room like this is the view and to say that it was gorgeous is kind of an understatement. There were six windows that gave a wide view of the Vancouver Harbour. I wish the windows weren't separated by thick pillars and clunky blinds but considering that the room was constructed many years ago, I was still quite impressed.
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Pan Pacific Vancouver | Panoramic Suite |
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Pan Pacific Vancouver | Panoramic Suite View |
Since it's summertime right now, we got to observe the docking of several cruises and the night cityscape scene was probably the best part. The five sails of the hotel lit up and changed colors while the lights from the North Shore sparkled like stars in the sky. A view like this made me feel truly lucky to live in such a beautiful city.
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Pan Pacific Vancouver | Panoramic Suite View |
Because we only stayed there for one night, we didn't really have time to take full advantage of the amenities. However, we did take a quick foot-tour to check out the outdoor pool and hot tub. The hotel also has a gym, for those that want to keep fit on their travels.
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Pan Pacific Vancouver | Pool |
We were also treated to a breakfast buffet at the recently renovated Oceans 999 restaurant, located right on the lobby level of the hotel. The price per person is $31 and you get a wide offering of your classic breakfast options: scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausages, Belgian waffles, pancakes, and a variety of baked goods, cold cuts, and cheeses.
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Pan Pacific Vancouver | Oceans 999 Breakfast Buffet |
A few more special items not commonly found at your basic breakfast buffet included egg benedicts, sauteed mushrooms, and grilled tomatoes. Everything was very delicious. The food was kept in warming platters but I noticed that they were refilled very regularly so most things tasted pretty fresh. Believe it or not, the egg benedict was actually pretty good; the hollandaise was a bit curdled but the egg was still tender and runny.
The ambiance was absolutely lovely and the service was very friendly; our old plates were quickly removed when we snuck off for a second serving.
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Pan Pacific Vancouver | Oceans 999 Breakfast Buffet |
Overall, I was very impressed with my stay at the Pan Pacific. The view of the Panoramic Suite is nothing short of breathtaking and it's arguably one of the best in Vancouver. I do hope that the hotel has some interior renovations planned for the near future as the decor and furnishings are rather outdated for such a luxurious room. With that said, if you are ever visiting Vancouver, Pan Pacific is hands down one of the best hotels in town. If you want a killer view and a great locale, this is the place to be!