Last week our family drove out to Vancouver for a conference. The drive was beautiful and we saw winter in the Canadian Rockies change to fall in the Lower Mainland of BC.  It was typically snowy in spots across the mountains, but overall a good drive.

A little of the Vancouver skyline

We lived in Vancouver when we first moved to Canada, and were there for nearly 4 years. Then we moved to Abbotsford, just out in the valley east of Vancouver, and were there for about 6 years. So in some ways it was like going home. My kiddos remember bits and pieces of Vancouver (they were all born there), but were still amazed and excited at seeing the skyline and the fun buildings as we drove into the city.

The Fairmont Waterfront

Through a special deal with our conference, we were treated to an affordable stay at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, directly across the street from Canada Place. It’s a 4-star hotel, and a gorgeous facility.

As we approached the hotel, my kiddos thought it would be SO awesome to stay on the top floor of the hotel. I assured them that for the special price we were paying we would most definitely not be on the top floor, because the top floor was the Penthouse, the fancy special suites with multiple rooms.  I told them that I was just hoping for a better view than Sweetie and I had when we stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – we looked right out over the parking garage and the garbage dumpsters.

Our very dirty-from-driving-14-hours-on-salty-snowy-muddy-roads was met by the uniformed valet at the hotel entrance when we arrived at the Fairmont Waterfront.  We were early for check-in, so our room wasn’t ready. We unloaded, or were helped to unload by the valet. This was a totally new experience for the kiddos. Not having to carry their own bags into the hotel was a treat for sure! The concierge kept our luggage (read: hodgepodge of backpacks and duffel bags and 2 boxes of snacks) for us while we were waiting for the room to be prepared. We felt a little bit like country mice in the big city, being in such a fancy hotel, with such fantastic service, in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It was fun. LOL!

Vancouver Winter Olympics Cauldron

We walked the area around Canada Place and the Convention Centre, got to see the Olympic Cauldron (the possible highlight of my visit there, I was VERY excited to see it in real life), and just had a great afternoon checking out the fantastic sites on the waterfront. The boys were thrilled to see 2 warships docked at Canada Place for Remembrance Day, a Canadian one and a Russian one. More blessings! (I posted some photos in my Wordless Wednesday – Trip to Vancouver post yesterday. Check ’em out!)

The photo doesn't show how fantastic the view really was! Convention Centre, and in the distance Stanley Park. AMAZING!

They finally called us to say that our room was ready. They gave us our keys and said that the bell boy would bring our luggage to our room. To our surprise, and absolute glee, our room was on the 23rd floor, and 23 was the highest number on the elevator. (Turns out the 8th and 9th floors are the big suites I guess.) We walked out of the elevator and found our beautiful room in a little nook, ON THE WATERFRONT SIDE! We honestly squealed with pure delight!! The curtains were open and we looked out on a gorgeous view overlooking Canada Place  out to Stanley Park. We plastered ourselves to the window and gasped at the landscape laid out before us in full fall splendour. We were giddy with excitement – me included!

The bell boy did bring our luggage up, and we helped to unload the cart, just doing what we normally do. He was obviously not used to having so many hands helping him. He remarked, “Wow, that was fast! That cart was really full!” Then he seemed surprised when I tipped him as well. The kiddos were again amazed at the service.

Getting to stay on the top floor, with the waterfront view, the fantastic room, the amazing service, etc… It was all such an amazing blessing. It HAD to be a God-thing that it all worked out that way. None of the other people that we knew at the conference were on the 23rd floor.  It felt like God wanted to get my kiddos attention, and they were thankful for that experience all around.

I was so blessed with the view and watching my children squeal with joy and amazement at the whole experience! Top-floor blessings and so much more!

(This post was not in any way endorsed or sponsored by Fairmont Waterfront. We just had such a great experience there I had to share it!)