I could not believe how much Vancouver has changed when I went back last week for the annual CSAE conference. The most dramatic changes were the expansion of the VCEC, the almost completed 61-storey Shangri-La and the exciting 47-storey Fairmont Pacific Rim opening up in October 2009.

Construction is currently at level 32 and the expectations are high for this upscale tower that will include 377 luxurious guestrooms and 175 luxury residential suites (levels 26-47). Developers are Westbank and The Peterson Group. This is the latest project of the master-planned Coal Harbour waterfront community.

Residents of the modern tower created by James KM Cheng and designed by Kay Lang & Associates will have access to the service of the 5-star, 5-diamond hotel 365 days a year: 24-hour in room dining, Willow Stream Spa, Fitness center & pool, dining outlets, etc. The Fairmont brand will become a lifestyle for the residents. What more can someone ask? Well maybe Miele and Sub-Zero appliances. Guess again!

I look forward to staying at The Fairmont Pacific Rim next year. Stay tuned for more real estate updates in Vancouver: The Private Residences @ Hotel Georgia, Patina, Jameson House…

Click here to view the embedded video.

The move marks Fairmont’s first entry into the Palm Springs market, and gives the region an iconic luxury brand favored by discerning business and leisure travelers across the globe. Initially, the hotel development will offer 300 rooms and 125 Fairmont Residences, Fairmont Gold concierge rooms and lounge, a variety of dining outlets, 26,000 square feet of indoor function space including a 7,000 square foot ballroom as well as outdoor event areas, and a 45,000 square foot Willow Stream Spa. In phase two Avanterra will also feature Fairmont Heritage Place, the company’s private residence club homes, as well as additional Fairmont Residences.

Already drawing international attention from golf buffs, the Classic Club golf course is only the beginning of the $2.5 billion billion environmentally progressive, master-planned community designed by the internationally-renown hospitality architectural firm, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo.

When completed, The Fairmont Avanterra will include close to one million square feet of experiential retail space, integrated work lofts, LEED certified office buildings, condominiums, amphitheater, park space, planetarium, walking trails and more.

This is a great beginning of the year for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts… I see lots of new acquisitions and busines development for 2008…

The Fairmont Hotel is part of the Mayakoba Resort, a unique community of luxury brands. 4 more developments are under construction in that pristine white beach setting: Viceroy, Rosewood, Banyan Tree and the last one not announced yet by Madrid-based land owner and developer Obrascón Huarte Lain (OHL).

Designed around a network of crystal clear waterways, The Fairmont Mayakoba encompasses 45 acres within a master-planned luxury community that includes an 18-hole Greg Norman golf course.

Mayakoba embraces local ecology and was developed after an extensive 6 year study by a team of engineers, architects, biologists, hydrologists and hoteliers. There is no other place like it and I will return for sure!

The Mayan Trilogy:

• The Fairmont Mayakoba: a unique luxurious Mexican Resort
• The Fairmont Mayakoba: Restaurantes – Una experiencia única (to follow)
• The Fairmont Mayakoba: El Camaleón golf course and Willow Stream Spa (to follow)