YVR

First Look: Cathay Pacific's GORGEOUS New Lounge at YVR

New Cathay Pacific Lounge Vancouver, BC

[trip style = luxury]

See What it's like to fly aboard Cathay Pacific's latest-gen A350 aircraft on the Vancouver --> Hong Kong route

If you follow TS, you know Cathay Pacific ranks among my high-flying faves. Any airline that offers lotion in the Economy Class lavatories and has flight attendants who go above and beyond to ensure you have a pleasant flight—even to guests at the back of the plane—hovers at a Cloud 9-level in my trip styling books.

If the economy experience is this nice, imagine what it's like to jet-set in Business Class with Cathay {wonder no more, here's what it's like to fly + lounge in Cathay Biz Class}. 

Having experienced a taste of their Life Well Travelled experience around the globe, including the flagship lounge in Hong Kong, I was ecstatic to learn the Asia-based airline would be doing a top-to-bottom UPdo of their Vancouver lounge, including relocating it to a larger and re-envisioned space, in a nod to the market's importance and key role in the airline's growing business.

Last week I attended the grand opening of the 5,500-square-foot space, and I immediately felt at home with its sleek and woodsy design, floor-to-ceiling views of the coastal mountains, and Cathay's signature: The Noodle Bar.

Outfitted with shower rooms, food to fit every time-traveled guest and a zen physique, I considered asking if they needed an "artist in residence," but I decided I'd wait fly in Business Class again. Up, up and away!

Here's a peek: 

The edited artwork collection is a reflection of British Columbia's local culture.

The edited artwork collection is a reflection of British Columbia's local culture.

Jade-hued ceramic tiles and black harvest tables set the tone for the lounge's designer dining.   

Jade-hued ceramic tiles and black harvest tables set the tone for the lounge's designer dining.   

Wonton noodle soup, a key dish you can find at The Noodle Bar in many of Cathay's lounges around the world. 

Wonton noodle soup, a key dish you can find at The Noodle Bar in many of Cathay's lounges around the world. 

Shower rooms bathed in limestone and minted with brass fixtures and Aesop products offer a spa-like foray into flying.

Shower rooms bathed in limestone and minted with brass fixtures and Aesop products offer a spa-like foray into flying.

Details
- Hours: Open daily from 10.30am to 3pm and 8pm to 2am; adjusted seasonally according to the Cathay Pacific flight schedule
- WiFi
- Shower rooms
- The Noodle Bar {don't miss these Cathay signature dishes: wonton noodle soup, dan dan noodle soup and authentic Hong Kong- style fish ball noodle soup}
- The Pantry: serving tapas, meats, cheeses, salads, hot food, fruits and desserts
- The Bureau: Workstations with iMacs and printers
 - Get in: The Cathay Pacific Lounge is available to First and Business Class passengers traveling on Cathay Pacific and members of the Marco Polo Club with Silver Card status or above, and members of all tiers who earn lounge passes and/or their friends and family, including oneworld members with Sapphire status or above 

[photos by @CathayPacificCa and wonton noodle soup shot by @TripStyler]

YVR Airport Tips & Tricks

yvr airport tips and tricksLocated 30 minutes outside the city, Vancouver International Airport {YVR} is Canada's second busiest airport after Toronto, serving 119 cities worldwide. Although I dabble in the occasional departure out of Seattle and Bellingham, Vancouver's airport is my first choice for convenience and services. Beyond the efficiency, I'd be remiss not to mention its serene and welcoming West Coast design, brought to life with calming nature sound effects and complimented by water features and foliage throughout. No wonder it was ranked the top airport in North America in the 2010 and 2011 Skytrax survey.

The more I frequent YVR, the more services I've learned about and partaken in. Here are some features and opportunities you might not have known exist at Vancouver's airport:

YVR Tips & Tricks

  • Need a massage or last-min mani pedi? Indulge at one of 4 Absolute Spas in the domestic or USA departure terminals, in addition to a day spa and salon in the Fairmont Vancouver Airport.
  • Have an early flight? Stay at the fabulous and convenient Fairmont Vancouver Airport, connected to the airport. Wake up refreshed and walk right to your flight.
  • Healthy pre-flight? Get to the airport early and visit the Fairmont's health club. A $15 drop-in rate offers you a workout, hot tub, sauna and shower.
  • Have some time to kill? Take a self-guided art and architecture, sustainability or family fun tour.
  • Get caught up on current events, work, emails and social networking with free wifi.
  • Need dry cleaning or alterations? Drop off your items pre-flight and pick them up post-trip.
  • Want to live the jetset lifestyle? Check out the Plaza Premium Lounges in the domestic, international and USA terminals. From $30/person for 2 hours, includes: showers, wifi, salad bar, hot meals, bevvies, etc...
  • Forget your toiletries? Grab toothpaste last-minute at the Pharmasave in the domestic terminal.
  • Food, on the fly. No food on your flight and no time to brown bag it? YVR's Food On The Fly program offers passengers the option to select their own meal from any restaurant or concession and take it with them on their flight, specially packaged in a travel-friendly bag.
  • Need a little support? Most people don’t realize that YVR has its own Chaplaincy, offering spiritual counseling, emotional support, assistance---and even weddings---to travelers passing through YVR.

Getting To & From YVR Canada Line The Canada Line train is the most efficient and cost effective way to get to and from the airport. From YVR into downtown it costs $8.75 {$3.75 + $5 surcharge} and takes about 30 minutes. Trip Styler Tip: If you plan on taking local transit more than once while in Vancouver, to save on the fare and the $5 surcharge, buy your pass in a translink faresaver book {sold in books of 10 by number of zones based on where you need to go, below} in advance at an authorized dealer. Going to downtown Vancouver, the price per ticket works out to $3.15 with a booklet vs $8.75/person. At the airport there is a 7-11 convenience store in the Domestic Terminal on the lowest level that sells these passes. Note that from YVR there are three possible zones: 1 zone = Richmond 2 zones = Vancouver 3 zones = North Shore

Taxi To/from downtown, a taxi is about $30 + tip.

Limo To/from downtown, a limo is about $45 + tip.

Driving & Parking It's easy to find short-term parking at YVR, it's just a tad expensive starting at $4.25/half hour. Long term parking is $15.75 daily or $102 weekly. Bonus, check conditions before you arrive during normal business hours by calling 604-276-7739.

[photo of and by YVR]