I have been wanting to stay at an Autograph Collection hotel for a while so when the Civic Hotel opened in Surrey last September, I immediately put it down on my list of staycation spots.
Read all of my hotel reviews here
Check-In
We booked for a night at the Civic Hotel over a weekend last month. Eric had class in the morning so I checked-in using the Marriott Bonvoy app and let them know that I will be arriving around noon. I got a notification letting me know that my room was ready just before 10.
Since I am Titanium Elite with Marriott Bonvoy, in addition to 4 P.M. check-out, I also receive an upgrade to a suite (*based on availability). However, since there are no suites at the Civic Hotel, we were upgraded from a City King (360 sq. ft.) to a Civic King (same size corner room with panoramic view).
I used the Marriott Bonvoy app throughout my stay as well to request for housekeeping items and even a brand new copy of the Autograph Collection magazine. The feature I found most convenient was being able to chat with someone or make a request even if you are not in the room or on property. You can even order room service with the app!
Room – Civic King
Windows, windows, and windows. I especially love the furniture and the color tone of the room.
The only two negatives of the room for me were the noise from the Skytrain downstairs and the light spilling in despite the two layers of curtains. I am not a light-sleeper but I fall asleep quickly when it is quiet and completely dark than bright with background noise. Eric had no problem with any of these as he can fall asleep just about anywhere.
Location
Central City Mall and Simon Fraser University are both within walking distance of the Civic Hotel.
Covered, underground self-parking is available at the Civic Hotel for $12 CAD per day. I would expect a hotel outside of the city’s center to offer complimentary parking but since it is priced reasonably and that the hotel is literally right next to Skytrain’s Surrey Central Station, you can easily take the public transit instead. From Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Surrey Central Station, it takes just over an hour with only one transfer at Waterfront Station.
If you drive, it is around a 40-minute drive from YVR to the Civic Hotel.
Amenities
There are an outdoor pool and a whirlpool on the sub-rooftop. What was most impressive to me was the option to order delivery from Dominion Bar + Kitchen downstairs using the phone near the pool (or the Marriott Bonvoy app).
The fitness center is on the same floor. The hotel also offers complimentary wifi to its guests.
Read all of my hotel reviews here
Dining Options
As a Titanium Elite member, I was given a voucher for a breakfast buffet for 2 at the Dominion Bar + Kitchen. The restaurant was clean and modern and the quality of the offering was quite good. Eric said it was one of the best hotel breakfast buffets he has had.
Prado Cafe, a local cafe chain, is on the other end of the hotel lobby and it served coffee made with beans from Vancouver’s 49th Parallel Coffee.
There are also a number of good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel and the spots below are my personal favorites:
Phở Tâm Vietnamese Restaurant
New Town Bakery & Restaurant
Chatime Surrey
Conclusion
Our stay at the Civic Hotel left a very positive impression of the Autograph Collection. The hotel is beautiful inside-out with tasteful designs featuring different regions of British Columbia.
For travelers, its transit-friendly location will make you think twice before paying the premium price tag for downtown hotels. Alternatively, if you have an extended stay in Vancouver, consider staying at the Civic Hotel for a few days to explore this side of the city. There is an Avis Car Rental within walking distance if you decide to rent a car for a day trip.
For locals, the Civic Hotel is the perfect spot for a staycation as it is priced reasonably with beautiful rooms and a great outdoor pool and a whirlpool.
