You know that feeling when you land at YVR and just want to collapse? Most airport hotels are soul-crushing boxes with beige walls and overpriced vending machines. But honestly, the Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport Hotel & Resort is different. It’s a bit of a local legend in Richmond, mostly because it doesn’t actually feel like you’re trapped in an airport bubble.
It's huge. Like, 21 stories tall huge.
If you're driving in, you’ll see the Columbia Tower from a mile away. It’s sitting right there on St. Edwards Drive, basically the gateway to everything in Richmond and a quick hop over the bridge into Vancouver proper. People usually book it for the convenience, but they stay for the fact that there’s a massive waterslide and a steakhouse that actually knows how to sear a piece of meat.
The Logistics: Getting There Without Losing Your Mind
Let’s talk about the shuttle. It’s free. That’s the big one. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) can be a maze, but the Sandman runs a dedicated service that picks you up and drops you off right at the terminal. It’s about a 10-minute ride, depending on how bad the traffic is on Bridgeport Road.
If you’re coming by the SkyTrain, you’ll want to get off at Bridgeport Station. From there, you’re looking at a very short cab or Uber ride. Some people try to walk it. Don’t do that. It’s a busy industrial-commercial area, and dragging a suitcase across those intersections is a recipe for a bad mood.
Parking is another "hidden" win here. Most city hotels will charge you $40 a night just to let your car sit in a dark corner. Here, overnight parking for registered guests is typically included. They even have these "Park, Sleep, & Go" packages. If you’re flying out for a week or two, you can leave your car at the hotel for up to 15 days, stay one night, and the cost is often cheaper than the long-term lots at the airport.
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Rooms That Actually Breathe
There are 276 rooms. They aren't all identical, which is nice. You’ve got the Provincial Wing and the Columbia Tower. If you want the views, you go for the Tower. On a clear day, looking out over the North Shore mountains or watching the planes descend into YVR is actually pretty relaxing.
- Executive Guest Rooms: Usually come with balconies.
- Studio Suites: These have kitchenettes, which are life-savers if you’re traveling with kids or just don’t want to eat out for every single meal.
- The Signature King: This is the standard "I’m on a business trip and need a good desk" room.
The beds are consistently mentioned as being "cloud-like" in guest logs. It’s that premium bedding thing—triple sheeting and heavy duvets. It makes a difference when you’re dealing with jet lag.
The Pool Situation (Yes, There is a 225-Foot Waterslide)
This is the part where the "Resort" part of the name comes in. This isn't just a rectangular tub of lukewarm water. The Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport Hotel & Resort has an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, and a whirlpool.
The waterslide is 225 feet long.
It’s a massive hit for families. If you’re a business traveler looking for a quiet lap swim, you might want to check the hours. The slide usually opens in the afternoons on weekdays and has longer hours on weekends. There’s also a fitness center and, surprisingly, tennis and squash courts. It’s rare to find an airport hotel that encourages you to move your body instead of just sitting at the bar.
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Where to Eat: Chop vs. Moxies
You don't have to leave the building to eat well. This is a Northland Properties hotel, which means they have the heavy hitters on-site.
Chop Steakhouse & Bar is the "fancy" option. They use an 1800°F Montague grill. That’s hot. It creates that crust on a ribeye that you usually only find in high-end downtown spots. Their Happy Hour (3 pm - 6 pm and late night) is a local secret for getting decent prices on wagyu beef sliders and craft cocktails.
Then there’s Moxies. It’s more "premium casual." You can get a burger, you can get pasta, or you can get a decent steak salad. It’s reliable. It’s also where the breakfast buffet usually happens. If you’re looking for something quick, there's a Denny’s right nearby too, but the hotel restaurants are definitely a step up in terms of atmosphere.
A Few Real-World Realities
Is it perfect? Nothing is.
The hotel is popular for sports teams and conferences. Because of the pools and the price point, it can get loud in the hallways during tournament weekends. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room on a higher floor in the Columbia Tower, away from the elevators.
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The Wi-Fi is free, which is great, but like most large hotels, it can get a bit sluggish during peak "everyone is checking their email at 8 am" hours. If you’re doing a high-stakes Zoom call, maybe tether to your phone just in case.
Making the Most of the Richmond Area
Since you’re in Richmond, you’re basically in the culinary capital of North America for Asian cuisine. You are an 8-minute walk from Dai Jang Kum if you want authentic Korean BBQ. You’re also close to the River Rock Casino if you want to lose twenty bucks on the slots or catch a concert.
The hotel actually runs a shuttle to the casino from 4 pm to midnight. It’s a nice perk if you want a change of scenery without calling an Uber.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Stay:
- Check the Slide Schedule: If you have kids, call the front desk at (604) 278-9611 before you arrive to confirm the waterslide hours, as they change seasonally.
- Join the Loyalty Program: Sandman has the RSVP Rewards program. It’s free, and it usually gets you a slightly better rate or a late checkout if they aren't fully booked.
- Book the "Park, Sleep, & Go": If you’re flying out of YVR, calculate the cost of airport parking versus the package rate. Most of the time, the hotel package wins, especially for trips longer than 5 days.
- Dinner Reservations: If you want to eat at Chop on a Friday or Saturday night, book a table. It gets packed with locals, not just hotel guests.
This place isn't just a spot to sleep before a flight. It’s a functional, well-oiled machine that happens to have a really great steakhouse and a pool that’ll keep your kids from losing their minds during a long trip. For an airport hotel, that’s about as good as it gets.