I did not have as much time as I would have liked to sample the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Vancouver YVR. I only had a couple of hours between my Air Canada flight from San Francisco SFO and my departure on ANA business class to Tokyo. So, with transfers and all that, I only managed to spend about an hour in the lounge, meaning I could not sample all its delights.
The lounge was conveniently located for my departing flight, only about 5 minutes from Gate D70. Coming in off an Air Canada flight, I used my Air Canada Aeroplan Card to gain access to the lounge- The card grants access to all Air Canada lounges.
Although I sadly did not get to use all the amenities in the lounge, it still left an excellent impression on me. The service was all smiles! The staff was amazing from the moment I checked in to when I left.
Although the lounge is getting a little old and could do with a retrofit, it is still architecturally attractive and well worth a visit.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Location & Entry
One of my most significant issues with this lounge is how confusing it is to find. Especially when transiting through Vancouver. The lounge is adjacent to the original security as you enter the terminal. Therefore, to reach it, you have to head all the way back towards security. This is very counterintuitive, especially when you consider airports tend to be designed to carry passenger traffic in one direction. It was so confusing I had to ask for directions twice.
On the other hand, if your origin point is in YVR, the lounge is simple to find. Clear security and it is on your left.
However, once I found the lounge, I realized it was worth it, and I was greeted with a beautiful, elegant entry.
Entry
Processing my entry was a breeze and took about 30 seconds. All I needed to do was show my ANA 115 boarding pass and Aeroplan Card.
Even though the entry counter was only staffed by one attendant, the process was rapid since nobody else was there.
Just as you enter, there is a beautiful Air Canada plane model. I asked the staff if they didn’t mind taking some shots of me and the model, and they very helpfully obliged.
The entry has lots of warm oak finishes, with a large Air Canada logo etched into the wood. The logo visibility changes with the viewing angle, which I thought was some pretty cool architecture!
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Layout and Space
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge has impressive architecture and a good feel. As you walk in, there are five different time zone clocks on the wall and departure screens. Air Canada models and plaques are on either side of the lounge.
The main lounge has four separate spaces. Firstly the bar and food area with its associated seating.
Then, there are three separate seating areas on the lounges’ perimeter. Each area has its own feel and seating arrangement.
The rooms are along the lounge windows with a decent amount of light.
The seating is comfortable and spacious. USB and power ports are liberally scattered around the seating areas.
The bar is U-shaped and has a nice open feel; it feels like the focal point of the room and the hub of all its activity.
In the far extreme corner of the lounge is a Nap Area with some lounge seats with Ottomans. On the way, there is another set of departure screens and a magazine rack along one of the interior walls.
One thing to note is that the lounge has an upper level that is reached by some stairs when you enter the lounge. However, during my visit, both the desk and stairs were closed. It felt as if most of the additional amenities were upstairs.
Although the lounge is pretty with lovely oak tones, it is clear the lounge is aging and could do with a renovation.
Wi-Fi
I found the Wi-Fi connection fast and stable during my time at the lounge. Connecting is easy using the information supplied at the check-in desk.
Private Dining Seating
The lounge has a private dining area for Star Alliance and Air Canada elites, and that is about as far as I know. Sadly, not open and curtained off during my visit. So, I cannot say what it looked like or anything else about what was happening inside.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Shower
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge has several shower rooms for guests. The one I ended up using was triangular-shaped, but nevertheless, it was still spacious.
The bathroom and showers were spotless, with a nice color scheme. I found it very classy and elegant with its mix of grey, dark grey, and wood tones with bright lighting.
The shower room featured a minimalist design, and the spacious shower had no door. However, it did have a large rain shower head, which I liked.
I noticed the shower smelled nice, complementing the Molton Brown Shampoo and soap products on offer.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Food & Beverage
Like many other lounges, the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge has a buffet-style service with many different food choices. Although I must confess that while the food was excellent, it did feel a little haphazard.
For instance, Chinese Eggrolls, Tater tots, and Indian Samosas were served together as appetizers, along with Nacho Chips and cheese. I guess another way of looking at it is that Air Canada provides a wide selection of food to cater to broader tastes. However, I did not eat a lot on my visit; I was saving my appetite for the courses I’d soon be having on my ANA flight to Japan.
The visit timing was not the best in terms of food. I hit the lounge after lunch but before dinner, so items were a little less fresh, and things were not as well stocked as during peak times.
The drinks selection was good, with some great beer options, including some great local choices and mainstream brands.
A nice touch of this lounge is it has a staffed cooking area that makes custom food for guests. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to try it on this visit. Although, the Thai Mango Chicken Curry sounds quite appealing for another visit!
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a quick stop in Vancouver you can’t go wrong with the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge. However, I would double-check times and such to ensure more lounge amenities are open for business.
While the lounge needs an overhaul and can be a little confusing to find if transiting Vancouver, it is still a solid offering. And I would not hesitate to use it again. My overall experience was tempered by the fact that most of its premium services were closed. Hopefully, the next time, I can try out some of these services and upgrade my review!
Pros
- Service was all smiles! Air Canada consistently has friendly and welcoming staff.
- Excellent Check-in and Customer Service experience.
- I enjoyed the shower room. Spotless bathrooms and showers.
- The shower smelled nice and well-scented.
- Seating was generally wide and spacious, with Power and USB ports freely available and accessible.
- Good lounge color scheme and finishes.
- Beautiful entry.
- Stable Wi-Fi
Cons
- It felt a bit crowded.
- I think the choice of drinks can improve substantially.
- I think the choice of foods can improve substantially, but to be fair, I didn’t have a chance to try the lounge when all food services were offered.
- Many services were not available during my visit.
Verdict: 8.5/10
Table Of Contents