 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey guys, I am thinking of going to whistler in a few years and it looks AMAZING ! I have been looking at these three hotels and I was wondering if you guys could help me decide.
The most important thing is that the hotel is close to a chairlift and also that there are loads of nearby restaurants.
I think the The Fairmont Château has all of that but id like to hear if you guys would think the others are better.
I was expecting the holiday to cost way over £3000PP staying at a hotel like this but surprisingly you can go for £1500-2000.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The Four Seasons and the Fairmont are at the Blackcomb base so you are away from the main village. Thus you are further away from a lot of the restaurants....but both have a shuttle which will take you down and back, if you dont fancy the walk
The Fairmont is closer to the Blackcomb lifts than the Four Seasons, but not by much and it is not far from either, anyway
The Hilton is in the main village and very close to a lot of restaurants. It is also close to the main gondolas to both mountains and the chair which goes up Whistler mountain
My guess would be that the Fairmont and the Four Seasons would be better hotels in star terms than the Hilton. Being away from the main village I would imagine they would be quieter as well.
If you are looking at those then you may want to check out the two Pan Pacifics and the Westin, all of which are v close to the Whistler base and Whistler village
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Fairmont is excellent - earned the other half's seal of approval. We'd probably stay in the main village next time though and decided we'd probably go for the Pan Pacific Mountain Side.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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It's all relative in Whistler as nothing is particularly far from a lift. Have you checked out a map to see the difference between the Whistler and the Blackcomb bases? Again, not far to walk from one to the other, but when I go skiing I don't want to walk a centimetre further than I have to!
Four Seasons is the least convenient location of all mentioned so far. Beautiful, but about as far from restaurants and lifts as you can get with Whistler's main hotels. The Fairmont is at Blackcomb base, so not as convenient for restaurants as Whistler base.
I agree with Malcolm1 that you probably want to look at the Pan Pacifics or the Westin. They are all at Whistler base, which has lifts to both mountains, and closer proximity to a larger range of restaurants. We stayed at the Westin (no complaints) first time round, and have opted for the Sundial this time to try something different.
Don't know much about the Hilton, but from my research it is not in the same class as the other hotels you mention.
One piece of advice before you go. Be aware that going to Whistler will spoil any other ski/board holiday you take in future, as it is simply the best!!!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Out of the hotels you mentioned, I've only stayed at the Hilton (where an excellent breakfast was included) and would definitely stay there again. It's very near the lifts and restaurants in the village. It had just been refurbished when we went earlier this year and when we had to stay longer because of the volcanic ash cloud they offered to upgrade our room for the rest of our stay.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sainter, try the westin, it the closet to the lift with great condo style rooms
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So in summary the best place to stay would be the westin because its right in the middle of the whistler village and it is right infront of the gondolas for the whistler mountain.
The four seasons + fairmont are at the bottom of the blackcomb mountain, so if i wanted to go for a meal out in whistler village id have to take a walk or a bus. The four seasons is an incredible hotel, but if its not in the whistler village I would feel like im missing out on the action.
Im sort of looking to organise my DREAM HOLIDAY and want everything to be perfect ! 
alibongo42, "We stayed at the Westin (no complaints) first time round" It doesnt sound like you were overwhelmed by it, was the hotel not as nice as you expected? Or was it the location? Just curious.
WOW i found this website and it is exactly what i was looking for http://www.scubamom.com/travels/whistler/hotels.htm
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Looking on websites like crystalski + thomsons and none of them seem to have the pan pacific hotel. Yet they have the four seasons and westin etc.
Anyone know a company that does packages with pan pacific?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Sainter, ski independence is one of the best for whistler also try frontir ski, they have a great personal service, i think there are two options for the pan pacific, one village based and one slopeside.
but for a dream holiday book a suite at the four seasons and let the valet and concierge take car of everthing 
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Sorry, didn't mean to sound negative about the Westin at all! See this link to my Trip Advisor review:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g154948-d155856-r13762977-The_Westin_Resort_and_Spa-Whistler_British_Columbia.html
I believe they may have started charging extra for the ski concierge service, which although enitrely unecessary, made our holiday feel a little bit more special.
I really do think I understand what you're trying to get out of your holiday (much like we were first time), but to achieve that ultimate luxury you either need to stay at the Four Seasons and accept you are a little further away, or stay at the bottom of Whistler mountain in a hotel that is a tiny bit less plush. I think I should clarify that the Westin (and Pan Pacific Mountainside, Sundial etc.) are not in the middle of Whistler village, but at the edge. But that's still really close to the hubbub. Look at a village map and it'll all make sense!
I say this as a fan of package holidays, but please don't get hung up on this holiday having to be a package booked through one of the "usual" tour operators. I did loads of research before we booked and as you have discovered, some of the nicest hotels just aren't covered by the familiar companies. I found that the best deals by far were with specialist ski companies. We now always book with Ski Safari, and on both occasions I have been unable to beat the prices they have offered by trying to put it together myself. These operators seem to get really good deals with the hotels.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Westin is a good location. You are steps from Whistler Gondola. I have stayed at the Westin, many times, and really like the valets. The ski concierge service is also very good. You are only steps away fm activity in the village. The one negative I have about the Westin is the lack of hot tub space. Just not enough for a hotel this size. The rooms are nice, and they have little kitchenettes.
The Fairmont is also nice. Big plus on the spa and sauna. They have a lovely evening reception in the lobby bar. Great apres scene after a day on the slopes. Not rowdy, just nice and pleasant. Rooms are bigger than the Westin. The walk to the village is not bad. We just walk along the slopes below the Wizard chair, or take the omni-present free shuttle buses that run out front. You aren't missing out on anything by not being in the center of it all. Actually, that's not quite true. You will miss out on the apres ski noise late into the night by not being in the village.
I have not stayed at the Hilton or the Four Seasons. Hilton is a remodeled Delta Resorts Hotel fm a few years back.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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We stayed in the Hilton a couple of years or more back over the Christmas holiday period. IMO it was pretty lush as far as the rooms were concerned. Had the most comfortable bed I have EVER slept in. Wonderful. Nice cosy room, which also had a kitchenette in it. We found this saved 26 dollars a day on brekker, as we could make porridge and coffee etc etc in the room. Also cooked in a couple of nites. We were a bit disappointed by the New Year gala meal, which was pretty much no more than a stuff your face buffet. I can't recall eating in any other nights there. We did use the pool facilities - had a wonderful night swim floating in the dark with snowflakes floating down onto the water - very magical. IIRC there was also a couple of hot tubs indoor and one outdoor [if you like sharing your space with aerobically fermenting other people's pubes]. It was not too much of a stagger to the slopes and shops/bars etc. We hired our skis from the nearest ski shop in the complex, and stored our skis there.
As far as hospitality etc are concerned, I could not fault the place one bit and would gladly go back. It was pretty damned perfect. We're not really into the mega apres stuff but there are plenty lively enough bars, and the hotel bar itself was pretty busy the one evening we popped in [which meant we went and found somewhere quieter TBH].
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I think the huge dissadvantage of staying at the four seasons is its location, its a few minutes walk to the wizard life (i think thats its name) in the upper part of whistler. Its also out of the main village and id have to walk or get a bus. It seems a bit sad that such an AMAZING hotel has such a bad location.
I have narrowed down my choices to : The Pan Pacific (mountainside) OR The Carleton Or The Sundial
I have ruled out the westin because it is the furthest out of the three from the chairlift, im EXTREMELY LAZY ! When i go on this trip i want to do as LITTLE walking as possible so i can save my legs for skiing !
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You know it makes sense.
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the Westin is about 100m max from the lifts!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Sainter, the westin is actually the closest to the whistler lift !!
plus the point of the four seasons is that it is away from the hustle and bustle of the main village, and if you are lazy there is a ski valet at the bottom of the lifts and a free shuttle to go where you want.
depending on what you are used to , you shouldnt be dissapointed with any four star plus accom in whistler !1
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Poster: A snowHead
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I have to agree with the last two posters.
I dont know what map you have been looking at (nor what weird perspective that map might have) but, believe me, unless you take a sleeping bag to the gondola entrance and doss down overnight you will not be so much closer to the lifts that it makes any difference.
We are talking minimal yards here and having a tape measure to work out miniscule differentials between those three.
So, to me at least, the choice is what one of those do you want to stay in and why, including how much you want to pay and what facilities do you want eg the mini kitchen/suite of the Westin or possibly the more regular hotel rooms in the other two.
I stayed in the Westin last year and would readily return.
All of them tick the box for proximity to the lifts, so the determining factor has to be something else, in my opinion
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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As a ps, I agree with Neilski on the Four Seasons. I am not sure their clientele do much in the way of walking of an evening or during the day, unless they particularly want to. I haven't stayed there so that is speculation on my part but I have stayed in the Fairmont and the same applies there. The shuttle bus runs continuously during the day and evening.
Beyond that there is the free bus service within the village and plentiful taxis. You dont need to walk if you dont want to and are either prepared to wait for a shuttle or pay for a taxi.
If you truly want everything on your doorstep then stay in the main village and you get that....the trade off being, potentially, a bit more noise than the more sedate Blackcomb base.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Thu 18-11-10 21:58; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Just to clear something up from the last post. I believe the Westin, Pan Pacific Mountainside, Carleton Lodge and Sundial have almost identical facilities in the rooms. The suite/mini kitchen set-up is common to all rooms in all of these properties. I had never stayed in a room like that before the Westin and it's great!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yes, to re-iterate on the Westin to the Whistler Gondola is actually not even 50 meters from where you pick up your skis at the ski valet. You are probably looking at similar distance of the Pan Pacific to the Blackcomb Gondola.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Don't know about Whistler, but the Hunter's Grill at the Westin in Jumeirah Beach Dubai does lamb ribs that are to die for "American Ribs"..
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I've stayed at this place twice, it's right in the centre and does an excellent breakfast in the Bearfoot Bistro.
Best Western Listel Whistler Hotel, 4121 Village Green, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4.
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What about the coast on blackcomb ski in ski out to the chair lift at the fairmont. The mixture of room types and breakfast is included, it was when we stayed. There is a bus stop outside so you can get down to town in the evenings.
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Wow, does wanting to stay in such a hotel mean that you are unable to walk? You don't even have to carry your own skis!
It is kind of made out that the Four Seasons is in some remote dark dingy corner of Whistler; it too is only a few minutes walk from the base of Blackcomb - and bus to get from the Fairmont/Coast to Whistler Village, there is a nice enough walk.
Besides I'm sure I've seen a Four Seasons and Fairmont courtesy shuttle trundling around.
Besides besides probably the best restaurant in town is not within walking distance of any of them.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Stuarth, what would you recommend as the best restaurant?
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stay in the westin.. nothing better than a short stroll back to base when your missus or kids invariably forget gloves/goggles/hat/lift pass
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Stuarth, what would you recommend as the best restaurant?
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Stuarth can no doubt answer for himself, for my part it would be the Rimrock in Creekside, which is a taxi (or bus) ride from either Whistler Village or Blackcomb
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Another idea - if you stay in the Pan Pacific Village Centre - it's away from the lifts (a little) so nice and quiet, but you get access to the Pan P Mountainsides ski room, you get a locker there - so best of both
The village centre is pretty new, I really liked it.
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You know it makes sense.
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wbsr, OMFG THAT IS AWESOME !
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Cheers !
I have spent a lot of time on it, and there is more to come - so don't be shy to help spread the word
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Poster: A snowHead
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Not sure what the aversion is to walking - is this because you expect to do it in ski boots? If you book your Skis through Summit (50yrds from main whistler lift) you leave them there overnight in there free storage. So change boots over pick up skis and walk 50yrds loaded up. If you have your own skis then you can store them in Carleton Lodge or Summit for a small fee. That means any hotel is ok. Having said that the ones mentioned previously are the most expensive (best?)
Sister stayed in Listel and was very happy, been to Westin and that was great. Prefer Delta now as we can get a suite for same price and be in the hub of the real village. Yes it is a walk to the lifts but it is easy in normal boots and no skis to carry. Not to mention you can stay for another week on the money you saved. You will regret lack of time not walking when you go to Whistler. You have 8000 acres to ski.
You have to go to Hy steakhouse Wildwood and Rimrock but none of these is close to the lifts. The Upper village is really a separate resort (Blackcomb) with a bus between or you can walk it in 10/15mins, Whistler started off as two separate mountains and two operators before merging some time back. Hence if you are up in the Fairmont you will tend to stay up there as there is plenty to do.
Lunch you have to go down to Dusty's at the lift in Creekside ( the 3rd resort) for a pulled pork sarni. Nothing better when you have finished the Olympic downhill or the crazy peak to creek single run 5020 ft, yes it does hurt. You will be glad to know it is only 100m walk from the end of the run/gondola back up.
Book a meal in Christines for Lunch that was great too if a lot more up market, on Blackcomb.
Timing is everything if you go at a busy time it will cost huge money but if you go when there biggest market (USA) is working then its not too bad. Do not go at xmas/newyear it is silly money and snow not available, there is plenty of snow but Avalanche risk keeps the top stuff shut often. We normally use Ski Independence but this year Virgin had a much better deal. Note if you are going Air Canada flights are better as they get you in in time to get sorted out with skis etc on arrival, then book first tracks and as you will be us at 5am (well we always are) you will be skiing at 8am. The ideal would be AC out and BA back as they go back later but for AC you leave resort about 12 so with first tracks you can have a 3 hour blast before hitting quick shower and coach.
Only trouble with Whistler is it spoils you and you will not want to go anywhere else again.
Well done Wbsr for the google earth - keep working on it
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