Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Hotel · Whistler
4599 Chateau Blvd, Whistler, BC V8E 1G1, Canada
Highlights
Castle-like ski-in/ski-out resort with spa, pools, golf
Castle-like ski-in/ski-out resort with spa, pools, golf
"Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a hotel certified by Green Key Global."
"Set in a 539-room, fairy-tale château among snow-frosted evergreens, this ski-in/ski-out lodge sits a five-minute walk from the Blackcomb gondola and offers access to North America’s largest ski resort with 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, and three glaciers. It delivers strong family programming year-round—from ski lessons for little ones in winter to guided canoeing in summer—and perks like kids under 5 eating free and reduced-price children’s menus for ages 6–12. On-property amenities include multiple indoor and outdoor heated and thermal pools, eucalyptus steam rooms, three restaurants, a spa emphasizing ancient Indian Ayurveda techniques, and curated cultural excursions to the local Indigenous Squamish and Lil’wat Nations." - Kathryn Romeyn, Devorah Lev-Tov
"The largest ski resort in North America, Whistler Blackcomb’s vast terrain is practically guaranteed to help you level up your downhill abilities. Getting around the huge mountain may require some quad-pumping traversing, however, as you navigate your way around the blues and blacks, but, luckily, the remedy for those tired muscles can be found at Fairmont Chataeu Whistler ’s Vida Spa. The tranquil retreat combines Ayurvedic principles with modern practices—the Shirodhara, which involves a steady stream of warm oil poured over the crown of the head, is said to quiet the mind while also reducing headaches and head congestion. The classic Ayurvedic massage (spring for the indulgent 120-minute option) is the way to go if your Whistler plans involve conquering the double-black diamond Whistler Bowl area."
"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? At the foot of North America's largest ski resort, a majestic chateau rises out of a forest of snow-capped trees. Steps from the new Blackcomb Gondola, it's hard to imagine a better location for skiers. What's the backstory? There's something very storybook and old school about Fairmonts, but also something that feels very now. For a ski trip to Whistler, it's a luxury in its own right to have this many amenities at your fingertips. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? So, the hotel is in the multi-year process of renovating rooms. The entry level rooms are a bit dated, though the addition of Alpine Suites in 2017 brought a sexy and spacious room category to the premises—each of them comes with spa showers, a fireplace, and sprawling mountain views. A complete overhaul of the Fairmont Gold floor will be completed in December 2020. That's their “hotel within a hotel” concept, with 94 dedicated rooms and suites, an exclusive lounge, and a dedicated concierge. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? Unfortunately, there is a charge for Wi-Fi for standard rooms. But on the Gold level it's included in your rate. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? We hope you're hungry. The award-winning culinary team is led by executive chef Isabel Chung, under whose leadership The Grill Room has received accolades from the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. For a hotel this size, it's refreshing to see such passion for detail. Chung also has developed a signature chocolate for the hotel, and even maintains beehives on the hotel's roof in the warmer months. And the service? It's amazing how such a hotel of more than 500 rooms can communicate so quickly internally. Check-in was smooth, getting to our room was smooth, and finding someone to ask about lift passes and ski trails was a seamless experience. What type of travelers will you find here? With a hotel this size, you get a bit of everything: honeymooners; four ski bums sharing a single room; families; and lots of business travelers squeezing in virtual meetings between runs. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? The hotel sits on a primo spot in Upper Village—footsteps away from everything convenient, but far enough away from the notoriously rowdy après ski scene in the main part of the village. There are tons of shuttles running all day long if you don't feel like walking. Is there anything you'd change? Make Wi-Fi free for all! Any other hotel features worth noting? Whistler can be an overwhelming place for first-timers. Sign up for a Whistler Experience Guide tour—available for hotel guests seven days a week—and you'll be selecting trails and finding après ski spots in no time. It's also worth noting that the hotel offers complimentary yoga classes daily at 7 a.m. so you can get nice and stretched before a day on the slopes; and on Saturdays and Sundays there's an additional yoga class at 8:30am so you don't have to wake up quite so early. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? The location, the amenities, the food, the service—this is a grand example of a ski hotel." - Todd Plummer
"A 539-room fairy-tale château set amid snow-frosted evergreens, offering true ski-in, ski-out convenience just minutes from the Blackcomb gondola and access to one of North America’s largest ski domains with hundreds of marked runs, alpine bowls and glaciers. The on-property amenities cover comprehensive wellness and dining needs—an Ayurveda-influenced spa, multiple indoor and outdoor heated and thermal pools, eucalyptus steam rooms and three restaurants—plus cultural excursions that connect guests with the local Indigenous Squamish and Lil’wat Nations." - Adam H. Graham
