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The Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Food Hotels, Food
4599 Chateau Blvd RR 4Whistler, BC V0N 1B4
(604) 938-8000
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
35 reviews for The Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Review Highlights
"I ate at the Portobello, Wild Flower, and I have to say..."
(in 1 review)
"I don't ski, I don't snowboard, I don't make snow angels."
(in 8 reviews)
"...are two pools and three outdoor hot tubs to choose from..."
(in 2 reviews)
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35 reviews in English
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Review from Texie Y.
12/6/2010
This hotel is elegant and gorgeous, especially when decorated for the holidays! All of the amenities and conveniences make it THE place to stay in Whistler, and the guest service is A++ to boot.
I wanted the full Fairmont Whistler experience so I:
1) sipped wine in the outdoor hot tub (there are actually 3 so we had one all to ourselves) while it snowed big, fat flakes on me and my friends
2) indulged in two spa treatments in the Vida Spa, both of which were heavenly after back-to-back days of snowboarding in the perfect BC powder
3) ate dinner and drank cocktails in the Mallard Lounge where the service was the best of any restaurant or bar I've been in a long time
4) rented and valeted my gear (I'm not serious enough to own yet, but the Burton board and Salomon boot rentals were great) from the rental shop in the lower level
5) took the complimentary hotel shuttle into Whistler Village to party each night
I also highly recommend a mountain view room. Mine looked out over the Wizard Express lift, and I had a full view of both majestic mountains thanks to crystal clear blue skies the days I was there. This place is heaven on earth. -
Review from Liza B.
Vancouver, BC
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm giving this joint 4 stars based more on service and general ambiance than the rooms, themselves. Also, I only paid 129$ a night for my room (compared to the usual 200$+ which I'd NEVER pay...plus 35$ a day parking).
Service is great. Everyone is friendly, outgoing, helpful...and for the usual price one pays to stay at this property, they should be. The restaurants and lounges are more than solid, but the rooms are in need of some upgrading as they are a little dated. Clean! But definitely dated circa 1990.
Do yourself a favor ad be sure to find a good deal on this place. It's not worth full price. -
Review from Sarah M.
12/5/2011
I wish I could give this place a solid 3.5 stars but 'tis the season to be giving...and I'll round up to 4.
I've stayed at Fairmont hotels before and am always in awe. The one in Scottsdale, AZ and the one in Banff were incredible. As in mind-blowing. I had hoped for the same here but was sadly a bit disappointed. It's not that anything was particularly WRONG...just no sparkle like the others.
The hotel, while impressive with the amenities it provides, is just like any other run-of-the-mill hotel. I hate to say that but we booked a Standard King Room and it was exactly that - standard with a king bed. It was a decent size but nothing out of the ordinary. It looked pretty comparable to a Comfort Inn or something along those lines. The bathroom was not that big and we had the tiniest balcony that I've ever seen...at 5'2 and 95 lbs, I could barely fit onto it.
I will say, however, that the bed is the best part of the hotel. Hands down. It was incredible. I laid down to unwind after a long day thinking I would watch TV or something but passed out at 9 pm which never happens.
One other great thing is that you are about 30 feet from the slopes. Walk outside and the lifts are there. If you're a skiier/snowboarder, you will appreciate this - especially since gear can get heavy.
The staff was again nothing special. Friendly enough but I expected them to go above and beyond for the amount that we paid. I was annoyed because we had rented skis from downstairs and someone else charged their ski rentals to our room. Sure, it happens but the front desk couldn't help and told us to go back downstairs which was a whole another production. My thought is that if someone is charging something to YOUR hotel, YOU should be able to deal with it. Tough crowd, I know.
Do check out the spa if you have some free time here. Well worth it!
Overall, decent experience - come for the beds, spa, and proximity to the slopes. -
Review from Lisa T.
Whistler, BC
12/13/2011
Lovely, sumptious decor. Cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Pleasant staff and cordial service. LOVE the High Tea in the afternoon in the Lounge.
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Review from J S.
7/25/2011
Great hotel, family friendly, doggie are welcome. With a background in hotels, I can tell you that this is a hotel that will stand out in my memory. They met me at my car with my room key...
Flawless service. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 is because the rooms need a facelift. There is he gold level which is about 100 more expensive, but you get access to their concierge lounge. I opted for the less expensive room which was very clean bed was great but the room looks like it came out of the 80's dynasty series.. pink, hunter green and vaneer. I am still not convinced that the 100 for the upgrade would have been worth it.
There is a fantastic coffee/bakery on the lower level called portobello. Super cute. -
Review from Tod M.
Vancouver, BC
6/9/2011
The most important things to me in a hotel:
1. Coffee. Mostly excellent here. A real metallic drip coffee maker with a couple of Nabob packets (not great, but not bad). They had some very nice teas as well, and a separate kettle. Milk packets were in the fridge but, oddly, no real cream -- they had only liquid coffeemate stuff. Seemed like a strange thing to omit.
2. Quick hot water? Yep. No wait for the hot water.
3. Things plugged in? I didn't run into anything unplugged!
4. Adjustable heat: Yes, I was able to crank the heat up and roast the place, or turn it way down to make it quite cold. Three levels of fan. Three cheers!
5. Openable windows: Disappointing. Only one window that could only open a crack. :-(
6. Wakeup call. Didn't check this.
7. Room Service: Very friendly service, but not cheap. Mandatory delivery charge and mandatory tip. You don't even get presented the bill. It's just in an envelope on the tray. It's the way most high-end hotels are, sadly.
8. Internet: Wired worked well, but the wireless was very flaky. It kept dropping out every 10-15 minutes, couldn't handle more than one device (i.e., my laptop computer and my iPad). If they hadn't have had wired, I would have had to call for help.
9. Iron/Ironing Board/Hangers: Real hangers that you could remove to hang things in the shower (for steaming) so that was good, but the iron had some gunk on it that transferred to my slacks! I was able to get the gunk off, but that scared the hell out of me. The ironing board was fine.
10. Fridge: Very disappointing. Other than milk packets for the coffee, there was nothing in the minibar. Not even soft drinks. When I asked about this, I got the corny corporate p.r. line: "We provide custom experiences!" Yeah. Great. But when I want a single can of Diet Coke, I don't want to pay $7.50 FOR ONE CAN (roughly the cost, calculating room service delivery and mandatory tip). Stock the fridges. Don't cheap out. -
Review from Ayaka H.
Vancouver, BC
4/11/2011 8 photos
I was hoping that this would be the BEST hotel in all of Whistler BC because of its rave reviews. The one that would blow me away. Well, it is great but it's definitely not the best I have experienced, (Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Mandarin Oriental being superior) and despite being the Fairmont, I would not consider the hotel 5 stars. 4.5 stars at best (except for fine dining)
CONCIERGE: 5/5. The front desk employees are extremely friendly, attentive and enthusiastic. I asked if I could get my passport photo page scanned and emailed; to my delight, they did this without reluctance.
ROOM: 2/5. the bathtub was way too tiny and the pillows were not good, No slippers in the room although they were provided when we asked, NO REFRIGERATOR in the room!!!!! Toothbrushes and toothpastes were not provided unless we asked, Views are only guaranteed if you purchase the EXECUTIVE suite. (room with good views are very important) no flowers, no chocolates on the bed.
on the other hand, the bed was very comfy and TV was nice and big and flat screen.
AESTHETICS: 4/5 At first glance, the hotel doesn't look very beautiful compared to the neighbouring Four Seasons Hotel. It looks a bit run down. When you enter, it's a different story. STUNNING LOBBY, although elevators have room for improvement.
SKI RENTALS: 1/5. WARNING. PLEASE DO NOT RENT YOUR SKI AND GEAR AT THE FAIRMONT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAD TO PAY THROUGH THE NOSE. $180 for SKI RENTALS / HELMET. PROCEED ONLY IF YOU WISH TO BE RIPPED OFF BIG TIME!!!!!!
Vida Spa at the Fairmont: 5/5. Prices are definitely steep, but you do get what you pay for - i tried their detoxifying body wrap which was soothing and their pedicure. Highly recommended!
DINING: 5/5 I don't know the right word to describe their restaurants here, but I was definitely impressed. I ate at the Portobello, Wild Flower, and I have to say they offer some of the best foods I have ever had in my life. I highly highly highly recommend their CHOCOLATE FONDUE for two. *see attached pic* For breakfast, I recommend eating at the Portobello - you get a wide range of foods like waffles to burritos (all made with the best organic ingredients) However, be prepared to spent over $100 for TWO at the Wild Flower Restaurant -I say it is worth it.
Would I come back again? Yes, because of their great location + fine dining. I'm still curious about the Four Seasons, but the Fine Dining has saved me from taking my business away to the Four Seasons in the future. Great Weekend! -
Review from jocelyn t.
Vancouver, BC
6/10/2011
The beds were super comfortable and inviting, the room service staff were always pleasant and inviting - I really enjoyed the dim sum dumplings.
Our room had a great view, we really enjoyed it and the hotel staff were very professional and friendly as always.
Occasionally the room service took more time than we'd anticipated.
Some strange things:
- the wireless was really unreliable. Occasionally would cut out, and sometimes wouldn't allow a second person to log in on the same room number. For a period of time we had to use our mobile tethering because it wasn't available at all. -
Review from K W.
5/1/2011
I really wanted to like this place better.
Pros:
- Service was very friendly, and mostly very good and responsive.
- King sized bed was super comfortable.
- The pool/hot tub area is great. There are three hot tubs (1 is hot, the other two not so hot - I wish a second was also really hot, but it wasn't crowded when I stayed so it was fine - 2 are outside, 1 inside). There are two pools (one lap, one both indoor/outdoor). I'm not sure if the lap was heated but the pool was, which was great. The sauna was nice, and the steam room had eucalyptus which was also a nice touch. I found the entire pool/gym area to be clean and updated, so I was happy.
Cons:
- We stayed here over the weekend, when not many people are in Whistler (off-season) and there were plenty of empty rooms at the hotel, yet we were woken up both Saturday AND Sunday at 7am by the housekeepers banging things around. I understand they have to start cleaning rooms - but we came here to get R&R, and I know I would have been able to sleep in longer at home. The walls must be really thin here - I couldn't hear anything from upstairs or downstairs but heard constant door slamming throughout the hallway, and we weren't staying anywhere close to the elevator or a main thoroughfare. I can't imagine how bad it is when the hotel is packed with skiers/snowboarders.
- The rooms were ok - nothing exemplary. The bathroom setup was really strange - the shower was separated from the bathtub. The shower had a tiny shelf, and that was it - I couldn't put the shampoo, conditioner, soap and my razor and washcloth there - there was no room to put anything. The bathtub was child-size. I took a bath anyway, but it barely holds any water.
- The wifi is free if you join Fairmont's President's Club (which is also free to join). However, the signal was terrible. It was usually poor in the room, and my computer constantly lost the signal.
All in all, we got our room at a discounted price, and I would be pretty upset if we had paid the full price, as I think this hotel is resting too much on its reputation, rather than reality. -
Review from Daniel L.
2/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Chateau has lost it's touch sad to say... After a long weekend of hopeful pampering I truly feel this Whistler icon has lost its first place status to probably The Four Seasons Whistler
The check in was warm and friendly, the porters need a vacation they seemed really stress as did most all The Mallard Lounge staff. Yup the famous Duck Bar isn't what it was years ago, we just wanted to chill and and have dinner in our hotel but there was no space at Wildflower restaurant and so dinning in the Mallard was just as good of an opinion until we tried and tried and tired to order beverages... Then when we wanted to order food the staff wanted to move us twice and then theres the issues with tables and who was actually running the show as they needed to fight it out. Of course the food.... was just okay but the price was $100 a person including drinks... I expect way better service and quality of food at those numbers.
The room was old and average, at those rack rates... The pool area was great if your a kid, as it full of them and more kids and adults.
Trying to check out and leave took us 30 mins in line ups and parking exit tickets that didn't work, seems they really wanted us to hang out longer. -
Review from Gina I.
9/8/2009
First I must say that I am surprised at the good reviews.
The good: The cleaning staff, the friendly hotel staff, all very very nice & helpful and friendly.
The hotel rooms? FAIL. Big fat fail. First of all the sheets were stained with blue dots. Obviously washed with colours. The shower curtain was water stained and I was afraid to even touch it.
The fixtures, the carpets, the art, the lamps.. all outdated. The carpet in the hallway? Rips with tape over it. Luckily I did not pay, but if I did I would have changed hotels immediately. It's such a freaking cash grab tourist trap hotel.
So, I don't really have anything good to say about the rooms at all. I would never ever ever pay any amount of any money to stay here. The hotel rooms I had in Vegas that were way cheaper were better and cleaner.
Disappointing to say the least. -
Review from Rhodora E.
8/30/2010
A great location for a destination place. If you are looking for a full service property this is where you would want to stay.
Plus:
-The gondola is right behind the Hotel
-It's just a stroll away from Whistler village, upper village, and village north where you can find over 150 fine restaurants, shops, and galleries. The KEG steakhouse and Bar. Yum!
-The workout room has updated machines and personal trainers that could assist you during your stay.
-Vida Wellness Spa had this amazing facial treatmet-they were not pushy to get you to buy their products at all like most places.
-It's a hop and a skip away from the natural wildlife that you'd see cubs and bears strolling at night.
If you love outdoor adventures check out their concierge desk. They have so much to over. Check out Wedge Rafting. The instructors are very informative and humorous. Not to mention young and great looking.
I will definitely come back and maybe stay longer next time. -
Review from Kathleen M.
9/8/2008
Absolutely beautiful hotel in a wonderful resort town.
I'm from Atlanta and therefore don't understand snow sports. I don't ski, I don't snowboard, I don't make snow angels. Why would you want to be outside in the cold when snow is so enjoyable to watch from a warm room with some spiked hot chocolate?
So yeah, we came to Whistler in July. And it was fantastic.
They're still pumping some snow on the top of Whistler so you snowbunnies can get your fill, but for those of us who like, you know, warmth, they provide lots of other activities. Horseback riding, hiking, and shopping were all highlights of my trip here.
The hotel definitely has a lodge-y feel, but very very upscale. Soaring ceilings, gigantic fireplaces, and a whole lot of wood beams. I didn't pay for my room (thanks, parents!) but I'd expect it to be very pricey. And worth it.Listed in: Yelp Around the World.
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Review from Skylar L.
8/6/2008
The Rooms:
Not worth the price. The rooms that go for $800+ a night are tiny and offer none of the luxuries you would expect. To give you an idea of how small the rooms are, I have stayed in Motel 6's that were bigger. The actual beds are very comfy and lush, but so what? I want more than a comfortable bed when I'm paying that much.
To be fair, I never paid that much. I babysat children whose parents paid that much, but still.
I've been told that you pay for the service. They will bend over backwards for you here. Nonetheless, they will bend over backwards at most hotels in Whistler.
The Rest of the Hotel:
The banquet room is sizable and nice. This is where the WB Christmas parties are held. The food was top notch.Listed in: Whistler Sleeps
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Review from Brendan G.
4/21/2010
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is the only place to stay in Whistler! I have only visited on the fringe of the off-season, but I would imagine that this hotel is just as scenic & breathtaking year round. I am an avid snowboarder, so I would love to visit Whistler during Peak season to scope out the town in full swing.
If I could offer one piece of advice when reserving at this hotel, it is to pay the extra money to stay in one of the Fairmont Gold rooms. It is quite a bit more expensive, but in my opinion, worth every penny! These rooms come with a beautiful fireplace & jetted bathtub. Both of which made the stay particularly special for my girlfriend & I. You also have full access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge, which has daily breakfast (delicious!) & light appetizers in the afternoon.
We plan to go back each year for Memorial Day Weekend (U.S.). -
Review from Alexandra E.
2/6/2010
I have read the other reviews and I think that this one should set the record straight.
My husband and I have been coming to Whistler for many years and we have stayed at the Fairmont the last 3 years. I don't think that I will ever stay anywhere else.
Bluntly, ALL hotel rooms in Whistler are small and almost all hotels are older or "rustic" or "lodge-like." Absolutely, the TVs at the Fairmont are old and the phones need an upgrade. Ok, that's the bad part of the hotel. Here are the good:
Ski in/out: This is the best part of the Fairmont. You walk down in the morning with your warm fuzzy Uggs or other comfies. Afterwards, you ski up to the entrance of the valet, leave your ski/board and boots and grab the warm fuzzies that you left in the morning. And then,you get to walk directly into the warm hearth of the hotel. Aaaaahhhh.
Food: The food is exquisite albeit expensive. Here is a TIP: Eat at the smaller eatery in the basement, The Portobello, for breakfast and/or lunch. Or, you can go to the IGA/Market and pick up snacks for the room including some fabulous Canadian cheese, deli meats, bread, chips, etc. I will say that the Fairmont has some wonderful food including the Montreal Smoked Meat Benedict for breakfast, the Dry Spiced Chicken Wings or, for apres ski, the Chocolate Fondue for dessert. Mmmmmm!
Drinks: Again, the Fairmont has lovely libations but they are expensive. Here's a TIP: right across from the Fairmont entrance is the BC Liquor Store that has an amazing wine selection. They also have ice cold bear and an assortment of spirits. We always stock up the fridge the first night.
Spa: Did I say how expensive everything is? Ok, well, the spa is no exception. I will say that I had the best, I mean the absolute best, spa treatments ever at the Vida Spa at the Fairmont. My skin went from dry and wind burned to soft and supple. I highly recommend the Collagen Facial--VERY expensive but it changed my entire skin. Even my husband commented on how lovely my skin felt. They use Valmont products that are beyond compare so it's worth the $$ once in a while.
Health Club: I love the Health Club. 2 pools: 1 for lap swimming only and an indoor/outdoor one for the family. Steam room in the locker rooms (aka ok to go nude) and a coed sauna (aka NOT ok to go nude). All of which are HOT and feel wonderful after a day on the slopes.
For the pets/kids: I absolutely LOVE the Fairmont (or the FURmont) for allowing our fur -babies to come along. They have a pet menu beds, bones and will arrange a walker or day care for your pet punkin' while you are doing your thing. If you have children, then you have an absolute paradise of child-care options.
Amenities: One of the best things of the Fairmont is the service. The Concierge (especially Ian) will pamper you beyond belief. The cleaning staff will organize your entire disaster of a room and the shuttles run ON TIME. No matter where we were in town, we could always get a shuttle "home."
And, of course, an honorable mention goes to the the fluffy robes and slippers. -
Review from pauline c.
4/1/2009
World class service. Everything from the bell person to the concierge was top notch. I guess you get what you pay for, except we paid 99 CAD$ for our room on the 10th floor with gorgeous views of the white mountain. It was a deal with the hotel for their anniversary so don't expect that kind of price. The room was a little on the small side, but there are really no complaints here for the price paid. We didn't come to sit in the hotel. We came for the mountain.
What more can you ask for? The ski lift is practically right where you step out of the hotel, and minutes away from the Village, which is full of food, a market, bars, and more food. There is ski equipment storage on the lower level, and 3 hot tubs and separate steam rooms (by gender, of course!)
Great, great great...Listed in: Canuck
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Review from Caroline B.
5/9/2009
What a lovely place to stay.
We've stayed here twice. Both times were memorable.
I highly recommend:
* booking online...better deals available.
* joining their Fairmont Club...or whatever they call it nowadays. It's free. Entitles you to a better check-in and more customized room experience. They'll even load your room with down pillows if you'd like. No extra charge.
* Booking your room on their special Concierge Level. This costs a little more but is well worth it. You get an included, wonderful daily breakfast, a very nice afternoon snacks and happy hour, and access to their drawing room. You also get a special check in and check out without any lines.
An exceptionally pretty and well maintained property with a well trained, courteous and attentive staff. -
Review from Cami G.
5/24/2010
As others have mentioned, yes, the rooms are a little outdated. I still think the beds were comfortable... we got a small balcony where we stored our liquor and drinks (fridge was way too warm, much colder outside!).
But honestly, if I'm at Whistler in the middle of January, I'm typically not a room hermit and I still think it was a nice enough place to come "home" to at the end of a hard day of walkin' around in ski boots, long lift rids, and fast, powdery runs. I will say that skiing right out of the hotel was one of the best amenities. It leads you right to Blackcolmb mountain and from there can eventually make the trek over to Whistler mountain.
I appreciate that The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is close to the village yet just far enough from all of the noisy bars, restaurants, and the crazy debauchery that takes place in the square. The hotel itself is structurally breathtaking as you walk into the main room. Hotel staff were extremely accommodating and just a pleasure to talk to. They all had basic knowledge of the town and could help us locate anything we were interested in checking out.
The restaurants were so-so. I will say, however, that I really enjoyed the lounge area... when it is not so crowded, that is. A light brunch of Bloody Marys and a huge bowl of muscles was just out of this world amazing. The cafes below and shops connected to The Fairmont were a little silly and mediocre at best.
All and all I enjoyed my stay. I felt comfortable walking to the pools and saunas in my robe and slippers right through the lobby (though I really had no other choice)!
I would go back again, but I would need to see some kind of special or promotion deal because I don't think I would pay full price for the room we were given. Too expensive for the lack of amenities provided. -
Review from Scott P.
9/15/2008
Fantastic hotel! Every detail accounted for! Right up to the point of departure when the valet offered us bottle water for our return ride to Vancouver.
The room was on the 7th and overlooked the mountain and pool. It was just so special and romantic. I especially liked the proximity to the village. Very easty little walk across the bridge and everything at your fingertips.Listed in: Favorite Canadian Haunts
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Review from Jenni B.
4/24/2009
I had a friend who was working at the Fairmont, so we decided it was a good opportunity for a girls trip to Whistler to abuse her employee discount.
The hotel itself is a breathtaking piece of architecture and it is incredible ornate inside without being gawdy or offensively overdone. The room was gorgeous, and laying down on the mattress I felt like I was being carried away in a cloud. The room was absolutely immaculate as well.
They have a few restuarants on site, so we tried out the lounge or appetizers and drinks at night, and had the breakfast buffet in another restuarant in the morning, for both the food was phenomenal.
The staff could not have gotten any better, from answering our questions while we were checking in, so calling a cab for us and obliging us in our mini-photo shoot in and around the lobby for waiting for a cab (this was after drinks in the lounge of course), the service was impeccable.
Also to be noted the pool is absolutely gorgeous! -
Review from J Q.
4/2/2009
I can remember this being one of the most elegant establishments I've ever been to. The hotel is absolutely gorgeous, the atmosphere grabs your brain and wrestles your consciousness to it's brim as you enter in through the front doors, once you make it to the lobby you began to realize that, if you could, you'd drop everything and live in this tiny village for the rest of eternity.
Yet what truly had me in shock was the fact that the resort's lifts were within throwing distance of the front doors. Things get even better yet, the clubs, shops, theaters, skate park, and basically: the entire town are within an incredibly short walking distance.
When you finally do get done drooling, what seems to be perfect only continues to improve: the slopes are a truly rare intrigue: you have a vertical mile of runs to work with, (the village is around 2000 ft. above sea level, and the top of Blackcomb's glacier is above 7000 ft.), not to mention two full-sized resorts in one, two super pipes with pipe dragons keeping them spotless, at least 3 terrain parks, and back country heli-boarding at your call..
It's basically here that you're dizzy from the endless options, and you remind yourself that these types of uber-resorts only appear in the super-elite confides of Europe.
One ride up the gondola cements it for you: this is heaven.
Location: 5+ stars
Atmosphere: 5+ stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: 3 stars
Last impression: 5+ stars -
Review from Dave D.
Victoria, BC
4/21/2010
Expensive (like all hotels in Whistler) but worth the price.
And you've got to check out the pool. I think my kids could spend all week just doing that and I know I could spend all week beside it.
Excellent service. -
Review from Rhino R.
Calgary, AB
10/31/2010 5 Check-ins Here
Gorgeous hotel, in a wonderful location. Staff are friendly, as is common at Fairmonts and the hotel is in close proximity to the hills and village. Parking is a touch pricey, but is quite secure. Internet and wifi are available but not free, unless you are a Presidents Club member. It is free to join their Presidents Club, so I suggest signing up for that and saving yourself the cost.
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Review from Niko M.
1/30/2011
Had a blast. This was my 2nd stay here actually I stayed here 15 years ago and it's modernized itself quite a bit since I was last here. I remembered seeing a huge old money sort of look to the place and the new decor changed the style to me. I'm into modern hotels but I wanted that old school style feel again. That being said the hotel was clean and service was quite good. Had dinner in the restaurant and participated in a buffet that was incredible with lobster and prime rib complete. Great location just between the upper and lower villages. A must see even if you're just visiting and not staying. Truly nice place.
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Review from Susan S.
10/1/2009
Luxurious stay, great service, amazing view - what more could you ask for??? While it is way pricey, do try to stay on the Gold Level. The mad Friday evening/Saturday crush of gnarly mountain bikers, bar crazy 20 somethings, families and tour groups swarm the lobby level restaurants and bars, and going to the concierge level is a huge slice of heaven.
What I like about it most is the gracious service, the self-serve bar (did you know that in many Canadian bars, you only get 1 ounce of liquor in your drink if you are served by a bartender/wait staff???,) the fireplace in the room, the cozy bedding and mattress, the coffee maker, the free appetizers in the afternoon and the over-the-top breakfast (can you say coddled eggs over hash browns topped with lardons in a cute little ramekin?)
Oh, and I also love the layout of the hotel, the shops (gorgeous and expensive Inuit Art, furs and maple products) and the fire pits outside of the lounges.
What don't I love? nothing - go, stay, relax, enjoy the ambiance of the resort...or just the ambiance of your room! -
Review from Steve N.
12/26/2009 3 photos
I really like this hotel. Ski in, ski out. There's a convenient and free ski valet that makes you feel a little spoiled. The staff have always been wonderful and helpful.
The bar/lounge area is a fun and relaxing place to hang out with good friends. -
Review from Jonathan B.
12/27/2010
I stayed at the Fairmont with 100-person group (church ski trip). It was a great place. A little pricey in the bar and you have to pay to park in their garage but that's Whistler. It was my first time in Whistler and the Fairmont made it a great experience. I'd definitely go back.
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Review from Tom C.
12/1/2010
My stay at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler was a mix of the pretty bad and quite good.
First, the pretty bad:
- This is an ancient and poorly updated facility. The water from my bathtub ran yellow (with rust, hopefully) and most of the buttons on the remote for the ancient CTR TV did not work.
- Service is not always good. I had to complain about the yellow water three times, and wait 3 hours, before anybody came to take a look at it.
- All in all, coming to this hotel from the Fairmont Pacific Rim is a shocking downgrade. Why use the same brand for two hotels that offer such different products?
Why then am I giving this place 2 stars rather than 1?
- The service is occasionally quite good. I was particularly impressed by the swimming pool attendant who gave my crying 3-year-old a pair of goggles to help him quiet down.
- The location is good for families with small children. There is a space out back (on the mountain side) which is great for sleighing and building snowmen.
- My 3-year-old absolutely loved the half-indoor, half-outdoor pool. It's pretty cool swimming while it's snowing.
- It is not nearly as gorgeous as the Four Seasons nearby- but the price is much, much lower.
I would never choose this hotel over the Pan Pacifics if I weren't traveling with my three-year-old, but with him, I just might stay at this place again. -
Review from Patrick B.
8/17/2010
Wow, can't say enough good things about this hotel. Definitely more expensive but I never for an instant felt like I wasn't getting my monies worth. Beautiful hotel, attentive and professional staff and an amazing room. Another poster here mentioned going a little extra for the Gold rooms and I totally agree. The extra attention is nice and the Gold Lounge offers a great way to start your day with a continental breakfast that is better than some breakfast buffets I could mention at other hotels.
We also used the spa which was top notch, several jacuzzis, sauanas and a decent work out room make this a great place to work off that extra food we ate as well. In the evening they also had live entertainment in the form of a very good singer who really added to the ambiance of the hotel. We're definitely going back here and my fiancee and I are thinking of getting married up there. -
Review from Luisa D.
8/8/2009
We had a Telus Perks offer for a room rate of $109 so we went up for Thursday/Friday nights. I haven't stayed there in years but the hotel has been well maintained. The room was very comfortable with a king size bed and little balcony. The coffee for the in-room coffee maker isn't great but it's drinkable. From Front Desk to the cleaning staff everyone was very friendly. The location is right at the base of Blackcomb so it's easy to walk everywhere. Parking is $27 a day if you're a hotel guest.
When we first arrived we had High Tea in The Mallard Lounge. $20 per person might seem steep but it was filling and everything from the warm scone to the finger sandwiches to the pastries were delicious. This kept us full through to our evening picnic. While we lounged by the pool and hot tubs we sipped on Red Pomegranate Sangria. At $28 a jug this is one of the better poolside deals. There are two pools and three outdoor hot tubs to choose from with plenty of lounge chairs to relax on. The hotel is currently offering $10 dinner specials at The Wildflower from 5-7pm. We opted for Friday's Fish and Chips. Our beer cost almost as much as dinner but that was fine. Saturday night's special is Prime Rib and reservations are recommended. Our last evening ended with Blueberry Teas ($13 each) in the Mallard Lounge. Their cocktails aren't cheap but the service and comfortable couches and chairs make up for it.
We'll definitely stay here again! -
Review from Steve G.
11/15/2009
Wow - incredible place with incredible surroundings. Stayed in the gold level with a suite that was bigger than my house... highly recommend it.
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Review from D I.
2/9/2010
Very nice hotel. For a non-5 star hotel, this is pretty much as good as it gets. Excellent staff and rooms, plus a good location slightly outside of the ruckus of downtown, but still walking distance.
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Review from Norm G.
5/22/2009
This is probably the most gorgeous hotel I have ever stayed at. This was one of the places we stayed during our honeymoon, and every aspect of our stay was delightful. The staff were particularly warm and friendly and upgraded us to a suite when they learned we were on our honeymoon. The main lobby was grand, with the high ceiling and large fireplace. There was a swimming pool that was partially inside and partially outside. Our suite was elegant, clean and cozy. We had afternoon tea in one of their restaurants, and I had my favourite tea, Darjeeling. The grounds surrounding the hotel were surrounded by tall pine trees and there were hiking trails right nearby. We went in October, so there was no snow, but then it wasn't crowded, either. Whistler Village is right there and there were many nice restaurants to choose from. We will return here someday when the U.S. emerges from this "depression." Hopefully we'll be able to journey here in the winter...judging by the mountains, the skiing must be wonderful!
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Review from D P.
9/6/2008
Would give it a 3.5, if possible. Very nice and serene location. The room was dated and I felt needed a renovation. They may have renovated by now, it's been a while since I stayed. It is a very nice hotel in a wonderful serene backdrop.
