This past weekend I spent a night in Whistler with some friends and decided to check out the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. I usually stay at The Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre or Evolution in Creekside but decided to try the Fairmont given my loyalty to their brand.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Booking

I booked the Fairmont Chateau Whistler using my Platinum Card (American Express Canada) to access the Fine Hotels and Resorts Program, which comes with the following benefits:

• Room upgrade subject to availability
• Noon check-in subject to availability
• Guaranteed 4pm late check-out
• Complimentary full breakfast for two
• $100 USD food and beverage credit

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is one of only two properties in Whistler that participate in the Fine Hotels and Resorts Program, the other being The Four Seasons (located just next door). The benefits are similar between the two properties with the exception that the $100 USD credit is only valid for spa services at the Four Seasons. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has 4 room categories:

1. Moderate Room
2. Fairmont Room
3. Deluxe Valley View Room
4. Deluxe Slopeside View Room

They also have The Fairmont Gold Floor which features private concierge and check-in, more upscale rooms, and dedicated lounge featuring breakfast, evening canapés, and honor bar.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Arrival

We arrived just before noon by car and were initially impressed by the hotels exterior. Sitting at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler provides a blend of classic elegance and modern alpine living.

We were immediately welcomed by a friendly valet staff and informed of the various parking options. It should be noted that parking in Whistler is at a premium. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler charges $35/night for self-parking or $39/night for valet with in/out privileges. The process to valet was quick and within moments we were being escorted to the check-in area in the stunning lobby.

Hotel Check-In Review

I’ll preface this part of the review with a disclaimer regarding the service culture in Whistler. Whistler has a unique population comprised of the super wealthy and transient outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. It seems most people in Whistler either don’t have to work or don’t want to work, and the frontline staff generally leave a bit to be desired. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has a dedicated check-in counter for members of their loyalty program, The Fairmont President’s Club. Membership is free and includes the following amenities (amongst others):

• Complimentary, in-room high speed internet access
• Complimentary local calls and no service charge on toll-free calls
• Daily delivery of local or national newspaper
• Discounts on spa services and at the Fairmont store

Enroll before arrival to receive access to the dedicated check-in counter as wait times can be significant during peak hours. There was no line up when we arrived and a friendly guest service agent greeted us. She reviewed the benefits of booking with the Fine Hotels and Resorts program and informed us of our double upgrade to a Deluxe Slopeside Corner View room, which was ready for our noon check-in.

Fairmont Deluxe Slopeside Room Review

Room 604 was located at the very end of a long hallway. It should be noted that the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a large resort, and people with mobility issues should request a room near the elevators. The hallways very beautifully designed with warm alpine décor, which made the walk a little more bearable. The room itself was large and seemed to be recently renovated. I’m not the biggest fan of ‘alpine elegant’ style, and thus the room finishes left a little to be desired. At the entry was a large closet easily capable of storing four bags and housed the in-room safe.

We were pleasantly surprised to find a welcome amenity consisting of a cheese board and a bottle of white wine accompanied by a handwritten card from their Director of Operations welcoming us to the resort. We all thought it was a very nice touch.

The room featured two large queen beds and a small sitting area near the very large windows.

There was also a comfortable work area with another window overlooking the pool and mountains.

All of the windows opened allowing for some fresh mountain air in the room. Sadly there are no balconies in most rooms. Some of the upgraded rooms feature a small Juliette balcony without patio furniture. This is one of the major downfalls of this property as most Whistler hotels offer some sort of outdoor patio space in most rooms. The bathroom had been recently remodeled with a large soaker tub separate from the shower.

The bathroom had branded Le Labo Rose 31 toiletries, which are very luxurious, and a personal favorite. The towels and robes were plentiful and very soft.

All rooms in the hotel feature air conditioning, a large flat screen television with on-demand options, IPod docking station/alarm clock, fully stocked minibar, telephone with voicemail, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, and in-room safe. It should be noted the minibar fridge is a new ‘sensor’ type, meaning that items are automatically charged to your room when removed making it useless for storage of personal items.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Dining Options

The property boasts four main dining options to suit all needs: The Wildflower Restaurant is the family friendly option open daily for breakfast and lunch and houses the daily buffet breakfast for hotel guests. Guests booking under the Fine Hotels and Resorts program are entitled to complimentary breakfast for two. Guests can choose between a generous buffet spread or order a la carte. The Grill Room is Whistler’s AAA Four Diamond rated restaurant for steak and seafood. The fine dining atmosphere may not be the most family friendly. Reservations are strongly recommended. Portobello Market is a deli style eat-in our take out option perfect for a quick bite or savory snack. Mallard Lounge is known for its cocktails and martinis but also a nice place to have a small lunch or evening canapés on the patio or in the lounge. The lounge also features live entertainment nightly. We enjoyed mimosas on the patio after check-in. The service and drinks were both top notch.

In-room dining is available 24 hours/day and the menu features an extensive list of options for all different ages. We ordered the nachos and some chicken strips for an afternoon snack. The food arrived within 40 minutes and was perfectly satisfactory for in-room dining, though not up to the standards of other Fairmont properties. What the lacked in quality they definitely made up for in quantity. The portions were huge! In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever received a larger nacho plate at any restaurant, let alone room service.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Amenities

Unfortunately for us we were only at the hotel for one night. Having early check-in and late checkout did afford us the opportunity to use a few of the many on-site amenities provided by the hotel. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a very large property and the common areas can seem a bit crowded at times. We were there on a Sunday and the hotel had a very high occupancy rate, which made for a bit of crowding in the pool and the lobby. Thankfully they had plenty of seating and the service was still very good poolside. It should be noted that unlike a lot of Whistler hotels, you cannot bring your own food/beverage to the pool and it’s strictly enforced.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course

Wildlife, scenery and incredible vistas are signature of The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course. Carved out of the slopes of the Coast Mountain range in British Columbia, this magnificent Whistler golf course allows nature to dictate the path without constraints of commercial influence.

The mountain course traverses creeks, ponds, stands of ancient Douglas fir and granite rock. Elevation changes of more than 400 feet overall create an impressive golf opportunity and a naturally spectacular BC golf experience.

Health Club Facility & Whistler Wellness Programs

• Outdoor 60 ft. heated lap pool with underwater music
• Indoor/outdoor heated leisure pool
• Pool deck with lounge chairs and umbrellas
• Private cabana rentals available May-September only.
• Food and Beverage service available
• Indoor whirlpool
• Three outdoor whirlpools
• Dry sauna
• Two eucalyptus steam rooms
• Men’s and Women’s Change rooms
• Complimentary towel and locker service
• Swimwear and aquatic items for purchase
• Two Tennis courts
• Personal Training & Exercise Therapy
• Complimentary yoga classes are held twice daily in The Yoga Suite, Room 353 on the 3rd Floor

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort Fitness Centre

• High Definition plasma televisions and personal headsets
• Three treadmills
• Two stair climbers
• Two upright bikes
• Two recumbent bikes
• One rowing ergometer
• Three elliptical cross-trainers
• Nine Cybex weight stations
• Selection of dumbbell free weights up to 65 pounds
• Mats/Exercise balls
• Proprioception boards / Balance training tools
• Elastic Bands
• Skipping Ropes

The Bottom Line

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a beautiful resort in arguably the best location in Whistler at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. The hotel is within a 5-minute walk to the shopping village, excellent trails and lakes, and world-class golf. Unlike most hotels in Whistler, The Fairmont provides a full-service resort experience, as opposed to a boutique mountain retreat setting favoured by most properties. The resort hosts a lot of families and conferences that can make the common spaces feel crowded and noisy at times and might take away from the alpine experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the patio space, pool, and ability to participate in the Fine Hotels and Resorts program. However, the overall style of the hotel wasn’t my taste and I found the service lacking in some areas. All things considered, I would definitely stay at the hotel in the future with a good rate through American Express to utilize early check-in and late check-out but might explore other options in quieter parts of the village for a more intimate getaway.

Pros

• Location
• Participation in American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Dining options and resort amenities
• Pool area

Cons

• Expensive parking
• Overcrowded at times
• Some rooms are in need of renovation
• Tired décor