How to Find the Best Hotels in Whistler

You’re never short on choice when it comes to Whistler hotels. As a resort town, there are plenty of options to suit your needs and your budget. From cozy slope side Airbnbs to five star, fully-serviced residences, accommodation is wide and varied.

Here’s our top tips on finding the best of the best in Whistler.

Where are the best places to find accommodation in Whistler? 

The majority of visitors will go online to browse Whistler hotels. Three websites that we would recommend include: 

A sneak peak of your stay in Whistler

1.       TripAdvisor

Trusted as a global leader in online travel planning, TripAdvisor can display accommodation options according to price, location and rating. You can even book your stay through TripAdvisor too.

Hot Tip: TripAdvisor isn’t just a place to find the best Whistler hotel rooms. It can be used throughout your trip too, for example, by searching for the best coffee shops in Whistler or even top things to do in Whistler!

2.       Tourism Whistler

The official Tourism Whistler website is an invaluable resource when it comes to arranging your stay. Accommodation types are categorized as Whistler hotels, condos and townhomes, and homes and chalets.

All of the latest offers and deals are available here, too, as well as handy information on  Things To Do, Events, and even tips on Getting Here.

3.       Booking.com

One of the world’s largest online travel agents, booking.com is regarded as a great place to begin any travel planning. They specialize not only in accommodation but also flights and connections too.

Hot Tip: One thing to be wary of, however, is that booking.com’s terms and conditions may vary wildly from similar bookings made direct with the hotel. Using them may save you $20 or $30, but your trip may also be non-refundable or have limitations.

Booking Whistler Hotels Directly is Best

In our experience, the best way to book Whistler hotels is to book direct. This way you most often receive the best available rate while retaining an adequate cancelation policy and refundable options.

It’s also worth browsing individual hotel websites to discover specials and packages that may otherwise remain unknown to you. A good example is the BC Residents Rate, which is available at a number of Whistler hotels. This offers savings as much as 20% off the best whistler hotel rates and may include breakfast too!

Always, Always, Always Book In Advance 

Planning ahead for the best whistler hotel deals, makes a big difference in price

It’s worth arranging your accommodation as far in advance as possible. Not only does this guarantee availability, it may save you some of your hard-earned dollars too. If you have the time to phone your chosen hotel, ask about their Advance Purchase Rates or Early Booking Offers.

Hot Tip: The best offers can typically be found two seasons ahead of your arrival date.

Do Your Research

What’s included in your rate? When considering Whistler hotels, it’s worth checking. High speed wireless internet access may be a great selling-point until you check-in and discover it’ll cost you $10 per day.

When budgeting for your trip, consider that most Whistler hotels charge extra for parking, for example. If you’re coming from overseas, remember that your rate doesn’t include tax. Some hotels may even charge you a “Resort Fee”, which pays for things like live entertainment.

Doing your research will avoid surprises and ensure that you can get on with making wonderful memories.

The Best Ski-in-Ski-out Accommodation in Whistler

Location is key if you’re in Whistler to ski or snowboard. The main Whistler Village area is pedestrianized and close to lifts but for the best mountain access we’d choose to stay at one of the following Whistler Hotels:  

1.       Fairmont Chateau Whistler

As far as location goes, Fairmont Chateau Whistler ticks all of our boxes. Located in the Upper Village, the Chateau is far enough removed from Whistler Village to escape any noise, but still less than 100 meters from the gondola.

They offer ski-in/ski-out access to the mountain with a slope side concierge to greet you with complimentary hot chocolate after a day of skiing. Après acoustic singers, outdoor hot tubs, and authentic cheese fondue make Fairmont Chateau Whistler a must for a Whistler ski vacation.

2.       Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside

Located right on Skier’s Plaza, the Pan Pacific Mountainside literally overlooks the Whistler Village Gondola, Excalibur Gondola, and Fitzsimmons Chair. Both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains can be accessed directly from this point, which makes planning your ski day even easier!

Their rooms are super cozy and great for people-watching. We also love the Pan Pacific for the Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub and Patio (also great for people-watching!) TOP TIP: Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside offer a Resident’s Rate for British Columbia, Washington AND Oregon residents.

3.       Pangea Pod

At the more economic end of the Whistler hotels scale is Pangea Pod. They pride themselves on being “designer pod accommodation that’s affordable, central, and social.” New in 2018, Pangea Pod is 210 meters from the lifts and provides everything you’d need for a great ski trip including storage for your skis and gear, a rooftop patio, free Wi-Fi, and laundry service.

While you’re at Pangea Pod, be sure to check out the Living Room. This communal area is the place to grab a drink and bite to eat, check your emails, and play a board game or two. We love hanging out here!

Looking For Private Rentals in Whistler

For many visitors to Whistler, the freedom and flexibility of a private rental is really appealing. The facilities allow you to “live like a local” – you can enjoy cooking in your own space and watching a movie with your family, for example. If we were in the market for a private rental in Whistler, here’s where we would be looking: 

Always a good option for larger groups, check out the many Airbnb options in Whistler

1.       Airbnb

The king of private rentals, Airbnb is the premier place to find a home away from home. You’ll find all types of accommodation here from private, en suite rooms to full-blown luxury cabins.

As Whistler is fairly spread out, we’d recommend searching within 2-3km of Whistler Village. If you have a vehicle, you’ll enjoy the peace and quiet of neighbourhoods such as White Gold, Emerald and Creekside.

2.       Home2Go.com

The world’s largest search engine for vacation rentals, Home2Go.com has an incredible choice of properties. We really like using Home2Go.com because of their clever filters and price comparison. It makes planning the perfect trip even easier!

3.       Canada Stays

With Canada’s largest selection of vacation rentals, Canada Stays offers everything from cottages, cabins, and chalets to resorts, lodges, and B&Bs. It’s easy to sort results by price and even an option to focus in on deals only.

They also feature an “Instant Book” feature, which allows you to book the accommodation without owner confirmation. This gives you peace of mind that you’ve secured the best place at the best price.

Looking For A Romantic Retreat In Whistler

Whistler isn’t all about adrenaline seekers and mountain thrills; it’s a great place to reconnect too. When planning a romantic retreat in the mountains there’s a number of great Whistler hotels to consider. For peace and quiet, we would recommend some of the smaller properties, such as: 

A Boutique accommodation right in the heart fo Whistler Village.

1.       Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel

This award-winning boutique hotel is currently number one in Whistler on TripAdvisor. The décor is quirky but lends itself well to a relaxing, romantic vibe. Their central location makes Whistler Village easily accessible and keeps you close to restaurants and bars.

2.       Nita Lake Lodge

Whistler’s only lakeside hotel, Nita Lake Lodge is tucked away in the serene neighbourhood of Creekside. It’s not central to the action but only a 5 minute drive away from Whistler Village. For the ultimate quality time together, we recommend booking a couples massage at their award-winning spa.

3.       Sundial Boutique Hotel

The Sundial Boutique Hotel is great if you want to mix a romantic retreat with a little bit of mountain adventure. The location is superb right at the base of the mountain and overlooking Skier’s Plaza. For the ultimate relaxation, some of their suites even include a balcony with private hot tub.

Whistler hotels are a great place to start when searching for accommodation but private rentals can be a great option too. When considering a trip to Whistler, we’d recommend setting a good amount of time aside to do your planning.

Getting a good understanding of what you want from your trip is useful in finding accommodation. Would you like to be in the hub of the action or removed from the hustle and bustle? What’s your budget? Are you flexible with your dates?

However you visit Whistler, we’re sure you’ll make wonderful memories. Just know that you have plenty of accommodation options and you’re never short on choice. We hope that you’ve found our top tips useful. We’ll see you on the Stroll!