Hotel Review Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Jan 18, 2010
We stayed two times at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in 2009. Our first trip was an adult only getaway for my husband's 50thin July. We arrived after 11pm after a 2 hour limousine ride up from Vancouver airport. We had booked a 1 bedroom gold level suite with fireplace which opens onto both rooms for 4 nights. The suite while small (550 sq ft) is lovely and was in excellent condition. There is a large closet in the entry and a nice sized walk in closet off the bedroom/bath. The bathroom is very nice with marble throughout. There is a 1 person jacuzzi tub with massaging pillow and a separate large shower. The living room has a sofa bed and 2nd tv. Unfortunately or should I say fortunately our fireplace did not work. Maintenance tried to fix it but they needed parts. The Gold level concierge staff offered to move us to another room. We were requesting a king bed as we are both tall and do not sleep well in a queen which all the gold 1 bedroom suites have. We were given 2 keys to go check out options. The first was a gold level room...nice but way too small for our needs at 350 sq feet. The other option was up a separate elevator on the 11 floor and was the Lake Louise Suite at 800 st ft.. This had an entry hall with a smaller walk in closet than the 1 BR gold suite, but it also had a small kitchen(would have much rather had a 2nd closet) , a large room which was a combo living room with full size sofa, chairs and bedroom. It had 4 doors that opened out onto french balconies overlooking the front of the hotel, the valley and surrounding mountains. Awesome view! The bathroom was 1 large room done in white marble. It had a separate tub, bidet, and a shower with 3 heads. This bathroom would definitely be considered outdated and worn compared to the 1 BR gold suite. We went back down to the Gold concierge, told them we would take the Lake Louise suite and asked how much more it would cost us a night. They informed us with a smile that it would cost us nothing. Wow! We travel a lot and do not often run into this kind of service. The rate on this suite was more than 3x what we were paying for the other suite. We enjoyed the service so much that we told them upon check out that we would definitely return with our family in the near future.
We returned to the Chateau with our 3 sons Dec 18-25. The hotel was offering great deals on its website the week before Christmas as long as you checked out on the 25th, which just happens to be a great easy, cheap day to fly. We booked our 3 sons into the same type Fairmont Gold 1 bedroom queen suite above. They were alotted suite # 968 which looked out onto the forrest and the slopes of Whistler. The rate was $551.14 per nite including tax. Room was in excellent condition.
My husband and I decided to splurge and we stayed in the Banff Penthouse suite #1241. This is a 2 story suite on the top level of the hotel with 25 foot windows, 3 french balconies and commanding views of the valley. The best accommodations in this hotel. The bottom floor contains the entry long hall with 3 closets one of which contained a 1/2 size refrigerator. The main bathroom was disappointing. I felt like I was in a hole with no light. The bathroom definitely needs to be redesigned and redone. It was the worst of the 3 suite bathrooms we had encountered at the hotel. The living room was exactly as pictured on the website with fireplace, desk, 2 large sofas and 3 chairs and a large TV and entertainment center. Furnishings were very comfortable but beginning to look dated. There was no dining table as mentioned on the website and in the materials describing the suite in room. The suite was decorated with a full size Christmas tree and decorations on the fireplace and stairs. There are wooden stairs (scary in ski socks) that lead to the loft which contains a half bath, another desk, King bed and walk in closet. Again Awesome views and you can operate the curtains electronically! I am not a skier so I spent many hours reading and watching the winter wonderland through the windows of this suite. Each day we received different tasty goodies from the hotel. On Christmas Eve we received an autographed cookbook from their General Manager. We paid $1,327.39 a night for the penthouse suite including tax which was a big discount off rack rate of $2,400 plus tax... At that price I was happy, but I have definitely stayed in much more luxurious accommodations at that price. Usually the best suite in the house connects to other rooms to make larger suites. Not here. There are 2 penthouse suites and each it identical. Housekeeping was excellent both stays. Only complaint would be the crystal chandelier in the penthouse desperately needed to be cleaned. Also the only place to plug in the coffee maker in in the bathroom. I would agree with previous reviews that the hotel is showing its age and needs a refurbishment after the Olympics.
Service in the Gold lounge is excellent. That is what brought us back to the hotel in December and why we will return again. Nice breakfast selection as well as afternoon appetizers. Staff would let my kids borrow laptops and track where they had skied each day on the mountain.
Dinner in the wine room was excellent with a very nice ambiance. You had your choice from a 3 course menu served with or without paired wined. I think it was $89 with and $69 without. This was an excellent deal. Their wine list is exceptional and their prices were very competitive on their finer wines. Boys had room service that night. They spent more than we did on prime rib, coke and ice cream! We had lunch and drinks 2 days in the Mallard Lounge. The dim sum was excellent! Service was always friendly and professional.
We will definitely return to the Fairmont, both in summer and winter. I like the location of this hotel in the quieter Upper village. We did check out the Four Seasons in July and we were unimpressed, especially compared to the other Four Seasons we have stayed at around the world. In my opinion, the Fairmont Chateau is the place to stay in Whistler!

Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Jan 17, 2010
Location and service make up for a couple of big shortcomings at this great Whistler hotel.

Most noteworthy...

HOT TUBS - Yes, the hot tubs get a category of their own. Sitting outside in one of the three huge hot tubs looking at the mountain is worth the trip in and of itself.

LOCATION - As you sit in the hot tub, you really wonder how building laws could have allowed this place to be built where it is. You are literally steps from the lifts.

SERVICE - Every service interaction was outstanding - check in, concierge, housekeeping, fitness area, etc.

ROOMS - The hard truth. This is a Fairmont property with a stellar location and world class service. What's up with the rooms? Our unit felt very much like an 80s B&B. The wood had permanent stains, the television was very old. Inexcusable for what you think you are getting for a hotel of this caliber.

PRICES - You'll hit the panic button when you see most menu items. Nachos that are nearly $30. Really? On the upside... free Internet service for loyalty club members.

Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Jan 13, 2010
We stayed at two hotels onour trip to Whistler. By far this hotel won. We paid for the buffet breakfast and it was amazing. They also offer you a 10 dollar dinner meal that changes each night and it was lovely
Staff were brilliant

Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Dec 21, 2009
This place is one of the best! The staff treats you like royalty. The views, impeccable. The dining, great. Everything is high quality. Everything.
Its relaxing, comfortable, elegant, simply a gem and I hope the Olympics don't ruin everything.

Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Dec 14, 2009
This hotel oozes class. It's position in the village is detached enough to have a special, private air to it, yet close enough for easy access. During the ski season the hotel is perfectly situated with the main express chairlifts for Blackcomb mountain leaving right outside the hotel.
It might well be expensive, but it's still 5 out of 5 for value for my money. Only slightly more than twice the cost of a British Travel Inn with infinitely greater facilities and attention to detail and your needs.

Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Dec 1, 2009
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is by far the best hotel I have ever stayed at anywhere in North America. We drove up the entrance, and someone was there to open both of our car doors, and took our luggage for us. We walked towards the hotel doors and a doorman opened them for us. We had our own private check-in and private elevator to our floor. The room was lavishly appointed with a remarkable view of the Canadian Rockies. The room was so comfortable I didn't want to leave it.

I lost count of the number of swimming pools and outdoor Jacuzzi's this place had. There were indoor pools, outdoor pools, you could swim from the indoor outside to the outdoor pools. One pool you could swim (underwater) and hear music plain as day. The floor we stayed on had its own lounge with treats, meals, and drinks available all day long and into the evening. At the restaurants in the hotel and in Whistler we found the cuisine superb and the wine selection unexcelled.

However the real credit to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler was the service. They treated you like Royalty! If you needed something it was done immediately. They always treated you with respect. I was called "Sir", my wife was called "Mam" They worked hard to make our stay memorable and they did an impressive job! They went above and beyond our expectations and I will visit there again and highly refer the hotel to my friends and anyone who wants 5 star treatment at a luxury hotel.

Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Nov 19, 2009
We have stayed as a family at Chateau Whistler many times this year. With a 4 year old, the pool is terrific and their meal plan of "kids under 5 eat free" is a real bonus. However, after our last stay, we are starting to run out of excuses as to why this hotel's rooms are so run down. In the past, we gave them the benefit of the doubt "it's high season, they are busy" etc. but this last stay has confirmed that room maintenance is just not a priority. Broken tiles, chipped paint, stained carpets, safes with low batteries that don't work, tubs that don't drain, taps that drip..it is all a bit much when you are paying $160+ a night. Sure, you can call maintenance, but should you have to spend your whole time on the phone reporting things that don't work at a 4.5 star hotel?

Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Nov 9, 2009
I decided to make a reservation at the Chateau Whistler for a couple of days for my spouse and I to relax away from the city. We drove through rain and snow to get here and were really looking forward to the fitness center (Jacuzzi & heated pool.) Upon checking in, we were told that the Jacuzzi & heated pool area was already closed for the evening. This was so disappointing, it was early evening and it should have been open for use by patrons. Next morning, it was discovered that we were given INCORRECT information at the front desk! Needless to say, I felt like I wasted a night at this property.
Upon returning home, my credit card company could not figure out what was happening with my account because of almost 20 transactions. Yes, TWENTY credit card "authorizations" and "holds" this hotel placed on my VISA. Having traveled extensively, authorizations are normal however, the number of transactions for a 2 night stay was unacceptable and outrageous.
Also, our bags went to the wrong room upon check in.
If this stay were FREE, it still would be remembered as a headache!

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Hotel Reviews > 1 > 2

Fairmont Chateau Hotel Whistler
4599 Chateau Boulevard
Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B4 Canada