A Weekend in Whistler at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Canada is quickly becoming one of my favorite vacation destinations. The people are friendly, the cities are packed with things to do, the scenery is beautiful… did I mention that both Celine Dion & Drake are from there too? One of the main reasons we booked a trip to British Columbia was to celebrate Tony’s birthday. It just so happened to fall in the midst of our home remodeling hell. As much as I love being at home, it was really nice to get away and enjoy the beautiful winder wonderland of Whistler.
I was so excited to stay at not only one, but three Fairmont hotels during this trip. If you remember our last trip to Canada, we stayed at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary, Fairmont Banff Springs & Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Before getting to Whistler, we flew into Vancouver from San Diego. We planned a nice little stopover at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel before our adventure began. It was really nice being able to start our day well rested, ready to head into the mountains.
Everything You Need to Know About the Fairmont Whistler Chateau
Ok, so let me just start by saying that the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is NEXT LEVEL. Total and complete luxury. But not in a stuffy way. In a totally cozy, comfy, everyone is friendly and makes you feel like a princess way. It’s the perfect place for a quick getaway, whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall.
How Do I Get To Whistler?
Ok, this was actually the most confusing part of our entire trip. I had a really hard time figuring out the routing to and from Whistler. If it’s summertime, you can totally rent a car and drive yourself. But in the winter, the weather can get a little stormy and it’s best to plan another route.
I recommend hitching a ride on the Whistler Shuttle. It’s inexpensive, fast & easy. If you’re traveling with a family or have a little extra money to spend, you can get a private car/SUV to drive you too. If you’re feeling extra fancy and the weather permits, you can even have Harbour Air fly you up on a sea plane!
The 411 on the Chateau
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a quick 5 minutes away from the ski resort. If you feel like skiing or snow boarding, the hotel’s concierge is extremely helpful and makes it so easy to book a ski lesson, find equipment or a fun last minute adventure.
When we arrived, we stopped into The Mallard Lounge which was filled with lively music, but not overly crowded with people. It’s the perfect spot for a little après ski cocktail and snack. I ordered Grandma’s Toddy (Spiced Barrel Aged Hennessy VS Cognac, Grand Marnier, Lemon, Honey, Ginger & Hot Water), which was the perfect choice for warming up from the snow. They have some awesome specialty cocktails, appetizers (like the buffalo chicken dip) and even a chocolate bar!
After exploring the village, we went for a quick dip in tswim-out indoor/outdoor pool and hot tubs before heading to dinner! Quick note: you can even get drink service at the hot tub in the winter. For a little extra relaxation, jump into the eucalyptus steam room! There are a ton of dinner options nearby, but I recommend stopping at The Chalet for fondue! The Chateau is super intimate and has decadent fondues and charcuterie platters. Don’t forget to save room for chocolate fondue dessert!
Our suite was next level. All Fairmont rooms are beautiful, but there was something really special about how beautiful the view was from our balcony. It felt like we were in a winter wonderland, especially getting to watch the snow fall in the morning with a cup of coffee! One thing I love about all Fairmont hotels is their attention to detail… especially when it comes to their Le Labo toiletries, bathrobes & cozy beds.
We grabbed a quick breakfast each morning before our adventures at Cafe Portobello, which was recently renovated and major aesthetic goals. It’s a casual restaurant, with a “modern alpine” flair. They have tons of breakfast & lunch options, BBQ, freshly baked breads, coffee & tons of tasty treats. Later in the afternoon, they also serve a ton of local craft beers on tap. I highly recommend their breakfast bowls and biscuits!
Special thanks to Whistler Water for setting us up with tons of water in our rooms! There’s literally nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night dying of thirst!
I can’t wait to plan my next trip back to the Chateau! Hopefully this summer!
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