Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Mar 7, 2011
I stayed at the Fairmont for two nights on business during the ski
season. The hotel's location is in the upper village which is about ten
minutes walk from the centre of the Whistler village. There is a shuttle
going to the village but it is not as frequent as one would expect. The
hotel is very good, the service quick and responsive although like
everywhere in Whistler it is mainly young students who run things. I
called in a problem with the sink and it was resolved a couple of hours
later. While the cost of accommodation is high I was surprised that
additional CA$14 is charged for Internet access. There was no free
Internet in the business conference rooms, although the business
breakfast was good. Ski services are offered by the Whistle- Blackcomb
company throughout Whistler, so everything is expensive and costs the
same. But, at least ski services in the hotel can be charged to you room
and the ski services shop is conveniently located in the hotel.
Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Mar 5, 2011
We stayed in a Fairmont Gold room for a week of skiing and enjoying time
away from kids. The Fairmont Château Whistler is a perfect place for
both activities.
Its location is absolutely great for ski in/out: yes, you have to take a
few steps up/down in your boots, but after that you are right by the
Blackcomb base. Ski valet was very efficient and we have not experienced
long lines or had any issues, although we stayed during the week and
things may be different during busier times. You can rent equipment, buy
lift tickets and pay for ski school right there, too.
Fairmont Gold rooms have gas fireplaces and a lovely view of the
mountains (though not the slopes), but are on the smaller side.
Whirlpool tub is only big enough for one...very unromantic. Other room
amenities are pretty good.
Fairmont Gold service was simply fantastic: always helpful,
knowledgeable, and accommodating. I don't know much about the rest of
the hotel: there was little reason to leave the 8th floor. Excellent
breakfast in the lounge. Evening appetizers were so good that we barely
needed dinner, though we did go to the village most nights. I made a
note during the reservation that this was our anniversary trip, and we
were greeted by a personal note, and chocolate dipped strawberries upon
arrival - a very pleasant surprise.
Not sure I would recommend this hotel to business travelers though.
Wi-Fi was pretty slow in the Gold lounge, and did not work at all in our
room. Wired connection is available, but if you have an iPad or a Wi-Fi
enabled phone, it won't help. The desk in the room is large enough, but
power outlets are not conveniently located. Anyway, I could use any
excuse not to do any work there anyway. You can borrow and iPad or a
laptop from the Gold concierge, too.
Overall, we had a great time, and would certainly return to Fairmont
Château Whistler.
Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Mar 3, 2011
The most comfortable beds that I've encountered in a hotel in many
years, the room was spotless, had just the right amount of tea, coffee
and toiletries and everything else you'd expect. The level of service
throughout the hotel was exceptional, from housekeeping to front desk,
nothing was too much trouble and it was refreshing to encounter properly
trained staff who enjoyed thier job. If you're not an early riser, put a
Do Not Disturb sign on the door, otherwise the highly efficient
housekeeping will be knocking on your door at about 08.30 offering to
tidy up your room :-) We ate only at the Mallard lounge and the
Portobello cafe in the hotel - the food was very good.
Hotel Review of the Fairmont Hotel Chateau Whistler
Mar 2, 2011
Oh my, where to begin!
I have stayed at many Fairmont Hotels and enjoy the feel of the property
and expect a certain level of service. With that expectation I can be
easily disappointed if the hotel slips.
Not this trip.
We arrived at 11:00 AM and we had reservations in a gold room for 3
nights. Upon arriving at the hotel the valet/doorman took care of our
extensive luggage including skis, and we went up to the 8th floor to
check in. Our room was ready although we were early and we entered a
spacious room with an incredible bathroom. Bags arrived and we separated
the boots and skis that went to the "ski valet". We then received a tour
of the gold lounge - a great place for complementary breakfast,
appetizers in the afternoon, and complimentary soft drinks and honor
bar.
We pre-booked a snowmobile tour in Whistler Village and asked the
concierge if he could direct us as to where the place was so we could go
there. He promptly called the company and had us picked up at the
hotel...........see, I was not thinking about great service, but I got
it!
The hotel is slopeside, and the ski valet is in the lower level of the
hotel. The ski valet is where you take off your street boots and hand
them to the valet who stores them by room number, then hands you your
ski boots. After you put on your boots, a little further down you get
your stored skis and then it is off to the lift outside the door.
Incredibly easy and again, excellent service. There is also a rental
shop and ski store for warmers and forgotten clothing.
We frequented the pool area and did not note any service deficiencies as
previous posters have stated, so I am guessing the hotel has corrected
any issues in that area.
My only complaint is one that I have had in a couple of other Fairmont
Hotels, and I think I will be writing the President of the Chain about
it because it appears to be systemic and not related to this location.
My complaint came in the Mallard Restaurant. The food is very good,
drinks also good, and the service is good when the restaurant is not
busy. As soon as it gets busy the servers, despite their best efforts,
get overwhelmed and service slides in a hurry. This stems from the fact
that the restaurant staff do not work as a team through what appears to
be the system they employ, rather they work as individuals. It is the
system that is not effective when the restaurant gets busy and the hotel
needs to borrow some "pub style" service techniques where everyone pools
tips and takes care of the restaurant as a whole instead of just their
section.
Top to bottom (except the restaurant service above) was beyond my
expectations and we were truly taken care of for our entire trip. I
highly recommend that if you are contemplating a stay here, don't
hesitate to book it! |
