The two best luxury hotels in Whistler are Four Seasons Whistler and Fairmont Chateau Whistler. We rate Four Seasons as the most luxurious hotel overall, but it’s worth mentioning that the Westin and Hilton are both excellent and luxurious options in Whistler.
Whistler is conveniently located just an hour and a half away from the international destination of Vancouver. I have been fortunate enough to stay in both Four Seasons Whistler and Fairmont Chateau Whistler on numerous occasions, and you cannot go wrong with either hotel. They both offer a five-star experience and are nestled at the base of Whistler Blackcomb ski resort, framed by evergreen forests.
The Westin and Hilton are next door to each other in Whistler Village, next to the base of the ski lifts, and offer similar amenities at a similar price. The Westin is a touch closer to lifts and is usually considered to be the slightly better hotel. The main differentiator between these two hotels is usually the price, and if you are choosing between these two hotels, we would recommend going for the best deal. This may be the Westin, as our luxury travel concierge offers free benefits at the Westin.
1. Best For Rooms: Four Seasons Whistler Vs. Fairmont Chateau Vs. Westin Vs. Hilton
The best hotel option in Whistler for rooms has to be the Four Seasons Whistler. The rooms are stunning and have been recently renovated with a newly updated take on the classic mountain lodge.
Nodding to the mountain’s globetrotting guests, Four Seasons Resort Whistler blends modern interiors with alpine style. Rooms combine elements of the classic lodge, paying homage to the nostalgia of winter chalets while looking forward to new memories to be made.
Inside, the sweeping updates include all new furnishings, fixtures, and bespoke additions in guest rooms and suites. Clean, mid-century-inspired furnishings are featured prominently. Sleek, iron-frame leather chairs and ashwood credenzas are contrasted with warm, raw-edged coffee tables. Foregoing more traditional bed frames, beds are complemented with plush wallcovering in a rustic yet refined woven textile.
Each room at Four Seasons Resort Whistler features a balcony where guests can seize every moment of the outdoors. Inside, the view is highlighted with expansive windows opening up to forest-lined mountain vistas, a view that can be taken in perched on each room’s window seats.
This stunning setting luxuriates through unfussy details such as floating brass bedside light fixtures and sculptural ceiling light features, allowing the grandeur of the mountains to be center stage. Modern granite fireplaces in every room at Four Seasons Resort Whistler mean guests can cozy up fireside long after the sun goes down.
In contrast, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler has been concentrating on renovating its Suites, with the installation of fireplaces (perfect for those cozy winter months), modern spa bathrooms with soaker tub, and updated modern alpine decor, plus a generous built-in wet bar in the larger suites.
The rooms at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler are less impressive. Most have decent-sized windows, but few are floor-to-ceiling. The majority of rooms do not have balconies which is a real disadvantage. After all, there is nothing like swinging open your balcony doors to take in the summer air or stepping out barefoot onto a balcony covered in snow as the flakes are falling, only to return immediately to the warmth of your room so you can cozy up at your own private fireplace.
Fairmont Chateau rooms are more generic mid-range 5 Star, and although very pleasant, they are not special in the same way. There is no balcony in most of the rooms, and the ones with a balcony only offer Romeo and Juliette style, so you can’t step out or sit out. Only the suites offer fireplaces in the rooms, and the size of the base room is 37m2 compared to the base “Premier Room” at the Four Seasons, which is 53.8 m² (580 ft²). This lowest-category room at the Four Seasons also features both a fireplace and a balcony.
I personally prefer the look of the Four Seasons rooms Vs. Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Four Seasons rooms feel like a mountain chalet, whereas the Fairmont rooms feel more generic. If you close the curtains, you could be anywhere.
How about the rooms at the Westin vs.. the Hilton? The rooms at the Hilton are reputed to have thin walls, so the Westin has the edge. Some reports suggest the rooms at the Westin are fresher than those at the Hilton. Each of the Westin’s rooms has a mini-kitchen, which is useful, plus the hotel has a great indoor-outdoor swimming pool. The Westin also reportedly has better service, a ski valet, and an excellent Japanese restaurant.
2. Best For Location
This Four Seasons Whistler is just a short walk from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Both hotels are located in the Upper Village at the base of Blackcomb Mountain and about a 10-15 walk from the main village along a windy path through a small thicket of pine trees and over a gushing mountain river. The walk is lovely, well-lit, feels safe, and brings you out into the center of Whistler village with all its shops (clothes shops, bars, Starbucks (x2), supermarkets, fast food places, etc.). There is nothing to differentiate between the Four Seasons Vs. Fairmont Chateau Whistler when judged by the walk into Whistler Village Center.
The Westin and the Hilton are next to each other and at the base of the Whistler ski slopes. Both are in the center of the action.
3. Best Fot Getting To Ski Slopes
The Fairmont is located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain by the Wizard Express ski lift. This means you walk out of the hotel and onto the slopes. They have a ski concierge room to store your skis/boards/boots overnight, so you don’t have to carry everything back to the hotel. Sometimes hot chocolate is available in this ski concierge room, but it often seems to run out.
The Four Seasons is about a 5-minute walk away from the base of Blackcomb Mountain, which is a real pain in ski boots. Instead of walking, you will probably take the very regular Four Seasons complimentary shuttle from the hotel entrance to the ski room. Their heated and stylish Four Seasons ski room has complimentary hot chocolate cookies, apple cider, boot heaters, and a staff member to help you store your skis and boots. From the ski room, you step straight onto the slopes.
While the Four Seasons ski room is super nice and stylish, you have to shuttle to the slopes, which is less convenient, so the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is marginally faster for getting to the slopes.
Conversely, if you are worried about getting your boots on and carrying your skis, the Four Seasons ski concierge staff are amazing and will do everything for you, from helping you get your boots on and off to carrying your skis out to the snow. The concierge even delivers your skis from your room or car to the ski room, dries them, and heats your boots up before putting them on again! They offer true ski luxury.
As the short minibus ride is no hassle and the staff and free snacks in the Four Seasons ski concierge are much better, the Four Seasons makes it easier to get out onto the slopes than the Fairmont Four Seasons wins on this front too.
The Westin and the Hilton are next to each other and at the base of the Whistler ski slopes, but the Westin has a decent ski concierge, so it is the best option of these two hotels.
4. Best Pool
I love a hotel pool. There is little better than swimming in a warm pool or sitting in a hot tub with snow falling onto your hair. The pool at both of these hotels are heated. In the winter, both are so warm that the steam rises up from the pool as the snow falls, so you will be swimming through a cloud of warmth as the warm, humid air from the pool hits the cold mountain air.
The Fairmont pool is much larger than the Four Seasons, and although it has an indoor and outdoor section, it feels more traditional and lacks the boutique feel and interesting design of the Four Seasons.
The Four Seasons pool is fully heated all year long and offers panoramic vistas of Whistler and the Blackcomb Mountains. The spacious pool deck features chaise loungers, patio tables, and chairs for those looking to dine poolside. In the winter, you will find plenty of fresh towels and poolside service.
I love that the Four Seasons pool deck is heated (underfloor), too, so you don’t have to run from the indoors to the pool like an idiot to avoid frozen toes (this also avoids any icy slippiness). There are also three therapeutic hot spring-style whirlpools and a fully equipped gym complete with personal trainers.
In the summer, you get all mod cons that typify and Four Seasons pool, including Sunglasses cleaning, daily treats, complimentary sunscreen and aloe gel, complimentary amenity every hour, Evian spritz, cold towels, and cooling cucumber eye slices.
The Westin has a great indoor-outdoor pool, and the Hilton has a nice pool, too, but the pools at the Fairmont and Four Seasons are better.
5. Best For Families With Kids
Four Seasons Whistler is extremely kid-friendly (and is also pet-friendly in certain rooms). Four Seasons hotels are always a brilliant choice if you are traveling with children. The restaurants at the Four Seasons Whistler have kids and teen menus. Rooms offer children’s bathrobes and slippers and babysitting services. There is also a children’s program offering evening entertainment. The resort offers fantastic winter and summer programs, providing loads to do for kids of all ages.
The most exclusive accommodation at the Four Seasons is the Private Residences. Perfect for family holidays in Whistler. Set apart from the main hotel, the Residences are beautifully designed and decorated, with views of the surrounding forest, valley, or mountains from privately furnished terraces accessed by enormous French windows. They feature kitchens, spacious living areas, state-of-the-art home entertainment systems, and pampering bathrooms with deep-soak tubs.
So the Four Seasons Whistler is undoubtedly the best choice for families with children (and dogs and cats!).
If you’re on a budget, the mini-kitchen in the rooms at the Westin can be extremely useful for preparing family snacks and meals, so this hotel also gets a thumbs up from us.
6. Best Restaurant & Bar
Four Seasons has a daily free wine tasting, and if that doesn’t win you over, you can also enjoy excellent food at this Four Seasons in a more atmospheric setting than the Fairmont.
The Four Seasons Whistler’s main restaurant is Fifty Two 80 Bistro. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy the fabulous views of the surrounding mountains. The Four Seasons Sidecut is a sleek steakhouse featuring an open fireplace and a 1,800-degree infrared grill that cooks Canadian prime beef to juicy perfection. Right outside is the heated patio, which has its own fireplace where kids (and kids at heart) roast marshmallows after dinner. For après cocktails and live music, guests stop at the swanky Fifty Two 80 lounge.
The Fairmont also has lounges and restaurants, but the overall feel is less intimate and more like a large lobby lounge and traditional hotel restaurant(s). While the Fairmont restaurants and bars are very good, those at the Four Seasons are great, so in the Four Seasons Vs. Fairmont battle, the Four Seasons once again wins.
Westin Located offers FireRock Lounge, which is a warmly-lit intimate chalet-style bar just off the main street. We like the exclusive ambiance of the Four Seasons the best.
7. Best Deals?
I reviewed the best way to get deals and special offers at Four Seasons Whistler separately. the key is to book your next Four Seasons stay via our concierge, and we can give you free loyalty-style benefits, room upgrades, and perks at the same cheapest rates.
The same goes for the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Book your next Fairmont stay via our concierge, and we can give you free loyalty-style benefits. Our free benefits at Fairmont Chateau Whistler are very similar to those offered at the Four Seasons, which are very similar to those that we offer at the Westin, so contact us, and we will endeavor to get you the best possible deal.
8. The Best Overall: Four Seasons Whistler Vs. Fairmont Chateau Vs. Westin Vs. Hilton
Four Seasons Resort Whistler is best, hands down. The only factor where the Fairmont comes close is their Gold Level with their club lounge. This Gold level offers better-than-average accommodation within the Fairmont and club lounge access. On more or less every other factor, Four Seasons Whistler wins as it is a brilliant ski hotel for both couples and families.
That said, the Fairmont is better than the Westin, although all three hotels are great options in Whistler. Other luxury hotel options include the two Pan Pacific hotels, Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre and Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, which are on a similar level to the Fairmont and Westin and a step below the Four Seasons, followed by the Delta Marriott Whistler Village, The Blackcomb Lodge, Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel and The Listel Hotel Whistler.
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