Accommodation
Whistler has a range of accommodations for visitors. There are 25 hotels and many
other types of properties, including townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. The
selection ranges from top-of-the-line luxury suites to rustic mountain cabins, to
ultra-modern chic apartments, to full-service condos, to small and basic studio
suites.
With a total capacity of 35,000 overnight visitors, Whistler also
boasts a large number of ski-in, ski-out properties. With the Village located directly
at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, guests can literally ski into and out
of their accommodation.
Whistler Village is pedestrian-friendly, and you don't need a car
if you're staying right in the Village - anything you need is close by. If you're away
from the Village, many hotels offer free shuttle services and the Municipality operates
a free bus service which travels through the main Village centre and into the Upper
Village - providing guests with easy access to many of Whistler's shops, restaurants
and bars.
Whistler is home to Canada's only five-diamond resort property, as
well as a number of five-star hotels and resort properties offering ultimate
mountainside luxury with amenities and services such as ski concierge, day spas,
meeting and fitness facilities, pools and hot tubs, tennis courts, lounge areas with
cozy fireplaces, and much more. Many self-catering properties offer a service that lets
you pre-place a grocery order so that your cupboards and refrigerator are well-stocked
before you arrive!
As well as offering ski and snowboard storage facilities in
winter, many Whistler properties also offer bike storage facilities or a bike concierge
in summer due, to the popularity of mountain biking in and around
Whistler.
For those seeking a longer stay, whether in winter or summer,
Whistler has wide range of multi-room condo options that offer full kitchen and laundry
facilities, hot tubs, fireplaces, storage facilities and home entertainment
systems.
Budget accommodation
There are a number of
budget-friendly properties in Whistler, including a Hostelling International facility
and other backpacker-style accommodation. One of the legacies from the 2010 Winter
Games will be a brand new 55-bed youth hostel run by Hostelling International located
at the site of the Olympic and Paralympic Athletes' Village in Cheakamus Crossing.
Bring the kids along
Whistler prides itself
on being a great destination for kids. Accommodation options for families include condo
units and hotel suites with ample living space and kitchens, ideal for longer stays. A
number of hotels also offer kids' programs and playrooms during the Christmas holiday
break with play options such as bouncy castles, video games, arts and crafts and
more.
Learn what it's like to be a local
Whistler
has a number of bed & breakfast properties spread around the valley. Many of these
businesses are owned and operated by long-time Whistler locals, and many of those
locals have come to Whistler from all corners of the world. Staying at a B&B gives
visitors an insider's view of life in Whistler and lets you discover why so many people
have chosen to call Whistler home.
Whistler is accessible
Whistler prides
itself on being an international resort accessible to all people, including travelers
with disabilities. It will also home to 90 per cent of the events at the 2010
Paralympic Winter Games. Created by a long-time Whistler local, Whistler For The
Disabled provides comprehensive information on accessible accommodations and can
assist individuals with disabilities in accessing these properties for their visit to
Whistler. http://www.whistlerforthedisabled.com/
Whistler is dog-friendly
Whistler prides
itself on being a dog-friendly destination. A majority of the hotels are dog-friendly
and offer a range of pet amenities and services. Guests can request doggy beds and
bowls, and some hotels also offer dog-sitting and dog-walking services. One hotel even
has an annual doggy weekend with competitions and prizes for the dogs with the best
tricks.
Whistler Peaks Rating System
Tourism
Whistler developed a Whistler-specific accommodation rating system, the Whistler
Peaks Rating System, after identifying that Whistler has unique tourism offerings
that are different from other destinations. The peaks rating system is designed to give
visitors consistent and reliable information on what to expect from Whistler
accommodation. Each property is rated on a number of criteria such as proximity to
slopes, proximity to the Village, and whether the property has hot tubs, kitchenettes,
concierge service, fitness facilities, and so on. All properties are rated on a scale
from two to five using the peaks rating system. www.whistler.com/peak_ratings