Whistler, British Columbia
Canada


The Experience

Opened in 1989, the 550-room Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a modern take on the grand Canadian Pacific Railroad hotel. In keeping with the tradition of CPR properties, the popular resort, which is perfectly positioned for ski-in, ski-out access at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in British Columbia, is a scenic year-round destination in its own right. In 1997, Fairmont invested in a massive expansion from which the resort gained 221 new guest rooms. And size will matter when it comes time for Vancouver/Whistler to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The Rooms

Guest rooms are not the Chateau's strongest selling point. Even in the more upscale suites, the problem is size. A decade on, the "newer" rooms look and feel small, which is ironic considering the soaring size of the resort's wood-beam and stone-laden public spaces. Still, each room is comfortably and tastefully furnished with a nod to the rustic. Amenities include plush robes, windows that actually open and allow for cool mountain breezes, and high-speed Internet access (though charges apply). The best accommodations are on the eighth-floor Fairmont Gold level and come with gas fireplaces, but even here the bathrooms are on the small side and the plumbing fixtures could benefit from an update.

The Service

The quality of the service owes much to the guiding spirit of British-born David Roberts, who has managed the hotel for much of its life. The staff, overall, has a nothing-is-too-much-trouble attitude, and there is an overwhelming sense of friendly respect toward guests. The Fairmont Gold concierges juggle restaurant reservations in the hottest places with phenomenal dexterity.

The Highlights

Although it is a five-minute walk from the center of Whistler village itself, the Chateau is in a perfect location for skiers -- in some cases it would be physically possible, if perhaps unwise, to ski directly into your bedroom. The property's own 18-hole, 72-par Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf course is likewise on the doorstep. For après-activity, head to the resort's only fine-dining restaurant, The Wildflower; it may be too buttoned up for some, but it's ideal for special occasions -- its local British Columbia cuisine is first-rate. The exclusive Private Wine Room has gob-smacking views of the slopes and is a quiet spot for tasting some of the restaurant's Canadian vintages. Finish out the day in the heated indoor-outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, a front-row seat as the mountain turns into silhouette.

-- Alistair Scott

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