The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is as luxurious in summer as winter, allowing you to kick back and relax as you enjoy the famously outdoorsy life
In the past when I would think of Whistler, images of crackling fires, snowy boots and hot toddies would come to mind...I never considered it a destination for a summer trip - but I was wrong. As it turns out, summer in Whistler is actually more crowded than winter and for good reason - the scenery is incredible! The trees are bright and full of life, the skies are bright blue and there is just so much to do...especially if you aren’t a skier or into sports. Our original itinerary was a stay in Vancouver, but as we found out, you can’t go to Vancouver and not make a stop in Whistler. Whistler is a perfect town for relaxing, or adventuring!
The view from our room at Fairmont Chateau Whistler
If you’re more of a leisure traveler like us, and prefer to relax, with a little bit of sightseeing, don’t fret there is still plenty of adventure to be had. Although Whistler has a ton of activities, we chose to enjoy the outdoors, check out the spa scene and of course dive into the food and drinks. For our weekend getaway we checked into the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which was the perfect base to explore and relax!
“Whistler caters to all types of travelers, from the indulgent to those that enjoy being active on their vacation. Whichever type of traveler you happen to be, Whistler can accommodate it all and does a very good job of it!
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More Photos From Fairmont Chateau Whistler
About Whistler
One of the many picture perfect views in Whistler
Whistler has become one of the biggest ski destinations in North America. Dating back to 1914, the area began to gain attention as a tourist resort area, thanks to the introduction of a railroad. Soon after, the area began to fill with lodges that featured boating, hiking, and fishing during the summer months and skiing and winter pursuits during the winter. Since those early days, Whistler has continued to grow and earn a reputation for hospitality, whether you prefer to spend your days leisurely or actively. Whistler has hosted Olympic games and been the site for television series and movies, which add to its famous outdoors scene.
About the Fairmont Chateau
Waking into the lobby at Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Set on the top of a mountain in the middle of Whistler’s European-style town, Fairmont Chateau exudes the same sort of warm elegance that you imagine in the Alps.
The front of Fairmont Chateau Whistler
My original vision of Whistler as a stone lodge with a fireplace wasn’t far off from the welcoming lobby of the Fairmont Chateau. When you step inside the lobby, you are greeted by a lot of wood, stone pillars and vaulted ceilings reminiscent of an oversized country lodge but with an elegant twist. The warm and friendly ambience is conducive for both families and couples and makes a perfect gathering spot for guests to meet up and make plans for the day or catch up on their various activities. There is a ski lift right outside the hotel, making it perfect for winter skiers to be able to stop and remove skis before heading inside with snowy boots.
About Our Room
Deluxe slopeside view room at Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Personalized Le Labo amenities at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
We stayed in a Deluxe Slopeside View Room, which had beautiful views of Blackcomb Mountain and the pool area. The room was cozy and comfortable and even featured a fully equipped workstation with High Speed Internet Access and Wi-Fi, which is usually a perfect set up for us. However, the stunning views of the outdoors beckoned us outside so we didn’t spend a whole lot of time in the room, although it was a special touch that the windows opened so we could enjoy fresh mountain air without stepping foot outside. Fluffy towels and a cozy duvet were also welcome details that are probably even more enjoyable on a cold winter’s night. As a luxury lover through and through, I did appreciate that one of my favorite fragrances, Le Labo, does the toiletries for Fairmont and they are fabulous! Even better, they even personalized the bottles with our name!
Dining at the Fairmont Whistler
Best brunch from Wildflower inside the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
There are so many dining options at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler that you can try something new practically every day of the week. The spacious chateau features everything from family friendly options to fine dining and we didn’t know where to start. So we started with breakfast, which proved to be my absolute favorite. Wildflower has an amazing buffet filled with all sorts of goodies. Don’t skimp on calories, definitely splurge on the Eggs Benedict—you can hike or ski it off later. Wildflower is actually one of the best places in Whistler for both breakfast and dinner, and they even have special brunches on holidays along with a huge selection of local beers and wines, which are perfect for sipping on the patio that is opened during warm weather.
Other dining options at the Chateau include:
The Grill Room for steak and seafood classics, Portobello, a kind of market that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has sandwiches, soups, salads, bakery items and snacks along with cold beers and hot beverages. Although we didn’t get to try them, there is also The Chalet for warming up on soup and fondues and other Alpine-inspired foods during the winter. The Clubhouse is open for meals during golf season and there is also Whistler family restaurant, with kids’ menus and several locations around the chateau so that you don’t have to go too far to feed your hungry children.
Cocktails at Mallard Lounge
Cocktails at Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Cocktails at Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
It’s no secret that we’re hooked on craft cocktails and appreciate the time, skill and tastes that go into making a really great cocktail and at Mallard Lounge they don't disappoint! Our favorites were the Corpse Reviver No2 and the Cask Rye Old Fashioned, but let your bartender know your preferences and they will whip up something delicious, just for you! The casual and fun ambience is such that you can enjoy your cocktail snuggling by the roaring firepits or sitting at the lounge and mingling with other guests, whichever you happen to be in the mood for. There is also a chocolate bar where you can sample sweet treats and we also heard good things about the nachos, but were too full from the other Whistler restaurants to get the chance to try them out.
Couples Massage at Vida
After a long day of biking around town and ziplining from mountain to mountain we headed back to the hotel for a much needed spa treatment at Vida Spa. Vida Spa offers Swedish style treatments and has options for both single spa goers and couples and groups—including a mani/pedi lounge. We were given a questionnaire to figure out what our Dosha was...apparently we were both dominant in all three doshas so they weren't sure what to make of us! We started by relaxing next to the Jacuzzis in bathrobes and sipping on spa water before we were ushered into the treatment room for our deep tissue couples massage. The massage was relaxing, hit all the right spots and was a great way to end the day!
What to do at the Fairmont Whistler
Renting bikes from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and biking around Alta Lake
The vast property is as focused on activity as the surrounding town. Play a round of golf on the pristine course nearby or go for a dip in one of the mountain-view pools. There’s a gym for staying on track with your fitness goals, a driving range to improve your swing, a tennis court and even a garden filled with classic games like croquet and bocce. If you’re visiting in the summer (which you definitely should) take advantage of the bike rental program and get out and explore Whistler. It’s an easy ride to Alta Lake where you can take in the fresh air and get those postcard perfect photos!
Summer in Whistler
Other things to do around Whistler in the summer include taking advantage of the sunny weather by enjoying community activities like the farmer’s market or music in the park. There are also tours and trails to explore and even a teen center to keep the kids occupied while you explore the natural world.
We’ve experienced Whistler in the summer and can’t wait to come back during winter and attempt to try skiing! Even if we don’t succeed at skiing, we know we’ll be well fed, taken care of and shown a really great time in this charming, adventurous town!
For more information about Fairmont Chateau Whistler, visit their website: