Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre and its lovely lap pool
It’s 8 o’clock on a warm summer morning when I slide into the pool at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre. It’s been a hot summer, even here in British Columbia’s mountains, but it’s pleasantly cool at this early hour, when I have the pool to myself. Not a bad way to start a day in Whistler, at the base of Whistler-Blackcomb, North America’s largest snow sports resort in winter and a center for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor adventures during the warmer months.
One of two hotels that the Pan Pacific brand operates in Whistler Village, the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre is a modern all-suite property, with studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options.
Here’s the scoop:
Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre
Located just off the Village Stroll, where you’ll find many of Whistler’s restaurants and shops, the Whistler Village Centre is a little farther from the gondolas than its sister lodging, the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside Hotel, but in winter, guests at either hotel can check their skis or snowboards at the Mountainside, at no extra charge. Both hotels have space to store bikes overnight.
The Audain Art Museum, which has an excellent collection of works by British Columbia artists and also mounts changing temporary exhibitions, is a short walk away. The Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre, where you can learn more about the heritage and present-day culture of these two First Nations, is only a little farther.
A one-bedroom suite at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre
Guest Rooms and Amenities
Regardless of which size you choose, the suites at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre are all designed for the Whistler adventure life, with kitchen facilities, coffee makers, tea kettles, and fireplaces. The one-bedroom and larger units have balconies, with views over the village or to the surrounding mountains.
Measuring 447 square feet, the studios have a queen-sized Murphy bed that folds down from the wall, which you can put away to use the space as a living area when you’re not sleeping.
The bedroom in a one-bedroom suite
In the 565-square-foot one-bedroom suites, a door that closes separates the living/dining area with a sofabed from the bedroom, offering families or couples a little more privacy.
Another option is the one-bedroom + den suites, measuring 865 square feet, that add a compact sleeping area in the den.
The two-bedroom suites, at 1060 square feet, give you much more space for a family and also have two bathrooms.
Rates for units of the same size typically rise for rooms on higher floors. For example, a lower-floor one-bedroom unit will be a little less expensive than a one-bedroom unit on a higher floor.
Plates to share at The Raven Room
Facilities and Services
The Raven Room is the hotel’s restaurant and cocktail bar. They’re known for eclectic cocktail creations, like the “Coin Toss,” which mixes white chocolate-infused mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Lillet blanc, lime, and agave. The food menu offers drink-friendly plates designed to share, from BC tuna tataki, to beetroot tartare, to crispy teriyaki cauliflower, excellent for happy hour or après ski snacks.
In the mornings, the hotel serves an extensive, if fairly North American-standard, breakfast buffet — eggs, potatoes, bacon or sausage, yogurt, fruit, toast, muffins, juices — which is included in the room rates.
Self-parking will set you back CAD$32/night, while nightly valet parking is CAD$38. At least in the warmer months, you can park overnight in the Whistler Village day lots nearby for less. Just check the parking rules as they change with the seasons.
And if you can, consider coming to Whistler without a car. Regular shuttles run from downtown Vancouver and from Vancouver International Airport; once you arrive in Whistler, there’s little need for a vehicle.
Views from the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre as the sun is setting
While the year-round outdoor pool isn’t large, it has a long narrow area that works for lap swimmers as well as a shallower area where kids can play. Two hot tubs are out on the pool deck, and inside, there’s a Nordic-style sauna.
While I can’t guarantee that you’ll have a private swim at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, some time in the pool is an excellent way to start or end a Whistler adventure day.
Rates
Prices for suites at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre vary significantly with the seasons, starting at about CAD$250 per night for studio units. Spring and fall are often less costly than summer or winter. Discounts are available for members of Pan Pacific Discovery, the company’s free loyalty program. You can also check rates at Booking.com or Expedia.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Tourism Whistler, in partnership with the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, arranged my stay for review purposes.
