Escape the Busy City with a Luxury Stay at the Westin Resort & Spa
An Overview of the Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler
Located in one of Canada’s most popular year-round destinations, the Westin Resort & Spa in Whistler is the perfect escape from a busy and sometimes stressful city life. Known as the host resort for the Nordic, sliding and Alpine events during the 2010 Winter Olympics, this property has been voted as one of the best vacation stays for families, couples and friends travelling together.
Featuring 419 suites that offer absolute comfort for those seeking a home away from home, the Westin Resort & Spa’s main focus is in offering absolute comfort and convenience to all guests. Each suite includes exceptional amenities such as fireplaces, flat panel TVs, fully equipped kitchens, windows with superb mountain views and deep soaker tubs which offer the perfect relaxing end to an active day in Whistler. Choose from deluxe studios, one and two bedroom suites and if you can afford an ultra luxury stay in Whistler, one of the 1,500 sq. ft. Penthouse Mountain Suites.
When you step into the resort you will immediately feel the warm ambiance and notice the rustic West Coast mountain design that flows throughout the property. The resort also does its share for the environment with its “Make a Green Choice” program where guests and the resort can conserve water, energy and other resources by declining housekeeping services during their stay. By making this choice guests are given a $5 voucher for participating food and beverage outlets or 500 Starpoints®.
Because of the resort’s fantastic location, guests can enjoy various trails, Lost Lake, various Whistler Village restaurants, stunning Blackcomb and Whistler Mountain views and loads of nearby activities depending on the season. (Our view from our room is in the picture above!)
When it comes to fine dining, the Westin Resort is proud to present the Grill & Vine Restaurant which was voted one of the top restaurants in Canada in 2013 by Where Magazine. This fabulous restaurant venue and Chef Brad offer a tasty list of menu items that feature regional high quality ingredients infused with natural flavours and textures. With a ‘farm to table’ approach and the use of fresh seasonal produce, the restaurant aims to continuously support local vendors and farmers.
The restaurant serves up culinary delights during breakfast, dinner and dessert. Enjoy grilled dishes, hearth stone pizzas, mouth-watering pastas and an extensive wine list including enomatic wines. As a family-friendly restaurant, there is also a tasty kids menu including “build your own” pizzas. If you are craving comfort food like burgers and soup, or if you want a healthy salad, stop by the upscale, intimate and casual FireRock Lounge where you can dine by the warmth of a wall stone fireplace.
If you are looking for a place to workout, stay energized and rejuvenate throughout the day, you have it all under one roof at the Westin Resort & Spa. The resort offers a state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® gym and fitness facility for burning off those extra “I’m on vacation” calories. You can ask for help from the personal trainer who offers a variety of body-boosting programs or you can enjoy your own exercise routine with the many dumbbells, Life fitness machines and mats for stretching and crunches. Forgot your running shoes? At Westin Resort & Spa this is not a problem. New Balance has teamed up with Westin to provide a unique service where you can rent quality running shoes and other clothing items for your workout.
After all that exercise you are definitely going to want to relax and unwind with a spa experience. Westin Resort & Spa is also happy to introduce the Avello Spa to their guests where they can take advantage of a variety of luxury spa treatments in relaxed and tranquil settings. The Avello Spa & Health Club is considered one of the top spas in Canada and offers over 75 unique treatments including hot stone massages, hydrotherapy treatments, body wraps, facials and massages. There is also a Japanese-inspired manicure and pedicure lounge for those who are in desperate need of hand and foot nail makeovers. Don’t miss out on a dip in the pool and a hot jacuzzi after a long and exciting fun-filled day.
The Westin Resort & Spa is perfect for families that want to trade the hustle and bustle of a big city for fresh mountain air. When guests step out of the hotel, they are right in one of the most enchanting pedestrian-only villages in British Columbia, known as Whistler Village.
Three Highlights That Make This Resort Unique:
- New Balance Gear Lending Program
- Make a Green Choice Program
- Enomatic wines at the Grill & Vine Restaurant
Top Suite Features Include:
- Flat screen HDTV
- Fireplace
- Full Kitchen including a Sub Zero refrigerator and freezer, microwave, coffee maker and dishwasher)
- Climate controls
- Work desk with two phone lines, data ports and voice mail messaging service
- Safe for valuables
- Windows that open for fresh mountain air!
Resort Services and Amenities:
- Valet parking, golf valet and ski valet
- 20,000 square feet of event space
- 24-hour front desk
- Full service bellman and concierge
- 24 hour self operating business lounge
- Retail promenade with various boutique shops
- Eucalyptus steam room
- Indoor and outdoor pool and hot tubs
- Westin WORKOUT Fitness Centre
- Avello Spa and Health Club
- Secure Underground Parking
- On-site dining venues (FireRock Lounge and the Grill & Vine Restaurant)
- On-site Whistler/Blackcomb ski and bike rental shop
- New Balance® Gear Lending Program
- Child care during all seasons, as well as a nanny service
- Weddings
- Catering menus
- Cribs for babies
- And so much more!
What To Do While You Are Visiting the Resort:
- Ski!
- Walk the trail to Lost Lake
- Take advantage of numerous trails and hiking paths
- Peak to Peak Gondola
- Whistler Golf Club
- Green River Tour
- Ziptrek Ecotours
- Visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
- Explore and dine in Whistler Village
- Take the family to the park in the village
- Have a family picnic on the Whistler Village grassy green grounds
- Rent bikes as a family and tour the area
- Indoor rock climbing at the Core (Kids love this place!)
- Ice skating at Olympic Plaza
- Whistler Blackcomb Tube Park
Our Family Visit At The Westin Resort & Spa
When we arrived at the Westin Resort & Spa, we were greeted with such warmth and hospitality. The valet staff was superb and very helpful, the front desk check-in was quick and the lobby was stunning. I really enjoyed sitting in the couch area in the lobby as we waited for our room to be ready. (We arrived earlier than the check-in time at 4pm) There is a nice fireplace and loads of cozy and comfortable seats to lounge around on. We travelled with our 5 month old son who really liked the comfy large couches.
We went up to our room which was on the 8th level in the East Tower. The resort has two towers, the West and East Towers, and in between the towers is a promenade of luxury boutique shops, restaurants, the Avello Spa and rental stores. This makes it really easy to dine, get a massage or window shop whenever you feel like it.
We stayed in a one bedroom suite which was perfect for our little family of three. We asked for a crib in our room which was already there upon arrival and perfect for our son during this mini escape from Vancouver. The room was immaculate, the kitchen facilities filled every need and the bed linens and duvet was dreamy. (Westin Heavenly Beds® is right! See how fast these two became relaxed when we arrived)
I really enjoyed the fact that there was a fireplace in the room because even on the hottest summer days, the nights cool down and there is something about looking at a fireplace that warms the heart. There was a table for four to dine at, a full kitchen with everything you need and mini bar drinks and snacks if you felt like indulging. We didn’t attack the mini bar as we brought our own treats, but we certainly found that by having all of the snacks available was convenient. I believe room service was available as well, but we didn’t get to sample it. If it was from the Grill & Vine, I have no doubt that it would be scrumptious!
We explored Whistler Village and did the usual tourist activities like exploring the many shops in the area, went to the playground and sat with a Starbucks coffee in the park area. When it came bed time for us three, we were extremely comfy and cosy in our Westin Heavenly Bed®. The beds also feature those super soft pillows that you just sink into. Needless to say, we had an exceptional sleep that night. Even our son found the bed more comfortable than his crib.
In the morning and after making our own breakfast in our fully-equipped kitchen, we enjoyed massages at the luxurious Avello Spa and Health Club downstairs. I opted for the relaxation massage and my masseuse did a fabulous job on my back, neck and shoulders. I felt so relaxed by the end of it that I walked in an absolute daze on my way back to the room. What I really liked about the spa was that the tips were included in the cost of treatments (even though I gave more to my masseuse). It rids you of that awkward feeling of having to hand over money at the end of spa treatment. The front desk attendant (I believe her name was Christina) was very friendly and it was an all around tranquil experience. The spa offers all sorts of treatments, from massages and hot stone treatments to facials and manicures, so you don’t have to go far to be pampered!
We spent the day exploring and hiked over to Lost Lake. In the summertime it is absolutely beautiful and the perfect place to cool off on a hot day. We walked around the full length of the lake and eventually felt like we needed to head “home” to take a break from the sun.
Our next experience was the Grill & Vine Restaurant that evening. When getting ready for dinner, the bathroom in our suite offered everything I needed. From a hair dryer and a pull out vanity mirror to a large shower space and convenient toiletries.
We arrived at the restaurant and they had placed a child seat at our table not knowing our son would be in the stroller sleeping. Even though he is still too young to sit upright, it was nice that this was thought of and remembered before we arrived. When noticing we have a new young baby, our charming server Lindsay Morris brought us a congratulatory glass of champagne.
The restaurant itself was nicely decorated in a classic bar and grill design, complemented by a warm signature tavern style which gave the room a cosy feel. We then moved onto appetizers and decided to sample the Salmon Tasting, Salt Spring Mussels and we were also surprised with some special cheesy flatbread that was yummy. The mussels were scrumptious and complemented by flavourful garlic toast. The Salmon Tasting was a unique creation displayed in three variations such as Salmon locks, caviar and ceviche.
The main dishes were delectable. My husband and I shared our meals so we could taste a little bit of everything. I ordered the Sakura Farms Park Duo and he ordered the 6oz AAA Canadian Beef Tenderloin. Both dishes were extremely impressive and full of flavour, and you could almost sense just how much love the chef puts into his dishes. Lucky for us, our son went to dreamland for the entire dining experience so we could fully concentrate on each succulent bite. The pork belly was to die for and my husband’s steak was cooked to perfection. We also tried some of the fire roasted vegetables with Gold Strike honey which were a tasty treat. The service was excellent and the staff were very friendly.
Even though we were almost full, we were convinced that we must try the Frozen Banana Split with chocolate almond brownie and brandied cherries. We took Lindsay, our server, up on the suggestion and were extremely happy we did. Lindsay told us that one of the members of the kitchen staff had been given freedom by the chef to invent a modern day banana split. It was decadent, refreshing and the perfect sweet ending to our dining experience at the Grill & Vine. It was by far one of the best dining experience we have ever had, and we have done many reviews all over Vancouver, Whistler and surrounding areas.
My Final Thoughts
Our family would stay at the Westin Resort & Spa again in a heartbeat as the suites are perfect for families who need all of the conveniences of home and more. The resort amenities are convenient and state-of-the-art, the restaurant venues exceeded culinary expectations and this cosy resort offers fantastic views of the picturesque Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
Everything you need while staying at the Westin Resort & Spa is at your fingertips. I highly recommend the Westin Resort & Spa to anyone that is looking for a luxury resort that offers that perfect ‘home away from home’ feeling while visiting one of the most famous ski destinations in Canada.
Where?
4090 Whistler Way
Whistler, British Columbia
Phone: 604-905-5000
*A special thank you to Mitchell Fawcett of O’Neill Hotels and Resort for arranging our stay at the lovely Westin Resort and Spa in Whistler, Suzanne Johnston at the Avello Spa for giving us a unique spa experience and the Grill & Vine Restaurant for a fabulous culinary adventure*
