Snow was falling lightly as we drove into the enchanting Whistler Village. It was quite literally the icing on the cake after hearing the mountain had opened for the season a couple of days early and our hotel, the Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa Hotel was located right at the foot of the hill.
Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel is in the heart of Whistler Village. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel is nestled in the upper Whistler village just footsteps from both the Whistler and Blackcomb chairlifts as well as restaurants, bars, clothing boutiques and ski hire shops. The resort caters to every guests’ needs; whether you are in town for long, intense days on the mountain, more of an après pace or a relaxing spa break.
Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel is just footsteps to the Whistler and Blackcomb chairlifts.
Stay
We stayed in the 600 square foot Whistler Junior Suite. More than a hotel room, it was a space where we could really unpack and settle in. We had a king sized bed with an open fire place at its feet, a balcony with a view of the village and a peek at the peaks, a sitting area, separate desk, fully equipped kitchen and even a spa bath. We felt like we had moved into our own little Canadian chalet.
Super comfortable Hilton Serenity bed with a fire at foot and a view of the mountains at Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The beauty of the Hilton Whistler is that you have the benefits of a full service hotel as well as the conveniences of self-catering accommodation. Having our own kitchen was invaluable for mornings when we just wanted to whip up something quickly and make it to the first chairlift, or afternoons when the mountain had worn us out and dinner by the fire in our room was the order of the evening. However, coming back to a freshly stocked and cleaned room with coffee ready in the coffee maker for the morning felt truly indulgent.
Romantic open fire place gives the suite a lovely chalet feel at Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel. Image © Skye Gilkeson
No tiny bar fridge here! Fully equipped kitchen with cooker, microwave, coffee machine and dishwasher. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The view from our suite at the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel. The early morning mist simmers in the village. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Nourish
Cinnamon Bear Grille
For guests looking for a light or a hearty start to the day a full buffet breakfast is served at Cinnamon Bear Grille. With everything from fresh granola, fruit and pastries to a hot spread including eggs, omelettes to order, crispy bacon, sausages and other sides, your body will be fuelled for a day exploring the snow-blanketed countryside. There is a comprehensive a la carte menu for those wanting something more specific. Cinnamon Bear Grille is known for their Eggs Benedict and I highly recommend The Grille Egg Omelette with chorizo and goats cheese. The restaurant is also open for dinner and caters for families with a kids menu available at both ends of the day.
Cinnamon Bear Grille serves up delicious local fare for breakfast and dinner. Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Bircher muesli with oats, nuts and caramalised banana from the a la carte menu at Cinnamon Bear Grille. Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Cinnamon Bear Bar
Walking into the Cinnamon Bear Bar early one evening during our stay it was obvious why it has long been a popular spot, not just for Hilton guests but guests from other lodgings and locals alike. The bar had a fun and welcoming vibe. When we stopped in, it was a buzz with customers of all ages. Most tables were already full in the large space. We had been told we wouldn’t have a true Canadian experience without tasting a Caesar Cocktail (similar to a Bloody Mary) during our stay. So we ordered two versions: one with a steak spice rim and bacon and a classic. Both versions tasted delicious! I have to say it was hard to tear ourselves away from Cinnamon Bear Bar after a couple of drinks. It felt like a place where you could spend an entire evening winding down with friends, a few cocktails and some bar snacks.
The very delicious and addictive Caesar cocktail at the Cinnamon Bear Bar. Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Move & Heal
Many flock to Whistler is because of its status as a winter wonderland for those who love to hit the slopes. However, for those taking a day off, looking for a space to stretch or some cross training and those who don’t ski, the hotel Fitness Centre awaits. The Fitness Centre has cardio machines, free weights, machine weights, fit balls, bosu balls, medicine balls and plenty of other equipment to create a challenging workout. The studio is also unusually large – a welcome feature for guests who like to train as they travel. There is a large, outdoor heated pool in the courtyard and a sauna and hot tub inside to help ease those post-skiing aches and pains.
For those who need a massage, a facial or other beauty therapies, the hotel has an Indonesian themed spa, the Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa. The award-winning spa offers a range of Javanese treatments along with a menu of classics, like a Swedish massage or a mani and pedi.
The very well appointed Fitness Centre at Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel, Whistler Village. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Steam rising from the outdoor heated pool in the early hours of the morning at Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa Hotel. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The warm and welcoming hot tub with a view of the mountains at Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa Hotel
4050 Whistler Way
Whistler, BC V0N 1B4 Canada
1-800-515-4050
reservations@hiltonwhistler.com
See the Stay & Ski Packages here.
The beautiful snow covered Whistler Mountain. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.