Shawn B.
Yelp
Allergy Attack: I have my own hotel ratings system, that really has nothing to do with typical amenities and focuses more on whether I would stay there again. This hotel doesn't do very well using that system, so I decided to give it a three-star rating to reflect more how I feel this property would be seen by the general public.
The reason that I don't think I would stay here again, has to do with my allergies. I try and avoid staying places that set my allergies off. Most hotels don't, but this place did.* The rooms aren't cleaned daily but every four to five days, and maybe that is the reason. I don't know.
I stayed in the standard studio, and, having seen the photos for the deluxe studio, I wish that a deluxe had been available. As you can see in the photos though, the way they installed the kitchenette, the fireplace ends up way too close to the bed in both rooms. It's weird, because I was told by an inspector, there was a danger with gas fireplaces because the glass got hot. Whether there is or there isn't, I think the remodel is pretty awkward. There is kitchenette in the studio room. The price was very reasonable considering it was a last second booking.
The desk staff was adequate. The person at the desk when I came in did not write down the section where there is a space for it on the card. Because the section was "A" I missed it when he mentioned it, because sounded like a pronoun to me (ha!). In any case, the garage is confusing and filled with warning signs about not leaving valuables in a vehicle. The air conditioning unit was broken, and that must play havoc with the heat bill, as it left a bit of a hole in the window in winter. The elevator smelled like pot. (Dear Fellow Guests: Don't smoke in the elevator, even when it's cold outside and you are hiding from your dad. It's impolite. I realize you stocked up for your entire trip to Whistler and smoking too much the day before you leave would be bad, but still..)
I requested a late check out as they will extend your stay for one hour, until 11:00 AM, for free. But then, they called me anyway, before 11:00, to see when I'd be leaving, and gave me the impression they hadn't heard I requested 11:00 am (late? later?) checkout the night before. I was very confused about why they were calling.
So, I am going with three stars because I would stay here again, IF I didn't have really bad indoor allergies, or maybe, if the weather were more conducive to opening the windows. It would not be my first choice though. Several people around me seemed happy here, but skiers/boarders are usually pretty easy to please in winter. I am having an "off" season this year.
*I did a little checking, and these are actually condo units! It is not unusual for hotel rooms to be condos/timeshares in Whistler, but this also has condo style housekeeping, rather than traditional hotel style daily cleaning.