For a first-time visitor, figuring out lodging at Whistler can be rather intimidating. One of the easiest ways to book rooms, buy ski passes, and plan activities is to visit the official Whistler Blackcomb Resort website at www.whistlerblackcomb.com. Most hotels and condo developments are represented at this one-stop shopping and information site.
Lodgings in Whistler are very high quality, and the price of rooms is equally high. The hotels listed below offer superlative rooms with lots of extras. However, the smaller inns offer great value and excellent accommodations, often with services and options that can, for many travelers, make them a more attractive option than the larger hotels. At these smaller, owner-operated inns, rates usually include features that are usually available for an extra fee at hotels. These inns are located outside of the central villages and usually offer a quieter lodging experience than the hotels in Whistler Village.
In addition to the hotels and inns listed here, Whistler is absolutely loaded with condo developments. To reserve one of these units -- which can range from studios, to one- to five-bedroom fully furnished condos, to town houses and chalets, with prices from around C$125 to C$1,500 (US$125-US$1,500/£63-£750) a night -- for many travelers the easiest thing to do is simply decide on your price point and call one of the central booking agencies, such as Resort Quest Whistler (tel. 800/892-2431 or 604/932-6699; www.resortquest.com/whistler) and Whistler Superior Properties (tel. 877/535-8282 or 604/932-3510; www.whistlersuperior.com). Whistler Accommodations (tel. 866/905-4607 or 604/905-4607; www.whistleraccommodation.com) focuses on condos and hotels in the Upper Village.
One other excellent booking service is Allura Direct (tel. 866/4-ALLURA or 604/707-6700; www.alluradirect.com), through which owners of rental properties in Whistler rent directly to the public (and you escape the 10% local hotel tax). The website has an excellent search engine, and offers lots of information and photos of numerous properties located throughout Whistler. Though owners are screened -- we encountered no problems and got a fabulous deal on a one-bedroom condo -- quality can vary, so we recommend you do your homework and book only with those owners who accept credit cards.
Reservations for peak winter periods should be made by September at the latest.
