Getaway to the Pan Pacific Whistler
We absolutely love traveling. Whether it’s checking out a new city or getting off the grid on a weeklong backcountry adventure, we are always up for anything! Even though we love roughing it (Taylor was born and raised in a national park!), sometimes we crave a place where we can open the door, drop our bags, and feel the comforts of an actual home. That’s why we love the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre and Whistler Mountainside. These two hotels have all the amenities of home, and both are nestled conveniently in Whistler Village so you’re literally on the door step for all the skiing, biking, hiking, and adventuring you can pack into your vacation.
Whistler has it all. Ski slopes in the winter, and beautiful trails and mountain biking in the summer. Our Whistler trips typically begin with an early morning drive from Vancouver, pack in as much skiing or hiking as daylight allows, then take an exhausting drive home at the end of the day. Last summer, though, we made the decision to cut our drive in half and give the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre a shot. Long story short, we loved it so much that we went back this summer and tried the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside!
So here’s a quick breakdown for all you need to know about the two hotels. First off, they are only a 3 minute walk from each other in Whistler Village, so you will be right in the middle of the action with either choice. Both the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre and Whistler Mountainside have very similar rooms and layouts. Whether you choose a studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, or three bedroom, you will feel right at home with the generous size of the rooms and a fully equipped kitchen. And for us, the kitchen is a total game changer. Even though we don’t plan on cooking serious meals while on our Whistler getaways (check out our favorite Whistler restaurants here), having the kitchen is so helpful for stocking up on fresh foods, snacks, and drinks that keep us going on days packed with activities. Our go-to move is getting some breakfast items from the grocery store ahead of time and stashing them in the fridge so we can grab a quick bite in the morning to save time for a couple extra runs on the mountain or pack in a longer hike! Every minute is precious at this breathtaking haven!
Both locations have spacious, bright rooms with big windows that let in tons of light which really make their rooms feel like a home rather than your typical hotel room. We find that there’s just something nice about being able to unload your stuff and actually have a place to store everything – rather than stumbling around the room to avoid your suitcases and having to pull clothes out of the suitcase every time you need to change. Whether it’s first thing in the morning when we wake up or just winding down after a tough hike at the end of the night, it’s such a treat to relax in your own living area in either of these mountainside retreats.
Now for making your choice between the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre and Whistler Mountainside. Disclaimer: it will be hard to choose because you can’t go wrong! Let’s start with the Village Centre and why we love it. Although both locations have ample room for us, we found that if you’re opting for a one or two bedroom suite, the Village Centre location is a bit more spacious. So this is perfect if you’re traveling with a bigger party or having a longer stay. In addition, The Raven Room is one of our favorite cocktail bars, and it’s located within the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre. It’s definitely a hidden gem serving up fun, innovative drinks that pair perfectly with their unique, flavorful dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, perfect for sharing.
Ok, here’s the breakdown of the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside. No false advertisement here! As the name suggests, it’s literally right next to the mountain! Park your car, get settled into your comfy room, then hit the slopes within seconds. If you get a “mountain view” room, you’ll have an epic floor to ceiling view of skiers, boarders, and bikers as they head up and down the mountain. This view was definitely a major draw for us. There is also a renovated outdoor pool and two hot tubs that boast perfect mountain views to really soak up the fact that you’re staying at such a beautiful place.
Either way, you can’t go wrong. The mountain, restaurants and bars, and groceries are all within minutes walk of your new home. And if you’re using the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre or Whistler Mountainside as a home base for local hikes or backcountry skiing, you’ll have the perfect spot to relax and recharge at the end of the day.