My older sister was visiting from Amsterdam this summer, and whenever she’s visiting we always are inspired to have a quick little adventure together (and likewise when I’m in Amsterdam, which I try to go to as often as I can!). Between me quitting my job days prior and needing to let the dust settle a bit, and her on full-time duty visiting family, we both needed to just have a night away somewhere beautiful and easy. Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside ended up being the perfect choice, and has also been something of a tradition for us both; we did this dreamy winter escape to its sister hotel Pan Pacific Whistler Village Center too!
One thing that always stands out to me about my Pan Pacific Whistler getaways is how effortless everything feels, and that’s for a number of reasons but very specifically because of how perfect their locations are. The Mountainside’s location couldn’t be better: right in the centre of the village and steps from the gondolas. We parked once in the parkade and then literally walked everywhere: coffee in the morning, dinner in the village, a long wander through the shops and the market in Upper Village, and a few slow loops around the Valley Trail, it was the perfect home base for us to just gab and stop for drinks or coffee every once in awhile (my dream date, cute). Everything you might want to do in Whistler is right there, which made a quick one-night trip feel like a full weekend and lets you really maximize your time.
As always with Pan Pacific, our suite was a highlight. Spacious, calm, and with a fireplace that made for a cozy evening watching a movie after dinner or doing a quick tarot card reading in the morning (my sister is a master tarot card puller). Before dinner, we opened a bottle of wine, sat out on the balcony as the sun started hanging lower in the sky, and watched the buzz of the village below. Of course, pool dips were absolutely mandatory; I love the pool and hot tubs here, and the fact that you can not only luxuriate in the water but also people watch from a lounger while drying off.
While we visited during the last lingering summer days, I have a special soft spot for fall in Whistler (in fact, it might be my favourite season there). The air smells clean and woodsy, the colours are unreal, and the pace slows down. It’s the best time to visit if you want all the mountain scenery and the vibes without the crowds that come in summer or winter. For anyone planning a cozy escape before winter, their Stay Longer, Save More offer and Whistler Wellness Package are both worth checking out (as if you need a good excuse to linger a little longer).
We only stayed for one night, but it felt like more, which is really all you can ask for for a quick getaway like that. I feel like life has been especially crazy (in some hard ways like some health things I’m going through, but also some very positive ways – ecstatic to share I’ve sold out of my Headshot Drop-Ins [though sign up for my waitlist as I’ll be opening up another day in mid-November!]).
