Last update: December 5th, 2023 at 07:28 am
Disclosure: This family accommodation Whistler post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions are entirely my own.
Table of Contents
The Best Whistler Hotels for Families
Wondering where to stay in Whistler with kids? My husband and I have been doing little Whistler family vacations multiple times a year since our two were born (and long before that as well). Through tons of research on Whistler hotels for families, and a lot of trial and error over the years, we have curated this list of the best Whistler family hotels.
Note: If it is your first trip to Whistler with kids, please start with the Need to Know section, as it should help you to avoid some potential pitfalls, especially when it comes to location.
Looking for something else? See also:
Tips for Finding Whistler Family Hotels
Whistler Resort encompasses two mountains: Blackcomb Mountain and Whistler Mountain. The two mountains are linked at the top by the Peak-2-Peak gondola. This allows you to ski/ride both mountains easily on the same day (for one price).
Whistler Layout
Whistler Resort has 3 village bases: Creekside, Whistler and Blackcomb, all with gondola access. The best place to stay in Whistler with kids depends on your needs and travel style. This mountain trail map should help to give you a better understanding of the layout.
- Creekside Village is quite quiet, with a few good restaurants, but it is a 5-10 minute drive into Whistler Village proper.
- Whistler Village is the main village where most of the restaurants, activities and events are hosted. It is also the liveliest (which can also meant the noisiest).
- Blackcomb Village (a.k.a. Upper Village or Base ll) is a 2 minute drive or a picturesque 15 minute walk through the forest to the main village. It has several good restaurants and happens to be my personal favorite (quiet, but with easy access to the action).
Little Things Add Up
The little things can add up with your Whistler family lodging. Be aware of extra charges such as resort fees and parking (the latter can run over $50 a night)! To save money, less costly overnight parking is available at the Whistler Conference Centre ($16 for 24 hours) and the Whistler Public Library ($5 from 5pm-10am).
Read Reviews
When considering where to stay in Whistler – whether you are looking for Whistler family resorts or the perfect family-friendly vacation rental – always take the time to read reviews before booking. (You can usually filter reviews for family stays).
Read the Fine Print
Pay careful attention to property cancellation policies, especially for a winter stay. For family ski holidays, Whistler hotel reservation policies are often not that flexible. I like to put a reminder in my calendar a day before the last possible full-refund cancel date so I can reassess (and check for better deals).
Reserve Kids Lesson Spaces Early
All 3 village bases have Whistler Kids Snow School drop off facilities. In peak times, you may want to check to make sure there is space at the one closest to your preferred hotel prior to confirming that hotel booking.
Whistler Childcare
In the past (pre-Covid), there have also been Whistler daycare services available at all three bases. Alas, theses facilities do not appear to be returning for the 2022-23 ski season. Please see Whistler Babysitting as an alternative option for Whistler nanny services and Baby’s on the Go for rental equipment.
Family Hotels in Whistler Village
This main village with its pedestrian-only Village Stroll is a very popular spot to stay with the greatest concentration of hotels, restaurants and amenities.
Pros: You are within easy walking distance of lots of great restaurants, shopping, the children’s playground, the outdoor ice rink (winter), the bike park, the skate park, the movie theatre and the gondolas to both mountains.
Cons: The only real downside to Whistler Village is that it can sometimes get a bit lively at night for families wishing to get to bed early. In recent years, I have pulled a few hotels off this list after some sleepless nights. (I clearly have some bad karma from some Whistler stays in my university years.)
Comments: All of the family friendly hotels in Whistler Village listed here offer suites with kitchenettes.
Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre
The Pan Pacific Village Centre is a 2022 Tripadvisor Best of the Best award winner!
Of the family friendly hotels in Whistler Village, the Pan Pacific Village Centre is our favourite. Its cozy mountain-styled suites are perfect for families and groups.
Guests have the option of self-catering or choosing from dozens of nearby restaurants. While not slope-side, it is only a short walk to the gondolas and Whistler Kids Snow School. A complimentary breakfast is also included with your stay.
Highlights: A fantastic central Whistler village location, included daily breakfast, salt water outdoor pool, 2 hot tubs, complimentary wifi, newspaper, ski valet, kids robes, games, high chairs, cribs, baby monitors, pool diapers and babysitting (fee).
Important Note: I want to mention that I also really love the nearby Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside
which is located right next to the gondolas, but the Pan Pacific Village Centre wins me over for a Whistler family vacation because of their complimentary breakfast.
Sundial Boutique Hotel Whistler
The Sundial is a 2022 Tripadvisor Best of the Best award winner!
Featuring a rooftop hot tub, the suites at the Sundial Boutique Hotel include a full kitchen and are just a 1 minute walk away from the mountain gondolas, the kids Snow School and the base of the Whistler Bike Park.
Highlights: Fantastic village location, suites with amazing mountain views, ability to self-cater with kitchenettes, large flat screened TVs, soaker tubs, gas fireplaces and a rooftop hot tub. Some suites also have a private hot tub.
The Westin Whistler Resort and Spa
The Westin Whistler has one of the best locations in Whistler Village. It is especially good if you plan on skiing or boarding as the gondolas are very close by. The location also can’t be beat if you have kids in Whistler Snow School as these facilities are right next door.
With its fantastic location, I always want this hotel to do better on service. It’s fine, but rarely do people rave about it. The biggest issue always seems to be the “extra charges” for things like wifi or the ski valet. Still, I keep it on this list because it’s a solid and convenient Whistler family resort option.
Highlights: Excellent location, outdoor pool, hot tubs, fitness center, sauna, spa.
Extra Perk: Guests can easily take advantage Fresh Tracks early morning mountain access, as it lines up just outside the hotel at the Whistler Village Gondola.
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel – Best Budget Pick
Located just a 10 minute walk from the Blackcomb Excalibur Gondola, The Summit Lodge is one of the top picks for family-friendly hotels in Whistler, with its tastefully decorated, budget-friendly suites. Guests will appreciate the and ree WiFi, flat screen TVs, in-room soaker and bathrobes.
Highlights: Family-style rooms and suites, kitchenettes, self-service laundry, outdoor pool, hot tub, convenient, mid-village location, bathrobes, complimentary candy bar and hot chocolate “happy hour”.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Whistler Village Suites
The Delta Village Suites provides good value. The rooms are quite spacious (some with full kitchens and washer/dryer). It has an excellent mid-village location – close to the playground and Olympic Plaza (winter skating rink / summer concerts). The property offers a shuttle to the gondolas or it is about an 8 minute walk.
I think this hotel is particularly good for families with kids aged 4 to 10 years (old enough to walk, but still can’t get enough of a playground or sledding at nearby Olympic Plaza).
We have found that we could sometimes get a large suite at this hotel (with kitchen and laundry) for the same price as a double queen room at a fancier hotel, making it a worthy tradeoff.
Highlights: Large suites, outdoor pool, 3 hot tubs, fitness room, sauna, and a handy resort shuttle.
Important Note: There are a couple of rooms that are above a nightclub (Garfinkel’s). Make sure you don’t get one of those. We had one once and I could have sworn that the “Ladies Night” DJ was somewhere in our room.
The Crystal Lodge Whistler
The Crystal Lodge Whistler was renovated in 2020 and is in one of the best Whistler village locations for families. It is within 200 meters of the gondolas, the Snow School and dozens for restaurants and lounges.
Highlights: The property features a sauna, hot tub, outdoor pool, salon, spa and fitness club.
Best Family Hotels – Blackcomb Village
Pros: Blackcomb Village is quieter than Whistler Village but still only a short walk (or shuttle) away.
Cons: Both hotels recommended here do not offer much in the way of self catering options (suites with kitchenettes) as they are luxury, full service properties. They are both exceptionally expensive. I will admit to working every travel hack I have to stay at these properties (booking early, loyalty programs etc.) as I have watched their prices soar over the years.
Comments: Worth noting is the fabulous Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler where you can enjoy a lovely Whistler family après next to a cozy fire (inside or outside). This lounge has always been a part of our Whistler family vacation tradition even when we have not been staying at the Fairmont. It’s pricey, but the venue is lovely and it is perfect with kids (kids menu’, little hill for them to slide on outside, etc.).
Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Best Family Resort Whistler
The luxurious Fairmont Chateau Whistler feels a bit like a fairytale hotel. It smells great, it looks great, and it is always styled perfectly for the respective season.
This Whistler family resort is located right beside the Blackcomb gondola and steps from the Blackcomb Base Snow School – making mornings in Whistler with kids very easy.
The hotel has a cafe, a great restaurant and one of the best après ski lounges in Whistler. It also has a very nice indoor-outdoor pool with multiple hot tubs. In my opinion, it is the best place to stay in Whistler with kids during the winter season (although it get pricey). If conditions are favorable, look to early December or March for deals.
Highlights: Ski valet, indoor/outdoor pool, hot tubs, fitness centre, spa, seasonal kids programming.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler
The Four Seasons Whistler is a 2022 Tripadvisor Best of the Best award winner!
If luxury and full service is what you seek, the Four Seasons Whistler might be perfect for you. Tucked into the Upper Village (Blackcomb Base), it provides a serene sense of seclusion and exclusivity that befits their brand.
Rooms are beautifully decorated and are very spacious – with nice features such as walk-in closets, fireplaces and balconies. The pool and spa complex is the nicest out of all of the hotels in Whistler (large pool, 3 hot tubs, outdoor sauna, steam rooms) – and is usually crowd-free.
Although the Four Seasons Whistler rates are often very high, the little extras that are included can make it quite good value at the top end. As an example, on a recent summer visit, my daughter was delighted to discover a giant cookie with her name on it in our room. Later that day, I enjoyed a complimentary wine tasting, while she partook in a snow cone tasting right beside me. We have enjoyed similar perks during the winter season including complimentary hot chocolate and family movie nights (with popcorn) in the library.
It should be noted that the Four Seasons is further from the gondola than the the Fairmont Chateau Whistler (but not at all far away). The property offers ski valet and shuttle service.
Highlights: Ski valet, complimentary wifi, pet-friendly, baby gear/toiletries, babysitting, spa and health club, complimentary s’mores by the fire pit, family movie night, kids cookies delivered to room, evening wine tasting, complimentary yoga classes and more.
Best Family Hotels – Creekside Village
Pros: As Creekside is a little removed from Whistler Village proper, it is quieter and room rates tend to be a bit lower. You will find everything you need in Creekside including very easy gondola access, several restaurants, Starbucks, a Whistler Kids Ski School and Daycare drop-off and a grocery store.
Cons: You are removed from the main village action which is a 5-10 minute drive/bus/shuttle ride away.
First Tracks Lodge – Best For a Large Group
Set at the base of Whistler Mountain, in the relatively quiet Creekside Village, First Tracks Lodge is literally steps from the Creekside Express Gondola, shopping, fine dining and aprés ski. The decor has the quintessential ski lodge feel (timber, stone and slate) and the suites have full gourmet kitchens. Unwind after a busy day in the pool, hot tubs or relax in the lobby library.
Highlights: Pool, hot tubs and fitness centre, ski in/ski out, wifi, full gourmet kitchens, washer/dryer.
Nita Lake Lodge
Although the Nita Lake Lodge Hotel doesn’t specifically do a lot of marketing towards families (it comes off as more of a romantic retreat), we really enjoy it with our kids. It is about a 10 minute walk to the Creekside Gondola and Snow School, but they also have a village shuttle running every 30 minutes.
Their lounge and restaurant are both very nice (has kids’ menu), their suites offer ample room for a family, they have a nice pool and hot tub area, and there is a good pizza place within walking distance (Creekbread). It is also close to two of Whistler’s nicest high end restaurants (Rimrock Cafe and The Red Door Bistro) if you would like to book a sitter.
Another nice thing about this hotel is that it is one of the first hotels you hit when you arrive in Whistler. Traffic can get quite heavy between Creekside Village (where the Nita is located) and Whistler Village, especially as everyone heads back towards Vancouver on Sunday afternoons. This hotels allows for a quick exit from Whistler.
Highlights: Spacious suites (studio to 2 bedroom), quiet location, pool and hot tub, fitness center, spa, mini in-suite kitchens.
Whistler Family Vacation Rentals
If you are thinking about booking a vacation rental rather than a hotel for your family ski holiday, Whistler VRBOs and Airbnbs can be a great option.
To find family friendly Whistler vacation rentals, use the filters to narrow down your search. On VRBO, select Children Welcome (under House Rules) and on Airbnb select For Families (under Trip Type). I strongly encourage you to thoroughly read reviews on the properties you are interested in beforehand (especially from families).
It should be noted that not that many Whistler vacation rentals are true ski in/ski out all season long, and thus may require some extra effort to get on and off the hill. Having some extra space, a good kitchen, laundry facilities – all at a great price, however, can totally make it worth while.
Leave a Reply