Fairmont Chateau Whistler: Fairmont Gold Room Review

Living so close to Whistler, I often have a chance to visit the city frequently. I always enjoy spending some time at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler during my trips to Whistler. In full transparency, I stayed at a very attractive travel agent rate during shoulder season. On my most recent trip, I was lucky to be offered a paid upgrade to the Fairmont Gold floor, for an extra $192 / day. I believe this discounted offer is available to everyone based on occupancy levels at the hotel.

Typically, the price difference can exceed $300 / day, so I felt it was a great opportunity to determine if the Fairmont Gold floor is worth the extra money.

Usually, when booking the Fairmont through an Accor STEP agent, you have access to the following amenities:

• Complimentary full breakfast for 2
• US$100 property credit
• Early check-in, subject to availability
• Late check-out, subject to availability
• One category room upgrade, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Since this was a travel agent booking, I did not have complimentary breakfast or any additional hotel credit.

Was So, the question was, is $192 / day worth it for the following benefits of staying on the Fairmont Gold Floor?

• Upgraded rooms
• Upgraded room amenities
• Lounge access
• Dedicated receptionist
• Dedicated concierge

Fairmont Gold Room at Fairmont Chateau Whistler

The Fairmont Gold room at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler definitely has minor differences. As you walk in, you can see that the Fairmont Gold rooms definitely have a more opulent feeling. However, it’s hard to say, what exactly makes it more luxurious. Maybe a different styled headboard? Maybe the different accommodation? Maybe it’s the housekeeping at the hotel, who remember, that this is the Fairmont Gold Floor, so they have to go a touch extra. I don’t quite know what it is, but the mattress, the bed appears the same. And yet, the Fairmont Gold room just seems to be a bit more luxurious.

A Fairmont Gold room also has a fireplace. I’ll be honest, I’m not that big of a fan to sit by a fireplace, drinking coffee and enjoying the privilege and environment I find myself in. But I do know, a fireplace at a luxury hotel, especially during the winter, is a perfect place to relax, even if it is in the room. So, while I can’t give it many benefits, I will give credit as a clear distinguishing factor of Fairmont Gold and regular Fairmont rooms.

 

 

 

 

Fairmont Gold Bathroom at Fairmont Chateau Whistler

As a frequent traveler, one of the biggest benefits I value the most is a separate bathtub and separate walk-in rainfall shower head. Luckily, the Fairmont Gold King room checks both those offerings. They have a dedicated bathtub, and a separate rainfall shower head.

The rainfall showerhead had an incredible shower pressure that was always appreciated.

The amenities were from Le Labo, a brand standard at Fairmont Hotels across the world. Personally, I’m not a big fan of Le Labo at all, much preferring Molton Brown or L’Occitane. However, from a value perspective, I believe Le Labo is actually much more expensive than either of my preferred brands.

The other big benefit is having a His & Her sink. Let’s be honest, I have never seen anyone have a his & her sink at their home. So, is it absolutely necessary? Not really, but, also, definitely a preference, and something I am increasingly expecting in luxury hotels.

If I am traveling with a companion, the his & her sink allows us to both manage the sinks the way we want to. If I am traveling alone, it’s more of a waste, but, for a luxury hotel across the world, I genuinely think it should be a brand standard.

One unique thing I did notice, which I’m not sure is true across all Fairmont’s are, that the Fairmont Gold floor has dedicated towels, with the label clearly identifying, that these towels are indeed reserved for the Fairmont Gold floor.

 

 

Conclusion

Is the Fairmont Gold floor worth it purely on the rooms? Probably not. However, Fairmont Whistler does an incredible job at distinguishing and making me feel that the Fairmont Gold Rooms is just that level above the Fairmont Rooms.

I will add another hotel comparison to the conclusion, the Four Seasons Whistler. If I were to rank the lead-in room categories, I would rank them the following way in ascending order:

• Fairmont Whistler
• Four Seasons Whistler
• Fairmont Gold Whistler

So, Fairmont Gold Whistler, I genuinely believe, have some of the best rooms in Whistler.