Fairmont President's Club - How are the rooms at Whistler Fairmont?

I was pretty set on staying at the Fairmont for one night there, but I'm reading reviews at tripadvisor and they made it sound like it's old and moldy, Im kinda worried! I can't afford the 4 seasons, otherwise i would totally pick that. We are only there for one night.

Fairmont has free internet (for presidents club members, right?), and free bike, which makes me more incline to pick..

But westin, I know I'll love the heavenly bed. It's just me and my husband, so having a suite is not important.

Does it have nice views? I'm praying that they will upgrade us to gold rooms, but I am not sure if it'll happen!

Westin or Fairmonts?

Rate for fairmont is $120is (any resort fees?)
Rate for westin is $60 plus 4000 points plus their resort fees

I have stayed at each property a couple of times. Not enough times to be able to comment about the whole range of rooms though.

I didn't find the Fairmont rooms old or run-down. Each hotel was comfortable. I didn't notice anything particularly special about the Westin beds. Overall the Fairmont is about one notch above the Westin in every repect: room furnishings, service, ambience etc. The Westin to me is a 3-1/2 star place and the Fairmont to me is a 4-1/2 star place.

Do not underestimate the impact that the hotel's clientele has on your enjoyment of a property. Even if the rooms and service were identical, the fact that people pay more for a Fairmont means the riff-raff go somewhere else. This makes a difference when you are dining, enjoying a hot tub or a drink, etc. at these properties.

However the Westin's proximity to the gondolas makes it (or the adjacent Hilton) my choice during ski season.

You will enjoy either place. If the money is a factor, choose the Westin. I you are skiing, choose the Westin. If you are going there in summer, and the cost differential is not significant to you, I suggest the Fairmont.

I have stayed at each property a couple of times. Not enough times to be able to comment about the whole range of rooms though.

I didn't find the Fairmont rooms old or run-down. Each hotel was comfortable. I didn't notice anything particularly special about the Westin beds. Overall the Fairmont is about one notch above the Westin in every repect: room furnishings, service, ambience etc. The Westin to me is a 3-1/2 star place and the Fairmont to me is a 4-1/2 star place.

Do not underestimate the impact that the hotel's clientele has on your enjoyment of a property. Even if the rooms and service were identical, the fact that people pay more for a Fairmont means the riff-raff go somewhere else. This makes a difference when you are dining, enjoying a hot tub or a drink, etc. at these properties.

However the Westin's proximity to the gondolas makes it (or the adjacent Hilton) my choice during ski season.

You will enjoy either place. If the money is a factor, choose the Westin. I you are skiing, choose the Westin. If you are going there in summer, and the cost differential is not significant to you, I suggest the Fairmont.

Fairmont it is then. :)

I'm excited!

I've stayed there on the Concierge floor and thought it was a
great hotel. Lovely spa as well.

I've stayed there on the Concierge floor and thought it was a
great hotel. Lovely spa as well.

Silly me didn't know there was presidents club and in previous company stays, I never registered! I hope they will upgrade me!

I've stayed at the Fairmont about 4 times. Love it. Very clean. Really comfortable beds. Great service, nice pools with excellent views. :D

The room I stayed in at the fairmont (the Fairmont Room) was actually very large for a fairmont. Huge bedroom, huge bathroom. I was very impressed! The people on TA that complain purchased the 99 dollar a night MODERATE room, which indeed is very small, so just ensure you do not book a moderate room, and I will be shocked if you are not extremely impressed.

...and while obviously YMMV, I've previously found the Westin rooms to be overrated and rather 'beat up' - although what will REALLY stop me from returning is their front line staff always seem to be unhelpful to the point of obnoxiousness, not at all knowledgeable about SPG benefits, and, just to top it off, arrogant. Even if the room is stunning, it's hard to make up for really bad attitudes.

I think you'll enjoy the Fairmont.

I just checked and I do have the fairmont room!

I just checked and I do have the fairmont room!

I just checked and I do have the fairmont room!

Great! Have fun. I suggest you request a Hillside view. It overlooks the ski hill and the pools. Very beautiful.

Great! Have fun. I suggest you request a Hillside view. It overlooks the ski hill and the pools. Very beautiful.

It's my 10th wedding anniversary, so I hope they will upgrade me to the gold rooms!! I'll def ask for hillside view! :) Thanks for the tip!

It's my 10th wedding anniversary, so I hope they will upgrade me to the gold rooms!! I'll def ask for hillside view! :) Thanks for the tip!

I have never heard of an upgrade to Gold rooms. But you may get a suite. Too many perks/costs to upgrade to Gold (breaky, food, butler etc..)

I haven't stayed there in a couple years, but the FM, CP is THE place to stay up there. Very proximate to the mountain (I have only been in winter) and very regal.

It's my 10th wedding anniversary, so I hope they will upgrade me to the gold rooms!! I'll def ask for hillside view! :) Thanks for the tip!

Wow the chances are similar to showing up with an Y ticket to NRT and getting on in F:rolleyes:

I've stayed at both properties on more then one occasion, for a longer stay the Westin may be the winner if you need a kitchen or a patio. The amenities at the Fairmont are far superior, pool/gym/steam and better views.

It's my 10th wedding anniversary, so I hope they will upgrade me to the gold rooms!! I'll def ask for hillside view! :) Thanks for the tip!

So, the protocol I follow for this type of thing is the following.

Put the special event in your reservation.
Join the PC if you are not already.
Email the hotel about your special occasion, asking about diner reservations, in the hotel or otherwise. Re-interate the special occasion.

Send a letter to the hotel, about your special occasion.
Re-iterate upon check-in, your special ocassion.

If you don't get a suitable upgrade either in advance of check-in, or upon check-in? Ask about it again specifically (have a $20 or 50$ handy depending on the situation - I usually put a 20$ in my left pocket, and a 50$ in my right pocket and pull from the appropriate pocket depending)

Develop your pitch line in advance "look "Mr. Jones" -insert desk agent name - we would really love to have a memorable stay here for our 10th wedding anniversary, etc. Is there anything you could do to accommodate a very nice room upgrade - present currency from left or right pocket now!)

If nothing materializes, or it isn't suitable, don't give the $$. If something materializes and isn't suitable or much of an upgrade, present the 20$.

If the hotel is full, you can also ask about things like staying in a suite a few days, or moving to another room at some point. Obviously you don't want to make it difficult for either YOU or the HOTEL.

Practice all this in the mirror so you are comfortable with it all.

In a few days I'm heading to Whistler/Vancouver/Victoria and a few other spots without Fairmonts. So I called FPC to use one of my suite upgrade certificates and it happens to be my anniversary while we're in Vancouver! I did mention the fact but was only offered a executive suite so I ended up using the suite upgrade for a different stay.

Whoever it was that wants a gold upgrade with no status I wish you Good Luck... but I believe you have better chances at finding a $100 bill on the ground today :cool:

In a few days I'm heading to Whistler/Vancouver/Victoria and a few other spots without Fairmonts. So I called FPC to use one of my suite upgrade certificates and it happens to be my anniversary while we're in Vancouver! I did mention the fact but was only offered a executive suite so I ended up using the suite upgrade for a different stay.

Whoever it was that wants a gold upgrade with no status I wish you Good Luck... but I believe you have better chances at finding a $100 bill on the ground today :cool:


Hahha..okay, if i can get a suite upgrade, I'll be okay! How am i suppose to tell them it's my anniversary? SHould I email them and ask if i can get an upgrade?

No question the "Chat" is the superior hotel. Have stayed at Chateau about 8 times (including my honeymoon and many ski trips thereafter), and once at Westin. Once at the Westin was enough. The Chateau has lovely rooms, gracious staff, excellent food, and a lovely indoor/outdoor swimming pool and spa set up. IIRC, the Westin pool is indoor only; anyway, it wasn't impressive.

the Westin pool is indoor only; anyway, it wasn't impressive.

I stayed there 9 months ago and the pool was outdoors, you walk in indoors but it has those flaps to go outside.

But it's true there is no comparison b/w pools, I really like having the cabana at Chateau to grab a beer quick :)

Hahha..okay, if i can get a suite upgrade, I'll be okay! How am i suppose to tell them it's my anniversary? SHould I email them and ask if i can get an upgrade?

Perhaps call Fairmont or FPC and ask if there is any anniversary themed goodies such as chocolates and strawberries upon arrival, I imagine the cost would be $15-$25 and my gut feeling says you have a good chance of an upgrade... at least this way if they have reservation comments I'm sure they would mention it and do their best if space is available. Even during these tougher econmic times I'm amazed how many folks don't just get a Fairmont room but spend the treat themselves to Gold or suites...