We just returned from a few nights in Whistler subsequent to our stay at the Pac Rim. We arrived around 5pm and went upstairs to check in on the Gold floor The check-in agent was very engaging and we received a 2 queen gold room which is exactly what I booked. Upon arrival at the room, there was the welcome amenity of a fairly large cheese/fruit plate. I will note that the gold lounge was rather impressive both in terms of decor and offerings. I can't comment on the state of the lounge pre-reno, but it was night and day vs the expansive BSH and much nicer than CLL save for the lake view of course. The service was back to normal pre-COVID rules where you help yourself. They had wooden trays which helped carrying all of the various small plates they had an offer which varied day by day. From memory, there was at least 8 different choices for dinner and they also had some different selections for late lunch as well. The same went for breakfast where there was more than enough to fill one's appetite. In all reality, one could probably survive on the food available in the lounge on any given day.
On our first morning after breakfast, I enquired about a late checkout and unfortunately received a bit of the runaround that was noted previously up thread. At first, she said that all she could was 1pm. When I pressed the issue a little further with the diamond late checkout benefit, I was told that it was not guaranteed, but was based on availability. After some more back and forth, I was able to get a 3pm checkout, but again reminded that it was based on availability. In my mind, it is either available or not available, so if it is in fact available just give me the damn late checkout and be done with it. I will note that this was my only non-positive encounter with the gold staff.
The pool area was a of a decent size and as to be expected was busy for the long weekend, however, if you got there at a decent hour mid morning, there was lots of pool chairs to be had. I found the food/beverage service at the pool to be a little aloof. The first day I asked for a menu only to be told that I should scan one over in the service area, but "I will get you a hard copy one, but just this time". I ordered pizzas for the kids only to find out after the fact that there was in fact a kids menu out there that not only did he not provide, but failed to mention when I made the order specifically for our 3 and 5 year old. The next day food was delivered by the same guy with no napkins/utensils which I had to run and grab myself. The pool area is open till 11pm and the live music from the Mallard Lounge is played on the speakers outside.
The first evening we booked the Woodlands Rooftop which is a pop up restaurant on the weekends which serves family style bbq with live music. The amount of food we got for our family of 4 could have most likely served 8 people. The vast majority of patrons were taking container after container of food to go post dinner. Our server was very attentive and the food was great. I would recommend booking this for a different experience if staying at the hotel. We did have dinner in the Mallard Lounge another evening and the food was of reasonable quality. Service was a bit slow, but it was very busy, so I will give that a pass. The hotel also offers a shuttle service via SUV and will take you wherever you need to go in short order.
Overall, we really enjoyed the hotel and would stay there again without hesitation.