Haus-Heidi-Pension Lodge

We rented the chalet for 18 of us over a long weekend, and it was phenomenal. The live-in caretaker was very welcoming and helpful, and the owners replied to email questions extremely quickly. The new hot tub was great, and the kitchen had everything we needed. The rooms were very comfortable, with firm mattresses and cozy bedding, and the heating worked just right. The building has a solid concrete foundation, so people can hang out downstairs without the upstairs bedrooms hearing a thing.

I visited friends staying here in the Whistler area and was looking forward to seeing the "make-over." What a costly miss. The renovation feels like it came from the Toronto designer's big-city taste, with very little of the mountain atmosphere you'd expect in a ski area, a chalet, or a place named after the Swiss Alps and "HEIDI." The heavy use of grey feels cold and aloof, more like an industrial park or stainless steel commercial kitchen than somewhere warm, cozy, and relaxing. Even the media room isn't comfortable for a movie before bed. The wide couch-bed forces your legs straight out and has very low back support. A few things did work for me: the bunk bed wood, some shower tile designs, the chaise with a view, and the tub with a view. But log beams, wood grain, rustic accents, and more local natural materials could have made the place feel much warmer. Some local artisan pieces were cool, but they got lost in the overall city vibe. The counters and tiles brought in from Toronto seemed out of place, though I am a fan of local design. Modernizing the property was overdue, but the result feels disrespectful to Whistler, the mountains, and Haus Heidi Chalet, also called Haus Heidi Whistler? It's a sleek Toronto nightlife look, and a poor fit for this historic mountain ski destination in B.C.

At first I thought the place looked a bit tacky, but it grew on me. The kitchen is so well equipped that it carries traces of past guests' tastes, from champagne glasses and espresso to full tea sets. It seems like plenty of happy gatherings have happened here with people who have eclectic, discerning tastes. The photos don't quite show it, but this is a great spot for a big group of friends or family. The location is convenient, and the amenities kept surprising and delighting us.

It's a big place with lots of bedrooms, most with their own bathroom. The area is quiet and the village is just a short walk away. No A/C, though, so summer could be sweaty lol.