Northstar by Whistler Retreats

I was really disappointed. The place felt cheap, dirty, and badly outdated, with dust everywhere and a gross hot tub. The toiletries seemed recycled, getting in was confusing, and you have to use separate keys for everything. It also felt like guests were expected to handle everything for the hosts. This wasn't the luxury escape it was advertised as. I'll stay at Crystal Lodge next time.

The complex layout is convenient for getting to the pool from any unit, and the hot tub was great. We had a good stay and would recommend it, though it fell just short of five stars. Our unit was dated but had what we needed, and the pool area could be a little bigger. Our private hot tub faced a busy highway, so the view was of passing cars. Other units had patios and tubs facing the inside walkway, where people pass constantly, so those don't offer much privacy either. During our September 2020 stay, pool visits had to be booked in 30-minute slots because of COVID. We liked that arrangement, except when people ignored the rules and came into our reserved time.

Unit 98 is being listed as a three-bedroom place, but it really has only two bedrooms. The supposed third room is more like a closet for a small child. The place looks nice, and the appliances are great, but the upstairs sink doesn't drain properly. The bedroom listing is why I’m giving it two stars.

The apartment was roomy and quiet while we were there, with a hot tub on the balcony. It was clean, but felt quite old for the price, which seems common in Whistler. Marketplace is about a 2-3 minute walk, and Whistler Blackcomb is 5-10 minutes away.