Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stay in a Pod Hotel? Well Japan is not the only place you can experience this unique style of accommodation. Canadas first ever Pod Hotel opened in Whistler last year and we spent two nights enjoying the boutique delights that Pangea Pod Hotel offers.
Designed to be the perfect mix of Hotel and Hostel, Pangea Pod offers everything you need when travelling on a budget to get your mountain adventure fix but still seek little luxuries – A rare find in Whistler.
Located in Whistler village, the adventure capital of British Columbia and only a short 2 hour drive from Vancouver, Pangea Pod Hotel is perfectly situated. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and walked into the building located directly in the centre surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants. The Whistler Bike Park and Ski Lifts are a short stroll from the front door. The outside the building fits in nicely with the mountain village vibe but as soon as you walk in you are met with an incredible arty, modern decor.
Check in is done through a computer and you are given a room key on a wristband that also acts as a tab for your drinks and food if you wish. It’s all very efficient and I love how quick it is.
We walk up one flight of stairs to our Suite and find our Pod which is located on the top “bunk”. Each Suite has several Pods, including an upstairs level and a balcony overlooking the village. Our Pod is spacious and includes all the amenities you might need for your stay including power sockets, a fan to cool you down, shelving, clothes hangers, hooks, mirror and a locker for your valuables. There is plenty of space for your luggage and the bed is very spacious. If you need any extras ( ear plugs, hair dryer etc) you can simply text reception and they will deliver these to you. A curtain pulls across to give you privacy and makes the Pod feel very cosy.
The Suites have several showers which are modern with rain shower heads and come kitted out with shower gel and shampoo (perfect for me as I forgot to pack these items!) The toilets are separate from the showers and there’s a changing room and separate sink to save people waiting in line when it gets busy. Music plays so you can sing in the shower if you fancy.
We spent our first evening relaxing in our Pod and enjoying a Happy Hour drink in the Living Room, Pangea Pods communal dining area which is so stylishly decorated. If the weather is nice you can head to their rooftop patio and enjoy uninterrupted village views. Afterwards we explored the village sights, ready to have a day filled with adventure the next morning.
After a comfortable night in our pod we head down to the Living Room for breakfast. We choose a window seat because I love to people watch with the village located directly below. The breakfast menu has everything I could want to order including Bacon Eggs Benedict, Avocado on Toast, Smoothie Bowls and Pastries. Non hotel guests are welcome for breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening (or day time) drinks.
After breakfast we start our day by exploring Whistler on the Gondola and head up the mountain. On our way up we see three bears in the bike park, two cubs and their momma. (unfortunately I don’t get my camera out quick enough so have no photos) It’s a beautiful day and at the top we head to the Inukshuk. Placed here to commemorate the 2010 Winter Olympics it has become a must see, especially due to the stunning mountain backdrop. The alpine hiking trails are closed at the moment so it’s a quick visit and we head back down to the village.
We grab a quick bite to eat in town and head to Lost Lake – about 20 minutes walk from the Village and the perfect place to relax and cool down on a warm summers day. The beach here gets pretty busy so we walk around the lake to a dock that is far quieter (this may have something to do with it being clothing optional…)
After a leisurely walk through Lost Lake Park we head back to Pangea to relax before dinner. There is free WIFI throughout the property so you can catch up on all your social needs or even kick back and watch some videos.
Dinner is served in the Living Room and we opt for the tasty flat bread pizzas and a cocktail. The staff here were great, they mixed me my own custom cocktail not on the menu, thanks to me and my Margarita craving. The food is so delicious – I recommend the Butternut Squash and Goats Cheese Flat Bread. You will also find charcuterie boards, soups and sandwiches for everyones taste on the menu. To allow us to further enjoy our evening we loved watching the live music. All week there is a comprehensive entertainment schedule so you will always find a reason to come back.
To end the evening we played a game of chess which Phil won, much to his delight as it was his first ever win at playing chess. There is a huge selection of board games which they encourage you to play, even if you don’t want to order anything from the bar which I think is the perfect hostel attitude yet you are located in a far classier atmosphere.
If you want to bring your toys – mountain bikes for the summer and skis/boards for the winter then you can lock them up in their spacious Toy Box. There is also a bike wash and repair station located outside.
We can’t wait to explore more of Whistler this summer , keep an eye out for more awesome posts of our trip in beautiful British Columbia. Check us out on Instagram for daily photo updates here
Thank You to Pangea Pod Hotel for hosting us, our stay was gifted and all opinions are our own. We truly only recommend places that we absolutely love.
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