Hotel Blackcomb Spring Suites by Clique (Whistler, Canada)

So you want direct slope access, but also free transport into the village? No problem - Coast Blackcomb Suites at Whistler provides a free shuttle which runs a frequent service to and from Whistler Village. Guests love it, since it makes it easy to enjoy the full ski resort atmosphere.

The slope side facilities of this hotel are hard to beat - there are ski lifts right by the hotel, allowing you to ski out and hit the pistes, but the ski facilities don't stop there - there's ski storage at the hotel, and once you ski back in, you can enjoy the pool, hot tub and heated deck - ideal for aching muscles.

From the grand yet cozy timber-framed lobby to the stone-clad fireplaces in the suites, this hotel rocks chalet cool on a large scale, offering the facilities of a large resort combined with the rustic charm of a small alpine lodge. Guests love its mountain character and comely beauty. The mountain views ain't half bad either.

There has to be some payoff for the superb location, and it comes in the form of daily parking charges. Some guests find them extortionate, and particularly if they weren't made clear upfront, it can be an unwelcome addition to the bill you're eventaually hit with.

A lack of air conditioning in ski season is clearly not an issue. However, like any ski resort worth its salt, Whistler's also a popular summer destination for hiking, biking, and climbing. Then, no air con is a bit more of a problem, and some guests say that the rooms become uncomfortably hot.

Some guests bemoan the lack of an onsite restaurant, and while there are numerous dining options in Whistler Village, after a long day in the mountains, you might not want the hassle of leaving the hotel again, and it detracts a little from the overall resort environment.