Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler

Nita Lake Lodge is a luxury boutique hotel that attracts couples and families on ski trips. It's situated in a lovely lodge-style building, with stone and wood exteriors and a similarly adorned lobby with gray-stone floors, medium-wood ceilings with recessed lighting, and light-wood furniture. A large multihued impressionist mural adding color to the space. There's also a library with a mix of dark-wood siding and lighter wooden columns coupled with plush pincushion chairs and sofas in varying shades of charcoal.

Nita Lake Lodge is located in a serene area near the base of Whistler Mountain, but it's still just a short walk from the restaurants and attractions of the charming Creekside area. Trails connect the hotel to Whistler Village and to Alpha Lake (five minutes on foot to the south) and Alta Lake (a 20-minute walk to the north). Whistler Village is six minutes away via the hotel's free shuttle. Alternatively, guests can get there in about 15 minutes by bicycle. It's a 10-minute drive to Whistler Airport. Vancouver International Airport takes just over two hours to reach by car.

Nita Lake Lodge offers a wide range of suites, starting at 500 square feet (47 square meters) and running up to 1415 square feet (135 square meters). Despite their name, entry-level Studio Suites are similar to what most hotels would call Junior Suites in that they are condensed into one room, but they still offer all sorts of upscale amenities found across categories, including lounge areas with sofas and tables, gas fireplaces, and wet bars featuring chrome-finish microwaves, mini-fridges, toasters, and coffee- and tea- making facilities. Studio, One-, and Two-Bedroom Suites are available with either creek or lake views. The corner Nita Suites only have partial lake views. The Rainforest and Glade Suites have mountain views. Decor is consistent across room categories, with a mix of brown or gray tile and off-white flooring and walls paired with elegant light- or dark-wood furnishings and touches of orangey-brown in the form of leather sofas, accent cushions, and details. Bathrooms are spacious and luxurious, with huge mirrors, wooden cabinetry, shiny black-granite countertops and stone floors and accents. All have deep soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers, and L'Occitane toiletries are provided. Pet-friendly rooms are available for a fee.

The facilities at this hotel are just as luxe as the rooms. The spa is particularly noteworthy, with a rooftop deck for guests over 16 featuring two hot tubs and beautiful views. Travelers of all ages also have access to a main outdoor pool area with a small hot tub off to one side. The spa offers a wide variety of beauty and wellness treatments, with an emphasis on organic products and sustainable practices.There's also a fitness center here with artificial grass and older equipment that could use an upgrade. Yoga and fitness classes, and personal training services area also available for a fee.

Dining outlets include Aura Restaurant, which blends Northwest cuisine with French cooking styles, and offers prix-fixe menus with wine pairings, with an all-vegan menu one day of the week. Breakfast is served a-la carte, and it's not included in room rates. For something more casual, the Cure Lounge & Patio offers cocktails, burgers, and sandwiches, and vegan specials. Fix Cafe offers sandwiches, pastries (including gluten-free options), and coffee drinks at breakfast, plus grab-and-go lunch options, juices, and smoothies.

Other features include free Wi-FI in rooms and throughout the hotel and free use of bicycles, snowshoes, tennis and racquetball equipment, and slope-side ski lockers, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. The lodge also offers meeting and event space, including a ballroom, a private dining room, and a porte-cochere. The lodge is a popular spot for winter weddings, with a capacity for around 150 guests. Free parking is available in a heated garage and Tesla charging facilities are available.