Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa

Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa is a big, family-minded hotel in Whistler Village, about 0.1 miles from the Whistler Village Gondola. Its strengths are practical: a full-service spa with hot-stone massages, reflexology, deep-tissue massage, body scrubs and facials, an outdoor pool with sun loungers and mountain views, and on-site dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For families, the family features are the draw, including free rollaway beds and cribs, connecting rooms, sofa beds, highchairs and fireplace guards. Guests rate it as excellent, and it tends to cost less than the top-end resorts while keeping the village location. A pool with a gate helps parents of young children, and a spa day gives adults a reset after skiing. Because the hotel is large, it can feel busier than a boutique property, especially in peak winter weeks, and it is wise to check the pool and spa hours for your dates. As with most resort hotels, ask about parking and resort fees before you book, since those can change the real cost of a stay. It is a sensible choice for groups, families and anyone who wants a full-service hotel in the middle of the village.

Getting around. The gondola is a short walk away, and the pedestrian village is on the doorstep, so lifts, restaurants and shops are all reachable on foot. In winter, that means you can leave the car parked, and in summer you can walk to the bike park and the Peak 2 Peak area. Ask the hotel for the best route with young children and gear.

Rooms and family features. Rooms range from standard to larger layouts with sofa beds and connecting options, which is useful for families and small groups. The hotel offers free cribs and rollaway beds, highchairs and fireplace guards, which show it expects children. The spa is a plus for parents, and the outdoor pool, with mountain views, is a good evening activity after the lifts close.

Who it suits. Families, groups and couples who want a full-service hotel with a spa and pool will be happy here. It is less suited to travellers who want a quiet, small hotel or a kitchen for self-catering, who might prefer a suite hotel. Book early for holiday weeks, and check midweek rates, which can offer much better value, particularly in early December and mid January.