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WorldMark Cascade Lodge - Resort Review |
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WorldMark Cascade Lodge |
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submit your review of WorldMark Cascade Lodge
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| Author: |
herindoors |
| Visited on: |
08/08/2003 |
| Average Rating: |
3.75 |
| Staff professionalism: |
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| Resort grounds: |
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| Room quality: |
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| Room cleanness: |
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| Submitted on: |
09/20/2004 |
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Pros:
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My cousin has just spent some bonus time there (2004). Rooms had been refurbished and carpet/furniture was new. |
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Review:
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ADDRESS: Cascade Lodge
4315 Northlands Blvd
Whistler, BC V0N 1B0
Canada
PHONE: (604) 905-5600
FAX: (604) 905-5610
WEBSITE: http://www.worldmarktheclub.com/resorts/wh/
WHISTLER/BLACKCOMB WEBSITE: ** http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com
This website gives updates on the road closures on Highway 99 – upgrades to highway before 2010 Olympics Games.
SHORT RESORT DESCRIPTION: Nice looking building, WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE to all the action in Whistler Village, and Blackcomb Mountain. Lots of good restaurants close by, shops, art galleries and easy to get to the Gondola. The Gondola carries you to the top of Whistler Mountain, where there is a restaurant and gift shop and of course the start of the mountain ski slopes or summer biking trails. The Gondola closes down towards the end of September for repairs and maintenance, so check the Whistler/Blackcomb 1-800 number on their **webpage to double check shutdown date if this is one of the things you have to do. This webpage will also give you details of lift pass prices, etc.
Entrance hall at resort has a car rental location, internet, and seating area with a fireplace. WM desk is small and on the right hand side, past the hotel reception desk. Parking is underneath building. The garbage skips are also in the car park.
Important to note this is also a hotel, with WM owning a few of the suites. WM units are all one-bedroom, sleeps 4. The balconies are long and narrow. Some rooms have no view and no balconies, and large trees that shield the windows from highway traffic noise.
Because this is a hotel, the hallways were a bit scuffed, and the last time we visited, the WM room was a little banged up. Perhaps this is because the main season is Winter, and a lot of boots, skis get carried back into the rooms. I telephoned Owner Services and they said “perhaps it is coming up to the 5-year furniture renewal mark?”.
Pool and hot-tubs were good – clean and warm and relaxing.
The unit provided ample space for our needs – felt like a small apartment. Real estate in this area is very expensive, so the price for WM room is a deal.
NEAREST AIRPORT: Vancouver International (unless you own a plane, then there is probably something closer).
BEFORE ARRIVAL: Might be better to stock up on groceries at Squamish. There is a large grocery store in Whistler, with some neat edibles, but you will pay more.
N.B. Due to a zoning by-law, there are no outdoor BBQ's allowed at this location.
Alcohol is cheaper in the US. Canadian government controls the alcohol distribution in Canada. There is a Liquor Store outlet in Whistler. Don’t forget to try some BC wines – look for the VQA label. That means they have been approved by knowledgeable Vintners.
THINGS TO DO: Skiing, skiing,and skiing and après ski! However, Whistler is a four seasons playground, so for those who want a nice summer venue in the mountains, take advantage of the lower credits needed. Summer can include, golf, golf, and golf, plus mountain biking, river-rafting, fishing, hiking, walking around the lakes, people watching, tours on all terrain vehicles, etc. There will be booking agencies in the Village and probably at the hotel too.
This summer, Whistler has also had a naturalist, guiding visitors to bears in their natural environment. They have had studies going for quite some time on the bears in the vicinity, and the naturalists know which bears will allow us lowly humans within their “space”, close to their dens, etc. If you are keen to see a bear, take this tour, or try your luck by taking a trip up the Gondola. They always have “last bear sightings” posted.
I have never done this, but am told if you hang out at the Whistler Garbage dump, you may these beautiful creatures searching for food.
POINTS OF INTEREST: En route, take a break at the Furry Creek Golf and Country Club for coffee or lunch. This is on the right hand side as up head up the 99 Highway just past Lions Bay. This is a very picturesque golf course if you want to stop and play a round. http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/activities/golf/furrycreek/Index.htm
Also, near Squamish is the small community of Brackendale, famous for the number of bald eagles that congregate there. Count takes place in the winter. Best sightings between mid November and January. http://www.brackendaleeagles.com/
TAKE NOTE: This Highway is also called the "sea to sky highway". It can be twisty and winding, but is one of the most beautiful rides I have ever taken.
FURTHER INFO: At Horseshoe Bay on the 99 Highway back from Whistler, there is a ferry that takes you to Nanaimo, which is approx 1-1/4 drive from the Victoria resort. This ferry is a perfect way to get over to or back from Vancouver Island and forego the Vancouver traffic. (http://www.bcferries.bc.ca) The route from Nanaimo to Victoria will take you through some scenic countryside and some other interesting places, such as Duncan (famous for totem poles), Chemainus (famous for wall paintings).
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| Author: |
rbeamer98 |
| Visited on: |
03/19/2006 |
| Average Rating: |
3.00 |
| Staff professionalism: |
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| Resort grounds: |
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| Room quality: |
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| Room cleanness: |
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| Submitted on: |
03/29/2006 |
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Pros:
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Easy walking distance to village.
Pool is open year round. |
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Cons:
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Hot tubs didn't always work.
Dishes not all clean upon arrival.
Not all spices present upon arrival.
Bathroom fan would not turn off.
No furniture such as dressers to place your clothes in.
Very small unit. |
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Review:
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I took the family skiing as this was our Spring Break.
Crossing the Candadian border was a cinch.
Stopped at Capilano suspension bridge along the way and was great fun.
It is only 1/2 mile off the freeway and cost in US dollars for my whole family of 4 was $32.
Stopped at 7-11 in Squamish and bought Whistler ski tickets for $63/adult and $53 youth and this is Canadian dollars.
This is far cheaper than buying at the mountain.
Weather was perfect upon arrival and first day skiing at Whistler.
Turned rainy and snowy the rest of the week and skiing was marginal.
Whistler and Blackcomb are outstanding ski mountains and I can't wait to return.
Don't forget, in Canada everything is metric and celcius.
Beware vendors and stores in the Village will take US cash but some won't offer the exchange rate unless > $50 so best to hit the ATM machine and get some Candadian money to pay for nominal items.
Use your VISA for the rest as the exchange is automatic.
Cascade Lodge is very different from other Worldmark Resorts.
The room is small, basically no view, minimal furniture so have to lay most of your clothes on the floor.
Minimal cupboard space for supplies so much was left out on the countertop.
But this is tempered with good locale to the village so was acceptible.
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| Author: |
kak |
| Visited on: |
04/01/2007 |
| Average Rating: |
5.00 |
| Staff professionalism: |
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| Resort grounds: |
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| Room quality: |
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| Submitted on: |
11/12/2007 |
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Pros:
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Great location. Nice view of mountains from pool and some rooms. Enjoyed leaving the car in the underground parking garage and walking everywhere. We weren't skiiing, but found plenty to do. |
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Cons:
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Wish we had more than 1 bedroom units. |
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Review:
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This stay was for Spring Break. I've also stayed here Memorial Weekend. Snow sports can sometimes be iffy this time of year. I've stayed here by myself and with one guest. 4 guests would be very cozy/tight. (one bathroom) Opening murphy bed kills any other use of living room. Staff is really great! This was also my first time to pay for wireless in the room. There is only 1 computer in busy lobby ( I think you have to pay for it too). Since Verizon had just dropped their Canadian coverage, we used it to stay in touch back home. This was a second floor unit which seemed roomier than the ground floor I'd had before. So many fun places to eat, we ate out more than I had planned on. Our favorite was the fondue place across the street on the corner. Pricy, but worth it! |
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1 June 2005:
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