A new pod hotel is making Canada's biggest ski resort affordable – but are the cramped digs worth the savings?
Canada’s biggest ski resort, Whistler in British Columbia, has a new affordable billet: the Pangea Pod Hotel. Inspired by the capsule hotels of Japan, guests sleep in small cabins that cost as little as £30 a night. What’s more, it’s a stone’s throw from the lift to the slopes.
Rather than traditional hotel rooms, Pangea Pod offers 88 sleeping cabins grouped into eight larger spaces called suites.
While a variation on the theme, this is no hackneyed hostel. More streamlined Marie Kondo-style accommodation for those tired of paying too much for hotel rooms they barely use.
As well as the quirky sleeping quarters, Pangea Pod houses a stylish bar and restaurant overlooking the heart of Whistler Village. Both bar and restaurant are open till late – great for solo travellers looking to make friends.
I tested the pods earlier this year. The eight suites are either mixed or female only, with six to 18 individual cabins in each, and check in can be done using an automated kiosk or a friendly human. Next to the front desk is an equipment room where guests are assigned a slot to store skis and boots.
A wristband functions as both key and payment method for everything from cocktails and food to laundry.
My suite of eight pods had an shared washroom with a shower, sink and mirror, and a separate toilet – all were spotless.
I opted for an all-female suite and had just one pod-mate, a non-skiing student from New York there for a medical conference. My bed was on ground level – there are also upper pods accessed via steps or a ladder – and a large window let in plenty of natural light.
But they really are small. You need to crawl in, and once inside standing is not an option. The bed takes up nearly the entire space and I could touch the walls on either side while lying in it. Nevertheless, with memory foam mattresses, soft pillows, duvets and fluffy towels, comfort was not an issue. Pod sharing is permitted but not encouraged, which, given the lack of room, seems wise.
I had about a metre of space at the foot of the bed, sufficient to store my giant case – although opening it was tricker and completely unpacking out of the question. Hangers were on hand to carry my ski jacket and damp ski pants, the rest stayed inside. There was good lighting, speedy Wi-Fi and a safe.
Over my welcome cocktail – which comes free with an online booking – I sampled The Living Room restaurant’s excellent menu, enjoying some crispy, warm, home-made flatbread with tapenade and charcuterie, and a salad of butternut squash, feta and aubergine (in the morning, my eggs benedict breakfast was equally good). Craft beers, wine and cocktails are served in the bar. Decor features long sharing tables, mid-century chairs and a mirrored ceiling. Dance beats provide the soundtrack.
Then it was time for bed. I left my shoes in the corridor, Japanese-style, and drew the (slightly transparent) curtain across the entrance to my pod. There was a fan to keep cool, but it created a bit of a hum, and with Pangea’s bar open until 1am I was lulled to sleep by the faint sound of music.
I was woken at 8am by my suite mate. Only very heavy sleepers would dodge this bullet and a full roster of pod-dwellers would certainly put lie-ins off the agenda. But with pods starting at just C$50 (£30) per person per night in low season, I was at least grateful for the money saved.
Named for pre-history’s original supercontinent, Pangea attracts worldwide custom. I met Britons, assorted Europeans, Australians and Canadians, mainly in their mid-20s to late 40s, all of whom seemed at home amid the industrial-chic décor.
Their common goal was interaction with people, and many told me they found Pangea’s communal spaces especially conducive to solo travel.
Whistler’s main gondolas to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains – and the bus station – are all a three-minute walk away, even in ski boots. There’s also plenty of nightlife close by. And among the hotel’s events are a daily cocktail hour with discounts, board-game nights, live sports on TV, and morning meetings to form casual groups for hitting the slopes.
Pangea offers a hip atmosphere, cleanliness and affordability, but steer clear if crawling into your bedroom sounds like a sacrifice too great.
How to book
Rooms at Whistler Pangea Pod hotel start at C$50 (£30) per night per person, rising in high season to C$200 (£120). Guests get a complimentary cocktail on arrival when booking direct online. Pods vary in size and shape. Luggage and valuables are stored outside for the smallest Mezzanine pods. Other pods are side entry or front entry. Side gives more storage room; front means sleepers’ heads are further from the entrance. Bring a lock for the safe; they are also available to buy at reception.
