The first pod hotel in Canada will open next year in the heart of Whistler Village.
The Pangea Pod Hotel is located on the pedestrian-only “Village Stroll” and will offer Whistler Blackcomb’s more two million annual guests an affordable place to stay – a rarity during ski season.
The founders, Jelena and Russell Kling, got the idea for the hotel early in their relationship, during a three-year trek around the world. They say they saw a need for “affordable, stylish places to stay in prime locations” like Whistler, and the idea for the Pangea Pod Hotel was born.
Pod hotels are commonplace in Asian cities like Tokyo, but the founders say the Pangea Pod Hotel will be different, with luxury finishes like natural wood, memory foam double mattresses and artwork on the walls. 88 pods will be spread across eight suites, which will each have multiple four-piece bathrooms and private change rooms.
The pods are stacked on top of each other, two high, with the upper pods accessed via integrated steps and a leather strap to pull yourself into the pod.
At all times, there will be a minimum of one “all-female” suite in the hotel, which guests can specify their preference for during the reservation process. Access to each suite will be controlled by wristband keycard, meaning only guests staying the same suite will have access to the room.
Each pod will have its own fan for air circulation and white noise. There is also integrated LED lighting and USB and power outlets inside the pods. Free wifi is available throughout the hotel.
The hotel will offer secure storage for gear like skis, snowboards and bicycles, as well as personal items.
As for rates, the founders say the pods will be “significantly less expensive than the cost of a comparably-located hotel room in Whistler.”
Hub for global wanderers
The pod hotel will offer several amenity areas including:
“The Living Room”
- Café and bar with communal family-style tables, TV and board games
“The Rooftop Patio”
- Third-floor rooftop patio with small bar, standing counter and views over Whistler Village
“The Toy Box”
- ski and snowboard racks during the ski season
- secure storage for bicycles during spring and summer seasons
There are a small number of underground parking spots, as well as a laundry service.
The Pangea Pod Hotel is located at 4333 Sunrise Alley, Whistler, B.C. and should open in April 2018.
