Whistler's new pod hotel is Canadian first

Whistler will be seeing a brand new style of hotel in 2018. The Co-Founder of the soon to open Pangea Pod Hotel in Whistler Village claims the business is the first of it’s kind in Canada.

The hotel features individual capsules or pods for guests rather than traditional rooms. Some liken the concept to a modern hostel but with more privacy. Co-Founder Russell Kling says the capsule concept originated in Japan and was geared towards travelling businessmen. There are pod businesses around the world that do certain things really well according to Kling who says they have tried to to use the best ideas and get rid of the worst; “imitation is the finest form of flattery”.

The new hotel touts a prime location along the Stroll, privacy for each guest and a chic high-end vibe. 88 pods are spread among 8 suites, the smallest suite has 6 pods, the largest has 18. One suite is designated as female only while the rest will be coed. Each suite has several bathroom facilities that are separated into individual toilets, showers, sinks and areas to change. The hotel will also feature a roof-top patio and living room that are open to members of the public who might want to grab a bite to eat without being a guest. Each guest will also be able to make use of secure storage lockers for ski equipment during the winter months, while 43 bikes can be stored in the summer months in the lockers.

The pods themselves include USB & standard outlets, a lockable private cabinet, individually controlled fan, light, hangers, mirror and cable lock to secure luggage.

Kling says they are catering to young professionals over 18, who want privacy and affordability, not students. He describes his guests as “10 years past the stage of life where they want to stay in a hostel in an iron bunk-bed with a drunk 18 year old puking because he drunk too much the night before”. The Co-Founder thinks two markets will be attracted to the pod style hotel – Europeans who are used to staying in hostel style accommodations and may want something more sophisticated than a hostel, and B.C. residents who may have been priced out of short term accommodation in Whistler.

The hope is to have the hotel open before Crankworx 2018 (August 10-19).