Who would have thought Whistler was magical in May?
The opportunity to participate in an All About Me Women’s Retreat in collaboration together with Fairmont Chateau Whistler. This is a true report of the event and my opinions are entirely my own.
I wasn’t aware of how badly I was in need of a few weeks away. The time of year is a joy with blooming flowers and the longer, more pleasant days. Social calendars fill up when everyone is from winter hibernation, and the stress of tax time fades. We’ve had the best weather, and this sun has maintained me in a constant state of happiness. The issue is that the pace of life can increase in stress and activity without notice. It was only when I was able to breathe the fresh mountain air and breathed in a fresh air.
I met up with Alex early in the morning on Friday morning to travel to Whistler. We’d been invited for an event for women in The Fairmont Chateau Whistler and desperately in need of a break, we each resolved to make it as rejuvenating as we could.
This is precisely why we started our journey in the morning, heading towards Scandinave Spa. The outdoor spa is one of my absolute favourite spots in the world and it was an absolute pleasure to stay for the entire day in the pools and then relaxing in an outdoor hammock, swinging in the breeze while reading a romance novel, to the sounds of nature and the sound of running water. It was a dream morning.
After a relaxing lunch on the patio in the Mallard Lounge, we were taken to our rooms. We were every one in one of their recently revamped Fairmont Chateau Whistler suites. I was absolutely awed. The modernizations are contemporary yet cozy, making the area bright and welcoming. The views of the mountains are stunning and the familiarity and comfort of the Fairmont and the feel of a boutique hotel. The room I stayed in had an eating area, a the living area, a separate bedroom, and two bathroom. I usually reside in a 700 square feet apartment which is shared with a male. Yes, I did use two bathrooms to be able (though this did impede the process of getting ready but it was worth it to have the luxury). To be honest I could have spent the time in the hotel room all by myself.
Although we were in a state of post-spa zen and enjoying the luxury of relaxing on our plush bed, the day was just too gorgeous to stay inside. Alex me and Alex set off for a short walk of just 10 minutes into the village to walk around for a while before the retreat truly began. We sipped a glass wine on the patio located in central village, and then soaked the sun’s early evening light.
I admit to being a bit overwhelmed (such I’m a light) and a little anxious about my rooftop Weekend Kickoff, as this was my first time attending a retreat of any sort. It was the perfect way to start things off. The presenters took a moment to introduce themselves. This made it easier to determine the schedule for the entire weekend. There was a wide range of activities to pick from such as wellness talks and fitness classes, meditation and hikes, painting and so on. Then we ate an amazing and healthy buffetthat I was very happy to find many vegan and vegetarian choices for me. We had a lovely time with beautiful women and enjoyed listening to the music who played during the sunset.
The friend we had with us Lynn led a candle-lit Yin Yoga class that night and we got a required stretch at the end of the evening. I enjoy the benefits of a good Yin to unwind the body and mind.
The term is “the Secret Season in Whistler. It’s still possible to ski in the area however it’s so hot that the chance of enjoying outdoor weather is very high. The crowds of summer visitors aren’t yet here, therefore you’ll avoid long queues and wait times. It’s really ideal.
The next morning, we woke up with a sense of rejuvination. There’s absolutely nothing that compares to sleeping in the Fairmont bed all by yourself. I was awake feeling like an exhausted Kween.
Alex and I had no problem getting dressed up and headed straight into the water before coffee. We took a few photos and sat around for a while before having breakfast. Then, we had an afternoon health session and we got back to swimming pool time for duration day. It was just too warm in May’s first day and how did we not? We drank cocktails, mixed drinks and sat down to talk about life, and relaxing in the hot spa. Since the focus of the “All About Me” weekend is to create room for what you require in life, it seemed appropriate that we took some time to lounge poolside.
Recognizing that I don’t often spend time out It was definitely nice to dress in time for the Longtable Dinner as well as the soiree the following evening. We had a blast getting acquainted with the ladies we sat with and the live entertainment was amazing! The event gave away some prizes, and then after several meals of food that were delicious (more than vegan, I was surprised) we were able to do a moment of dancing before ending the night.
To not sound dramatic We went home from our stay at the Fairmont Whistler feeling incredible. We relaxed, sure. However, there was also a focus on meeting fellow women as well as taking opportunity to explore about something new. This Women’s Retreat was very much needed, and I’ve met several friends who are already planning to meet next year!
Check Alex’s review on To Vogue Or Bust and we would like to express our gratitude to Fairmont Chateau Whistler for partnering with us! If you’re interested in participating in this year’s All About Me Women’s Weekend in the coming year, you can find more details on the website!