The Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain
I’ve visited the Village at Blue Mountain for various fall events, but until recently I’d never stayed there. We were fortunate to stay at the Westin Trillium House for the duration of our two-night stay as we engaged in some of the many winter activities the resort has to offer. Overlooking the pond, the resort and village mimic those in Whistler, BC, and they do look so inviting.
Four of us were staying in a two bedroom suite, but it could have easily and comfortably slept six. With several closets to store our winter gear, we were able to keep the room fairly clutter-free. A kitchenette with a full-sized fridge, stove top, microwave, and dishwasher, as well as dishes in the cupboards make this room ideal for families who don’t mind cooking their own food to save some costs on eating out. The suite is open concept, with a large dining room table for six, a living room complete with a comfortable pullout couch, and a fireplace. The windows in the living room of our corner suite looked out over the skating rink on the pond, which made for a fantastic view.
I must admit, I’ve never stayed in a more comfortable hotel room. The decorating made it feel more like a condo than a hotel—I could definitely live there!
If you’re like me and enjoy working out while on vacation, you won’t be disappointed with the gym facilities here. A bright, open-concept exercise area overlooks the outdoor hot tub and pool. A dry sauna is located across from the gym and served as an excellent place to warm up before running outside to the hot tub. After a day of snow shoeing and skiing, the outdoor hot tub was a welcome treat and the combination of wind, snow, and steam made for a truly mysterious atmosphere. Make sure you don’t leave your room key in your robe pocket. We did… and we all ended up with each other’s keys and had to get them re-swiped at the front desk.
The Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain is a pet-friendly hotel. You must register your dog upon booking and then adhere to the usual stipulations. This is great news for those who love to travel and vacation with their pet.
The Village Restaurants
The night we arrived, we decided to explore the Village and get our bearings. It didn’t take long, thankfully, to get around the village in the -30C temperatures before deciding to eat at one of the mid-level restaurants, Copper Blues Bar and Grill. The food was absolutely delicious and the portions were generous. If you have dietary restrictions such as eating gluten-free or if you’re just trying to eat healthy, this menu is for you. From kale and spinach to quinoa, nuts, and seeds, vegetarians and vegans will also find delicious options on this menu.
For breakfast, we wandered down to enjoy the breakfast buffet at the Oliver & Bonacini restaurant in the Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain hotel. We had high hopes for this restaurant but were, sadly, left wanting. While the food was good, it didn’t stand out as being exceptional. The atmosphere was quite pleasing—casual enough to wander in dressed for your outdoor activities, but equally suited to those who like to dress up for dinner. I’d recommend checking out this restaurant for supper to fully test its culinary reputation. Another, more affordable, option for breakfast is to visit the Sunset Grill in the Village. Our server there was lovely and even offered to give us coffees to go to help us stay warm for the trek back to the hotel.
After a full day of activity, sometimes you just want to go somewhere casual for dinner. I highly recommend the Firehall Pizza Co. True to its name, the restaurant is decorated with firehall paraphernalia to create a comfortable and interesting diner-style atmosphere. The servers completed the look with their uniforms, and we found them to be extremely helpful. While you can order burgers and fries, all four of us opted to try their namesake—pizza. If you can think of a type of pizza you want, they have it – our server was happy to make recommendations and provide advice. The pizza crusts are thin to allow the combination of toppings to take centre stage, and they even offer a tasty gluten-free crust. Of all the pizzas, my Tuscana choice was the envy of the group. But the best part of this restaurant was that my favourite and rare UK beer was available on tap, and when it was served in the proper glass, I knew this place was going to be special.
Exploring the Village
The boys left to go skiing and, unfortunately, our horse sleigh ride was cancelled due to extreme weather, which meant my friend and I had the afternoon free to indulge in perhaps the most pleasant of winter activities: shopping!
We still needed to bundle up but it was fun to explore the shops in the Village atmosphere. From a store dedicated to yoga wear to candy shops, to gift shops with out-of-the-ordinary finds, the Village offers something for everyone. If you’re looking for a warmer pair of gloves, or if you’re in need of a new winter coat, make your way to the Columbia stores—there’s a store for kids, and a separate store for adults, conveniently located near the Activities Centre. An all-season Christmas store is also a popular spot. Sales happening at this time of the season made for a successful shopping experience.
After all that excitement, we opted to go to an independent café instead of our usual Starbucks. Well-known for its desserts, the Royal Majesty Espresso Bar Bakery was highly recommended by several of the locals. Still full from lunch, we split a gluten-free brownie and enjoyed our coffee and vanilla chai tea along with some great conversation. The café also offers home-baked treats for our canine friends; we went back the next day and picked some up for our darling pooch.
I loved my stay at the Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain and highly recommend it to anyone wanting a romantic getaway, to enjoy winter activities with friends, or to make it a family affair. Now I find myself wanting to go back and enjoy what Blue has to offer in the summer months.
Note: We were guests of Blue Mountain Resort. The opinions expressed, positive and/or negative, are entirely that of the author and are not a reflection of the compensation received.
For more experiences in the area check out:
– Saying AHHH at Scandinave Spa: Switzerland in Ontario
– The Winter Blues Are a Matter of Perspective at Blue Mountain
