This weekend we took the 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Limited up to Whistler for their annual food and drink celebration, Cornucopia.
The Seltos looks and feels rugged, giving me confidence to take the two hour drive along the winding roads of the Sea to Sky Highway, during this cold and rainy fall-winter season.
It is a subcompact SUV, ideal for those who want the practicality of a small SUV, but with a more upscale look, modern technology, and sportier design. The X-Line in particular has a more rugged, aggressive appearance than the standard Seltos. It is a good size for city driving, parking, and everyday errands. Although at the same time is equipped with enough room for comfortable cabin seating for two and all our winter luggage needed for the weekend.
The interior and its features is a juxtaposition of traditional and modern, like the manual wheel adjustment, but electrical buttons and switches to adjust the seats. A push press start coupled with a boxy gear shift. A wrap around flat; touch screen infotainment system, but the need to flip a switch to activate the light for the sun visor mirror. Perforated seats for heating and cooling, but a cloth headrest with a plastic shell. Track bar navigation for volume control on and off the wheel, wireless charging pad, and LED piping where you can choose your own colour theme; but a minimal sound system with smaller and less speakers.
Nonetheless it got us to our destination safely with some impressive technology. The 360-degree camera offered a bird’s-eye view when parking. The blind-spot camera gave me a live action view when signalling. The highway driving assist helped to steer, keep a following distance of my choosing, lane keeping, and assisted in safe lane changes. Plus there was collision avoidance when driving and for parking.
The smart cruise control with stop-and-go was less helpful given the more windy roads, but I did take advantage and apply it whenever possible.
I typically attend Cornucopia every other year, and on this, its 30th year in 2026, there was even more reason to visit.
We bee-lined it to our accommodations. We would be staying at the illustrious Fairmont Chateau Whistler for the next two nights and two days. It isn’t located within the village centre, where most of our scheduled Cornucopia drink seminars and culinary stage events were held, but I couldn’t be happier. As one of the nicest and most historic hotel properties in Whistler, our stay was truly a treat. One that was made more magical as they began decorating for Christmas during our visit. Each day we saw more trees, more garlands, and centre pieces get erected. More twinkling lights, more green and gold baubles, and more whimsy of the season came alive as they moved from fall gourds to snow flocked foliage.
And proximity wasn’t an issue because anywhere we needed to be or be picked up from, the hotel had a car service to help. You could either catch the shuttle that did a loop through the village every 15 minutes, or request a private car to get you to where you needed to go.
We would be staying in a two queen bed suite, on the 5th floor. And were welcomed to our unit with a warm greeting on postcard and a two tiered bird cage of sweet confections. Chocolate dipped strawberries, fresh berries, macarons, a variety of chocolate bark made with either nuts or dried fruit, and cookies.
Our suite gave us additional space with couch, table, and chair. On the counter top, below the television was a briefcase of stationary and reading material, a nespresso machine with pods, and two bottles of glacier water. No mini fridge, but a beverage fridge that charged the room for anything that we removed. There was also everything we need to crack open and chill our own bottle of wine or boil our own cup of tea.
The bathroom included a low tub, but rainfall shower with secondary option of removable shower wand. Therein were full sizes bottles of their Rose 31 apothecary line made by Le Labo for communal use. There are also individual bars of soap and a bottle of lotion for the vanity.
The bathroom also had three sizes of towels for two with extra sets, a non-slip rubber mat for the tub, hair dryer, and complimentary toiletries like shower cap and nail kit.
Each bed was fluffed with temperature control sheets and duvets, and three different type of pillows. I loved the real wood head board with built-in lamp that you can flip up to turn on and down to shut off.
In the closet were branded robes and disposable slippers, ideal to use when travelling to the outdoor pool. However due to our busy schedule and the rain fall we decided to stay warm and cozy in our room during any downtime. Opting to nap then to brave the elements.
However, our room faced the mountains and gave us an overhead view of said amenities, so we got to enjoy it vicariously through those who did. I enjoyed people watching from my perch.
This view included two heated pools, one for laps and one a general body to splash around in. There were also three different hot tubs, with accompanying racks for towels and robes, plus seats to rest in. They had barrel saunas for those who wanted to rest with some hot heat. Given the cooler weather and wind chill I was surprised that this was all still open for the season, as enthusiastically occupied as it consistently was.
There didn’t seem to be a time restriction for these amenities as we heard kids screaming and grown folks chatting well past 12am midnight and as early as 5am. Admittedly, as a light sleeper this did affect my rest, even after taking the bed furtherest from the window and making sure it was shut. Thankfully the air conditioning fan created some white noise to help with that.
We were also told that there was a 24 hour fitness centre, but never got a chance to explore. Not that I aim to work out when I am on vacation.
However on our first night, after valeting our vehicle, waiting for our bags to be brought up, and settling in a little; we did wander into their lobby lounge. This is the famed Mallard lounge where their coasters and napkins were decorated with little ducks in mid flight.
The lounge is first come first served and the most coveted seat was by the real, crackling wood fire place. We were able to grab a couple of stools facing a load bearing pillar and were just happy to be able to enjoy this lively ambiance.
Interestingly they didn’t have a fall drink list and were still serving summer cocktails the likes of tropical juices and sweet punches. The rest were classic cocktail option. My original seasonal pick of a Thai-inspired cocktail wasn’t available, so we both ordered one inspired by Manila instead. Centred around ube this was the Manila Midnight cocktail with Violette Liqueur, Ube Syrup, Mezcal, Lemon Juice, and Egg White. It was a striking sight in purple, but I was not a fan of the drink, refusing to finish it half way through. The cocktail felt odd and the ingredients scattered. The smokiness of the mezcal overpowers any of the distinct ube, you only get its colouring and chalky mouth-feel. Then the floral of the violette feels misplaced. I would have liked this better with a cream liquor and to make the glass more like a drinkable dessert. This take felt like it was trying too hard to be different for the sake of standing out.
We followed this with our usual and preferred espresso martini and dirty vodka martini with extra olives order, and were happy with it.
The rest of our time this weekend was spent at the Whistler Convention Centre attending wine seminars, signature dinners, wine paired dinners, and a show on the culinary stage. More on that in a separate post.
However we did enjoy breakfast at the hotel every morning. Their farm to table concept Wildflower was under renovations, and they did have breakfast buffet you can opt into at the Mallard Lounge every morning. However, we partook in their cafe experience instead. Located on the basement floor is Portobello, accessible through the hotel, past the Mallard Lounge, spa, and their series of retail shops.
Portobello serves as cafe, market place, and gift shop with a collection of seasonal goods, grab and go snacks and drinks, and a full sit down brunch menu to order from.
Although the handsome selection of fresh made pastries that includes croissants, donuts, and cookies is what catches your eye. We indulged in a couple of the cream stuffed rounds the likes of a crème burlee with crackling shell and thick custard, and a mocha cream with frosted top.
Their savoury brunch items are available until 11am. On the first morning I enjoyed one of their Lox Everything Bagels with generous amounts of Smoked Salmon, Lemon-Dill Cream Cheese, Cucumbers, Pickled Red Onions, and Capers. This was the refreshing and light start that I wanted.
Whereas my guest sought out comfort in one of their bowls that includes Scrambled Eggs, Local Potatoes, Spring Onions, Applewood Smoked Cheddar, Buttermilk Biscuit, Crispy Bacon, Ham, Pork Sausage, and Tomato Fondue.
On the second morning we both got one of their breakfast sandwiches on Soft Bun with Fried Egg and Tomato. I got their Veggie and Provolone and added on crispy bacon to Chipotle Roasted Red Onions, Peppers, and Garlic Aioli. And my guest got the Ham and Cheddar with a side of fruit for her roughage.
We both really liked their seasonal tea or coffee cups in tartan and plaid patterns for an apt ski chalet vibe.
Over all our stay was fantastic. All the staff were attentive and helpful from check in to check out. We felt welcomed and appreciated. Our luggage was brought up to our rooms, and the valets helped to pack them into the car when it was time to go. This was a stay I won’t soon forget. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have more down time to truly enjoy the amenities that included complimentary yoga and fitness classes, and have their gold member perks with a rotation of snacks and exclusive lounge access. But I guess that will have to be for another time and another trip.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
4599 Chateau Blvd, Whistler, BC V8E 0Z5
+1 (604) 938-8000
fairmont.com/en/hotels/whistler
