SUMMER 2015
Enjoying the view from the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish should be on everyone’s Vancouver/Whistler to do list!
I love lists. I use them to keep myself organized, both at work and at home. Most people don’t associate lists with fun though. This issue of Compass aims to prove a good list can inspire the best vacations.
We’ve compiled the top 20 properties in the Hotels and Resorts collection in ExtraOrdinary Escapes (page 16). In addition to being beautiful and internationally diverse, they are all available on Reservations Online for immediate booking. Interval International continues to be a popular choice with Members – we’ve identified the top 10 destinations, along with some tips to help you book your vacation (page 23). Grocery lists can be fun, too, especially when you’re cooking in your gourmet kitchen at Club Intrawest — Blue Mountain (page 14). Some people use lists to help them make a decision, weighing the pros and cons. Deciding to become a Member of Club Intrawest is a life-changing decision (page 28), as the Endo family shares. More and more Members are joining the conversation on the Club’s social media channels. Pull up a real-time list of what people are saying by searching #clubintrawest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get a taste of some of the great vacation inspiration being shared. Lastly, I hope that Club Intrawest – and vacationing in general – is at the top of your to do list this summer and fall. See you at the Club, Robert
Robert Reyes Vice-President, Member Experience Member since 2009
CLUB INTRAWEST The Landing #326 – 375 Water Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5C6
2 CLUB VIEW
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On Cover: Club Intrawest — Zihuatanejo. Photo by Jillian Mitchell.
DID YOU KNOW? UKEE TURNS ONE
Club Manager Laura Noges and Member Experience Associate Sebastian Duque celebrated Club Intrawest — Ucluelet’s first birthday in May by hosting a cocktail reception in the Member Lounge. “I can’t believe it’s been a whole year,” said Laura. “It feels like we just opened the Club to Members. Everyone who comes here raves about the natural beauty of the area, from storm watching in the winter to hiking and kayaking in the summer.”
CHARGED UP
Club Intrawest has partnered with Tesla Motors to install charging stations at the Club locations. As of July, stations are available for Members and Guests of the Club in Tremblant, Palm Desert, Whistler, Blue Mountain and Sandestin. “In addition to the Tesla charging stations, Tesla also installed universal charging stations for use with other electric vehicles,” said Robert Reyes, Vice President, Member Experience. “As part of our Thinking Green initiative we’re excited to support Members who choose to drive environmentally-friendly vehicles.”
CLUB YOGA @ PALM DESERT
Get in touch with your inner yogi at Palm Desert. Due to its popularity, there will be two Club Yoga events: October 4-9 and 1823. Each week-long event is comprised of more than just yoga, although that is how you’ll start your day. Enjoy a wine and cheese welcome reception, daily outdoor breakfast buffet, a mountain hike with a picnic lunch, one hour custom massage or a round of golf and more! To reserve your spot, contact Member Experience Manager Philip Casila at 760.674.1368 or pcasila@clubintrawest.com.
AT THE 9 CLUB INTRAWEST LOCATIONS, THERE ARE.....
14 34 5 pools
bbqs
theaters COMPASS 3
Fore the Love of Golf If you’re an avid golfer, Palm Desert is a popular destination when it comes to vacations. Mix in mountain-top picnics, star gazing with an astronomer and a massage or two and you’ve got the Palm Desert Golf Tour at Club Intrawest. Here, Gordon Dowbiggin, a Member since 1996, shares his experience attending the week-long event last year. The big trend in golf holidays now seems to be the ‘Golf Buddies/Girls/Couples’ trip in which a bunch of friends travel to somewhere like Ireland, Scotland, Florida or Arizona and “golf ‘til you drop”. Typically, participants are given the opportunity to play superior courses at discounted prices and then enjoy good food and good company together. If you’ve ever had to organize a trip like this, you know that it takes a lot of work to put it all together. Wouldn’t it be great if you could visit one of the beautiful Club Intrawest resorts and have a funfilled week of golf all arranged for you at some of the top courses in the area? Well, for those of us who signed up for the 2014 Club Intrawest Golf Tour at Palm Desert, that’s exactly what we were lucky enough to experience.
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Upon arriving in Palm Springs after our nonstop flight from Toronto, we made our way to the Resort Center to meet with our hosts and co-participants over a beverage or two. We all agreed that we could use some fine-tuning on our games and we were looking forward to the golf clinic the following morning. After a delicious breakfast at the Club, the first day commenced at Desert Willow Academy with the resident professionals breaking down full swings, chipping, pitching and putting for each one of us. Armed with new tips to conquer the beautiful Firecliff course, we ventured out in hopes of straighter shots and lower scores. On day two, we hopped on a luxury coach after breakfast and made our way to one of the real gems in the Valley, The Classic Club.
Only 10 minutes up the road from the resort, it lies on a beautiful piece of rolling property that offers some awesome vistas. The palatial Tuscan clubhouse overlooks 18 immaculately groomed golf holes that offer a challenge to every level of player without being overly punitive. The signature hole is #7, a 415 yard par 4 beauty. From the elevated tee box, you can see the clubhouse behind the green, framed against the San Jacinto Mountains but don’t get distracted because you need to focus on your drive. You must hit a horseshoe shaped fairway guarded by a gaping bunker and then contend with water that borders the left side of the green on your approach if you hope to make par or better. Later in the day, we ventured across Country
HURRY, SPA CE IS FILLIN
G QUICKLY!
DESERT GOLF TOUR by Club Intrawest — Palm Desert Nov 29–Dec 4, 2015
A friendly and fun–filled week with activities on and off the links. • • • • • •
4 Rounds of Premier Golf Golf Clinic Daily Breakfast and Lunch S pa Treatment T ransportation to all Golf & Activities Farewell Dinner at The Cork Tree Restaurant .... and more!
$899usd per person Club Drive to the luxurious JW Marriott Resort to be pampered in their tranquil spa. Everyone emerged feeling recharged and relaxed. But it’s no late night because Day three features the highlight of the week: a round at the intimidating PGA West TPC Stadium. This is the course that aspiring PGA rookies must tackle as part of their gruelling Q-School qualification. It’s rated as one of the Top 100 courses in the world by Golf Magazine and one of the Top 50 hardest in the States. Designer Pete Dye made sure that the pros are sufficiently challenged with 7,300 yards of length and an absurd slope of 150 from the back tees. Fortunately, we moved up to one of the other four tees and made the round much more enjoyable. The Stadium features the signature #17 “Island Hole” which is, of course, surrounded by water. A solid pitching wedge or 9 iron will carry the water and I was lucky enough to put my tee shot within 6 feet of the pin. And, yes, I did make the birdie putt. What a rush! We topped off the round with a delicious lunch in the clubhouse. For our final round of the week, we travelled
to one of the top golf resorts in the U.S., Indian Wells Golf Resort. We were treated to the Gary Player course which was in amazing shape, impeccably manicured and scenic. A unique feature of the club is the pace-of-play incentive which rewards any foursome that finishes in 4 hours and 15 minutes or less with a free drink or appetizer in the clubhouse afterwards. Naturally, we made sure to finish on #18 with a few minutes to spare after doing battle with the course and collected our vouchers from the starter. We used our vouchers along with the gift card provided by tour organizer, Philip Casila, to enjoy a terrific lunch on the deck. The closing banquet was held at the wonderful Cork Tree restaurant where the Chef had designed a customized menu for us. What a meal! It was the perfect cap to a great week. On our final morning, we said our goodbyes to our new friends, promising to return next year. We all agreed that for anyone who enjoys golf and good living, the Club Intrawest Desert Golf Tour is a must. We’re already making our travel plans for the next Tour. See you there! COMPASS 5
Accommodations must be booked separately. During this time, a 1–Bedroom Vacation Home starts at only 14 Resort Points per night. With only 40 spots on our Leader Board, space will fill up fast! Contact Member Experience Manager Philip Casila to reserve your spot! Phone 760.674.1368 or email pcasila@ clubintrawest.com.
Measured by Design Coming Soon to Palm Desert… The Casita Vacation Homes
As you may have seen on Facebook and Twitter, or on the Member Web site, we are excited to announce the construction of new Vacation Homes in Palm Desert! Crews began work on the first building in phase three at Club Intrawest — Palm Desert on February 2, 2015. The five new Vacation Homes will be ready for Member occupancy on October 2, 2015. This new building will be a departure from the existing Vacation Home design in Palm Desert. These will be designated as Premium Casita Vacation Homes and will be comprised of three 1-Bedroom Terraces upstairs, and a 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom downstairs. And as a first for Club Intrawest, the new 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom Vacation Homes will have an adjoining door and the capability to be reserved as a 5-Bedroom Vacation Home. The five new Vacation Homes will have an upgraded look and feel from the existing Palm Desert Vacation Homes. We spoke to Interior Designer, May Cheng (from the award winning M STUDIO Design Consultants) about what Members can expect from the new Casitas. What inspired the art & design of the Casita Vacation Homes? We wanted to bring the “romance” of California into the Vacation Homes - a mix of Spanish colonial and mission style with a classic modern twist. Introduction of blue and green hues cool off the living space and bring a fresh and light air to the Casitas. What are the biggest changes and how are you modernizing the Vacation Homes without losing that same Club Intrawest — Palm Desert feel? We have updated the Palm Desert feel with new finishes: white-washed textured walls, neutral colored polished concrete floors and natural wood beams on the ceiling. The new dining area is a more social gathering space with a rough-hewn salvaged plank round table surrounded by Spanish inspired dining chairs. The highlight in the living space is the wall of niches that showcase new artwork and house the 60” flat screen TV. 6 AT YOUR CLUB
The kitchens have a lot of exciting new updates. Can you tell us more about the Casita’s expanded kitchen? There are lots of changes that you will love in the kitchen. We have updated the Casitas with a stainless steel wine cooler, a kitchen faucet pot filler, a porcelain farmhouse kitchen sink and insuite laundry. There will be no shortage of storage with the additional cabinets and the open shelves running along the subway tiled back walls. Tech upgrades are tops on Members’ wish lists. What new tech items can Members expect? The bedrooms will feature a 40” Samsung flat-screen TV, with a 60” TV in the living room – perfect for a family movie night. We’ll have electrical outlets with integrated USB connections for charging devices in the bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens. The Casitas will also feature smart thermostat technology that will reduce energy use when the Vacation Homes are unoccupied.
A look inside the NEW Casita Vacation Homes... Outdoor showers in all Vacation Homes. 2 showers in the 2- and 3-Bedrooms! 60” flat screen TVs in living room Designated dining areas
‘Blue’tiful Developments
Insuite laundry
Pot filler faucet
Outdoor fireplace
Adjoining doors create a massive 5-Bedroom Vacation Home
Outdoor terrace directly off the living area of all Vacation Homes.
Stainless steel wine cooler
Private master bedroom terrace in 2- and 3-Bedrooms
40” flat screen TVs in all bedrooms
2-Bedroom
Jetted tubs in master bathroom
3-Bedroom COMPASS 7
This spring, Club Intrawest — Blue Mountain added seven brand new 1-Bedroom Vacation Homes, all located in the Blue Heron Building. At the same time, we completed upgrades to all the existing 1-Bedroom Vacation Homes so they now feature a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen. While adding the Vacation Homes, we carved out space in the lower level of the building for a full-screen theater with surround-sound for Club Members to enjoy nightly screenings of their favorite films. The newly christened “Blue Moon Theater” is a regular destination for Members staying at the Club. Recognizing gamers come in all ages and sizes, the Club also created a dedicated arcade room called “The Hang Out” in the lower level of the Blue Heron building. “The Hang Out” is equipped with such classic games as Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Donkey Kong.
y e K e Th � “ i Z to
How do you unlock the quintessential Zihuatanejo experience? Karen Anderson, Member since 2000, will tell you the key lies in the cuisine.
Colorful houses dot sun-baked hillsides as you emerge from the coconut groves lining the airport road. The streets multiply and narrow as you draw closer to town. Life’s flow seems to funnel and slow along with the speed of your cab. People sit and chat as they tilt back in white plastic chairs in the late afternoon shade. You can’t see the beach but you know it’s close as salt tangs the air billowing through the open window. You climb a hill then swoop down on a hard right lurching to a stop by large rocks and a waterfall’s cascade. Your bags are lifted from the trunk as you pay the fare. The door opens and a smiling face offers a hand in friendship and an enthusiastic, “Welcome home.“ You take two steps up to the lobby and stop in your tracks. Between polished floors and a towering palapa roof, the azul waters and panoramic vista of Zihuatanejo Bay blow a kiss of cool air to greet you. Your shoulders lower and soften a notch as the corners of your mouth turn up. Within an hour of landing at Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport you are plunging into the warmth of the waiting South Pacific and an ice-cold beverage does all the sweating for you back at your beach chair.
You’ve been given the key to your home away from home and – if you’d like - your Membership can also provide a key to understanding the local culture with the opportunities the Club provides for learning about the local cuisine. Mexican cuisine and culture (the ways of daily life) are inseparable. What you find on your plate today in Zi are foods that have been determined by the local geography and ecosystem over centuries. Beans, corn and squash - the three sisters that feed people as they nourish each other - are still staples here. The town’s history as a sleepy fishing village means that a bounty of seafood is not only a part of the daily menu but the creator of the rhythm of life here as well. The people that work at your Club are truly locals. Ask them what they’ll do on their vacation and they’ll tell you that they’ll stay in Zi because it is their paradise. They like to fish and spend time in their hammocks and with family and friends. Yesenia Pimental, a local and the food and beverage manager for acopio – the Club’s restaurant - will introduce you to tequila and
COMPASS 9
its oft-overlooked twin, mezcal. In her classes you’ll learn that despite the rest of North America’s predilection for drinking these agave-based liquors in Margaritas, Mexicans prefer them reposado (rested and aged) or añejo (extra aged). They sip it with their meals straight up. Pimental is also part of the Team that sees Executive Chef Mario Ramirez take Members and Guests on weekly tours of the town’s thriving fresh food markets. Ramirez was born in Zi, attended culinary school in Mexico City and was formerly head chef of the stunning Tentaciones Hotel and Restaurant near Club Intrawest. Early risers can join a sunrise trip to the fisherman’s market on the main beach in town. If you look at night you’ll see the lights of their boats bobbing in the black ink of night. They return in the wee hours to nap in hammocks, sell their catch early, nap and start again. Camarones (shrimp), mahi mahi, tuna, sail fish, snapper, squid and 10 THE KEY TO ZI
octopus are favorites. Huachinango (whole silver snapper) is a breakfast specialty served in a savoury tomato Veracruzana sauce. Chef Mario loves to work with the mahi mahi and has shared a recipe using it in the local version of ceviche known as Tiritas de Pescado (see sidebar for recipe). For those who like to sleep later there’s a mid-morning outing to Mercado Municipale – the farmers’ market - and Mercado Centrale - the town’s long-established market with more extensive butcheries and dry goods as well as baking and a few small eateries. Mercado Municipale’s stalls are stuffed with green jalapeños, dusty red guajillos and bright orange Scotch Bonnet chiles. Women stand and dice tender nopales (cactus) with razor sharp knives. Pale green tomatillos, bright red tomatoes and Haas avocados at various stages of ripeness gush their fertility. Mangoes, small deep red strawberries and melons drip with sweet juices as Chef Mario cuts samples for tasting. Knobbly
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This recipe is for one person – multiply as you wish. Chef Mario uses slightly thawed frozen mahi mahi for ease of slicing. Albacore tuna from Canada’s west coast is a good alternative or ask your local fishmonger for a sushi grade frozen fish if neither of these are available.
squash, golden zucchini blossoms, and fresh garbanzo and pinto beans seem to call adios to their sweet corn sister as she waits, across the market, to be ground for tortillas. Chef buys queso fresco (fresh cheese) plain, smoked or herbed. He’ll use it as a garnish to enhance the flavours he’s planned for lunch back at the Club. Around the corner, Mercado Centrale is the place for organic vanilla, coffee and cocoa that make great take-home gifts. A stall filled with an assortment of prepared moles (sauce bases ground in mortar and pestles from many ingredients) saves a lot of work should you want to buy a pound of fresh shrimp to fry up in your Vacation Home. Women with huge tubs of tamales – a sort of stuffed corn pudding steamed in husks – are the local heroes for the time they save their compadres. Chicharrónes – pork cracklings - are purchased to top pozole, a local dish of white corn hominy soup that’s traditionally eaten on Thursdays though nobody remembers why. Return to the market another day to grab a bite at a taqueria or to seek out the local specialty of buns filled with slow-cooked pork – a bollilo relleno. Back at the Club, Chef Mario and Sous Chef Huber teach authentic yet approachable dishes and they give you the recipes to pack along with your memories. Enjoying a feast of seafood while looking over the bay it came from, knowing a little about the farmers that grew the produce and enjoying the acopio or gathering, you feel first-hand the powerful connection of cuisine and culture. A dip in the ocean, an afternoon in a hammock under the palms, an evening strolling to the town’s shops or festival plaza and you’re well on your way to living la vida local. Welcome to life at Club Zi.
Karen Anderson is a freelance writer, cookbook author, CBC radio food columnist and owner of Calgary Food Tours Inc. She’s been a Member of Club Intrawest since 2000.
- ½ lb frozen fish fillet – partially thawed - ¼ red onion, thinly sliced in lengthwise strips - 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves - ½ teaspoon finely diced habanero or jalapeño chile or to taste - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice - ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt or to taste
1. Lay the fish fillet flat on a cutting board and slice through on the horizontal then cut each piece in half and the halves in thin strips about two inches long. 2. P lace the fish in a bowl and toss with the onions, cilantro, chile and lime juice. 3. Season with salt and enjoy with tortilla chips. COMPASS 13
Order Up! Dr. Michael Beattie is a Chiropractor in Waterloo, Ontario focusing on health and wellness. Michael, his wife Sari and two children have been Members since 2008. Here, he shares how vacations and healthy eating can be a harmonious event. Have you ever needed your holiday to end so you can get back home and get back to eating properly? After a few all-inclusive holidays, I knew there had to be a better way. Then one weekend while visiting Blue Mountain in Collingwood, we were presented with the option of staying at Club Intrawest and realized that I was ‘home’. Upon seeing the full size kitchen options in the Vacation Homes, I knew this was the solution I was looking for. Initially my wife’s concern was that we didn’t want to have to cook while on vacation. However, over the years we’ve learned how to prepare quick, nutritious meals we all enjoy. My family is not a combination of fussy eaters, but we are particular with how our food is prepared and tend to eat fairly ‘light.’ My wife is gluten free, and my son is meatless, both by choice. While many restaurants now offer vegetarian options and gluten free options, we still prefer having our foods prepared using ‘lighter’ techniques than many restaurants use. 14 AT YOUR CLUB
Over the past 2 years, my family has changed our diet from a standard ‘meat and potato’ diet to one full of fresh fruits and vegetables, grilled chicken or fish, and vegetarian options. And over the past 2 years, we have all noticed an improvement in our health and energy levels. This is us at Club Intrawest — Blue Mountain, and what a typical lunch or dinner looks like for us. Off to the local grocery store we went to pick up a box of organic field greens, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, beans, onions, cherry tomatoes, organic turkey burgers and a veggie burger for my son. Then back to the Vacation Home and within an hour we were enjoying low fat burger patties and veggies. My kids got involved in preparing the salad, by chopping up the peppers, cucumbers, and adding cherry tomatoes. We used to buy romaine lettuce but found the time it took to wash and prep it was just enough of a deterrent that we didn’t eat a lot of salad. So now we buy
organic field greens, effectively allowing us to make a salad within 15 minutes. My wife prepared green beans and onions, the kids made the salad and I bbq’d the turkey and veggie patties. To encourage eating and filling up on salad and vegetables, we usually skip the buns. If you wanted hamburger buns, whole wheat, or even better, the whole wheat thin buns are a great option. After enjoying lunch, we were all ready to go exploring, with stomachs that weren’t weighed down by a heavy meal. Next time you are at your Vacation Home, ask the Club Intrawest staff if they know of a local farmer’s market. While in Zihuatanejo, we went to the local grocery store and picked up the basic groceries. Next time I’m in Zihuatanejo, I plan on taking the tour with their chef to the local farmer’s market. It’s the perfect way to enjoy locally grown foods, while seeing the culture and visiting the people of Mexico. We’ve always looked forward to going to our Club Intrawest Vacation Home, and more-so now as we know our stomachs will thank us for feeding it meals that won’t leave us feeling like we need a holiday from our holiday. We return home, truly rested and rejuvenated, and looking forward to our next holiday.
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While many restaurants now offer vegetarian and gluten free options, we still prefer having our foods prepared using ‘lighter’ techniques than many restaurants use.
Get Fresh @ Blue
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At Club Intrawest — Blue Mountain the in-room dining continues to be very popular with Members. All of the menu items are locally made with fresh ingredients. While the selection changes seasonally, some family-favorite comfort food options like creamy mac and cheese, shepherd’s pie and lasagna are always on-hand. Along with delicious seasonal soups and a variety of heavenly desserts – all items are delivered directly to the Members’ Vacation Home door. All you have to do is warm the selection in the oven and enjoy! For current pricing and availability, visit Member Reception. The Breakfast at Blue continues to draw Members to its wonderful variety of fresh and delicious items, served daily throughout the year. While the Breakfast Buffet is available to Members yearround 8am to 11am every Saturday and Sunday, during the quieter season mid-week we provide a made-to-order Breakfast Basket option. Place your order the night before – select from a variety of fresh toasting breads, jams, fruit, yogurt, juice and coffee. The personalized Breakfast Basket is delivered at the requested time, along with the morning newspaper, directly to your Vacation Home door. During the busier seasons, the Breakfast Buffet is offered seven days a week – all to help Club Members start their day with a hearty and delicious breakfast while meeting up with other Club Members in the beautiful Lodge Great Room. For current pricing, please see Member Reception. COMPASS 15
Checking In The Top 20 Hotels and Resorts There are close to 90 properties in the Hotels and Resorts collection in ExtraOrdinary Escapes. The following 20 properties, in addition to being the most popular, can all be booked online through your Member Web site.
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AKA TIMES SQUARE
THE BEACH CLUB RESORT
EVOLUTION, LEGENDS & FIRST TRACKS LODGE
New York City, New York
Parksville, British Columbia
Whistler Creekside, British Columbia
Designed in 1893 by famed architect George Keister, the former Hotel Gerard was designated a national Historic Landmark in 1981. Today, it provides spacious (by NY standards!) and modern accommodations wedged between Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park with countless Broadway shows in between.
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This beautiful beachfront resort was built on the former site of the famous Island Hall Resort. The Island Hall opened in 1917 and became one of Parksville’s flagship destinations for the next 80 years – even hosting Queen Elizabeth II!
These three properties in Whistler’s quieter Creekside area are similar with large suites offering full kitchens and other familyfriendly amenities. Ever wonder what the difference is? Evolution is an ultra-modern, pet-friendly location with great amenities like the eucalyptus steam room. Legends is the brightly decorated family favorite with spacious accommodations and kid-friendly amenities like the movie theater and games room. First Tracks Lodge is the sophisticated charmer with dark cherry wood finishes and Whistler’s top stop on TripAdvisor. Bonus: All 3 are ski-in, ski-out!
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THE FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL
THE FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE
THE FAIRMONT WHISTLER
Banff, Alberta
Lake Louise, Alberta
Whistler, British Columbia
When it was first built, the plans had been misinterpreted and the hotel was being built backwards. Rather than having the front looking out over the majestic view of the river, it was facing the forest and mountain behind, leaving the kitchen area and staff quarters with the best views – oops!
You won’t be the only VIP enjoying the incredible views at this historic hotel. Literally hundreds of stars have checked-in, including Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock, Prince Rainier of Monaco, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, as well as King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan to name a few! You never know who you might see strolling around the lake.
Talk about buzzworthy guests! In 2014, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler installed four beehives totaling 120,000 bees. The European Honey Bees will help pollinate flowers in the garden and will produce a delicate wildflower honey that will be harvested by the hotel’s Chefs for use in culinary and cocktail creations. Now, in 2015, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is home to over 240,000 bees! The bees will travel up to 3km to pollinate local wildflowers.
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FIRELIGHT AT THE POND
Silver Star Mountain, British Columbia
Just outside Vernon, Silver Star Mountain has been developed to resemble an early 1900’s mining town. The quaint village architecture and vibrant colors are quickly appreciated. Firelight at the Pond is ideally situated at the west end of the village, just steps away from all the action on Brewer’s Pond and Tube Town. All the rooms at the Lodge are positioned to offer great views of the water or mountains. They call the look of the rooms ‘Contemporary Mountain’.
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HARRISON HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA
THE MARKER HOTEL - UNION SQUARE
Harrison, British Columbia
San Francisco, California
Originally used by the Coast Salish First Nations for their medicinal properties and rejuvenating effects, the resort’s hot springs pools have been attracting visitors for years — including famous guests such as Clark Gable, John Wayne, Michael Bublé, Robin Williams, and Liam Neeson! The resort features five different hot-spring-fed mineral pools, each kept at a different temperature.
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Itching to see San Francisco but need some wheels? Borrow one! The hotel’s complimentary bikes will be easy to spot on the street with its custom cherry-red frame, brass bell, and rear basket that can be filled with tasty picnic fare by the hotel’s award-winning chefs (picnic lunch available for purchase). These threespeed street cruisers make it fun to go out for a spin whether a novice or expert cyclist!
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HOTEL MONACO SEATTLE Seattle, Washington
It’s all about the guppy love at Hotel Monaco Seattle. Check the “Request Goldfish” box on Reservations Online and the Team at this stylish hotel will loan you a goldfish to keep you company during your stay. And without any extra effort – housekeeping is trained to feed and care for the fish so all you need to do is enjoy!
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LORIEN HOTEL & SPA Alexandria, Virginia
Need a good night’s sleep? This fun Kimpton Hotel offers a Dream Menu, with a collection of services and amenities to get a good night’s sleep. Need Snore-no-More pillow for that noisy spouse? A sleep mask? Or even a good-old fashioned teddy bear? Just press the “Dream” button on the Guestroom phone!
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THE MERITAGE RESORT AND SPA
Napa, California
This AAA Four-Diamond Resort features Wine Country’s only underground full-service spa, tasting room, and banquet room – all built into one magnificent Estate Cave. The cave is a destination in itself; steam grottos, soaking pools, waterfalls, and revitalizing treatments are all part of the experience at the underground Spa Terra. The Estate Cave also features Trinitas Tasting Room, where beautiful stone and dark woods create a wine-tasting environment unlike any other.
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MORRISON HOUSE Alexandria, Virginia
Ready to relax after a long day of sightseeing? This boutique hotel offers so many little extras – a yoga mat in each room…and a nightly hosted wine hour!
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PARKSIDE HOTEL & SPA
Victoria, British Columbia
Parkside Hotel is green. Very green. They are a LEED certified sustainable building. Also, their outdoor gardens on the first floor are home to edible fruit plants such as grapes, strawberries, blueberries and apple trees. Green never tasted so good.
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RANCHO BERNARDO INN San Diego, California
Rated a AAA Four Diamond Hotel for the past 39 years in a row, the Rancho Bernardo Inn has been voted the #1 Hotel Spa in North America by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.
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SOLARA RESORT & SPA Canmore, Alberta
Spread out in style in the Canadian Rockies. Granite counters in the kitchen add a touch of luxury, while oversized windows allow a generous amount of light to brighten your mountain home. The true star of the show, however, is the spa-inspired bathroom, complete with separate shower and soaker tub.
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SPIRIT RIDGE RESORT & SPA Osoyoos, British Columbia Perched above Osoyoos Lake and the Sonara Dunes Golf Course, this polished all-suite resort is home to the first aboriginal-owned and operated vineyard and winery in North America. Nk’Mip Cellars is the perfect place to relax and taste-test world-famous Okanagan wines. Osoyoos is also Canada’s warmest and driest climate.
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THE WESTIN VERASA NAPA
THE WESTIN MONACHE RESORT, MAMMOTH
Napa, California
Don’t miss the Westin Unwind event, which takes place daily from 5 to 7pm in the lobby. Depending on which night you show up, a representative from any of the local wineries will be there for you to sample a variety of wine alongside tapas prepared by the hotel’s chefs.
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Mammoth Lakes, California
So much to do! Mammoth Mountain offers world-class skiing & snowboarding in the winter with hiking, golf and fishing in the summer. If that’s not enough to keep you busy, Olympic marathon runners, pro-snowboarders, pro-skiers, and more have been known to train on the staircase leading into the hotel!
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LE WESTIN RESORT & SPA
Tremblant, Quebec
Since eating well isn’t just for grown-ups, Westin Tremblant has teamed up with the experts at SuperChefs™ to offer the Westin Eat Well Menu for Kids. Comprised of doctors, dentists, chefs, dieticians and other experts, SuperChefs™ is dedicated to educating kids on the importance—and the fun—of eating smart. Each of their special menu offerings is as delicious as it is nutritious, making kids and parents happy.
Good Company
The 10 most popular Interval International Destinations
Since launching the Interval International partnership in June 2012, Club Intrawest Members have enjoyed almost 10,000 vacations with our premier exchange partner. While Members have literally traveled the world, the following 10 destinations have proven to be the most popular:
Breckenridge, Colorado Cancun, Mexico Fort Lauderdale, Florida Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Honolulu, Hawaii Las Vegas, Nevada Malaga, Spain Orlando, Florida Scottsdale, Arizona
Search Tips With more than 3,500 resort properties in the Interval International collection, it can seem a little daunting when it comes time to book your vacation. Consider these tips to help you navigate the world of Interval International: Cast a wide net Going to Cancun? Open your search to all resorts at this destination rather than just one or two hotels. Consider including the Mayan Riviera, too! Mix it up Select as many dates as possible for the best results. Be Flexible If your search results in no availability, click on the ‘Other Suggestions’ link to show available dates and destinations. Place a Request Your dream vacation isn’t available? Placing a request holds your place in line until the resort and dates you want become available. This gives you the advantage over those who do not have a pending request.
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Once in a Lifetime Adventures On the Wild West Coast
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We are Jill & Guy Wikeley, Members from England who joined the Club back in 2007. This is the story of our amazing Club Intrawest and ExtraOrdinary Escapes adventure! To celebrate our 50th birthdays and our 10th wedding anniversary, we planned this bucket-list holiday to fulfil a long held desire to see grizzly bears in the wild. A Team Member at Club Intrawest — Sandestin originally gave us the idea a few years ago and in September of 2014 we finally did it!
ROOM WITH A VIEW We enjoyed a smooth flight over the pond and checked in for our first stay at Club Intrawest — Vancouver. We were so impressed with the stunning views from our Vacation Home on the 29th floor! There’s nothing quite like watching the sun rise over the city from the comfort of your bed!
REMOTE LUXURY After three incredible days in Vancouver, we flew to Campbell River and joined a transfer by boat to Sonora Island. Wow! What a place! The resort is set on the most beautiful of landscapes, facing the wild channel of water between the islands and the mainland. This resort has the most amazing hospitality and world-class dining. Packages include luxury accommodations, return water taxi from Campbell River and all meals and beverages.
A SIGHT TO REMEMBER September is one of the best times of years to visit – with very common sightings of porpoises, orcas, sea lions, grizzly bears and more. On day two at Sonora Resort came the highlight of our holiday – viewing eight grizzly bears, including three cubs in their own habitat for over an hour and a half! It was truly magnificent. The First Nations guides and Sonora staff ensured we were a safe distance from the bears, but in reality we were much closer than we ever expected to be. We saw them swim, catch and eat salmon and play. Checked off the bucket list!
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REELING IT IN Checking another box on our bucket list, we went salmon fishing with our knowledgeable guide, Steve. We hooked 17 Coho salmon and during a lull in the fishing, Steve took us to a bay where a school of about 100 dolphins performed a ballet for us! We kept one salmon each, and the rest of our catch was filleted, vacuum packed and frozen for us within minutes of returning to the resort.
SO MUCH TO SEE We were still to be amazed....whilst taking lunch on the terrace on our fourth day at Sonora resort, a family of orcas swam by, and sea lions were swimming in front of the jetty! On our misty boat ride back to Campbell River Guy spotted a humpback whale very close to the harbour. We were lucky just to see its distinctive spout before it dived below the surface.
UKEE BOUND The drive to Ucluelet is amazingly scenic, passing beautiful lakes, 800 year old rainforests and rocky river valleys. The nautical-themed Vacation Home at Club Intrawest — Ucluelet was beautiful, and we loved watching the sunset over the inlet every night. The Club is the perfect spot to spend a lazy morning enjoying the views or to explore the surrounding areas. It doesn’t get any more “rugged Pacific Northwest” than the nearby Wild Pacific Trail. We walked the short 2.6km trail that takes you past the Amphitrite Lighthouse. Wow! What a view!
ENDLESS BEACHES The busier town centre of Tofino is just a short drive from quiet Ucluelet. The road in-between is dotted with countless beaches including Pacific Rim National Park, Chesterman Beach, Wickaninnish Bay, and Long Beach. The number of beaches is rivaled only by the number of ancient cedars and hiking trails around them. From Tofino you can hop on a boat for whale watching, bear watching, excursions to hot springs, sport fishing and other eco tours. 26 FEATURE
MEETING THE LOCALS Jaime’s Whaling Station & Adventure Centre is one of Club Intrawest’s preferred partners. They offer tours by cruiser boat, zodiac, kayak or plane! We enjoyed a black bear watching trip and we were lucky enough to see eight bears, including a huge male and two mothers, both with their cubs, one of which was very young! The mothers were lifting huge rocks off the sand with one swipe of a paw, to feast on the crabs that were beneath the sand, and their cubs were trying to copy them! Our guide Tyson was very knowledgeable, and gave us lots of information about the bears and their habitat in the Tofino Inlet area. We also spotted a Grey Whale with her calf, otters, eagles and a few other wild residents of Clayoquot Sound. It was an experience we will never forget.
UNTIL NEXT TIME For those two weeks in September, we were the luckiest Club Intrawest Members on the planet! We couldn’t help but start planning our next Club Intrawest adventure on the way home.
Plan your own Wild West Coast Adventure: Club Intrawest — Vancouver Spectacular views from your Vacation Home on the 28th, 29th and 30th floors of the Sheraton Wall Centre. From 20 Resort Points per night in a 1-Bedroom Vacation Home during Peak Season. Club Intrawest — Ucluelet The newest boutique Club location – 10 Vacation Homes within Water’s Edge Resort situated on a small inlet surrounded by the Ucluelet Harbor. From 13 Resort Points per night in a 1-Bedroom Vacation Home during Peak Season. Sonora Resort This wilderness resort is an absolute jewel amid one of Canada’s most spectacular, pristine environments. Sonora Resort is where eco-adventure travel meets luxurious accommodations and unparalleled service. All-inclusive packages include water taxi from Campbell River, al gourmet meals, all beverages (including alcoholic beverages). Contact Member Services for packages and pricing. Jaime’s Whaling Station & Adventure Centres Jaime’s crew of 45 experienced crew have been operating in Tofino/Ucluelet for 30 years. Jamie’s offers guaranteed sightings on all wildlife tours. Grey and Humpback Whales, as well as a myriad of other marine wildlife, are spotted in Clayoquot and Barkley Sound from March thru October. Mention that you are a Club Intrawest Member when booking to receive $10 off any tour. COMPASS 27
Joining Club Intrawest A Member Perspective
Calvin and Kayoko Endo have been Members of Club Intrawest since 2004. Residents of Honolulu, Hawaii, the Endo family use their Club Intrawest Membership to regularly vacation at the Club locations in Whistler and Vancouver, as well as take advantage of the exchange program to visit places like Tofino, BC and Las Vegas.
Ever since our children were little, our family chose vacation destinations that offered an environment different from what we experienced at home. Rather than big cities, we opted for places with mountains, rivers and lakes such as Banff and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies, Mammoth in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and, most frequently, Whistler. We first visited Whistler about 20 years ago and loved the area so much that we returned often. Like many others, we dreamed of a vacation home in the mountains and visiting Whistler is partial fulfillment of that dream. Our favorite activity in Whistler is walking 28 MEMBERS’ CORNER
through the village market to admire the variety of foods; seasonal fruits and vegetables, breads, deli meats and eggs with bright orange yolks. We always felt our experience could be enhanced if we could have our own kitchen to prepare some of our meals using those products. Having lived in Honolulu for more than forty years, we have experienced the explosive growth of Waikiki as a tourist destination. Early on, we saw the proliferation of timeshare salespeople handing out brochures advertising this new form of vacation accommodations: fractional ownership. The sales pitch was
aggressive and the properties were usually small, rundown hotels located on dark side streets well away from the ocean, with few amenities other than a bathtub-size swimming pool. Ownership was restricted to a single property and predetermined week each year. I developed a biased view of the timeshare business and had no interest in ever attending a sales presentation, regardless of promised incentives. On occasions during our visits to Whistler, we would be approached by Club Intrawest salespersons inviting us to sales presentations. We invariably declined. We always stayed in hotels in the Main Village as
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these were the level of accommodations we could afford. However about ten years ago, we ventured to the Upper Village and were approached by a young lady representing Club Intrawest. We had nothing better to do at the moment and the Club Intrawest location was close by so, against our better judgment, we accepted the invitation. The sales representative was convincing and we realized timeshare programs have evolved substantially from the early days in Waikiki. We were very impressed by the amenities in each Vacation Home: two very large bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a gas fireplace, washer/dryer and, best of all, a fully-equipped kitchen. These features were much more than what our hotel room had. Now, we could buy all that good food at IGA market and prepare our own meals. The Club was located in a quieter part of Whistler Village in contrast to the congestion and noise in the Main Village. Despite some trepidation,
we agreed to purchase a Membership in Club Intrawest. Other considerations beyond the physical facilities influenced our decision. Unlike other programs that required ownership by the week, Club Intrawest employs a Resort Points system whereby we could purchase the number of Resort Points that would fit our needs in terms of duration and timing of our visits. Also important was the choice of a number of Club locations throughout North America, along with the ExtraOrdinary Escapes program that is tied to the Hilton Vacation Clubs, Interval International and a selection of independent hotels of high quality that are available for exchange. We have been Members since 2004 and we have found no reason for regretting our choice. We have enjoyed the privileges of ownership these many years and are happy to have made the decision.
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We realized timeshare programs have evolved substantially from the early days in Waikiki
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Grow Your Club.
YOUR MEMBER REFERRAL PROGRAM When your friends and family join the Club, we can open new locations and expand existing ones. Now, the easiest way for your friends and family to experience Club Intrawest is to visit clubintrawest.com and book a Discovery Stay directly on the site. During the check-out process, they can enter your name to ensure they’re attached to your Referral account.
VISIT clubintrawest.com CALL 1.877.331.3491 or EMAIL referrals@clubintrawest.com 32 FEATURE