I just got back from a 5 night stay at the Marketplace Lodge in Whistler, BC. We stayed in unit #249, which I booked through the Allura Direct website. Overall we had a positive experience largely because of our specific room, but I will caution that there seems to be a considerable amount of variation between units.

We arrived late at night (early in the morning, really) and had some difficulty getting into the complex. We were prepared to use a code to enter our room, but had no means of getting past the front door. Luckily somebody walked by and was nice enough to let us in, but you should consider this if you intend to arrive at an odd hour. The unit we stayed in was clean and nice, with a newly renovated kitchen, comfortable bedroom and a living room complete with a gas fireplace, wall mounted flat panel TV, DVD, and even a laptop to use. My only complaint with the living room was that the pullout sofa sagged at the top and was difficult to sleep on. There was enough storage for our gear between the closets and the laundry room with washer/dryer. There is also a small alcove with bunk beds that’s fine for children or people who don’t mind being a bit cramped, and a smallish balcony.

As for Marketplace Lodge as a whole, it’s kind of on the outskirts of the village, but still a very manageable walk to the gondola and the bars/restaurants. We rented skis from Summit, which is next to the Whistler Gondola. Since they store your rental skis for free (or your own for CAN$ 5 a night) we chose to walk in our street shoes instead of clunking around in our boots to the lifts and après ski. I agree with some other reviewers who said that the complex can be a little loud due to both the parking lot and the young guests who choose Marketplace because it is a good value.

We spent 3 nights staying at the Marketplace Lodge over Christmas and were very happy. We had some doubts based on the mixed reviews on TripAdvisor, and the unhappy customer being dealt with at the front desk when we arrived to check-in (she had been given incorrect information about the bed arrangements in her apartment), but we needn't have worried.

The Lodge is located diagonally across the parking lot from the large IGA supermarket. It is about a 10 minute walk from the ski lifts and gondolas, and is close to various restaurants and pubs (try the Bavaria Restaurant!).

All of the apartments in the Lodge are privately owned and furnished and are managed by two(?) separate property management agencies. We booked through the Whistler Blackcomb Central Reservations number to get an advertised deal for holders of Whistler's EDGE card. Although the deal was not supposed to be available over the Christmas period, we asked anyway, and were given it: $99 / night for a studio apartment (at least $70 cheaper than anything else we could find). As there are two agencies, be sure you know where to check in - our check-in was a couple of blocks away.

Our studio (#212) had a full kitchen (with dishwasher), gas fireplace, aircon, comfortable double bed (that folded into a cupboard), TV, DVD player, VCR, stereo, and all mod cons. The kitchen had all the necessary pots, pans, plates, glassware, and cutlery. It was not large, but perfectly comfortable for the two of us. There was a big snowfall while we were there, and the snowplows were rather noisy in the parking lot during the night, but we always travel with earplugs and were not disturbed.

We were very happy with the Marketplace Lodge, and it was excellent value.

We have been going to Whistler, British Columbia for over 25 years and have found a wonderful little condo in Whistler Village North called the Market Place Lodge. It is unit #219 and we have rented this unit privately from Jacquie Sali for several years. It is a small one bedroom, but completely equipped with ample bedding, kitchen accessories and lots of towels. There are even terry housecoats to use when you go to the hot tub! Jacquie has worked on upgrading the unit several times over the years and it even has a washer and dryer in the ski room within the unit. It is always spotlessly clean and comfortable She can be reached at gowhistlerbyowner.com and it is well worth the visit to check this out. We love to sit in the window seat and watch the snow fall on the park area below. We wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else!

We stayed in this hotel during the 3 day weekend in January. The size of our room was good and it was nice to have a little kichen. The down side is the hotels hot tube was supper dirty, it had condoms in it. Also it is super far from the lifts! Its one of the farthest hotels from the lifts. Parking is reasonably priced for Whistler (low actually). Its nice to have the market place right next to the hotel if you are traveling on a budget (big budget). Staying in this hotel is great if your on a large budget. Otherwise customer service fits what you pay, thats good. Rooms are clean but common areas, stairs, hot tub not very clean.