The Pangea Pod Hotel is set to open its doors in Whistler in the next couple of weeks.
It’s the first of its kind in Canada, taking inspiration from Tokyo’s capsule hotels and offering pod style accommodation for a much cheaper price than your typical hotel room.
The hotel is being opened by Russell and Jelena Kling, who spent years travelling the world and gaining a first-hand experience of what makes for a comfortable and satisfying stay.
"Pangea combines the affordability of a hostel with the perks of a boutique hotel,” says co-founder Russell. “We wanted to cater to the type of traveller who enjoys the conviviality of shared spaces but prefers their own personal space at the end of the day."
There are 88 independent sleeping pods in the hotel, divided among eight separate “suites,” which includes one that’s woman-only.
Each pod contains artwork and mirrors, a double memory-foam mattress, individually controlled LED lights, a built-in fan, lockable cabinet for valuables and a storage area for luggage.
Bathroom facilities are divided into individual components to offer privacy and limited lineups.
These components include washrooms with vanities, showers with changing space, stand-alone vanities and changing rooms.
The hotel isn’t just about the pods, however, as there are great shared spaces for guests, included a large living room, rooftop patio and storage area for skis, snowboards, bikes and more.
“When Pangea opens this summer it’s going to make the Whistler accommodation mix even more diverse,” said Nancy Wilhelm-Morden, mayor of Whistler.
“We’re thrilled to see this major reinvestment in the Village, and to see a novel business idea start up in our community – important factors in keeping Whistler fresh and competitive.”
The hotel hasn’t given an exact opening date, but it’s slated to be open in time for the mountain’s annual Crankworx festival, which starts on Aug. 10.
