What started out as a perfectly idyllic holiday at Whistler on the Lake #10, quickly turned into a chaos. As return customers with Harmony Whistler, we would have appreciated a "heads-up" as to the real situation at #10. First, the noise was horrendous from 8 am to 5 pm due to 3 separate construction projects on WHOTL's bay including constant concrete sawing at one house the local owners identified as a "forever reno project" that never ends. Adding to the noise was a large family of at least 10 monopolizing the dock all day into the early evening with 6-7 kids, 4 paddle boards, 2 kayaks, one canoe plus a giant dragon floaty and plastic chairs lining the wharf who apparently squeezed into one unit so they were forced to live "outside". We incorrectly identified a picnic table near #10 on the grass as an open "common area", but it was not. We were able to enjoy our first dinner at the picnic table as there are no real chairs in #10, but then local residents clearly took exception to us using the picnic table on the grass as they took turns keeping their standup paddle boards and other equipment on top of the table during our stay so we could not use the picnic table again. We do understand WOTL is community style living and since this was our 35th rental in Whistler over 30 years, we certainly have experienced almost every situation as vacation renters and have been required to show great tolerance. As 2 quiet seniors who mind their own business, it was hard to understand all this. Our saving grace was access to Alta Lake which was mercifully calm during our stay. We spent hours each day circling the lake on our paddle boards and noticed every public park - Rainbow, Lakeside and Wayside all had signs warning of swimmers itch. I noted this and only cooled off swimming in the middle of the lake or at the dock in front of WOTL. I still got a terrible case of swimmers itch, even after showering when leaving the lake. So, in spite of smooth booking and check-in, check-out procedures, I find these gaps in information provided to HW's guests disappointing. Apparently, we were not alone as WHOTL owners also took exception to the noisy large family monopolizing the wharf as there were new notices posted on Friday about the "rules" for limits on number of people allowed in each unit, no extra dogs allowed except for owners, etc. I recognize Harmony Whistler only manages one unit in WHOTL and during other seasons (like when the lake is frozen), these problems wouldn't be as evident. We rented this particular property for lake access, idyllic outdoor living and had planned to spend most of our time there. Fortunately, we found some relief biking to other lakes even if it was in 33 degree weather. Please understand that I am giving feedback directly to you versus writing a public internet review. I see HW edits their reviews to contain only the most positive and flattering feedback. Rental guests do appreciate a more "balanced" approach to reviews. I did call and talk to Jessica about the "clairaudient" review before I booked and I see that it has been removed. As a "sensitive" person, I did not have any similar experiences. I didn't even mention the abomination of the motorized floating docks circling the lake each night with music blaring (in a lake that has banned motor boats??)........ We do love Whistler as one of our favourite places to visit both winter and summer and recognize that, sadly, there might not ever be a return to the "normal" Whistler we once knew. Thanks for listening.
Regards, Brenda Finlayson