What does a billion bucks get you? Perhaps the finest Olympic Village in Winter Games history, and a resounding chorus of 'wows' from starstruck athletes.

"It's my third Olympics and this is the best village yet", said dark-haired, American short track speedskater, Allison Baver. "It's by the water, overlooking the city, and everything is modern. It's great."

Similar sentiments were everywhere yesterday afternoon during an unprecedented media opportunity to wander freely and talk to athletes at the normally tightly-sealed Olympic Village.

The controversial development, with its hundreds of posh suites and million-dollar views across False Creek to the North Shore mountains, is by far the most expensive of all Winter Games' venues.

Midway through its construction, the city had to bail out the developers and now owns the project, hoping to recoup its mega-investment by selling the suites as condominiums once the Games are over.

None of that history bothered the athletes and their coaches.

Toiling away on a stationary bicycle in the spacious fitness centre, Swedish speedskating coach Andreas Larsson said the current Olympic village is superior to any he previously experienced.

"For one thing, they're ready. The paint's not drying on the walls, as it was in Torino," he said, referring to the site of the 2006 Olympics. "People who buy their apartments here are going to have a beautiful home."

In the village's social centre, a beautifully-refurbished heritage building called The Living Room, Czech figure skater Michal Brezin, looking even younger than his 19 years, was curled up in a bean bag seat playing video games, a shy smile on his face.

"It's pretty nice," he said of his first Olympic Village. "I didn't expect so many things for free. It's all just for us. The food is good. I like it a lot."

The Village dining hall is a cavernous hall with food services arrayed in a market-style setting, instead of static rows of cafeteria-style serving lines.

Among those digging into a full plate of grilled chicken and roast potatoes was Pakistan's first ever Winter Olympian, Muhammad Abbas, a 24-year old hopeful in giant slalom. "It's good," he said.

Coach Zahid Farooq said the small Pakistani team was making only a brief stop before heading up to Whistler, but praised the facilities nonetheless. "It's absolutely fine. It's really beautiful."

He added that Mr. Abbas's historic participation in the 2010 Games has resonated in Vancouver's Pakistani community. "There was a big crowd at the airport, just to greet us."

Delicacies on offer ranged from Carved Jamaican Pork Tenderloin, perhaps an homage to the non-qualifying Jamaican bobsleigh team, to Egg Foo Young, to Chuckwagon Chowder. All meals are provided by VANOC at no cost.

In particular, athletes said they were knocked out by the spectacular location and the fresh, modern feel to their rooms.

"This is the best one I've seen so far. You can't complain about anything," said long-time Canadian women's hockey goaltender, Charlaine Labonte.

No one was more pleased than American skeleton racer, Noelle Pikus-Pace. A medal favourite heading into the 2006 Games, she was sidelined by a terrible accident on the track in Calgary, hit by a speeding bobsleigh that failed to brake. .

Now, she's made it all the way back. "I've been here only three hours, and it's amazing. All our needs are met. The rooms are great. It's very, very impressive."