Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The Chateau Lake Louise was built in 1890 as a small cabin on the banks of its namesake lake. Over the years, additions and renovations have been plenty, and the current building dates to around 1911. The property's rich history can be seen throughout, particularly in common areas like the impeccably grand lobby, which features dramatic arches, a terraced mezzanine level, and a huge central chandelier adorned with figureheads that look like they could have been plucked from old ships. The exteriors are equally grand, with mirrored arched windows on the ground floor, and the entire property is surrounded by beautiful forest that's covered with a thick blanket of snow through much of the winter. Beyond that, Lake Louise and the Canadian Rockies make for a spectacular backdrop. This property welcomes all sorts of guests, from couples on honeymoon to families looking for a Banff ski getaway along with business travelers on incentive trips and corporate retreats. 

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is situated on the northeastern shore of Lake Louise, right inside Banff National Park. It's about a 10-minute drive (or free shuttle ride) from Lake Louise Ski Resort. The town of Banff, which is home to the Fairmont Banff Springs, takes 45 minutes to reach by car. It's about the same drive to reach Bow Falls, just south of the town of Banff, as well as the stunning Tunnel Mountain area and trails. The Calgary Airport is just under a two-and-a-half-hour drive away, while Jasper will take around three hours to reach from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Rooms at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise are spacious and simple, and you'd do wise to request rooms with views ahead of time as the scenery around here -- mountains, lakes, and boreal forests -- is stunning. Otherwise, you may be stuck with parking lot vistas. Layouts range from standard hotel rooms to more upmarket suites, including the Belvedere Suite, which spans two floors. All room types at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise feature a similar array of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with video games and pay-per-view movies, safes, and coffee- and tea-making facilities, and select amenities are available on request (such as air purifiers, fridges, microwaves, and cribs). Decor is consistent across categories, with simple dark-wood furniture, brown carpets, beige walls, drapes, and upholstered chairs, red-and-gray patterned accent pillows, and glass bedside lamps. The overall effect is pleasant enough, but borders on dated. Higher-category suites have a bit mores style, with a similar color palette but swankier furnishings. Bathrooms, too, could use an update, with granite countertops and shower/tub combos in most categories. Makeup mirrors, hairdryers, and Le Labo toiletries are provided, and suites add robes and slippers. 

The Fairmont offers lots for business travelers and vacationers alike. The concierge can help arrange all sorts of activities, from canoe rentals to guided hikes in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Children 8 and older are welcome to join in many of the activities with adult supervision. Babysitting can be arranged and the hotel offers a supervised kids' camp with seasonal activities for children age 5 and up.Wellness facilities at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise include a 24-hour health club along with an indoor heated pool, a whirlpool, and steam room. There’s also a spa offering massages, wraps, facials, and scrubs along with beauty services including hairstyling, and mani/pedis. Corporate amenities include 36,000 feet of meeting and conference space along with free Wi-Fi and a business center (although it’s only open on weekdays). The Fairmont Lake Louise also provides wedding services and special honeymoon offers. A daily service fee is tacked on to bills, to cover amenity access plus gratuities for bellhops and valets, but it's an obnoxious addition to the rates at an already pricey hotel, especially when both self-parking and valet parking cost extra. For travelers without a car, the hotel offers a free shuttle between Lake Louise Ski Resort and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and airport transfers are available on request.

The Fairmont offers a solid variety of restaurants, all of which offer menus for kids ages 6 to 12 (and free food for those 5 and under). Breakfast is served at Poppy Brasserie, which offers buffet and a la carte options along with plenty of healthy items. Alpine Social provides casual dining at lunch and dinner, while Lakeview Lounge features seasonal items at lunchtime and tapas in the evening. There's also an afternoon tea service, and the hotel can cater to special diets with advanced notice. Dinner-only options include Fairview, an upscale eatery with a solid wine list and a Canadian-centric menu along with Walliser Stube, which brings Alpine cooking (including Swiss fondue) to the table. There’s also a seasonal Italian restaurant, Lago, that’s open May through September. The 24-hour Chateau Deli provides grab-and-go items (as well as picnic lunches), and room service is available around the clock.