The Canadian Rockies is an exotic outdoor playground where nature shines gloriously in glacier lakes, mountains, waterfalls, canyons, and wildlife. Home to Jasper, Yoho, Banff, and Kootenay National Parks, the region is a magnet for adventurers with a variety of things to do, see and remember. Hike the trails of the Canadian Rockies with gorgeous views of spectacular scenery while culinary, spa, cultural, and recreational indulgences are worth relishing during downtimes at various lodges. Find out the best hotels that serve as base camps and relaxation nests in the Canadian Rockies.
Photo credit: Post Hotel and Spa
Post Hotel and Spa, Lake Louise
First established as a ski lodge in 1942, the Post Hotel and Spa has consistently retained its spot as one of the premier mountain getaways around the gorgeous Lake Louise. Staying true to its roots and rustic charm with stone walls and hand-hewn logs, guests are immersed in its history and present across main lodge rooms, suites, family suites, and waterfront cabins. Amenities such as whirlpool bathtubs, luxury bathrooms, Wi-Fi, king beds, and fireplaces are present in all rooms and suites to guarantee ultimate rest and rejuvenation. Pair wines and palatable cuisine in the gourmet style at the hotel's restaurant, courtesy of Swiss Chef Hans Sauter. Visit the wine cellar, where 22,000 bottles across 3,800 selections of wines beckon for indulgence. After exploring the outdoors, soak in the saltwater pool, leverage the fitness centre’s equipment to renew physical energy, and lose yourself in a book at the library.
Photo credit: Booking.com
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff entices every guest right from its curb appeal that resembles a royal castle, hence the nickname “Castle in the Rockies.” Once inside, this luxury and majestic hotel enchants the heart with myriad offers and features. Across 739 rooms and suites, some with mountain views and forest views, guests enjoy a hedonistic base camp to explore the natural splendour of Banff National Park. Common amenities to leverage and relax include granite bathrooms, king beds, cable TVs with video games, and Wi-Fi. 5 restaurants and 3 bars are reserved for culinary endeavours, featuring local fares and beverages crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Prepare your body for more adventures at the fitness centre. Relax your soul and body at the 3,700-square-metre (40,000-square-foot) spa, which includes a mineral pool and waterfall whirlpools.
Photo credit: Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer
Embark on a Canada Rail Journey and experience the Canadian Rockies like never before—luxuriously and uniquely—on the ultimate epic train adventure. Step aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, Canada’s iconic daylight-only train, where breathtaking scenery unfolds from sunrise to sunset. Operating from mid-April to mid-October, this luxurious rail journey showcases the beauty of spring through autumn, connecting British Columbia and Alberta with stops in Vancouver, Whistler, Kamloops, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. Travelers can also explore the American Southwest on its Denver-to-Moab route.
Glide through towering mountains, lush valleys, and untouched wilderness in a glass-dome coach while savoring chef-crafted, locally inspired cuisine. With an overnight hotel stay each evening, you’ll wake refreshed to continue your adventure. World-class hosts narrate the journey, sharing tales of history and wildlife as you marvel at the landscapes. Whether capturing panoramic views or toasting with friends, the Rocky Mountaineer promises an unforgettable journey through nature’s finest wonders.
If you plan a Canada Rail Journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, you might like to read our posts on: Rocky Mountaineer: How To Choose Your Service Level and Rocky Mountaineer: Three Rail Routes Into The Canadian Rockies.
Photo credit: Moraine Lake Lodge
Moraine Lake Lodge, Lake Louise
Nestled South of Lake Louise in Banff National, Moraine Lake Lodge is a chic set of luxury cabins offering dreamy views of the Valley of Ten Peaks and its glaciers. All cabins and rooms offer these views, as well as those of Moraine Lake while featuring handcrafted log furniture, Wi-Fi, luxury bathrooms with deep soaker tubs, king and twin beds, and fine Woolrich blankets for quilted comfort. There are no televisions or telephones in the rooms to promote absolute intimacy with the surroundings and their adventures. Experience gourmet dining at the Walter Wilcox Dining Room, where local and organic ingredients inspire luscious, tasty delicacies. There is also a wine cellar to wash down the delectable regional cuisines, featuring Canadian and American vintage options. As the only lodge in Moraine Lake, guests enjoy uninhibited access to the water for paddling while the surrounding mountains call for hiking, horseback riding, and more.
Photo credit: Emerald Lake Lodge
Emerald Lake Lodge, Yoho National Park
Emerald Lake Lodge dwells on the pristine shores of its namesake lake in Yoho National Park, where it disconnects guests from the cares of life with an electronics-lite accommodation. With Wi-Fi only in the main lodge and no televisions in the guest rooms, you can wholly immerse in the comfort, luxury, and historic character of this lodge, alongside the natural splendour around it. Various rooms and suites, spread across 24 cabin-style buildings, are replete with king-size beds, bathrooms with whirlpool baths, step-in showers, fireplaces, and private balconies with lake views for guests to indulge and relish a memorable stay. At the dining room, lounge, and bar, culinary adventures are as sensational as the experiences in the park, featuring stunning local meals created from fresh, seasonal ingredients. On the outdoors, there’s a renovated hot tub to soak the feet or whole body while savouring views of the lake after a long day exploring the national park.
Photo credit: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis Village
Part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge exudes the quintessential characteristics of a boutique hotel and unplugs guests from their chaotic lives into the Kananaskis Valley to bond with nature and experience unhindered relaxation. In all guest rooms and suites, luxury fuses with exclusivity and comfort-driven amenities to ensure guests are truly detached from the mundane into a dreamy realm of pure bliss, warmth, serenity, and rest. Amenities like plush pillows, king beds, refrigerators, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and windows offering views of the mountains and valleys complement a stay here. In-room dining is an option, but the culinary experiences at Forte Restaurant, the Canadian Steakhouse, Woody's Pub and Patio, and Blacktail Bar are simply fascinating. Relax at the Nordic Spa and be treated to a relaxing massage after your day's adventures and immerse yourself in an outdoor pool or a sauna cabin.
Photo credit: Booking.com
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper National Park
Emplaced on a 700-acre forested landscape near Lake Beauvert, the Fairmont Jasper offers the cosiest and most luxurious stay in Jasper National Park, featuring 407 guest rooms, suites, and exotic cabins framed by the lush greenery of trees. All are replete with modern amenities like mini-refrigerators, cable TVs with movies, Wi-Fi, and king or queen beds, among other luxury appointments. 5 restaurants, 3 bars and lounges, and 1 signature cabin dining cater to gastronomic needs ranging from Canadian to Italian and Japanese fares. There’s an outdoor heated pool overlooking Lake Beauvert to enjoy a dip or take laps and an indoor sauna and steam room to relax and rejuvenate the body, and a fitness centre to keep your heart pumping, all in the Fairmont Spa. There’s also a boathouse owned by the hotel where guests can rent a canoe and explore the lake.
Lake O’Hara Lodge
Tucked away in the Backcountry of Yoho National Park, the Lake O’Hara Lodge is the ideal escape from everything, including social media. The lodge has no Wi-Fi service or phone line connection, perfect for those seeking a retreat with nature undisturbed while exploring the Canadian Rockies. Accommodations come in Cedar Cabins, Lakeshore Cabins, and Lodge Rooms, with cosy beds, wool blankets, bathrooms, sun decks, and charming views of the mountain scenery as part of their features. Dining here features a dynamic menu, with meals tailored to reflect life in the mountains the Canadian way. Wines and beer are also sumptuous at the lodge, and they are picked from British Columbia, where the craftsmanship is top-tier. Its remote location also grants guests access to some off the beaten path for quiet hikes.
Retreats of the Rockies: Memorable Stays, More Experiences
In a region lavishly blessed with some of nature's most elegant wonders, exploration becomes needful for every visitor. Journey to the Canadian Rockies, where various trip packages offer a unique passage into the core of this region to see stunning sights, hear iconic sounds, and savour peculiar experiences. While at it, retreat to chic accommodations laid in the backdrop of mountains, lakes, and other charming landscapes, and experience the finest hospitality this side of Canada.
Discover Canada Rockies Journeys Here
