Chateau Lake Louise: "a room with a view and a price" Banff National Park Hotel Tip by richiecdisc

Chateau Lake Louise was the brainchild of the Canadian Pacific Railway at the end of the 19th century to lure well-healed Eastern Canadians to the splendor of Lake Louise before it was even recognized as a National Park. It went through many incarnations including being the original mecca of Canadian mountain climbing in the 1920s. Though originally a summer only facility, it was winterized in 1982 and now offers up the whole ski lodge experience to further capitalize on the area's scenic beauty.

Unique Qualities: It is a decidedly high end affair today with lower end rooms fetching close to C$500 per night in summer peak season. Suites are considerably more. It is a massive complex and to be honest a bit foreboding. I hate to sound like a Yankee Doodle Dandee but the old historic hotels and lodges in US National Parks are National Historic Sites and anyone visiting the parks is welcomed like they were staying in the hotel. It is perfectly fine to hang out by the fire place and write postcards in famed parks like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. I am not sure if Chateau Lake Louise is recognized as such but in no way did I feel like I could just waltz in there and hang out in my hiking attire. Please let me know if I am wrong. I would love to stand corrected.

I am not a big fan of putting hotels or any man-made structures right on incredibly beautiful lakes, especially in a National Park but this baby predates the park so I guess there's no going back. So, you can enjoy views of it from the hiking trails if that is what you like to see in nature. The hotel does look prettier from above but my guess is the lake would look even prettier without it.

Comparison: most expensive
Directions: Right on the shores of Lake Louise. You cannot miss it even if you want to!
Price: US$180 and up
Theme: Hotel