This Iconic Banff Resort Offers Alpine Luxury And Year-Round Adventure

Even if you haven't yet visited Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise yourself, the name alone probably evokes an image of this spectacular lakeshore resort in your mind. Sitting regally on the mesmerizing, milky-blue Lake Louise and surrounded by the imposing Canadian Rockies, the historic property located within Banff National Park reached icon status decades ago, and it remains at the top of most outdoor enthusiasts' lists of dream destinations. There is just something about the stately Chateau perched on the turquoise waters and dwarfed by the scale of the imposing mountains that stays with you until you've seen it with your own eyes (and then beckons you back once you have.)

Banff became Canada's first national park in 1885. It was the same year the Canadian Pacific Railway was finished, connecting mountain climbers, hot springs enthusiasts, wildlife seekers, and other visitors to the area's incredible wealth of natural beauty. Chalet at Lake Louise opened five years later, in 1890, as a summertime retreat on the site where the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sits today. The Chalet was a simple, single-story log cabin with beds for a dozen guests. This first iteration of the Chalet burnt down in 1893, and in the next 100 years, the hotel went through another fire and several periods of rebuilding and expansion. Come 1925, the hotel reopened as Chateau Lake Louise, with 400 rooms. In 1982, the newly winterized hotel opened year-round for the first time, and in 2004, it unveiled a $65 million addition.

Today, this "Diamond in the Wilderness" has evolved into a luxurious alpine retreat, complete with twinkling chandeliers, high-tech spa, upscale dining options, sumptuous guest rooms and suites, and the Fairmont Gold hotel-within-a-hotel on the Chateau's seventh and eighth floors. (Not to mention the much anticipated state-of-the-art Thermal Wellness Facility , which is slated to open in summer, 2025.) But the luxe interiors ultimately remain in service of one thing: enjoying the stunning panorama of the turquoise lake, shimmering glaciers, snow-capped Rockies, and pristine wilderness just outside its doors.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is located in the heart of Banff National Park. It sits on the shores of its namesake lake, in the town of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada.

Architecture and Decór

The present-day hotel still recalls its grand history and Renaissance Revival architecture. Guests are greeted in the expansive lobby with arched doorways, scrolled lapis-colored carpets, a massive twinkling chandelier, and a gleaming wooden staircase leading to the mezzanine level — a first impression from a more glamorous era.

Guest rooms and suites lean classic, with sumptuous bedding, wallcoverings, carpets, and furnishings in a tasteful palette of whites, creams, and other soothing neutrals.

The Fairmont offers several top-notch dining options. Louiza is the all-day, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with a fabulous breakfast. The Art Deco-style Fairview Bar & Restaurant is a great place to enjoy cocktails, afternoon tea, and seasonally-driven fare. And the elegant and cozy Walliser Stube serves wine and Swiss, German, and Alpine classics.

But the Fairmont is best known for its iconic Lakeview Lounge & Summer Patio, which boasts sweeping views of Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier over lunch, dinner, or drinks.

Rooms & Suites

There are 539 plush rooms and suites decorated in crisp and classic neutrals. Of course, it's hard to beat the lakeview options, where you can enjoy the aquamarine waters, snow-capped peaks, and ever-changing weather moving across the landscape.

Or, splash out with a Fairmont Gold signature suite. The hotel-within-a-hotel, which is located on the Chateau's seventh and eighth floors, comes with a slew of VIP perks. The gold carpet gets rolled out as soon as you arrive, with a private elevator and reception area, dedicated concierge, and contemporary suites with stellar views. There's also a swank private lounge with a complimentary continental breakfast, all-day snacks, and evening canapés. It's a quiet and relaxing space that's perfect for refueling with a coffee, tea, or snack in between outdoor activities.

Four Seasons of Adventure

The best time to enjoy Lake Louise and Banff depends on what activities are at the top of your list. Of course, winter is known for the world-class skiing and other snow sports that are practically synonymous with the area — as well as magical experiences offered by the Fairmont, like horse-drawn sleigh ride, ice skating around a gigantic ice castle, and sipping cocktails at the seasonal Ice Bar.

Summer is ideal for hiking to the landmark 1905 Lake Agnes Tea House and elsewhere on the vast network of trails, canoeing on Lake Louise, cycling the Icefields Parkway, and whitewater rafting in the mildest temperatures of the year.

But spring and fall offer their own unique charms and opportunities to get outside, including wildlife spotting, cross-country skiing through the quiet woods, and helicopter tours of the majestic Rockies. In autumn, the golden larch trees and other fall foliage is truly something to behold.

From spa treatments to wellness retreats , the Fairmont offers lots of ways to relax and recharge. The spa offers a full menu of treatments, including massages that go deeper than the usual pampering sessions. Try the Foot Rescue for a little TLC after a day on the slopes or hiking trails, Muscular Wellbeing to treat chronic stress injuries, and Reset & Correct, where a therapist will assess and target areas of muscle tension to help improve posture and alignment.

And stay tuned for the unveiling of the state-of-the-art Thermal Wellness Facility . Built on the site of the resort's original 1926 outdoor pool on the lakeshore, the new facility is slated to open in summer of 2025.

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