Deer Lodge, Lake Louise, Alberta

Location

Open all year round, Deer Lodge is situated three miles from the town of Lake Louise, and a five-minute walk from the famous turquoise waters and picture-postcard setting of the lake itself. Lake Louise sits surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks 35 miles east of Banff and two hours’ drive from Calgary International Airport, and is one of the scenic highlights of Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest national park.

Accommodation

There are three types of accommodation at the Lodge, of varying vintage and size. Rooms in the newly renovated Heritage Wing offer the most space and modern furnishings, as well as their own private balcony. Guests in search of a more rustic and historic experience can stay in the Lodge rooms in the hotel’s original wing. In the same spirit, the Tower Rooms in the tower portion of the hotel offer a little extra space than their Lodge equivalent, but with the same authentic feel. All rooms have private bathrooms and, in keeping with the national park atmosphere, no TV.

Dining

The wine lists at Deer Lodge were awarded a Gold Medal in the 2014 and 2015 Vancouver International Wine Awards and the hotel also contains two separate restaurants. The full-service Mount Fairview Dining Room offers breakfast (a la carte or all-you-can-eat buffet), lunch and dinner, while the Caribou Lounge presents further lunch and dinner options. From June to September, guests can enjoy all their meals with a view on the outdoor patio. The cooking emphasis throughout is on locally sourced ingredients and Canadian mountain favourites.

Facilities

Deer Lodge is the perfect base for pursuing all the outdoor activities that Lake Louise and its environs have to offer: skiing at the Lake Louise ski resort, canoeing on the Lake in summer, skating on it in winter, hiking the spectacular trails, or taking in the views via the nearby 14-minute gondola and chairlift ride. Guests can unwind back at the hotel by the lounge fireplace and communal sitting room, and find the perfect end to a long day outdoors by relaxing in the traditional dry wood sauna or the mountain-surrounded rooftop hot tub.