Who's Going
Grace Kelly, Meg Ryan, Marilyn Monroe
Reason to Stay
Historic Hotel, Ski Resort, Lakefront, Christmas Retreat
Hotel Type
Ski Resort
Down a baronial foyer and through a center entrance hall that has the bustle of a Manhattan street, check-in at Chateau Lake Louise takes place at a stately wood-paneled reception with efficient Canadian attendants welcoming guests for their holiday stays. With key in hand you feel part of the legend before you, one that dates back to '20s Barrymore movies like "Eternal Love' and famous past guests Mary Pickford, Alfred Hitchcock and Marilyn Monroe.<br /> <br />In a long lakeside corridor well-dressed guests tuck into afternoon tea while Christmas tunes are tickled on real ivory piano keys. The crowd is an interesting one, varying between package vacationers here for the nostalgia and Bogner-clad skiers here for the nearby double-black terrain. If you look too closely at the furniture you'll notice that it's seen better days, a well-worn gem in need of a little polish or maybe even a full overhaul.<br /> <br />There is a mini-city of dining options at the Chateau without ever leaving the hotel property. Days begin at the Poppy Brasserie with a lavish breakfast buffet that includes local classics like Bechler Muesli, omelet station and homemade sausages from Alberta. By night the action becomes a bit dressier as visitors scour for a reservation in the Fairview Dining Room, one of the top eateries of the Fairmont collection, in a top-rated restaurant with enforced dress code and menu of Albert beef, wild venison and B.C. salmon. <br />
The Room
When the hotel is sold-out, as it can be during the holiday rush, getting places is a bit of work as you navigate the families that walk in a solid line and slower-paced guests mesmerized by the various angles of the frozen lake. Entry-level rooms have improved in recent years, a long way from our first visit that felt like someplace the Von Trapp’s would hide a disliked maid. Perky floral wallpaper and dark wood furnishings attempt to recreate decorating’s dark ages, the 19th Century, in way-too-small 275-sqaure foot rooms that should eventually be combined in a yet-to-come refurbishment. Lake-facing rooms assist in making the space feel bigger, but you’re best to just book onto the Fairmont Gold Floor with its own private reception with nightly cocktail party that’s like mini-VIP area. These rooms have all been updated and reconfigured with in-room fireplaces, cushy living areas and granite bathrooms.
Preferred Room
Belvedere Suite
Special Features
Historic Hotel, Lakefront Location, Sleigh Rides, Horseback Riding, Water Sports
Amenities
Restaurant, Lounge, Bar, Cafe, Piano Bar, Pool, Spa, Gym
