The Charming Inns of Alberta is a collective of 12 small-scale, owner-operated hotels that are scattered throughout the province. They range from 5-STAR properties to cozy back country lodges and offer everything in between. From a romantic weekend to a fun family getaway, I am confident that these stunning inns will exceed your expectations every single time.
About The Charming Inns of Alberta
The Charming Inns of Alberta was actually founded in the year 2000 by two Innkeepers from Waterton and Jasper. They wanted to form a member group of privately, owned and operated small inns in Alberta to leverage partnership and cooperative marketing initiatives. Throughout the years, they have developed into a group that strives to offer meaningful value to their guests and deliver a “home away from home” experience.
Each equipped with 5 to 50 rooms, these properties are all exceptionally unique in their own ways. This could be the design or décor, the significance of the building, or the jaw-dropping location! Bonus: some of them offer a killer breakfast, too! From historic inns to secluded cabins and pet-friendly hotels, these Charming Inns really do have it all.
Why We Love Them
David and I adore The Charming Inns of Alberta for several reasons; the first of which is that each place is owner-operated. We always love supporting local businesses, and that is especially true this year during the pandemic. Having the opportunity to visit a stunning, one of a kind hotel while promoting local businesses in the process is such a huge deal!
The next best part is, you guessed it, the charm. The fact that each of these places is so special and out of the ordinary adds so much to the overall experience. We love the fact that these places feel so homey. Each one is completely incomparable to the bigger hotel chains in the area.
Lastly, we absolutely love the fact that you can buy a gift card to The Charming Inns of Alberta and the recipient can be used at any of the 12 locations! How awesome is that?! So next time you’re stuck on a present for your loved ones (or yourself?) just head over to their website and give the gift of a remarkable getaway.
Our Experiences
Over the past few months, we have been lucky enough to visit a few of these wonderful properties and experience everything they have to offer. Overall, the stays were exceptional with each place standing out in their own unique way. Here are a few of the things we loved about each hotel we visited.
A Bear and Bison Inn
I had actually been dying to visit this B&B for a few years so I was over the moon when we arrived! The property is gorgeous and the post and beam design of the Inn gives the perfect feel for a mountain getaway. Each room has a jacuzzi tub accompanied by a pristine mountain view.
You guys… the 3 course gourmet breakfast is to die for and you can get it served right to your room! They specialize in group events and intimate weddings. I would highly recommend adding A Bear and Bison Inn to your list for a romantic mountain getaway.
Crandell Mountain Lodge
This cozy lodge, in the heart of Waterton, is full of character with just the right amount of country flair. Our room was spacious and comfortable with an impressive wood-framed king-sized bed, a fireplace, and a jacuzzi tub. To top it all off, the view from our front door was phenomenal!
All guests receive complimentary access to the Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort recreation center which houses an 18-foot indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and pool table. Some suites include a kitchen and Crandell has a great outdoor patio area!
Mount Engadine Lodge
We visited Mount Engadine Lodge for brunch last December and we were absolutely blown away. The rustic charm of this backcountry lodge paired with the views over the meadow and surrounding mountains are nothing short of extraordinary. The meal was fantastic and although we didn’t stay the night, both the rooms in the lodge and the cabins looked incredible.
One of the biggest perks to Mount Engadine is its location. The whole idea behind it was to have a “backcountry lodge” that you didn’t have to hike or fly into. After arriving by car, you can literally walk out the door and find hiking trails, snowshoe loops, and marvellous scenery as far as the eye can see.
Baker Creek Mountain Resort
Baker Creek Mountain Resort was our most recent visit and one of my new all time favorite places to stay in the Rockies! Located on the 1A Highway just outside of Lake Louise; this charming resort has various cabins and lodge suites to suit any needs. The cozy one bedroom cabin that we stayed in had a loft, a wood burning fireplace, and a kitchenette. Cozying up in front of the fire was an incredibly relaxing way to spend the evening.
The amenities offered at this resort are actually quite substantial, as well. They have a fantastic bistro and a gift shop with specialty drinks, to-go snacks, and souvenirs. All guests also have access to the fire pits located along the river, complimentary bike rental, and even a fitness center and sauna!
The Other Properties
With each hotel being so unique, staying at one of these properties will certainly leave you wanting more. They are all on our list for the next few years and we can’t wait to keep exploring the most Charming Inns of Alberta!
These properties include:
- Juniper Hotel in Banff
- Kilmorey Lodge in Waterton Lakes
- The Prairie Creek Inn in Rocky Mountain House
- Heartwood Inn & Spa in Drumheller
- Overlander Mountain Lodge in Jasper
- Riverside Chateau in Bragg Creek
- The Crossing at Ghost River in Cochrane
- Georgetown Inn in Canmore
Specials & Packages
The Charming Inns of Alberta offer numerous specials and packages to enhance your stay! From mountain romance to yoga retreats and de-stress weekends; these packages will bring your getaway to the next level. With the holidays coming up, why not give one as a gift?!
We hope this post has inspired you to visit some of these spectacular properties. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comment below with your experience at The Charming Inns of Alberta! We`d love to hear from you.
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