Lake Louise, located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, is a resort town famous for incredible skiing, endless hiking, and of course, the picturesque turquoise blue lake. In this blog post, I am going to share our new favourite place to stay in the area and why you need to add it to your AGENDA, asap!
Centred in Banff National Park, Lake Louise is a bucket list destination in Canada and all of North America. The vivid bodies of water and monumental mountain ranges make this iconic landscape one of the most spectacular I have ever seen.
This January, David and I had the pleasure of staying at the Post Hotel & Spa in Lake Louise. Because there are only a handful of lodging options, it is a luxury on its own to stay overnight in the village. The location, however, was not the only thing that left us impressed.
Combining divine luxury, excellent customer service, and inviting charm, this stunning hotel exceeded all of our expectations and provided an astounding stay.
The Post Hotel & Spa is one of the most extraordinary hotels we have stayed at in all of Canada and offers a unique gateway to the great outdoors.
From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed by the entire staff and made to feel right at home. Each one of them was exceptionally kind, positive, accommodating, and helpful.
As we made our way through the property, every door was opened for us and the staff in each room offered recommendations for activities, meals, and drinks. They even pulled out our chairs and assisted us with our serviettes in the restaurants.
This gorgeous property offers a number of amenities that go above and beyond the typical realm of a hotel stay in Lake Louise. After a full day of cross-country skiing, we soaked up every little bit of luxury that the Post Hotel & Spa had to offer.
Originally built in 1942, Post Hotel resonates with the spirit of its colourful founder, Sir Norman Watson – and the dedication of its current owners. Post Hotel & Spa is both the ideal accommodation for relaxation and the perfect starting point for most Canadian Rockies tours.
– The Post Hotel & Spa
From the awe-inspiring mountain backdrop to the dreamy skating rink to the out-of-this-world dining experience, prepare to be blown away by this little slice of paradise.
The Location: Our Favourite Hotel in Lake Louise
Nestled on the pipestone riverbank in Lake Louise, The Post Hotel & Spa is in a prime spot for adventure. You can literally walk out your doorstep and find a network of trails and activities in any season. Not to mention, the views are astonishing.
In the winter, there are several places to cross-country ski and snowshoe nearby. You’ll also find options for skating, winter hiking, dog sledding, and downhill skiing within a 5-minutes radius. They even offer a complimentary ski shuttle!
In the summer months, you are in close proximity to some of Canada’s most famous hikes and landmarks such as Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, and the Icefields Parkway. If you are lucky enough to visit in Autumn, you can be among the first people on the larch-filled trails for the golden magic that happens at sunrise.
Another massive advantage of staying here is that you can largely avoid the crowds of tourists that congregate in the town of Banff.
Because there is such limited accommodation and it is slightly farther into the national park, Lake Louise is typically much more peaceful than Banff. The Lake itself can get very busy during the day, but the town is wonderfully serene.
The Property at The Post Hotel & Spa
The Post Hotel & Spa in Lake Louise has a variety of rooms and cabins with options for every desire and budget. All group sizes can be accommodated from double rooms in the main lodge to a private 3,000-square-foot riverfront cabin.
Tucked into the trees and surrounded by mountains, the landscape is wildly picturesque. The historic log buildings and charming decor reminded us of the mountain chalets in Switzerland. Everything is meticulously maintained and there are no small details overlooked. It is the perfect combination of luxury with a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Amenities include the Temple Mountain Spa, a beautiful saltwater pool and hot tub, a steam room, an outdoor skating rink, multiple restaurants, and a fitness centre. Furthermore, the Post Hotel & Spa offers a concierge service at the front desk to assist you in booking any excursions or activities that strike your fancy.
Each afternoon between 2-5 PM, guests are treated to complimentary tea, coffee, fresh pastries and cakes. It is served on the main floor near reception where you can curl up on a couch and enjoy.
Over the years, this spectacular property has been the recipient of numerous awards and acknowledgements, including but not limited to:
- 2011 Canadian Hoteliers of the Year: André & George Schwarz by Hotelier Magazine
- The 10 Best Resorts in Canada 2021 by Travel + Leisure Magazine
- The 10 Best Hotels of 2016 by Forbes
- One of the Worlds’ 10 Most Beautiful Ski Lodges 2016 by CNN Travel News
- Best Food in The Americas 2008 by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine
- Number 1 Ski Hotel in North America 2008 by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine
- The Wine Spectator Grand Award for 21 consecutive years
On top of that, they have been members of Relais & Châteaux since 1991. Here’s what it means:
Founded in France in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is considered one of the world’s most prestigious hotel groups. The association includes some of the finest independently owned hotels and restaurants around the globe and the Relais brand is regarded by many cultured travellers as a quality guarantee. At the heart of Relais & Châteaux lies the 5 C doctrine of: charm, courtesy, cuisine, character and calm. Every members’ promise is to uphold the 5 C quality guarantee.
-Post Hotel & Spa
Accommodation Options at The Post Hotel in Lake Louise
As I mentioned earlier, the Post Hotel & Spa has options for every desire and budget. Inside the main lodge, there are a variety of different rooms and suites. They feature options like whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, lofts, and balconies with scenic views.
If you are looking for a more secluded experience, there are four riverfront cabins available. For larger parties, there is also the opportunity to stay in the Watson House, which is a private 3,000-square-foot building.
We LOVE that the Post Hotel in Lake Louise has so many different types of rooms. It makes each stay feel unique and completely tailored to suit your needs.
During our visit, we stayed in a “C Room” in the main lodge and loved every minute of it. It was spacious, comfortable, and gave us stunning river views out our patio door. This particular room featured a queen-sized bed, a sitting area, a sizeable bathroom and a whirlpool tub.
We appreciated the small details, as well, like the plush robes, luxurious bath salts, and the turn-down service which included fresh water and a tasty bedtime snack.
For a more detailed look at the different rooms available, click here.
The Mouth Watering Restaurants
Ah, the food. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I have been dreaming about the meals we had at the Post Hotel & Spa ever since we left. Each of the three restaurants offers a separate, one-of-a-kind menu. Although they are different, they share is a high standard of food, wine, and service.
The Outpost
The first one we visited was The Outpost. This cozy English-style pub is the perfect place to grab an aprés ski beverage and savour a plate of their bison brisket poutine by the fireplace. It was seriously divine.
They also serve soups and salads, burgers, pizza, steaks, and other pub classics. The Outpost is open on weekends from 12 PM to midnight and on weekdays from 4:30 PM to midnight.
The Dining Room
Next on the list is the Dining Room. This elegant restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast gives the option of a buffet or an à la carte menu. We ordered the avocado toast and the Swiss rösti skillet. They were fantastic!
Lunch boasts a wonderful menu of soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, stroganoff, and bratwurst. Executive Chef Hans Sauter grew up in Switzerland and brings an authentic Swiss flare to the entire menu.
Dinner is a daily changing 4-course menu. This is amazing if you are staying here for a few days as it provides an incredible amount of variety. Each course offers 3-5 different options so that guests receive a truly customized dining experience.
Click here for a sample 4-course dinner menu.
The dining room can only be reserved in advance by registered hotel guests. The general public can call for same-day reservations if there is availability. Breakfast is served from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM, lunch is from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and dinner starts at 5:30 PM.
Fondue Stübli
Fondue Stübli is a cozy room that branches off the main dining room featuring traditional Swiss-style fondues. This delectable 4-course menu begins with a charcuterie board followed by your choice of soup, salad, or an elegant Swiss pasta dish. You can then enjoy a cheese fondue, fondue “bourguignonne” or fondue “chinoise” and a healthy serving of homemade dessert.
Remember when I told you the lodge reminded us of a mountain chalet in Switzerland? And remember when I said that the head chef was born there? Well, it should be no surprise that Fondue Stübli is an absolute knock-out!
Our meal was exquisite, tasting just as fantastic as the cheese fondues we experienced in Switzerland. The service was sensational and the wine pairing was spot on. This restaurant opens at 5:30 PM and reservations are recommended.
NOTE: If you are wondering what a dairy-free gal like me was doing eating this rich, luscious, cheese fondue, let me tell you! While we were in Switzerland, I realized that I could eat all of their dairy products without any stomach issues whatsoever. Imagine my delight when I found out that Fondue Stübli serves nothing but the finest Swiss cheese in their fondue! I was in heaven.
The Wine
The Post Hotel & Spa in Lake Louise has a wine cellar flaunting over 25,000 bottles of fine wine. The wine list has become one of the most comprehensive in the country. They offer different events throughout the year such as a winemaker’s dinner and a wine summit at this beautiful property.
Since 2002, Wine Spectator, the authoritative wine magazine of North America, has awarded the Post Hotel its highest honour – The “Grand Award”. One of only four restaurants in Canada to achieve this recognition, which is regarded as the pinnacle of restaurant success worldwide.
-The Post Hotel & Spa
Recommended Activities in The Area
The Post Hotel & Spa is in the perfect location to experience countless activities and landmarks. A few of our favourite year-round destinations include Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Emerald Lake, The Icefields Parkway, and The Bow Valley Parkway.
In the summer, make sure to check out Moraine Lake, Lake O’Hara, and the variety of hiking trails surrounding Lake Louise. In the winter, we would highly recommend cross-country skiing on the Great Divide Trail, downhill skiing at Lake Louise Ski Resort, dog sledding with Kingmik Dog Sled Tours, or ice skating at Lake Louise.
We hope you enjoy your time in Lake Louise! Please feel free to contact us or comment below with your thoughts on the Post Hotel & Spa. We would love to hear from you.
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