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Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper Plans

S

Steamboat Bill

I am thinking of visiting the Banff area in August for about 10 days or so.

I want to visit Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and any other areas of significance.

What is a good plan for a family with 2 kids to hit all the popular places?
What are the hotels, B&B lodges to stay in?
I am not interested in low quality places.

I am planning on flying into Calgary, drive to Banff and stay a few days.

I like the Fairmont, The Fox Hotel, or Hidden Ridge and prefer two bedrooms.

I would like to drive to visit the Fairmont Lake Louise for a few days and then to Fairmont Jasper for a day or two and then back to Calgery.

Are there any lodging recommendations that are 4-5* and are not Fairmont prices?

Any modifications to the plan will be appreciated.
 
I would second the Rimrock. The other consideration would be the Fairmont Banff Springs. There is another Lake Louise hotel that makes the Fairmount Lake Louise seem cheap and tawdry by comparison. I can't remember it right now but will post tomorrow with it.

In Jasper, you've already identified the only one that is really high end.
 
Make sure you visit Moraine Lake. Most beautiful scenery I have ever seen!

Dori
 
djyamyam said:
There is another Lake Louise hotel that makes the Fairmount Lake Louise seem cheap and tawdry by comparison.
Click to expand...
That would surprise me! I can't imagine a better place to stay near the lake than the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The views alone make this hotel worthwhile in my book.

My strong recommendation is to get a lakeside room, requesting a high floor. If you are willing to really splurge, get one of the very few lakeside balcony rooms. With any lakeside room, ask for a "sunrise call". If the sky is clear in the early dawn hours, the hotel will give you a wake-up call about 10 minutes before sunrise. Be prepared for some spectacular colors in the glacier at the far end of the lake as the sun first shines on it.

Pricey? You bet. But one of my all-time memorable hotel experiences.
 
eal said:
The other world class hotel in Lake Louise is the Post Hotel, which is located right on a lovely creek. But I don't think it compares with the Chateau for scenery.

http://www.posthotel.ca
Click to expand...

That's the one.

Here's the link from Tripadvisor as it's rated number 1 in Louise.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...-Lake_Louise_Banff_National_Park_Alberta.html

I was just at the Chateau Lake Louise a couple weeks ago for a quick getaway trip and had a lake view. It's nice but how much time do you actually spend in the room. We were pretty much gone most of the day.

While I haven't stayed at the Post Hotel, one of the guys in our group had and swears by it, liking it better than the Fairmont. However, we can get deals at the Fairmont, which is why we stayed there.
 
We are also going to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff in August! I am excited about our trip. TripAdvisor has a really great Alberta forum. I've been finding a lot of wonderful information there. You should definately check it out.

You should probably make your reservations soon. Mine have been made for months. I had been told that August is a very busy month there, and it can be difficult to find a place to stay if you wait too long.

I look forward to further discussions about the area here on TUG! We are traveling with my nine-year-old son, so any suggestions about what to do and where to go would be helpful. I've already done some research, and I've been getting some suggestions from some of the people on TA.
 
djyamyam said:
However, we can get deals at the Fairmont, which is why we stayed there.
Click to expand...

I have been a member of the Fairmont President's Club since 2003 and they are my favorite hotel chain, but I really need two rooms or a large one bedroom or a two bedroom unit.

With the incredible weakness of the $USD vs the $CAD I am just a little shocked at the price difference since 2003 when I first started visiting the BC area.

What are the details with getting a "deal"???
 
I second the recommendation to not wait too long to make reservations. With Canadian kids out of school until Labour Day, the weather often being a bit better in August than July and our statutory holiday the first Monday of August, it's a bigger travel month than July in Western Canada at least, IMHO.

Unless you're waiting until, say, the week before Labour Day you'll find that it's a busy time through that month.

Bev
 
You will find a lot of great information here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g154909-i219-Alberta.html

And here are some titles of a few books that I have found to be helpful in planning our trip:

Canadian Rockies Including Banff and Jasper National Parks
By Andrew Hempstead (Moon Handbooks)

Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies
By Kathy and Craig Copeland (a hiking guide)

Banff and Jasper National Parks
Frommer's

Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies for Dummies
Darlene West
(They have Dummies books for everything!)
 
Well Bill, I am certainly not in your league as far as accomadations are concerned as I am the poorest tugger there is and have to go on a budget ex: I stayed at a room accomadation called Kelly's accomadations which is a b & b without the breakfast but for me it worked out fine. I can't help you with that portion but I can help you with pics of my trip. They are at Snapfish and I will be glad to have them sent to you if you wish. As nature is free I think you will get some good ideas for your trip. shaggy
 
eal said:
The other world class hotel in Lake Louise is the Post Hotel, which is located right on a lovely creek. But I don't think it compares with the Chateau for scenery.

http://www.posthotel.ca
Click to expand...

There was an article in the travel section of yesterday's paper on this hotel. In a recent subscription of the Travel & Leisure magazine, the Post Hotel was voted as Canada's top hotel and was the winner of the Best Food in the Americas category in Conde Naste.

Not too shabby
 
If it was just the wife and I....I would book several nights at all three Fairmonts as this is a no brainer.

However, I have two kids....9yo and 12yo and we usually travel in 2 bedrooms at DVC/Marriott and 3 bedrooms with HCC.

Not to sound spoiled, but squeezing all four of us (and my wifes huge assortment of luggage) into one tiny hotel room that costs $700 per night for 10 nights does not sound like a great trip. That is why I am exploring alternative options. I would prefer a large 1 bedroom or a 2 bedroom unit in a nice location in Banff in August.

Sure, I should have booked this last year as this is a popular time in that area, but that's the situation I am in now.

Any other ideas?
 
Steamboat Bill said:
However, I have two kids....9yo and 12yo and we usually travel in 2 bedrooms at DVC/Marriott and 3 bedrooms with HCC.

Sure, I should have booked this last year as this is a popular time in that area, but that's the situation I am in now.

Any other ideas?
Click to expand...

Bill, this may be too far out of the way, but if you were continuing on to Vancouver vicinity, this would give your kids an unequaled experience... and a great midway stop. It's called the Observatory B&B.

http://www.jacknewton.com/canada.htm

Jim Ricks
 
Try Windtower Lodge, in Canmore. It used to be a timeshare but doesn't seem to be listed with any exchange company any more. The web address is http://www.windtower.ca/

Don't go crazy trying to find availability and costs for their two-bedroom suites - you have to call.
"For two bedroom suite call the hotel directly at 1-866-609-6600"

We stayed in a two-bedroom suite in February for a wedding. There were 5 of us and it was very comfortable. My poor put-upon daughter had to sleep on the sofa-bed but she survived.

It is a big place and they always seem to have availability. I went with the aforementioned daughter in August 2004 and got a reservation fairly last-minute.
 
I considered Canmore as there is great availability, but isnt' that outside the park?

How far of a drive is it to Banff?

I woul prefer to stay in Banff, but I have never been there so this could be an interesting alternative.

What are the pros and cons of Canmore?
 
Canmore is outside the park, but you are literally 5 minutes to the park gates and another 10 minutes to Banff townsite.

We've stayed in Canmore lots over the years. We just stayed in Banff two weeks ago and really miss staying in Canmore.

Food costs less, still have great restaurants, decent shopping and not far to Banff town.

Windtower had been listed in the RCI directory a few years ago but they never actually joined as an afiliate resort. I remember speaking with the hotel manager on this a few years ago as we went to check out a few of the resorts.

If you want Canmore, there are lots of private condos to rent. Fire Mountain Lodge are great 3BR units with views of the Three Sisters. There is no pool onsite as you would get access to the one of the sister resorts - Mystic Springs I think. (I can't remember which one off hand)
 
I will now add Canmore to my list.

A very good friend of mine is doing a boys golfing trip in June and they are staying in Canmore, but I want to book my hotel before he is able to give me a report in June.
 
Steamboat Bill said:
A very good friend of mine is doing a boys golfing trip in June
Click to expand...

If they haven't booked their courses, I'd suggest:

Stewart Creek
Banff Springs
Kananaskis Golf Course
Silvertip
Canmore Municipal

In that order
 
Banff - Douglas Fir

Steamboat Bill said:
If it was just the wife and I....I would book several nights at all three Fairmonts as this is a no brainer.

However, I have two kids....9yo and 12yo and we usually travel in 2 bedrooms at DVC/Marriott and 3 bedrooms with HCC.

Not to sound spoiled, but squeezing all four of us (and my wifes huge assortment of luggage) into one tiny hotel room that costs $700 per night for 10 nights does not sound like a great trip. That is why I am exploring alternative options. I would prefer a large 1 bedroom or a 2 bedroom unit in a nice location in Banff in August.

Sure, I should have booked this last year as this is a popular time in that area, but that's the situation I am in now.

Any other ideas?
Click to expand...

Well there's a place called the Douglas Fir. It has studio and 1,2,3 bedroom, a bit more reasonable, but not as fancy. Very nice chalet type, but it is up on the hill from the townsite. It has a pool and waterslide. www.douglasfir.com If you don't stay at the BAnff Springs you can always visit it a few times and for sure check out the Sterling Champange Sunday Brunch. Pricey but worth it!

August will be beautiful time of year to go.
 
cgingrich said:
Well there's a place called the Douglas Fir. It has studio and 1,2,3 bedroom, a bit more reasonable, but not as fancy. Very nice chalet type, but it is up on the hill from the townsite. It has a pool and waterslide. www.douglasfir.com If you don't stay at the BAnff Springs you can always visit it a few times and for sure check out the Sterling Champange Sunday Brunch. Pricey but worth it!

August will be beautiful time of year to go.
Click to expand...

This looks very nice and I prefer to stay in Banff rather than Canmore. We also need a place in Jasper if anyone has any recommendations. The Fairmont is there and much cheaper than the one in Banff.
 
I'm not sure if you're planning to stay a few days in Calgary on one end of your trip. (I'd recommend it and at least go the zoo, which is excellent.) I'm finally moving back to Calgary from Edmonton this summer, and got a few nights in the Westin for $99 from Hotwire so we don't have to stay in our new house while the movers are unpacking.

If you're up for hikes, I'd recommend Johnson's Canyon, which has 3 lengths (from 1km to ~6km) There are gorgeous falls at 1 and 3kms, and the most beautiful alpine meadow at the end with 'ink pots' or multi-coloured spring fed pools. There are accomodations on site, but I've never stayed there, so I can't vouch for their quality.

Michael
 
Becker's Roaring River Chalets is a great place to stay in Jasper, just south of town and right on the Athabaska River.

http://www.beckerschalets.com

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is fabulous - Queen Elizabeth always stays there whenever she is in town...:)
 
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