jwj

My husband and I along with my sister and her husband will be in the Rockies for a week beginning September 20. We arrive in Calgary at noon and plan on 2 nights at the Post at Lake Louise. Our thought is to go up to Jasper and spend 2 nights. We are having trouble finding accomodations. We stayed at Chateau Jasper 4 years ago and didn't care for it. We are on a waiting list for Jasper Park Lodge. Becker Chalets only has rooms in the back and we have reserved 2 of these cabins but it's not what we really like. Alpine Village has a 3 night minimum. Any suggestions? We like smaller places (although JPL is certainly not that) but do enjoy all the luxuries of a larger place. Am going to call Pyramid Lake Resort this morning and see what they have available.
Our plan is then to drive down to Banff and spend 3 nights at the Rimrock. Plane leaves Calgary at 1:00 p.m. on last day.
Does our itinerary need changing? Will appreciate any help. We enjoy the beautiful scenery and walking altho we aren't hikers. We like good food, also.
Thanks

newretiree

Last September, 4 of us stayed at Patricia Lake Bungalows in their King suite - 2 bedrooms/1 bath. It's not right at the lake, and it's on the 2nd floor, but was very comfortable, including a big gas fireplace.
We are staying there again this September in one of their new bungalows down by the lake. You may want to try there.

jwj

Thanks newretiree! Have e-mailed them and waiting to hear. Enjoy your retirement.

Daydreamer

Struggled w/this too a lot before seeing area again. Stayed at Pyramid years ago, so can't offer a recent enough review to help. In the Fall, its location might be nice, as I'd imagine you'd see some nice fall colors from it. However, the buildings themselves seemed a bit less distinct or mountain-like than some other choices. (more something you could find anywhere inside, I mean)

But again, that was YEARS ago. We did drive up to the area a year ago, and it does have some nice walks, etc. right from there. And we did enjoy looking for wildlife on the drive there. (it's a bit out of town)

Alpine Village is not downtown Jasper, but has a 'away' feel while still being very close. (convenient for restaurants, etc.) And also very close to Tekarra Lodge which is great for a special dinner out. (almost walking distance but not quite)

If you have 3 nights available...
then, Alpine Village is a nice option. We like its exterior at least a lot more than Becker's which many seem to enjoy here. Cabins are more limited in number...and it was nice and quiet.

Across a very quiet 'lane' street is a bend in the river. And elk can be heard close-by. (esp. at night)
Just was very peaceful.

It's not a Rimrock or Chateau as far as amenities go. But otherwise, they sure seemed to keep a very clean, and well-kept place. Front desk not too interactive, or anything, so if you crave that...some other place might be better. Otherwise, was nicely located.

But again, in the Fall, Pyramid Lake might be very striking w/its surroundings. The mtn there is very cool!

jwj

Daydreamer, thanks for your information. We would very much like to stay at Alpine Village, but don't have the 3 nights. At the last minute, if they're not full they will take us. But, of course, we'll already have booked somewhere else and would have to pay the cancellation fee. What do you know about Jasper Park Lodge? We are on a wait list for rooms there, but it's not my favorite either. 4 years ago we stayed at Chateau Lake Louise and really did not like it. It's a beautiful facility but it was too busy with tour busses and too impersonal. My feeling is that JPL would not be quite so bad so therefore the wait list.
But, our first choice would be Alpine Village. We do have the reservations at Pyramid and thank you for your observations. We'll keep them if nothing else opens up. Again, thanks.