I will have eight nights to allocate between Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper in September, 2010 (I'll be in Glacier National Park [Montana] five nights). I will be traveling by auto, and this will be my first trip there.

As long as I can remember--more years than I care to admit--I have wanted to stay at the "calendar/postcard" hotels and lodges in the Canadian Rockies; namely, the Fairmont Banff Springs, the Fairmont Lake Louise and the Fairmont Jasper Park.

I know that everyone has to make up their own mind on travel cost/value relationships, but can anyone give me any information that might help me reach a decision on whether the Fairmonts are going to be worth the considerable additional cost--when compared to alternative lodging options that might be available.

Thanks.

We had lunch at the Fairmont Lake Louise today! It's very lovely inside, with beautiful views of the lake (well, no lake to see today- covered in snow, but beautiful mountain views). I personally am not impressed with the building itself because it's stucco and I expected stone. But it is "grand" in style and there's certainly nothing else like it in Lake Louise. The staff and the "house dog" were very friendly.

Join the Fairmont club...it doesn't cost anything and they send you emails with their list of deals...this may help with the cost..This is certainly a beautiful part of the world...Enjoy!

I belong to the Fairmont President's Club. That's a great suggestion as they do send email notice of rate breaks.

Are you interested in hiking and outdoor activities? Do you prefer to be in the center of the activities or in a more remote location?

This coming summer I will be returning to the area you mentioned for my sixth visit. It is spectacularly beautiful and regardless of where you stay you will be blown away by its beauty. The first time I went I splurged on rooms at the Fairmont Banff and Lake Louise. I won't again. I have found that those properties are beautifully situated and the public areas are wonderful, but the rooms aren't worth the money to me. By way of caveat, I did not stay on Club Level which is probably a much nicer experience.

On this trip we will probably visit the Fairmont at Lake Louise to have a drink or a meal. For lodging I prefer a property which is quieter. The Fairmonts draw a huge amount of tour traffic and day visitors.

If money were no object, Lake O'Hara Lodge would be my first choice. Rates for the summer run about $500 for two including meals for a room with shared bath. Rooms without a shared bath are available. The location is spectacular, the hiking very good, and the food outstanding. Another property in this category is Mt. Engadine Lodge in Kannaskis region near Canmore. If you prefer to be closer to the towns consider Moraine Lake Lodge.

I hope your summer trip lives up to the dream. Both Glacier and the Canadian Rockies are splendid places!

Just letting you know that we also took a peek at the public areas in the Fairmont in Banff (and the one in Edmonton for that matter). The Banff version looks more from the outside like we expect - stone - and it's nicely situated. In summer, it would be a nice walk into town. But we didn't actually love the public areas of the hotel itself - the lobby is long and skinny and we decided it is not "inviting", although it is attractive. We definitely preferred the "feel" of the Lake Louise Fairmont lobby. As for Edmonton, the lobby is very pretty, but quite small -- not a gathering place. There is a nice restaurant off the lobby as well as a lobby bar.

I'm going to personally note cmcfong's suggestions for future reference!

By the way, we have friends who stayed at Moraine Lake Lodge and thought it was very special (and they have very good taste!)

I guess it's "correct" to refer to the hotels as the "Fairmont ________" since they are now part of the Fairmont chain, but it seems weird to me (and probably other native Albertans). I will always think of them as the Banff Springs, the Chateau Lake Louise and the Jasper Park Lodge.

in my opinion, the fairmonts in lake louse and banff are worth a visit...lunch...drinks. i would never stay at the lake louise one as there are too many tourists. the banff springs can be great or not so...some rooms are really small. the only place i have heard no regrets about is the jasper park lodge. so if i was going to splurge...that's where i'd do it.

<<<i would never stay at the lake louise one as there are too many tourists.>>>

I'm curious - are most hotels you stay at filled with locals?

I know your question is not directed to me but I did notice that there are tons of day tourists who drop in to see the Fairmonts and that may be to what ltt alludes. When I have visited the area I do find a lot of people from Calgary and other parts of Alberta staying at the more remote back country lodges.

We've stayed at Banff Springs and Jasper Park Lodge (agree with Shellidawn - I'm still having problem putting "Fairmont" as a prefix).

We thought both were wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable. Banff Springs is full of old world charm and the views off the back patio are gorgeous. We had excellent meals and service. Agree, though, that ask about rooms because some can be small with none of the inspiring views.

Jasper Park is entirely different. More like a lodge than grand old hotel, but it's wonderfully done. Beautiful grounds. Also had excellent meals and service. We stayed in one of the out "cabins" with high cathedral ceilings, stone fireplace, separate bedroom. Rustic elegance in the best sense.

We've been to Chateau Lake Louise several times, but haven't stayed there so can't help with the accommodations. If for no other reason, we think it's worth it just for the stunning views from the back and the trails around the lake.

All 3 are very much worth it IMO. They and the surroundings make lasting impressions and are unique in their own way.

Thanks so much to all for your comments and opinions.

The Banff Springs Hotel is impressive. We have not stayed there but found last minute rates under $200 when we traveled there in Sept. 2008. The room quality definitely varies there from what I read. We stayed at the Rimrock in their refurbished rooms--great last minute deal there too.

I have never been impressed by the Chateau Lake Louise(the lake is beautiful) but love Emerald Lake Lodge in Yoho--about a half hour from Lake Louise. It is just what I imagine when I think of a lodge in the mountains. We stayed in the cheapest rooms there and loved it. If money is no object, the cabins on the lake would be wonderful.

In LAke Louise, I would love to stay at Moraine Lake Lodge. Last visit, we stayed at Paradise Lodge on their 3 nt hiker special--loved this place.

The Jasper Park Lodge has a fabulous setting--but the scenery everywhere in the area is spectacular. The cabins described above look lovely. My first choice in Jasper would probably be Alpine Village--they require a 3 nt stay. You may only have 2 nts in Jasper though so the Grove at Patricia Lake might be another option for you. We loved our happy hours on their little dock on the lake.

My info on Banff Springs Hotel and Emerald Lake Lodge is dated, as we stayed there on our honeymoon 20 years ago. But we loved both places and would definitely go back! On subsequent trips we have stayed at Baker Creek Chalets near Lake Louise and really enjoy that, but it is a totally different feel from either of the other two places.