Hi there

We are planning to get married in Banff and Honeymooning over at the Emerald Lake Lodge.

I was just wondering if anyone had stayed at this lodge, or had any views on this as a honeymoon hotel?

Thanks for your help

Suzanne

Sorry, my review is from 15 years ago...but we spent part of our honeymoon there and absolutely loved it! The room was gorgeous and looked right out over the lake. We enjoyed it so much we wished we could have afforded more nights there. I have heard that the lodge is still very nice, but I can't personally vouch for that since we haven't been back.

I recently stayed (last month) at Emerald Lake; it is a very popular spot for weddings and honeymooners.

We were in a regular suite; very well appointed with corner fireplace and large deck overlooking the lake. A few things to note; if you request a lake view, ask to make sure it is not obstructed by the trees as ours was. Also, many of the cabins face the lake but some are also facing a pathway, so they did not seem to me to be so private. Finally, many of the cabins are set up as four separate suites; 2 on the bottom and 2 on top. We were on the bottom and I found the people walking upstairs to be a disturbance; fortunately they were out much of the time. If this would be a concern for you, I would ask for a top suite.

It is a lovely spot with some very nice amenities and excellent dining.

Suzanne,

I noticed on another post that you were asking about dining in Banff after your wedding. If your party is small you might want to ask Emerald Lake Lodge if they can do a private dinner in either one of the smaller meeting rooms (upstairs in the lodge and still very nice) or in their main dining room. Depending on the time of year you may also be able to dine at Cilantro on the Lake (smaller more casual restaurant from the main dining room). Or if you're fortunate enough to have booked the "Point Cabin" I believe there is a table that can sit ten in the dining room of the suite -- the restaurant will then cater.

ELL is a small secluded resort on a beautiful lake. They are the only accommodations up in the valley so be prepared for peace and quiet. Some rooms have views and others do not. It all depends on the location of the cabin -- some of the balconies are well treed, blocking the view. This will most likely stay this way as you need permit upon permit to cut a tree in a national park (In which ELL is).

I've stayed ay ELL quite a few times. My favourite cabin was the "Point Cabin" but it was also the most expensive. After that the cabins just in front of the main lodge have unobstructed views of the lake and the one bedroom cabins by the fire pit and hot tub have great views.

The food in the dining room is excellent and they have a great wine cellar. Actually come to think of it the wine cellar under Cilantro on the Lake has a small dining room (six people I believe) that they may serve dinner in. It is intimate and quite nice.

Enjoy ELL would be my choice for a honeymoon in the Canadian Rockies.

Hyrda,

Thanks for the information, makes me feel a lot more confident.

We are getting married in Banff and staying at the banff springs hotel for 3 days after the wedding then moving on to the ELL and yes we have been lucky enough to be able to afford and book the point cabin, so am really looking forward to this for the once in a lifetime "hopefully" honeymoon.

Suzanne,
lucky you -- the Point Cabin is wonderful. It had just been rennovated when I stayed in it so everything was fresh and new. It hangs out over a point of land jutting into the lake so it is relatively private with a fantastic view. It has a huge wrap around deck, large soaker bathtub that you can sit in and look out onto the lake, a seperate bedroom and living room, and a wonderful fireplace. I can't think of anyplace more romantic in the Rockies.

What time of year will you be there?

As for dinner in Banff besides the restaurants and hotels already recommended you might consider Le Beaujolais or the dining room at Buffalo Mountain Lodge (sister hotel to ELL).

Hydra
Wow it sounds amazing. We decided on the Canadian Rockies as we have both always wanted to visit so also getting married in the area seems like a great excuse and possibly the only way we could afford to spluge on the honeymoon was to say its just to expensive to do this in the UK.

We will be over for 3 weeks from beginning of May 2005, so it will still be cold or nigh on very cold I am guessing, but we were aiming for out of season ever so slightly mainly because of pricing, and crowds.

Hmmm trying not to get too excited to quickly as have another 10 months to go!