This morning I awoke inside a 1920s hotel designed after a Swiss chalet and tonight I am about to go to sleep in a 1911 hotel built like a Scottish castle. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s Swiss design originated from the influence of Swiss mountaineers the hotel hired to ensure their mountain climbing guests would return safely from their Canadian Rockies adventures.
But the best part of this hotel is not the elegance inside, but the fantastic views outside. This morning, I took a stroll beside Lake Louise, now completely frozen over with three feet of snow on top. Even in April, I could still walk on the lake without fear of the ice breaking.
My eyes mostly stayed upward on the towering mountains surrounding the lake, including a huge glacier, which feeds the lake with fresh water every year.
This evening, I arrived at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for more jaw dropping views inside and out. I felt like a princess arriving at this picturesque stone hotel with its grand staircases, stain glass figures, stone details and medieval-themed lounges.
Outside its windows is yet another glorious view of the Rockies, which was the reason the hotel was built there. With the snowy mountain peaks still visible in the evening light, I unwound from my long day of touring with a dip in the hotel’s heated outdoor pool. Fresh cool mountain air mixes well with steamy hot pool temperatures.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
View out the window of Banff Springs Hotel
Medieval room within the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
