10 BEST Places to Stay in Lake Louise

Looking for the best Lake Louise hotel and accommodation option for you? Lake Louise is known around the world for its renowned beauty and each year, millions visit the lakeshore. It’s hard to find a more majestic and awe-inspiring place in the world than Lake Louise.

After taking in the spectacular scene, go for a hike, climb, ski, or canoe in Banff National Park and enjoy the views. Lake Louise is an image that will last with you for a lifetime. There aren’t many Lake Louise hotels, but we wanted to review each to make planning your trip to the Canadian Rockies easier.


Click on the hotel name or the Booking.com links to check the latest rates for these Lake Louise hotels. For the best rates on your hotel reservation, we recommend booking 6-8 months in advance.


The Best Places to Stay in Lake Louise


Paradise Lodge and Bungalows

Paradise Bungalows Lake Louise Hotels

Paradise Lodge and Bungalows is one of the best hotels in Lake Louise! While not directly on the lake like the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, it is only a 500-meter walk from the lake and is a fantastic Lake Louise accommodation option. As it is not on the lake, it’s far quieter and more relaxing in comparison to the constant onslaught of visitors who come to the lake every day.

Rooms, cabins, and apartments here have character and offer a comfortable stay with kitchens in several suites. A nice mixture of cute cabins and lodge buildings are spread across lovely grounds.

The main lodge building features a large stone fireplace and cozy seating. Many rooms have some magnificent views from private balconies perfect for a morning coffee.

Paradise Lodge is only open during the summer season.


Baker Creek Mountain Resort

Baker Creek Cabins

If you’re seeking accommodation in a location further away from Banff’s hustle and bustle and close to Lake Louise’s natural beauty, Baker Creek Mountain Resort is a laid-back escape offering comfortable lodge and log cabin accommodations.  The grounds and lodge make for one of the most serene settings in Banff National Park as sits along the Bow Valley Parkway.

You’ll get a true Canadian backcountry experience surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and vast wilderness. Enjoy a roaring fire under the night sky with access to outdoor fire pits. Retreat to your cozy room or log cabin, most of which are equipped with a wood-burning stove and kitchenette. Baker Creek Bistro serves genuine Canadian dishes and local craft beer that you can enjoy inside or on the patio.

An amazing stay for families looking to disconnect or couples looking to kindle some romance. Easily one of the best options for a stay in all of Banff National Park.


The Post Hotel

The Post Hotel
Best Hotels in Lake Louise
  • Address — Bow Valley Pkwy, Lake Louise (GPS)
  • Booking.com The Post

Situated on the Bow River, the 4-star Post Hotel Lake Louise has faithfully served guests since the 1940s. Guests can expect wonderful service in an ideal setting. The lodge features plenty of woodwork, classic mountain decor, a massive wine cellar, a fireside lounge, a library, and a full-service spa.

It’s regarded as one of Canada’s finest luxury hotels and the dining experience here is well celebrated. It’s without a doubt one of the best Lake Louise hotels on this list.

Rooms here can feel a little dated at times, but it’s an effort to keep with the original aesthetic charm of the ski lodge hotel. The hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux, an association of individually owned hotels known for their high-quality level of service.


Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotels
Best Lake Louise Hotels

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is another iconic long-standing resort in Banff National Park. If you’re looking for luxury accommodation with plenty of amenities in a location surrounded by mountains and remote backcountry, this is the place for you.

Although be forewarned, this is easily the most expensive place to stay in Banff. Prices at times feel downright excessive and it likely fetches some of the highest room rates in all of Canada.

You’re paying for location here because the rooms are nothing to write home about and the service is lacking for the price point. Easy to understand why when the hotel has 530 rooms.

That being said, this stately resort overlooks the stunning Lake Louise, and it is an icon of the Fairmont Brand, the province of Alberta, and of all of Canada, honestly.  On-site amenities include an indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, and fitness area with a stretching room.

The resort spa offers many services, including massages, body scrubs, and facials. At Lake Louise in the winter the hotel manages the Lake Louise ice rink and ice bar!

Various activities are available on-site and nearby, including guided mountain tours, skiing, hiking, canoeing, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, skating, and dog sledding. Lakeview Lounge, Walliser Stube, Poppy Brasserie, and Fairview Bar and Restaurant are some of the eateries available, offering various dining experiences.  See the full review here.

If you stay at this Lake Louise hotel you’ll have easy access to all the best Lake Louise hikes like the Lake Agnes Teahouse Trek, the Beehive Circuit, and Devil’s Thumb.

The Fairmont is the only place on this list of Lake Louise hotels that is actually on Lake Louise. That comes with the perks of being right in front of the most awesome lakes in Alberta, and not having to deal with parking at Lake Louise, but you will always be near the crowds associated with it.


HI Lake Louise Alpine Center

HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre Lake Louise Hotels

The HI Lake Louise Alpine Center is a classic mountain hostel providing access to tremendous ski, climb, hike, and mountaineering objectives. It’s a hostel with a mixture of dorm and private accommodation options. The hostel features Bill Peytos Cafe (one of the best Lake Louise restaurants!) and two large communal kitchens.

Amenities on-site include an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness area, lounge with fireplace, library, and outdoor fireplace. The location is in Lake Louise village, a couple minutes drive to Lake Louise and the Lake Louise Ski Resort.

There is not much in terms of frills here, but it’s clean and has plenty to offer for a comfortable budget stay. If you are looking for an affordable Lake Louise accommodation option, this is the place for you.


Moraine Lake Lodge

Moraine Lake Lodge

This may not be one of the best places to stay in Lake Louise, but instead up Moraine Lake Rd at Moraine Lake. Moraine Lake Lodge may be set in the most scenic setting for a lodge in the entire world on the shores of Moraine Lake. It’s an incredible location for a lodge that delivers high levels of service. Rooms are a series of Banff cabins that are spread across grounds set along the Lake.

Inside each room is tasteful mountain decor, such as pinewood beds and a wood fireplace. Coffee and tea inside stations in the room are particularly nice for mornings on private balconies that offer mountain and lake views.

Room rates include tea time, breakfast, dinner, wine, and activities such as canoeing and hiking. The free canoe rental at Moraine Lake is a particularly nice perk, as it costs nearly $150 an hour for non-guests. Guests also get to park carefree at Moraine Lake, which is highly coveted in the summer.

Of course, for the level of service, quality of accommodation, including food, and free activities the hotel regularly sells out. This means that room rates can be very high in peak summer months. Those summer months are the only operating months as the road to Moraine Lake closes in October.


Lake Louise Inn

Lake Louise Inn

The Lake Louise Inn offers some of the best value for a traditional hotel in Lake Louise. It’s located in the Lake Louise village and features an onsite restaurant, pool, fitness center, outdoor grills, and free shuttle to the ski resort in the winter.

A number of recently renovated rooms are a particular highlight with fireplaces in the rooms. However, the majority of rooms are fairly basic and are absent things like a mini-fridge. The standard rooms are a bit cramped at that too, but it’s also one of the more affordable options for hotels in Lake Louise.


Mountaineer Lodge

Mountaineer Lodge

Situated in Lake Louise Village the Mountaineer Lodge provides convenient access to the Lake and ski resort. Included in the room rate is a complimentary continental breakfast buffet, WiFi, and parking. There are various rooms available that include standard rooms with king/queen, or rooms with two queen beds.

A couple of suites are well suited for families as they have enough room to sleep six. All of the hotel rooms include a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee/tea station, toiletries, and flat-screen TV.

Facilities at the lodge include a hot tub, steam room, coin-operated laundry facilities, ski storage, and a ski shuttle. There is nothing exceptional here, but it’s enough to ensure a comfortable stay in Lake Louise Village.


Castle Mountain Chalets

Castle Mountain Chalets

Castle Mountain Chalets is located in Castle Junction, just a 20-minute drive away from Lake Louise on the Bow Valley Parkway, making it one of the best hotels near Lake Louise. If you don’t mind a Lake Louise hotel that is a bit off the beaten path and away from the crowds at Lake Louise, consider here.

These chalets have been in operation for over 81 years. In total 22 chalets are perfect for families and groups. The chalets are located right off the Trans Canada, near Castle Mountain, and have plenty of views of the surrounding area. If you are heading towards Kootenay National Park down Highway 93 for the day staying here is a great option as it’s near the highway entrance. Each of their cabins has a gas fireplace, full kitchen, and WiFi.


Skoki Lodge

Skoki Lodge

If you want a backcountry Lake Louise accommodation option, put Skoki Lodge on your list! This historic lodge dates back to 1930 and is one of North America’s first backcountry ski lodges.

To get back to Skoki, you’ll have to either hike or ski 11 km in from the Lake Louise Ski Resort. However its remoteness is also its charm, and only those willing to put in the work get to stay at this iconic Alberta cabin. In the summer, I love hiking in the Skoki Valley, especially to Skoki Lakes. In the winter, you are spoilt for backcountry ski options.

It’s not your typical Lake Louise hotel and is well suited for those with experience hiking and skiing in the Rockies. That is if you can even score a night in the lodge. Skoki Lodge is immensely popular and books up fast – even with the high price tag.


The Best Things to Do in Lake Louise

Lake Louise is so Blue

Now that you know which Lake Louise hotels to consider, it’s time to talk about activities. There are plenty of things to do in Lake Louise, no matter the season. From hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers, canoeing on the lake, or heading to the Fairview lookout point, you can easily spend days here. We’ve broken down our favorite things to do below:


I hope this list of Lake Louise hotels helps make your trip to Lake Louise easy to plan!

If you have any other questions leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.

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About Cameron

Cameron is a resident of Canmore, Alberta. After traveling the world for six years, he settled down in the beautiful Bow Valley with Natasha. He has been featured as a travel expert with numerous publications worldwide and has spoken on several occasions about the power of travel. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. Conservation is a deep fundamental in his life, and he aims to inspire others to care about our natural world. You can learn more on the about us page.

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2 thoughts on “10 BEST Places to Stay in Lake Louise”

  1. With private vehicles no longer allowed at Moraine Lake which of these properties offers transportation?

    Is sunrise or sunset better for Moraine?

    Thank you.

    Reply

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