Fairmont President's Club - Banff, Lake Louise, or both?

Received my 2 free complimentary night certificates, as well as the suite upgrade and room upgrade. We are planning a trip in August and trying to determine whether to stay at Banff one night then Lake Louise the next night, or just stay at one of the hotels both nights, and which upgrade (room or suite) to use at each. Any help is greatly appreciated!

I would just stay in Lake Louise both nights as August is the best time to enjoy the sights... Make sure you walk to the other side of the lake.

It is a very short driving commute to Banff from Lake Louise, but in all honesty not much to see inside Banff and the Fairmont there is not up to par with Lake Louise IMO. If you have a car, drive out to Emerald Lake if you can, beautiful in August and an excellent trail.

I believe the upgrades go Mountainside- Junior mountainside suite, 1bedroom if Junior not available.

Lakeside - Junior lakeside suite.

Definitely get the lakeside, some amazing views to wake up to in the morning.

Lake Louise is the most photographed spot on Earth for a reason! So yeah, you gotta spend at least 1 night there. But I wouldn't discount the Banff Springs so quickly. I stayed there 2 summers ago and have regularly been there prior to that too. It is magnificent, and especially if you've never been is definitely worth a night. Hey, if it was good enough for Joltin' Joe and Marilyn, it'll probably be good enough for you too!

Plus, it's only a half hour drive b/w hotels. And the breakfast at the Springs is over the top good!

Are you saying you only have 2 nights to spend in the Banff/Lake Louise area in total, or do you have more time and are just asking where to spend your free night certs in addition to some additional days?

To stay just one night at each place you are going to feel rushed. If you have only 2 days total, spend them all at one hotel to avoid the check-in/out and packing/unpacking each day.

I just finished 3 nights at the Springs in an upgraded river view room (used room upgrade) and 2 nights at the CLL in a Lakeview Junior Suite (used Suite Upgrade and Free Night certs). I think I liked the CLL best. On the other hand, my wife preferred the Springs. The Willow Stream Spa at BSH is great. I found the general repair condition of the CLL to be better than Banff.

Unfortunately, we will only have 2 nights to spend at these hotels. :( We are leaning toward staying 1 night at each hotel because we have heard great things about each, and have activities we want to do close to each one (whitewater rafting near LL, and the springs near Banff). We also considered the amount of time it takes for checking in/out, packing/unpacking, parking, etc, but we are pretty 'efficient' travelers so we don't think the time lost will be very significant. I'll update with our room info once we make our reservations. Thanks for everyone's input!

We did both. One night each when we did the weekend trip a few years ago.

One night would be just fine. I would get bored if I were to spend more than one night at each property.

I disagree on LL. There are a bunch of interesting restaurants in the hotel, walks, the pools, gift shops, Emerald Lake, driving along the secondary roads to see elk and bear, driving up the ski mountain to see the long horned sheep, driving farther toward Jasper and the glaciers, plus just enjoying the history of this iconic property.

I'm not so impressed by Banff, either the hotel or the village beyond the novelty of elk in town, unless you want to play golf with elk on the course, which might be an argument for a second day there.

Really? why waste your valuable 2 days switching hotels. Stay both days in one or the other and drive(only 1/2 hour max.)Depends what you want to do. Banff has a town site with lots of restaurants, shopping,beautiful mountain scenery/activities and touristy stuff. Lake Louise is basically the Chateau, mountain scenery/activities and touristy stuff . In the time it takes you to pack, unpack and get things organized.....you could have had a heli -tour/hike! the Canadian Rockies are magnificent...where ever you are standing! Drive a little farther east(15 minutes) and check out Canmore...equally as beautiful and less touristy.

I haven't stayed at LL, but visited it while staying in Banff. I would do it that way again -- stay in Banff 2 nights and drive to LL and back.

Sorry for not answering the question, but for a 2 days stay, especially in the busy season (August) I would maybe consider the Jasper lodge...

LL standard rooms tend to be small and identical. The only nice feature is the view. Also, the hotel tends to get big tour groups, although IME not as bad as Quebec City.

Whichever you choose; Banff, LL or Jasper you can't go wrong. We stayed 6 nights at LL a few years back and loved it. It was amazing to see the view of lake and mountain at dawn and how it changed during the day.Just drove to Banff a couple of times.

I don't want to hijack the thread but any thoughts on what time of the year to go to this area?

I've wanted to get out to the Canadian Rockies but can't decide between winter with snow and the summer time. We have a two year old and don't ski if that matters. We were planning on a week total.

Does anyone know if the BMW bikes are available at either (or both) the Banff Springs or Lake Louise? TIA

Whatever you choose, I think you'll have a great time.

I just PM'd you with a link that might be helpful.

I disagree on LL. There are a bunch of interesting restaurants in the hotel, walks, the pools, gift shops, Emerald Lake, driving along the secondary roads to see elk and bear, driving up the ski mountain to see the long horned sheep, driving farther toward Jasper and the glaciers, plus just enjoying the history of this iconic property.

I'm not so impressed by Banff, either the hotel or the village beyond the novelty of elk in town, unless you want to play golf with elk on the course, which might be an argument for a second day there.

I'd agree with most of this.

Lake Louise is very nice (although I've only stayed on the Gold Floor), and the lakeviews can't be beat. There are plenty of hikes to do in and around the hotel (from just walking around the lake to doing one or both of the tea house treks, or even going more farther afield), and in nearby Yoho National Park. The hotel is more modern in feel, and while it does have its share of tour groups rambling around, it doesn't seem as higgly-piggly as Banff Springs does.

Banff is not my kind of place. It is far too touristy (the city, in particular), and the only reason I go to the hotel is for the spa treatments. If I can't get a good price on an Escape to Willow Stream spa package, then I don't visit the hotel. The rooms can be tiny, grandmother-ish, and odd. I'm never entirely sure what kind of room I'll be placed in when I arrive, or if I'll like it. Plus, the hotel just *feels* too far from town and hiking opportunities (although it isn't really), and I can't but feel like a walking cash register everywhere I go in Banff.

If you stay in Lake Louise and the hotel's eating offerings don't appeal, go into town (such as it is) and consider eating at either the Post Hotel or at Bill Peyto's in the hostel.

I will second Bill Peyto's for affordable and tasty food. If the spa or the pool are not key for you then stay at Lake Louise for 2 nights as this is a more Rockies experience. Even a LL and Jasper split would be good if you wanted to do the Icefields Parkway, a spectacular trip with stops along the way incl the Columbia Icefields.

I don't want to hijack the thread but any thoughts on what time of the year to go to this area?

I've wanted to get out to the Canadian Rockies but can't decide between winter with snow and the summer time. We have a two year old and don't ski if that matters. We were planning on a week total.

If you don't ski I would vote going in either mid May or September/October and avoid the peak tourist season.

I'd almost lean towards September/October, weather is still good, all the seasonal roads are still open, still a good amount of light. It will be less busy, but they'll still be plenty of people around.

If you don't ski I would vote going in either mid May or September/October and avoid the peak tourist season.

I'd almost lean towards September/October, weather is still good, all the seasonal roads are still open, still a good amount of light. It will be less busy, but they'll still be plenty of people around.

Banff, maybe, but I'm not sure I would want to go to LL in May. Lake Louise will still be frozen then, so you won't get the nice view of the blue lake, nor will you be able to go out canoeing on it. Most of the higher hiking trails will still be snowcovered (I ran into some higher up impassable trails due to snow just recently in late June), and on many of the trails closer to lake level, the snow might be gone, but I'd bet they'll still be snowy sections with the rest of the trails muddy from the snow melt and spring rains.

But you won't have to worry about the crowds and the hotel prices should be good.

Since spas and shopping are low on our priority list, and being outdoors is more important to us, we decided to make reservations at Lake Louise for both nights. I was also able to use the room upgrade to get a lakeview room! We will probably spend an afternoon/evening in Banff to do a short hike and maybe go to the hot springs. Any other recommendations for things to do or places to eat (lunch or dinner) around Lake Louise or Banff is greatly appreciated! Thanks for all your input!

Just a note of warning re rooms at the Chateau....they are tiny, I think some descriptions are of a broom closet (160 sq feet). This is one hotel where a suite upgrade is worth it! Save your hikes for LL area. I would recommend having lunch at the Springs just so you get to have a taste of that hotel. In summer the patio overlooking the Bow Valley is a nice spot. I had a decent meal at the Bison but that was about 2 years ago now so it may have changed. Get out on the trails near LL early so you beat the day trippers as it can get busy. Helen Lake is a nice hike as well about 20 mins north on the Icelields Parkway, lots of wildflowers and Marmots (like Marmot overload). Do enjoy! Will be around there tomorrow night :)

I was thinking of starting a thread like this! We will have a total of 5 nights to spend in both properties (4 from the Visa card and 1 from my lifetime Platinum status). I was originally thinking to do 2 at BF and 2 at Chateau. I still think I will keep it as is but... I am kind of leaning towards doing 1 and 4 after reading the thread!

We are not into skiing so I thought early April may be a good time to go...but it may be way too early after reading the posts here! With two kids in school it makes it very tough to get away and it appears August may be way too crowded. Hmm, decisions decisions

Do you make the reservations before you get the two night certs from Chase and then call back to inform them that they will be free nights? I wonder what are the proper "logistics" to make sure you get the rooms you want (and maximize the suite or room upgrade certs).

For my wife's two free nights (gets Premier) I wonder if I could apply my own suite cert for her reservation?

Looks like we may be getting to Calgrary late at night...Any recommended decent local hotels to stay in before waking up to go get a rental car and make the way to the Fairmont hotels?

Any super bargains on award tickets to Calgary (live in Detroit but could fly out of Chicago...maybe spend a full day there and a night at the Radisson Blu with the boatload of Club Carlson points we now have?).

I thank the original poster and everyone for their thoughts!

Do you make the reservations before you get the two night certs from Chase and then call back to inform them that they will be free nights? I wonder what are the proper "logistics" to make sure you get the rooms you want (and maximize the suite or room upgrade certs).

For my wife's two free nights (gets Premier) I wonder if I could apply my own suite cert for her reservation?


At least with the regular Premier/Platinum free night certs you can first make the res and later call FPC to apply free night / upgrade certs, the process shouldn´t be any different when using the Chase free night certs.

And yes, you can use free night certs and upgrade certs during the same stay.

We are not into skiing so I thought early April may be a good time to go...but it may be way too early after reading the posts here! With two kids in school it makes it very tough to get away and it appears August may be way too crowded. Hmm, decisions decisions

If you're not into skiing, then I don't understand why you're considering early April? Skiing at Lake Louise runs until mid-May, and Lake Louise itself is still frozen until early June! I was just there 2 weeks ago, and Lake Agnes was still frozen and the higher elevation hiking trails still had waist-deep snow in places.

No doubt it will be more crowded in August, but the weather will be better. What's more important to you? Avoiding the crowds, or avoiding the snow and ice? Only you can decide.

If you are there during busy season, the hotel and the surrounding grounds will be crowded. However, many of the tourists that flood off of the buses just walk up to the lake to take a thousand photos from six dozen different angles, have lunch in the hotel, and then get right back on the bus. Some of them walk the trail around the lakeshore. But, if you go out and do some of the real hikes in the area, it won't be nearly as crowded. I took the trail out to the Plain of Six Glaciers and then back along the highline trail toward the Big Beehive a couple of weeks ago. For about 90+ minutes during my climb to the Big Beehive, I didn't see or hear a single person, and was worried I was lost on the wrong trail because it was so empty of people. Yet down at the lake level, it was a very happening place!

So, to avoid crowds, get out early and take the farther trails.

>>>>If you're not into skiing, then I don't understand why you're considering early April?

It is all about the kids' school breaks:D

Ok, scratch April, thank you!

I am targeting a week or two off before school starts in late August 2013 then...Which may cause a problem with the two free night certs having 12 month expiration date. I therefore need to slow down on my $1k spending until early September.

Looks like we may be getting to Calgrary late at night...Any recommended decent local hotels to stay in before waking up to go get a rental car and make the way to the Fairmont hotels?

In downtown, the Sheraton Eau Claire has a good location (right by the river pathways and river itself). Rooms are pleasant; bathrooms are small.

There's also a Hyatt, right on the LRT line, which gets good reviews. Never stayed there myself, but the public areas seem decent enough.

There's also a Westin in downtown, which seems geared towards the conference crowd and is marginally easier to get to than the Sheraton simply because of red-light timings.

Lastly, there is the Fairmont Palliser, which was good enough for Will and Kate, but I suspect that they get slightly better treatment than you or I would.

Stay at the Delta airport (walk to check in) and rent a car in the am. Who wants to navigate the city when you are tired and parking costs downtown. Alternatively pick another airport option like the Hilton Garden Inn.

As convenient as the airport is, I find that the premiums charged at YYC for airport car rentals are excessive. On a recent 10-day rental from Hertz, I saved $250 by picking up at a downtown location. I was able to drop it off at the airport for the same price, but picking up at YYC would have jacked the price to almost double.

Take the $8 direct bus to downtown and get a car there in the morning or perhaps a location near the airport.

Fantastic suggestions,thank you!

Is Calgary a city I should be thinking of staying more than one night in late August? To get a good feel for it is a full day or two spent there recommended?

Fantastic suggestions,thank you!

Is Calgary a city I should be thinking of staying more than one night in late August? To get a good feel for it is a full day or two spent there recommended?

I personally think a full day is more than enough, go to the top of Calgary tower, walk around town for an hour, have dinner and visit the Olympic Village in the morning (there are guided tours as well as reasonably priced bus tours).
Can´t think of much more interesting to do to be honest.

Jasper2009:
That was what I had imagined, thanks for confirming!

have dinner and visit the Olympic Village in the morning (there are guided tours as well as reasonably priced bus tours).
Can´t think of much more interesting to do to be honest.

What's olympic village? I suspect you are referring to Winsport or what use to be called Canada Olympic Park and not Olympic Plaza?

Anyway if you are referring to Winsport have you been there since their recent redo? I know they have a sports museum but it has never crossed my mind to take visitors there before. The zipline and summer bobsled run seemed like the biggest reason to go there for me in the summer, unless you want to downhill mtn bike.

What's olympic village? I suspect you are referring to Winsport or what use to be called Canada Olympic Park and not Olympic Plaza?

Anyway if you are referring to Winsport have you been there since their recent redo? I know they have a sports museum but it has never crossed my mind to take visitors there before. The zipline and summer bobsled run seemed like the biggest reason to go there for me in the summer, unless you want to downhill mtn bike.

I´m actually not quite sure what it was called when I was there.:o

I did a guided tour probably 4-5years ago which included seeing some of the sports facilities (incl. "behind the scenes" places), the museum and a great guide telling us various stories around the Olympics.

IIRC I booked the tour through Brewster and I know it was very cheap (like <$50 incl. transportation to/from hotel).

I definitely found it worthwhile back then, but don´t have any more recent info, sorry.