Fairmont President's Club - Fairmont Feedback - Banff/L.Louise/Jasper

We recently returned from a trip to Fairmont’s in Alberta and wanted to post some first time visitor feedback for those who have never been there before like us.

Fairmont Banff Springs… Lived up to expectations, clean, well served, and a beautiful location. We booked a King Deluxe view on the NFAF rate thanks to my buddy nyx.t2t. Received a larger Suite upgrade by asking prior to check-in. A/C worked great too. If you use the Spa pools I’d do the 6am-10am period as it gets too busy afterwards. Too many gate crashers sneaking in on one access fee charge. I did notice for Prez club members the Spa access fee is only $49 vs. $79 normally…A great deal when it’s not crowded. All restaurants were great except the Terrace was weak on service but the food was fine. The Banffshire was expensive but worth every penny….absolutely a great dinning experience and highly recommended. Hotel seemed adequately staffed (told 1800 people work there in 3 shifts each day at peak times). I could spend a week or more there and still find lots to do or just relax.

Fairmont Lake Louise… Priceless view but the location is over rated. Never knew there was a public park next door that’s filled with crowds and tour buses. Was like Niagara Falls on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Crowded lake paths, noise, and garbage. Although signage is posted guests only, the grounds and common areas of the building are over run with non-guests. Washrooms were the filthiest I’ve seen in the lobby…made Cuba look clean. Hotel seemed short staffed and cleaners were no so good. Had a great room though…booked NFAF rate for a King with deluxe view and given a terrific corner room near the top. Again priceless view from the room but it was a bit dirty and w/o a/c we were glad we had a breeze through the corner windows. Not worth getting a portable a/c unit for only 2hrs a day? Restaurants food was fine - service as well off peak times. We took some great pics at dusk and sunrise but one day there is enough.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge…ran out of time so had to cancel a stay but stopped in for breakfast. Definitely the quiet relaxing atmosphere I wished Lake Louise had so we’ll stay there next trip for a few days. Told Jasper is what Banff used to be like before it went too touristy.

Thanks to the NFAF program Fairmont picked up some new customers and revenue. We plan to add Fairmonts to our travel future plans now.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your time in the Canadian Rockies!

Banff Springs - "the castle in the rockies" and the hotel truly lives up to the name. just driving up to the hotel, the castle appears from the trees and everything inside is just as magical.

Lake Louise - the hotel is the only thing on the lake and they both become the attraction. Lots and lots of visitors and not much space. But worth the stop. Morraine Lake about 20 kms away is a little less crowded and the valley of the 10 peaks is just as picture perfect.

Its a shame you missed Jasper Park Lodge as it is the grand Canadian lodge experence. No AC, patios and wildlife at your doorstep.

have fun!

edmonton2001,

Heard Morraine lake is a worthy stop. Next trip plan to stay Jasper Park Lodge a few days, hit the road and visit Morraine on the way to Fairmont Banff for a few nights. At JPL deer were wandering around the grounds as was a coyote and we heard of lots of bear sightings but not on our visit.

We seem to have a complusion to explore other Fairmonts in BC/Alberta now since we find they are an enhancement to our roadtrips. Quebec City-Charlevoix-Tremplant-Montebello would be a nice fall trip too.

Was just at Lake Louise and Lake Moraine this weekend. Agree with OP that Lake Louise is full of tourist riff raff. Lake Moraine is quite nice but we heeded the brochures recommendation to be there before 1000 (or after 1700). We arrived around 0915 and walked around for about two hours. By the time we were leaving the place was quite crowded and parking was really tough for people just arriving. However, even though it was busy it was still not as crowded as Lake Louise was.

Was just at Lake Louise and Lake Moraine this weekend. Agree with OP that Lake Louise is full of tourist riff raff. Lake Moraine is quite nice but we heeded the brochures recommendation to be there before 1000 (or after 1700). We arrived around 0915 and walked around for about two hours. By the time we were leaving the place was quite crowded and parking was really tough for people just arriving. However, even though it was busy it was still not as crowded as Lake Louise was.

Agree...like most popular spots timing is everything. Tour buses rolled into LL at 6:30am. We arrived at LL at 3pm and some folks for the public park parked at less 2-3 km back the entrance road and walked in....insane parking issues but glad Fairmont had lots of room

Agree...like most popular spots timing is everything. Tour buses rolled into LL at 6:30am. We arrived at LL at 3pm and some folks for the public park parked at less 2-3 km back the entrance road and walked in....insane parking issues but glad Fairmont had lots of room

It says alot about the economy and tourism if Chateau Lake Louise has lots of rooms left. That hotel should be full of tours and guests at this time of year. Take advantage of the low friends and family rates while you can!

have fun.

My girl friend and I just returned from 4 nights at Chateau Lake Louise (late July, early August). We both loved the location. The tourist crowds did not bother us as they quickly disappear when you head up on the trails to the glaciers and tea houses. It's my 3rd visit there, and I consider it to be among the most scenic places in the world.

We alternated one evening with dinner at the nearby Deer Lodge, where caribou was on the menu.

And, being right at the lake allowed for early starts, including a 9am arrival at Moraine Lake before the parking lot filled.

I also got an amazing rate. A few years ago I paid $500 for 1 night. This time less than half that.

I came back today from a night at Lake Louise. Booked the NFAF rate, thanks to nyx.t2t. I booked a Jr Suite, mountainside at an incredible rate of $229 in the summer. Rate on the Fairmont site without the code was close to $800.

Check-in was easy, I was greeted by the doorman/valet as I walked up to the hotel door and asked if I was checking in. I said I was and he went to a small cabinet next to the door and had my room keys and folder right there. Probably because I'm a Premier they do that as a curbside check-in. I went right up to the room and avoided the fairly substancial check-in line at the desk.

The room was great, spacious and at the very far end of the hotel. The "Mountainside" room did have most of the windows facing the back, but at the end of the room was a little nook with a bench and a large picture window facing the glacier and the lake. It was an amazing view!

Check out wasn't quite so smooth, as the desk clerk couldn't find my reservation number. After a few min of looking and also cross referencing with my FPC number, she had to go off and see someone. When she came back it turns out that I was listed as a no show, so the reservation wasn't shown in the computer. I'm not sure why that should be so, since I obviously had room keys and they worked. She had to manually enter it into the computer to get me a reciept, but at least there was no question about the rate.

Aside from that minor snag, it was a great stay!

It says alot about the economy and tourism if Chateau Lake Louise has lots of rooms left. That hotel should be full of tours and guests at this time of year. Take advantage of the low friends and family rates while you can!

have fun.

Lots of room... in the Fairmont parking lot but the hotel on the Aug holiday weekend was actually sold out they said.....Banff pretty full as were most other hotels in S Alberta it seemed. Lots of travellers on the road and the gasoline shortages just made the trip more interesting

Just back back from a week in Alberta staying at Lake Louise, Calgary and Banff Springs Fairmonts. Lake Louise and Calgary were booked on Great Rates Great Dates and were exceptionally good value eg large rooms in the Palliser Calgary $119. In all of the hotels the service was outstanding - Lake Louise was a very comfortable hotel with an great view of the Lake from our rooms. The breakfast buffet was impressive and the pool was empty when I went for a swim at 7.30 in the morning. The car parking wasn't cheap but was undercover which was helpful when it was -22C. And with the rate we paid for the rooms meant we couldn't really complain too much. As always the free internet and newspapers were appreciated. In Calgary despite several weddings taking place the hotel seemed very quiet (this was the weekend before Thanksgiving) and service was excellent. We had breakfast both mornings in the Restaurant -though sadly not the Brunch as we had to be elsewhere at that time. Rooms were good - car parking $6 per day (weekend rate and for the holiday monday - I believe $20 per day in the week).The pool and jacuzzi were usually empty at 7.30 each morning - again i guess as it was the weekend.A very pleasant stay. The Banff Springs was our favourite. We arrived and the guys on the door gave us parking instructions along with our room keys and took the bags to the rooms whilst we parked up - very painless.Again the car park was I think $22 - though you could come and go as often as you wanted and that was only $11 per room . We had this on a NFAF rate so as that was such good value the car park wasn't an issue. The rooms were at the back - which is actually the better view over looking the Valley and the waterfalls. They were a nice size and one had a jacuzzi bath as well as separate walk in shower. The newspapers didn't arrive the first morning but after a call were fine then on. That day we were told of a power cut lasting three hours from 8-11am which meant no power in the rooms and only a little around the hotel. Breakfast was by candlelight and there was a limited buffet -though the chef was manfully churning out omlettes on his gas stove. One problem was when the power to the lifts stopped with people (including my elderly father ) stuck inside. The problem was soon resolved though.I used the (free) pool each morning before breakfast and was usually on my own as it was very quiet then. I also used the spa one day for a massage (with discount for FPC) and I really enjoyed the facilities. You can come and go all day and I returned in the evening and practically had the whole complex to myself from 8-10pm which was very relaxing. The different temperature waterfall pools are very good and the mineral pool also well worth spending some time in. The massage itself wasn't cheap but was professional and invigorating and when the discount is considered as well as the whole day access it makes it much better value. The men's changing rooms were clean and well equipped and the various relaxation rooms more than acceptable. I would recommend anyone who was thinking of visiting the Willow Spa to do and allow a lot more time than just for your treatment.
We also ate in The Rundle lounge in the evening and it was good food and drink and a nice atmosphere. The benefit of 15pct discount at some of the hotel shops - Fairmont store and Canadian Pacific amongst others was also appreciated.
We found the easiest way to visit Banff - bear in mind it had been snowing and still minus plenty so walking wasn't an option - was to use the bus from right outside the hotel. This runs every 40 minutes and is $2 one way or $1 for seniors and takes you downtown in a few minutes and means you don't need to worry about parking .

So in summary three really enjoyable stays - service was largely outstanding and always good,the rooms clean and comfortable and the food and drink largely very good. The Fairmont isn't always cheap but there is certainly added value with the FPC benefits and some bargains to be had from NFAF and Great Rates deals which make the stays much better value.

Clearly staying off season means cheaper rates and quieter hotels and therefore (presumably) better service but I can only speak of our experiences and would therefore recommend these hotels.