I agree with the various useful advice offered above.

The two most popular itineraries probably are:

1) YYC - Banff - Lake Louise - Jasper - YEG
2) YYC - Banff - Jasper - Lake Louise - YYC

The drive between YEG and Jasper is rather boring for the most part, while the Icefield Parkway between Banff / Lake Louise and Jasper is one of the most scenic drives in Canada, so I would suggest the latter option.

Having stayed at the three Fairmont properties in the Rockies on various occasions and having booked hundreds of nights for clients at those properties, here are some additional thoughts:

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise:

The hotel as a whole is not a luxury hotel. There are just too many rooms, the entry level rooms are tiny and distinctly unremarkable and the property is flooded with thousands of tourists daily in additionl to guests staying at the hotel (at least during normal times). However, the Gold floor offers a completely different experience: rooms and suites on the Gold floor are very nice and the Gold concierge team offers excellent service. I wouldn't hesitate to rank the Gold floor experience as 4.5*-5* and staying in a suite on the Gold floor at CLLprobably offers the most luxurious experience in the Cdn Rockies.

My recommendation would be to book any of the following:

- Fairmont Gold One-Bedroom Lakeview Suite
- Marquis de Lorre Suite (the floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views of the lake)
- if you want to splurge, either the Glacier Suite or Belvedere Suite (each with a private balcony overlooking the lake, though both suites are spread across two floors in case that's an issue)

Fairmont Banff Springs:

Similar issues as CLL. Unfortunately the Gold lounge is much, much larger than at CLL, therefore the value of booking a Gold room/suite is debatable.

If available, I would suggest staying in one of the Terrace Suites.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge:

This is not a "regular hotel", but instead consists of a main lodge and over hundred cabins (each with 1-6 rooms/suites) spread across a large property. The style is more "upscale rustic" than "true luxury", but the location and the more "authentic" lodging experience appeal to many. IMO there is something special about sitting on your cabin's patio overlooking the lake with various wildlife (moose/deer/elk/etc.) walking by.

My recommendation would be to book any of the following:

- Lakefront Suite (there are four Lakefront Suites in one cabin, two on the lower level and two on the upper level)
- any of the Signature Cabins
- Main Building Suite (if you prefer staying in the main lodge; decor also is more modern / less rustic than in the cabins)

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FWIW, the published rates for the signature suites can be rather steep, though I've found management to be generally cooperative when negotiating a more reasonable rate.

You can also save an extra 16.7% by purchasing gift cards during the bi-annual sales.

And last but not least, you can find plenty of reviews in the three property threads in the Fairmont/Accor forum.