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Old Aug 2, 2020, 2:04 am
  #11  
KI-NRT
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Everywhere
Programs: UA GS 3MM, NH PLT
Posts: 761
Glacier View Lodge

As others have mentioned upthread, the drive on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper is to die for. You'll be pulling over constantly to enjoy the incredible views and snapping tons of photos. You definitely want to take it slow in order to soak it all in.

With that in mind, I would recommend that you break up the drive by spending the night at The Glacier View Lodge, which is roughly halfway between Banff and Jasper. It's right across from the Athabasca Glacier, so you can easily spend half a day exploring the Glacier and surrounds. It was recently completely renovated and is far more upscale than when we stayed there.

Back in 2017, we combined Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, The Glacier View Inn (as it was called back then) and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The hotels did the job, but weren't world class by any means. But Banff and Jasper are must-visit places, and each of the properties were perfectly located and had enough charm to offset some of the shortcomings.

At the Fairmont Lake Louise, you should definitely spring for one of the Suites with the best views. We stayed in the Belvedere Lakeview Suite, and the views from the large-wrap-around balcony were definitely Instagram-worthy.

Here is one photo from our room:

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