The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Jun 20, 2016, 11:35 am
#136
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: whatever comes with CCs
Posts: 1,082
I just checked online and looks like you can book 2 years out with this property. One problem booking that far out is that your FPC certificates are not valid for that time frame. And if the suite is not available when the certs hit your account, they are almost useless. I was planning to redeem my suite upgrade cert but I won't have a chance. So it looks like at this property one should plan on staying in the room type that was booked. Upgrades and certificates look difficult to use.
Jun 20, 2016, 12:03 pm
#137
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan 25K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,735
I just checked online and looks like you can book 2 years out with this property. One problem booking that far out is that your FPC certificates are not valid for that time frame. And if the suite is not available when the certs hit your account, they are almost useless. I was planning to redeem my suite upgrade cert but I won't have a chance. So it looks like at this property one should plan on staying in the room type that was booked. Upgrades and certificates look difficult to use.
In fact, I find the CLL one of the best properties for using certificates, because they've been willing to make deals in applying certificates against higher category rooms they're not supposed to be officially used for, including Gold suites. E.g. pay for a Gold room and get a Gold suite. It's a good deal for all concerned. I get the upgraded room I want, and they get to sell an even more expensive room than if I had just booked the regular room according to the certificate rules.
Jun 20, 2016, 12:18 pm
#138
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: whatever comes with CCs
Posts: 1,082
Not entirely. You might have difficulty if you tried to book the reservation through central res line, however, if you call the hotel directly you might have better luck. I've been able to get them to make the booking and apply an upgrade certificate that has yet to be earned in my profile, on the condition that if the certificate is not available at the time of check-in, the full rate of the upgraded room would be charged to my credit card.
In fact, I find the CLL one of the best properties for using certificates, because they've been willing to make deals in applying certificates against higher category rooms they're not supposed to be officially used for, including Gold suites. E.g. pay for a Gold room and get a Gold suite. It's a good deal for all concerned. I get the upgraded room I want, and they get to sell an even more expensive room than if I had just booked the regular room according to the certificate rules.
In fact, I find the CLL one of the best properties for using certificates, because they've been willing to make deals in applying certificates against higher category rooms they're not supposed to be officially used for, including Gold suites. E.g. pay for a Gold room and get a Gold suite. It's a good deal for all concerned. I get the upgraded room I want, and they get to sell an even more expensive room than if I had just booked the regular room according to the certificate rules.
Sep 12, 2016, 9:29 pm
#139
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 574
I'm planning a long overnight here on a Monday in September or October 2017. Prices in September look like 3-4 times more than in October. Will these be likely to be similar as it gets closer, or is there really that much of a difference between these two months? I would assume both were shoulder/low season-ish?
Sep 12, 2016, 10:17 pm
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
I'm planning a long overnight here on a Monday in September or October 2017. Prices in September look like 3-4 times more than in October. Will these be likely to be similar as it gets closer, or is there really that much of a difference between these two months? I would assume both were shoulder/low season-ish?
- September is absolute peak season and rates during peak season are higher than ever before at the various Cdn Rockies properties
- the first 1-2 weeks of October are shoulder season
- things very much quiet down after Cdn Thanksgiving and late Oct. / early Nov. could be considered low season
Sep 13, 2016, 6:17 am
#141
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan 25K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,735
I'm planning a long overnight here on a Monday in September or October 2017. Prices in September look like 3-4 times more than in October. Will these be likely to be similar as it gets closer, or is there really that much of a difference between these two months? I would assume both were shoulder/low season-ish?
By late October or early November, it won't be very busy. It will be cold, hiking season in the Rockies will be finished, as the trails will all be snowy and icy, but there won't yet be enough snow for proper winter activities. If your plan is to just chill out and enjoy the scenery, and relax at the hotel, then you'll be fine, and enjoy the cost savings.
Sep 13, 2016, 10:53 am
#142
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 574
Yes, just chill out and enjoy the scenery. Maybe a bit of hiking but just a lot of looking at the lake and being outside in it. I'll also be going to Halifax and Toronto. So, it looks like I really should aim for early October rather than September? (My one quibble is October is one of a few nice weeks in Dallas, so I'd hate to miss a week of good Dallas weather - but Canada will be even better)!
Sep 13, 2016, 11:49 am
#143
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan 25K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,735
Yes, just chill out and enjoy the scenery. Maybe a bit of hiking but just a lot of looking at the lake and being outside in it. I'll also be going to Halifax and Toronto. So, it looks like I really should aim for early October rather than September? (My one quibble is October is one of a few nice weeks in Dallas, so I'd hate to miss a week of good Dallas weather - but Canada will be even better)!
October can still be nice, but you will still want gloves and a toque.
Sep 13, 2016, 6:53 pm
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
Sep 20, 2016, 2:03 pm
#147
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan 25K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,735
The patio at the Whitehorn Bistro had a ton of people eating there yesterday in the sun, and today...
Snow line is almost down to the base of the ski resort, which is more than 300 feet lower than Lake Louise itself...
Last edited by CanadaDH; Sep 20, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Sep 20, 2016, 3:41 pm
#148
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 599
How are the driving conditions (we are arriving next week, and now worried about driving in snow?)
Sep 20, 2016, 4:18 pm
#149
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YVR
Posts: 640