Lake Louise Village

Lake Louise Inn

★★★★★

The Lake Louise Inn is the practical choice for families and skiers who want to stay at Lake Louise without paying Chateau prices. It sits on Village Road in the hamlet of Lake Louise, a five-minute walk from the village centre with its grocery, cafes and shops, and a short drive down from the lake itself and across the valley from the Lake Louise Ski Resort. The facilities are geared to active days and relaxed evenings. A heated indoor pool, kept warm and open into the evening, is joined by three hot tubs, all covered by the resort fee. Dining options on site include Legends Restaurant for hearty breakfasts and lunches (including packed meals to take on the trail), the Timberwolf Pizza and Pasta Cafe for family dinners and the Explorers Lounge, a pub-style bar where children are welcome with parents until 9pm. In winter, the Great Canadian Gazebo hosts apres-ski with a bonfire. Parking is free, three laundry facilities are on site and many rooms have kitchens, which helps families save on meals. Secure ski storage is a short walk from the shuttle pickup location. The rooms are comfortable and roomy rather than stylish, with options from deluxe two-queen and king rooms to two-bedroom suites. There is a resort fee to consider, and the village is quiet at night. But for families and groups who want space, a pool and easy access to Lake Louise in every season, it offers excellent value.

Why stay in Lake Louise. Most visitors day-trip to Lake Louise from Banff, which means early starts and parking battles. Staying in the village lets you visit the lake early or late, when it is quietest, and puts you minutes from the ski resort in winter. The Roam 8X bus connects the village with the lake and with Banff.

Room strategy. Families should look at the suites and rooms with kitchens. Summit Deluxe rooms are another option worth comparing. Two-bedroom suites work well for groups or multi-generational trips. Ski groups appreciate the secure ski storage and the apres bonfire at the Gazebo, while families tend to spend evenings at the pool and Timberwolf. Book early for the holiday season and February, when ski weeks fill the village, and confirm the resort fee and what it covers when you reserve.

Practicals. The inn is at 210 Village Road. Parking is free, and the pool and hot tubs are included in the resort fee. Children swim until 9:30pm. In winter, the ski resort shuttle picks up near the hotel. Fit: families, ski groups and value-minded travellers who want to sleep close to Lake Louise.