Lake Louise Inn

Different breakfast spot

by bkathryn about Lake Louise Inn

If you find the meals at the Chateau Lake Louise a little pricy, you can head just down the hill to the town of Lake Louise and hit the Lake Louise Inn for a change. They had a lovely buffet the day we were there. Only had breakfast buffet.

An Absolutely Overpriced Dump..Stay elsewhere!

by TripAdvisor Member karenkathleen

We paid $350 CAN for a poky, cramped, dark dingy room with terrible bedding...called a Family lodge...it wouldn't hold a family of mice. A twin bed in the small bedroom? A Murphy bed for the adults, 8" off the ground, no back support...like a bed in a college dorm. Bedding was washed out..Kitchenette a total joke with an oven that didn't work, a microwave that you had to unplug to reset, a tiny fridge that barely held a 6 pack of Coke, and a small bar sink. The patio consisted of two plastic chairs overlooking a grassy hillside. The Pipestone River was a mere trickle. Anything good about the place? Well, the flower baskets were nice. The room was clean. The staff were apologetic. I could have negotiated the price down..somehow I think this was common practice. But I want to alert others to this overpriced outrage. Spend a little more and stay at the Post Hotel...it looked beautiful and charming. If I save just one tourist from staying at this overpriced, poorly valued excuse for an inn, it will be worth the tariff I paid. I plan to go to every travel site I can find and leave this review. As a PR person, I know the value of good PR and well and negative PR. This sad, expensive joint deserves the latter. This sort of ripoff accommodation gives Banff Natl. Park a bad name...and Canadian tourism as well. Left a really bad taste in my mouth and I have been travelling to and loving Canada for 45+ yrs.

Nice, big family room

by TripAdvisor Member mammyof2

This hotel is split over several buildings, with the restaurants and swimming pool in the main building and the bedrooms in separate two-storey blocks. Beware, there are no lifts in the blocks - so if you have a lot of luggage or trouble with stairs, ask for a ground floor room when booking.

The room was very nice, very spacious. The swimming pool was FREEZING - but the hot tubs were hot, so I just stayed in the hot tub whilst my children swam very fast in the main pool.

The restaurants were limited and a little expensive - but they have a captive audience because there is nowhere else around to eat in the evenings.

Fantastic views, though and very close to both Lake Louise and Lake Morraine (which is less commercialised and much, much prettier).

Enjoyed our stay

by A TripAdvisor Member

Stayed for a couple of nights in one of the "superior" rooms. Not as bad as previous reviews appeared to indicate. Views over small wooded area, rooms reasonably well furnished let down by substandard housekeeping e.g. beds poorly made up for the following day. On balance we would stay there again if in the vicinity.

Upgrade if possible

by TripAdvisor Member Pairofcats

I got a multi-night discounted Internet rate on the basic standard room It was clean but very very small. We asked about a different room, and for not a lot of additional money, got a Loft. It was great -- lots of room (even though there were only 2 of us), view of the woods in the back, very nice bathrooms. We were pleased. The B&B package didn't seems like a good deal, but we purchased the buffet breakfast separately and thought it was quite good. All in all an above-average place.

1/2 Star Rating

by TripAdvisor Member RockhoundParis

We found the Lake Lousie Inn somewhat overpriced for the actual accomodation. We were given a room on the second floor with a very steep flights of stairs and were not offered any help with luggage. When we arrived at our room the door was unlocked and wide open. We had to phone to lobby and were given another room without much apology. The lobby and restaurants are very nice but the rooms need updating!

Youth hostel-style living at hotel prices

by TripAdvisor Member UKHec

This hotel was a huge disappointment. It has good facilities - a big pool, choice of restaurants, laundromat and in-room pizza delivery.

However, our standard room (in a separate building called the "Pinery") was awful - cramped, dated and dark, and so poorly soundproofed that I could have joined in with next door's conversation. Our room was reached by four shabby, external flights of stairs.

The bathroom was adequate but nothing special. It was clean enough and the staff were friendly, but I was very relieved to check out after two nights.

Nice hotel

by TripAdvisor Member Beaverton

We had a poolside room with 2 queen beds. The room is nicely appointed with fancy classic looking furnitures. The bathroom is also very well designed with granite countertop. However, it is a bit cramp in there.
We only had a problem with the thermostat in the room. We could not change the temperature and it was blowing hot air the whole time. They offered to move us but it was late and our kids were already sleeping so we decided against it. They did bring us 2 small fans which help some but not much when none of the windows in the room can be opened.
The indoor pool, steam room and hot tubs are nice and warm. The restaurant serves a buffet style breakfast and has boxed lunch available for $13.50 each.
Overall, I would recommend staying at this hotel. I think our problem with the thermostat is probably a one time thing.

Ideal

by A TripAdvisor Member

We stayed here for 1 week in March and found the hotel to be ideal.

I have read many reviews when deciding where to stay and know it to be a minefield ! What you may find acceptable others may not... Therefore being someone who is quite fussy I found the Lake Louise perfect.

Yes the rooms are small (no wardrobe - just a hanging rail, 1 set of drawers) but when skiing how long do you spend in the room ? For 2 of us at the end of the day we had a bed each and a TV which suited us fine ! The rooms were clean as was the bathroom.

Breakfast at the hotel was fab, Hint get there first thing and sit in front of the fire its so relaxing and the Hot Oats, Cooked breakfast, Cereals and pastries on offer set you up for the day ahead.

The ski bus arrives just outside reception - The transfer time is approx 5-10 mins max.

Basically - perfect if you are skiing and not bothered about Apres ski, LLI is well located for town - 5 min walk (not many shops or restaurants so eating dinner can become a chore ! - rather whats available than what you fancy !) Rooms ample, staff friendly, location perfect, I would stay at this hotel again - Even in the economy room !!!!

SkiBig3

by TheAlly

"Lake Louise"

Arriving in Calgary after almost 20 years was an eye opener for me, our driver informed us that Calgary is the fast growing city in North America. I was out here with the British Army in 1987 for 10 months, and returning was a big thrill for me.
After a 2.5 hour transfer via Banff we arrived in Lake Louise at the Lake Louise Inn which turns out to be "adequate" although our rooms was "standard" it did seem very basic compared to other guests descriptions of their rooms!
We struggled with the 1st night Jet-lag, awaking in the wee small hours expecting it to be light. DOH.
Eventually when the clock reaches 7am we head for some breakfast before getting the ski bus to the base area to be fitted with our skis! after a minimum of fuss and virtually no queues we find our selves on a 4 man chair to about the middle of the mountain to ski a nice easy green run before meeting http://www.skibig3.com to take part in their 3 day club ski program, which was brilliant. I Highly reccommend this program!

See below for my report on Sunshine village!

"Sunshine Village"

Second day of our clubski program is held at Sunshine, which is a 40 minute drive from Lake Louise.
We meet our instructor at 10am, who takes us out to be filmed for the DVD that will be on sale at the end of the course..GROAN...

After warming up on an interesting blue run, we head off to do some challenging stuff in some quite deep powder, concentrating on practising carving, and for some of the group, just staying upright is enough of a challenge!

Lunch follows, and after we are off on some more interesting blues, finishing around 3pm with the instructor and myself coming down a black run which was full of moguls, to say my thighs were screaming would be an understatement.

3rd day is at Banff Norquay...

"...Banff Norquay"

After a screw up with the bus company, we are collected 40 minutes late for the 45 minute drive to Banff.

Arriving in Banff we were slightly dissappointed with the amount of snow compared to the previous 2 days.

Meeting our man again at 10 we head off to get some skiing done. At 12 am we are due to take part in a slalom race for a bit of fun.... yeah right.... as if a group of 7 men and 2 women are not going to be competitive. Great fun, and no injuries.
Lunch follows before going up the mountain for a last few runs before the course ends around 3pm for a few well deserved beers and the prizes and photographs.

In the evening a dinner was held in The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, wow what a place. Dinner was a buffet which was amazing, anyone going to Banff should book a table and give it a go! (Oh, the Sunday Brunch is apparently brilliant, we couldn't get a table).