Cathedral Mountain Lodge

More about Cathedral Mountain Lodge

Little House in the Big Woods?

by toonsarah about Cathedral Mountain Lodge

This was probably my favourite of the places we stayed in mainland British Columbia. The accommodation is in a group of log and stone cabins in a stunning location at the foot of Cathedral Mountain in Yoho National Park. A note in my diary says that the cabin was like something out of Little House in the Big Woods, although I suspect it was lot more comfortable and better-appointed than anything Laura Ingalls ever lived in! And looking at the website I think newer and more luxurious cabins have been built since our visit. We were very happy though with ours, with its little stove and country-style décor.

The lodge itself has definitely been newly built since we were there and the pictures look fantastic, but again we were very happy with the meals we had there: dining out on the deck on pasta with scallops and prawns, with fresh strawberries to follow and a good bottle of wine; and a good buffet breakfast with plenty of fresh fruit and croissants. But like everything else here, meals seem to have gone considerably “up-market” in the last few years and certainly aren’t cheap, probably around $50 (Canadian) per head, plus drinks and service. There’s nowhere else nearby to eat however, so you maybe need to come prepared to splash out a little!

As for the rates, these vary a lot depending on the size, location and facilities of your cabin. A small one such as we had, with a queen bed, ranges from $210 - $345 (Canadian) which includes continental breakfast and canoe rental. The most luxurious cabin costs almost double that. The scenery here is fantastic – check out the photo of Cathedral Mountain itself which was taken by Chris just a few yards walk from our cabin on the banks of the Kicking Horse River (photo 3).

One thing happened here which took us by surprise. We were tucked up in our comfy bed and fast asleep at about 6 in the morning when we were awoken by a sudden whoosh from the stove, which had come on automatically to warm our cabin. A great idea in these parts, where early mornings can be chilly, but a bit unnerving to open your eyes and see flames leaping in the corner of your (wooden) room!

Rebuilt - but could it get any better?

by toonsarah about Cathedral Mountain Lodge restaurant

This was one of our favourite accommodation choices during our trip (see my other tip for details) and also provided us with one of our nicest meals, at least in mainland British Columbia – generally we found the food on Vancouver Island to be of a superior quality but this was definitely an exception to that.

We ate dinner on the deck of the main lodge. Judging by the website this has been newly built since we were there and the pictures look fantastic, but we were very happy with the set-up when we were there. It was lovely sitting outside in the midst of that beautiful mountain scenery, enjoying a really tasty dinner of pasta with scallops and prawns, with fresh strawberries to follow and a good bottle of wine.

I’ve checked out the current menu on the website and like the lodge itself the meals seem to have gone considerably “up-market” in the last few years. Sample dishes on offer are, as appetisers, wild mushroom ravioli, caramelized sea scallops and Canadian goat cheese and walnut terrine; and as entrees, pheasant Wellington, hickory wood smoked chicken and ragout of caribou. These certainly aren’t cheap (probably around $50 (Canadian) per head, plus drinks and service.

Be warned, there’s nowhere else nearby to eat, so you maybe need to come prepared to splash out a little – and if the quality is as good as we experienced you’ll probably agree it’s worth paying a little extra. We also had breakfast here, which was a good buffet with plenty of fresh fruit and croissants. This is included in the price of the cabin.

Photos

Our cabin at Cathedral Mountain Lodge

Our room at Cathedral Mountain Lodge

Our Members Say

CalyssaJean
Reviews: 1

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

2.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Snazzy Cabins in the Mountains

We stayed at the Cathedral Mountain Lodge for 5 nights. Overall, we really liked it there. The continental breakfast every morning was very nice and the staff was incredibly helpful. We asked them for all kinds of things from restaurant suggestions to directions to hiking trails.
There were a lot of bed and breakfasts in the town of Field, which is very nearby, but we were happy to be staying at a place a bit more private.

The only downside is that my husband and I have become a bit technology dependent, and the Cathedral Mountain Lodge has no phones, no television and no internet. Well, actually, they do have one very slow laptop in the main cabin that is free to guests and one phone, which you can also use.

The restaurant in the main cabin is excellent. They suggest you make a reservation. It's difficult to get in without one, only because the restaurant is rather small and they keep the vibe very mellow and personal.

Unique Quality: This hotel is a cluster of cabins in the middle of the mountains. Everywhere you turn, you face an absolutely stunning view of the mountains.
The Kicking Horse River is just a few steps from the main cabin, and they even have some chairs set out there to enjoy the views. It's a great place to stop and just enjoy the fresh air and scenery.

Opinion of Price: about average
Related to: National/State Park, Hiking and Walking, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
Written November 30, 2011

Cathedral Mountain Lodge

2 more images

ancienttravellor
Reviews: 1

1 out of 5 stars User Rating

Mice,mice and more mice

We alerted the hotel to the fact that there were mice in our room and, it turns out also in the next cabin. Traps and a very strong chemical were put in the room but e were not offered another room. The second night there was another mouse on the floor and during the night it ran across my pillow. The hotel's compensation was less than 1/2 the cost of the room. The manager was sarcastic and officious both times we dealt with him. I would NOT recommend this hotel - the rooms are small and it's expensive. It is located beside the main highway and the trucks tend to use their air breaks when descending the long hill there. I would suggest that a better way to see the beautiful scenery, is to go to a B&B in Field - 5 minutes away. It will probably be less, the room may be larger and you will get breakfast. Then go to Cherchez la vache for lunch/dinner.

Unique Quality: Just down the road from one of Canada's longest falls.

Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Related to: Hiking and Walking

Write a Review

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful

1 - 2 of 2

Cathedral Mountain Lodge

Our Members Say

Snazzy Cabins in the Mountains

Mice,mice and more mice

More about Cathedral Mountain Lodge

Little House in the Big Woods?

Rebuilt - but could it get any better?

Photos

Explore the World

The Place

The People

Our Members Say

Hotel Helper

Yoho National Park

Questions and Answers