5-Star Hotels in Alberta, Canada

An unforgettable trip! Lake Louise is incredibly famous, and the shuttle to Moraine Lake (thank you, Trip.com, for helping with the booking) was great. Of course, this expensive hotel is made by its stunning environment. The tall, handsome, curly-haired young man at the front desk who checked us in was very polite and incredibly nice (apologies for not getting his name). The staff in the lobby were very friendly, proactively asking if we needed help, and we were able to check in early without a hitch. The lake-view room on the second floor (actually the third) was perfect. Although the room was a bit small, you could tell the hotel put thought into its layout and design, as we were able to fit two suitcases (24-inch and 20-inch). All of this made for a pleasant stay. Even though conversations in the hallway could be heard clearly, it was still quiet at night with no excessive noise. There are many hiking trails around, and a 2-day, 1-night stay allows you to fully explore Lake Louise. The breakfast service on the second day was excellent, and there were even Chinese-speaking staff who warmly welcomed us. If I had to mention any shortcomings, due to space constraints, the shower glass partition didn't have a door (I'm not sure if other rooms have partitions), and the hot water pressure was low, so you could only take a quick rinse.

If you visit Banff, you must stay at the Fairmont! It is a beautiful hotel that is more like a castle with a million-dollar view of the mountains around it. A nice perk is that all guests at the Fairmont receive free passes for the shuttles that get you around town, so need to worry about transportation. A great stay all by itself and surrounded by connection to all of the attractions close by: hiking trails, frozen lakes, glacier valleys, and of course the town of Banff itself.

Unfortunately swimming pool and hot tub is maintenance during Christmas holiday