Photo courtesy Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

In Canada, some of the nicest properties you’ll come across belong to Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. A century ago, as the railroad across Canada was being built, majestic, chateau-style, castle-like hotels were constructed to cater to rail travelers. Today, they stand together as one of Canada’s most impressive hotel collections, a group which includes the historic Banff Springs Hotel, the Château Laurier, Prince of Wales Hotel, the Château Frontenac, and the Château Lake Louise.

Fairmont Jasper Lodge Park

Although it is a part of this railway collection, the Fairmont Jasper Lodge Park stands out from the rest because it is the only property that is not a single, castle-like unit. Rather, it is comprised of a series of smaller cabins and chateaus that sit on the shores of Lac Beauvert. At first, this might seem a little underwhelming, especially if you have been blown away by the grandeur of some of Fairmont’s other railway hotels. But give it some time.

The unique layout nicely complements the national park environment, allowing everyone to spread out and to ensuring that nature – not brick and mortar – remains the main attraction.  In total, the Jasper Park Lodge covers 700 acres.

The main building has a mixture of room offerings, from Standard Garden Views to Deluxe Lakeview Rooms with Balconies. The lakeside chateaus house junior suites, many with wood-burning stoves, Jacuzzis, and pullout sofas (be sure to ask for room specifics when booking as each is a little different).

Lakefront Suites are the premier offering at the Park Lodge, each located adjacent to the 18th fairway of the golf course. The rooms are decked out with a wood-burning fireplace, glass shower, soaking tub, pullout sofa, terrace/balcony, microwave, and fridge – all within a stone’s throw of the lake. Large families and groups traveling together should look into renting one of the stand-alone cabins that come with 3-5 bedrooms. Everyday travelers would be wise to look into the Junior Suites – staying outside of the main building in a detached chateau is a best bet in these pristine surroundings.

Restaurants

The Park Lodge has four on-site restaurants. If you want to put your feet up, head over to the patio at the Emerald Lounge to take in the stunning views of Lac Beauvert and Whistler’s Mountain. Try a local brew, glass of wine, or classic cocktail to go along with laid-back fare like burgers and sandwiches, and casual entrees (think fish with fries). If it’s a high-quality steak you crave, then head to the business-casual Moose’s Nook. For an upscale experience, try the Italian-influenced ORSO, serving dishes like Osso Bucco, Caprese Salad and Scallop Risotto to go along with a nice list of Italian wines. While it may seem strange to chow down on seafood, especially sushi, in the middle of Jasper National Park, Oka Sushi Bar flies in fish from Japan and Vancouver. 

Golf, Spa, and Activities

In 1925, it took 50 teams of horses and 200 men about a year to clear the land of the large boulders and rocks.

Today, the Park Lodge Golf Club is consistently ranked as one of Canada’s best courses. Designed by Stanley Thompson, the course winds its way through forests and offers big-time mountain views, which hopefully helps to take the edge off its challenging layout. It’s extensive trophy case, including a nod as the No. 1 Golf Course in Canada by SCOREGolfMagazine and a 4.5-star review from Golf Digest, makes it a must-play for golfers (guests and non-guests alike) who visit Jasper.

Non-golfers looking to hang around the property should head out for a closer look at Lac Beauvert. Walk the loop around the lake, or rent one of the Fairmont’s kayaks and paddle around. If doing nothing sounds more up your alley, visit the spa. Get there very early, or plan to stay after, because the view from the relaxation room will make you regret being in a hurry. For a more budget-friendly relaxation option, the hotel’s hot tubs and recliners also overlook the lake. 

For more information visit www.fairmont.com/jasper.