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    Emerald Lake Lodge

    3.2 (66 reviews)
    PriceyHotels
    Open • Open 24 hours

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    Grilled Cheese
    Brett N.

    Why 4 stars? Because the restaurant was a decent stop while at Emerald Lake. --- --- --- I am reviewing the restaurant here, which does not have its own listing. We did not stay at the lodge. The truth is: the food was 3-star worthy, but the convenience was 5-stars. We split the grilled cheese and the bison burger. Both were just a-okay. I was tempted to drive a few miles to Field to visit one of their highly rated establishments, but we were tired and hungry and wanted to canoe after our meal. This ended up being an ideal stop for us, based on our situation. The Lodge also has WiFi, which is helpful in a region where there is absolutely no cell service. And they allow you to be served in the very comfortable lounge area, rather than the actual dining room, if you prefer. We preferred. It can't be easy to get food supplies out to Emerald Lake, so the 3-star food rating is no knock on them. We very much appreciated the convenience!

    Jaslean A.

    The most Incredible EXPERIENCE HERE!!! This place has been on my vision board for awhile and my husband and I just came here this weekend! The location is STUNNING!! To me it's better than lake Louise at the chateau fairmont. My husband and I are so happy we stayed here! The service was great and the food was EXCELLENT. The rooms are cozy and it was worth paying for a lake view. The rooms weren't anything spectacular but you are coming for the lake experience! I would HIGHLY recommend anybody to come stay HERE! The best weekend getaway!!!

    Mixed grill with blueberry bison sausage
    Kimberly H.

    The hotel itself is special because it's the only piece of civilization along Emerald Lake. The lake is incredible - so still, gorgeous reflections of the surrounding mountains, and crazy emerald green! The lake is also a bit more of a trek from the business of Lake Louise area or Banff town, so more opportunities to feel immersed in nature and also higher probability of seeing wildlife. The icing on the cake is the lake and all of its natural beauty. There is a first-come-first served hourly canoe rental off the lake. We went in June, just at the beginning of the travel season, so it wasn't too busy and we easily got a canoe, which seats 3. It was an incredibly relaxing paddle out and spectacular views in all directions. The lake is primarily surrounded by mountains so there isn't much wind, so the reflections on the lake are incredible. Regarding the hotel itself, it is definitely a more campy/retreat center feel - the rooms have cute patios that face the lake, fireplaces with tinder, and warm touches; however many of the patios are blocked by some trees (though that keeps the view from the lake beautiful), so that could be hit or miss. The rooms themselves were pretty standard, like a nice glamping experience for adults. There is no wifi access in the cabins. The main lodge is gorgeous, plenty of lush seating with cozy fireplaces. The staff are all super attentive as well. The Lodge for breakfast was good; very tasty, standard breakfast/brunch fare. Some of the game sausages were interesting, not bad, but the bison sausage was drier than I would have liked. The plating was also subpar for what one would expect for the cost of this hotel. The views from the lodge while eating breakfast are awesome though. You cannot park your car near the cabins, instead they're parked down the road and there is a shuttle to call between the two. It's a little inconvenient, but the staff are actually very quick so it was a better experience than what I was anticipating when I first heard of it! The Kicking Horse lounge for drinks at night - ah-mazing. My friend and I were carried away chatting in the late evening by the fireplace when we were offered a drink, despite past the posted time, and also notified of a last call. I got a beautifully smoked old fashioned and my friend got the Rocky Mountain Fog with earl grey and amaretto. Overall, the place is a gem and a special place because of the location. It can be updated a bit, but my expectations when signing up were for the location and the view, less so about the sleeping quarters.

    Justin R.

    What a complete disaster! Traveled all the way from Florida(!!) to check out wedding destinations and emerald lakes was on the list. Was set to check in Feb 15th and throughout the upcoming months since booking, I continuously received email confirmations 'they were looking forward to our stay'. The latest was the day before on Feb 14th at 2:14am notifying me the hot tub was closed for maintenance. No biggie. However when we showed up onsite, the place was basically deserted. We asked a girl in the restaurant lodge how we check in and she informed us they have been closed for days due to a power outage... What!? Yes, we literally traveled over 3,000 miles and could have adjusted our trip if they gave us notice but instead sent us an update on their hot tub being out instead? Can't make this up. We frantically got on the phone to the CRMR before they closed and spoke to a Lauren, then a manger, Patrick. They were apologetic we were not notified then offered to put us in their partnered deer lodge, that was not well reviewed, or their Post hotel. They even offered to include a bottle of wine at dinner to make up for the inconvenience. We took them up on the offer for the nicer looking Post hotel but when we showed up there was no bottle of wine offer... wonderful. Turned out to be a complete waste of a trip that we could have adjusted at any time with the proper notice. Instead we were left forced to stay in a back up Inn with 0 view or experience, and drive in the dark back to lake Louis where we originally came from. By far the most infuriating experience of all. Would never ever return and certainly not concerning them as a wedding venue if they can't even have the decency to notify their guest properly.

    The menu
    Tracey S.

    I came here to stay a few days while I was on vacation. This was my dinner on the first night. It was absolutely delicious! The flavors were amazing. I loved everything! I highly recommend this restaurant.

    Chair in the room
    Nancy F.

    So...where to begin? My husband and I spent a few days in Kelowna and decided to book here for 2 nights to break up the drive home. Turning into the overnight parking area, I was already scratching my head a bit. Very run down, old junk laying around. I go into this little hut and dial 0 to get the shuttle to come pick us up. We get dropped off at the lodge and you can't help but be blown away by the amazing views. Check in was all good and we are given our room. It's at the very furthest part from the lodge and no one helps you with your bags. For $400+ a night, you'd think they could do that? As we're walking to the cabin I'm noticing the cabins look really worn down, like pretty bad. We get into our room and I'm so disappointed right away. I noticed a musty/dirty smell to the room, old old furniture, old dirty carpet, a rickety aged deck with nails poking out of it. The deck was filthy, cob webs, dirty, paint chipping off everywhere and 2 dirty chairs. As I'm scoping the room out my husband is appalled at the comforter, which was covered....and I mean covered in sex stains. I'm so disgusted that I pull out my cleaning wipes and start cleaning this room myself. My husband goes to the lodge to ask about a different room. As I'm cleaning I am just in shock and how bad the cleanliness is. This is during covid 19!! Why are these rooms so terrible. I get that they are old and run down but they can still be clean. Husband comes back and they move us. So we lug all our stuff back to another cabin closer to the lodge. We go in and it smelled a bit better but upon examining the comforter there were even more sex stains than the last room! At this point we decided that we aren't going to stay and we left. The staff were so nice, not a single person gave us attitude and were very apologetic saying " ya we get it, it's bad" like they deal with this a lot. This lodge needs a massive overhaul and renovation.

    Bekah B.

    All the bad reviews on this place are for sure Karens lol. It's not a freaking upscale resort with the nicest accommodations in the world that's why it's not that expensive. It is absolutely beautiful, staff was always super kind (besides the curly hair one from cilantro cafe she was rude) all the food was amazing. Jason from the front desk was super helpful. Yes there's tour buses in and out (it's a destination hello?) but after dinner it is so peaceful and quiet. Our room was small but fine (if you're spending enough time in your room for it to matter why are you even there) They give you firewood for each night. There's a game room above the dining room to enjoy. For the price, this place is incredible.

    Oat flour crepes and lamb rack
    Melissa O.

    This place is BEAUTIFUL! All the staff we encountered was very friendly and helpful. The views are INCREDIBLE! The $80 canoe rental is worth it. There is a nice and easy hike that is very accessible from the lodge. The restaurant had great food as well. We ate here twice and give it a 10/10. The dishes are unique, flavorful, but very good. I didn't get a picture of the pistacho sponge but also recommend if you are looking for something less sweet and with a mild crunch. Overall, we had a great experience and highly recommend!

    The good- Location is fantastic. Staff friendly. Food not bad. The bad- 675$ for an incredibly dated and small double queen room. Porch and whole exterior is peeling paint and stain, loose rails and generally borderline safe. No staff. Staff that are present are working extra hours and double duties...our waitress from France was lovely but also the driver of the shuttle, waitress and sometimes cleaner! The rooms were filthy, especially the carpets. We didn't use the shower because it was covered in not our hair,. The restaurant is nice, but it took 1.5 hrs to get our food. I asked about the kitchen staff and was told there were only 3 for the whole restaurant working 6-7 days a week. I asked the pay....and of course its barely minimum wage. These resorts have to get their act together, because there is no friggin way I'm paying this much to get so little anymore. A 180$ breakfast was the last dollar I'm spending at any resort of the Canadian Rockies.

    Amazing food, gorgeous views, and special people! If in Canada, it's a must visit! You will love!!

    Typical scene around the property

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    Page 1 of 2

    Emerald Lake Lodge Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Emerald Lake Lodge

    “Then the van takes you down the road to where the main lodge and the cabins are located.”

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

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    Cathedral Mountain Lodge - Scallops app

    Cathedral Mountain Lodge

    (15 reviews)

    $$$

    July 2026: 4 stars for my stay overall, though the FOOD itself deserves 5!…read more I stayed in a cabin with my husband - the cabin/porch were divided in two with another couple staying on the other side, though it still felt very private and quiet. Our side wasn't that big, but it felt cozy rather than cramped. We loved all the window options - for light, a switch controlled the shade for a large top window, and many of the others could be twisted open to let fresh air in and had screens for bugs. We slept with the window above the bed cracked to allow a nice breeze in since there's no A/C. The gas fireplace was extremely easy to use as well, preferable to the wood option I saw in other upscale lodges around here. I didn't mind no TVs in the room as it went with the serenity vibes, but the spotty wifi was annoying. Even in the main lodge, I could not do certain things on my tablet. No gift shop, no spa, just a completely introspective experience they're going for. There is a little lake you can sit by lined with classic Canada red chairs, which is very peaceful, though the water is so cold. Now to dining... the food was outstanding! They use seasonal/local ingredients which can change the menu from day to day. We were part of a larger travel group, and everyone was raving. Standout dishes from the party: Duck Confit Gnocci appetizer, Venison Tenderloin entree, and Carrot Cake dessert. I'm personally gluten free which they accommodated very well, but multiple folks rated the Carrot Cake the best they'd ever tasted. Seating was clunky. The outdoor deck has top heaters and blankets on request, but dining there still got very chilly especially during windy breakfasts. When being seated for the included breakfast, I objected to the outdoor table, but the staff claimed it was the only option due to reservations while half the dining room was totally empty... I requested for this not to happen the next day, but the next morning I was again showed to the same exact outdoor table...

    The staff was awesome - Elise, Lea, others and Daryl the GM. The hotel shuttle to Morraine Lake…read morewhich included a canoe rental ($170 value) was so great and convenient (Adam our driver was great as well!). The property is well maintained and the rooms well appointment. Great beds and bedding. Restaurant served an incredible breakfast. Would highly recommend!

    Lake O'Hara Lodge

    Lake O'Hara Lodge

    (2 reviews)

    Location, location, location! The Lodge at Lake O'Hara is at a spot that many artists consider the…read morejewel of the Rockies. With humble, but clean accommodations in vintage log cabins, panabodes or the lodge guest rooms, this is a place to enjoy pristine sub-alpine and alpine beauty. Totally off grid (no internet, room phone, or cell coverage), no fancy trimmings like spas or night life, this is where to come for unpretentious mountain hiking and scenery. But beyond location, location, location, hosts Bruce and Allison, as well as David, Amanda and the rest of the staff provide exceptional hospitality and dining (breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner in the lodge) and lunch bags for refuelling on the trails. This is a special place. You need to apply in the fall for a spot on the invitation list for the following summer. If you get an opportunity to go, take it. I'd recommend going in on the morning transport, leaving on the afternoon transport. You park near Hwy 1 between Field, BC and Lake Louise, AB, and take the Lodge shuttle up 11 km to Lake O'Hara. That may mean staying some place else not to far away to 'stage' your visit. The Lodge at Lake O'Hara is very exclusive, not just because the high cost per day, but the number of people who can access this part of Yoho National Park is very limited. Be prepared for variable weather, take good hiking footwear, and lots of capacity on your photo memory card! Also hydrate well, due to the elevation and the elevation changes on some of the trails.

    You must be a very experienced skier/snowshoer just to reach the Lake O'Hara Lodge and enjoy it in…read morethe winter! The trip up to the lodge, on a narrow, one lane road, is 11 km (7.2 miles) long, ascending 578 m (1900 ft) up a steady 13 per cent grade to an altitude of 2025 m (6650 ft). At a minimum, skiers need wide, metal-edged backcountry skis (described as "light touring" locally) with skins. The trip from parking lot to lodge took us, experienced xc skiers, over 4 hours. Once at the lodge, the food is terrific and the staff extremely friendly and accommodating. The terrain from the lodge is too difficult for touring skis, due to the steep trail pitches, and is suitable only for alpine backcountry skis or snowshoes. The rerun trip to the parking lot may be the most challenging aspect of the trip, particularly on touring skis. The trail, c. 2 m (6 ft) between ski tracks is extremely narrow for the steep, continuous 11 km descent and is one approachable by strong, very experienced skiers, particularly with backpacks attached. If you need outsiders to get in touch with you while you are away or vice versa, Lake O'Hara Lodge is NOT for you. There is very limited phone service and no wifi (the front desk has a computer but not for public use). Cell phone coverage is nil. If no one answers the desk lodge phone, it is not possible to leave a phone message to staff or guests because the Lodge does not have a voice message machine or service, nor email address. The telephone hours at the desk are very limited, 9-3 Monday thru Thursday, not including holidays. If one needs to get in touch with any staff member or guest between Thursday at 3 PM until the following Monday morning, it is not possible. There is only a general emergency number for Canadian Parks. Be sure to bear all this in mind before booking a trip. The views are unsurpassed and the lodge experience is very tranquil and friendly. Just be very careful getting to and from there in the winter!

    Fairmont Château Lake Louise - Trout wow the hotel whiskey was the best I ever had made for the hotel. Food is so good

    Fairmont Château Lake Louise

    (327 reviews)

    $$$$

    From the moment we were checked in by Amy, we have been blown away by the beauty here. Lake Louis…read moreis unique and we've been waiting to come here for several years. Yes, it's a huge splurge, but it is bucket list worthy and we are doing it while we can. The property is gorgeous, so much to do and this evening they have fire pits going too. I think we have the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in, I'm truly not sure how we will leave! Well, other than my wallet will demand it! It's just an incredible experience if you're able to make it happen!!

    our stay at fairmont chateau lake louise was nothing short of magical. our suite featured enormous…read morewindows lining the room, giving us a direct view of the breathtaking mountains and lake. waking up to that scenery every morning is a memory i'll never forget. the hotels location is truly unmatched. its only about a 3 minute walk to the lake itself, and there are plenty of comfortable seating areas throughout the hotel and on the outdoor patio to relax and take in the view the service and hospitality were exceptional from beginning to end. our room was spacious, spotless, and we were welcomed with a bottle of wine and snacks as we settled in. our suite vip concierge, alexandra, was incredibly warm, attentive, and professional. she helped us secure an amazing reservation at the lakeview lounge and arranged shuttle tickets to moraine lake we had dinner at the lakeview lounge, seated at the famous window table overlooking the lake. our waiter, will, provided friendly and attentive service, and our 3 course meal was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. our stay also included breakfast at Louiza, which offered both an a la carte menu and a buffet with fresh fruit, pastries, meats, and other breakfast favorites one of my favorite little touches was the complimentary postcards available in the lobby. the hotel provides the postage stamp and a mailbox to send them from. we wrote messages to our loved ones on beautiful cards featuring lake louise and mailed them right from the hotel. what a thoughtful and cute keepsake to have! every detail of our stay was perfect, from the incredible hospitality to the unforgettable views. its certainly a splurge but delivers an experience that's truly hard to beat

    Great Divide Lodge - Dinner view

    Great Divide Lodge

    (7 reviews)

    $

    This place has a few things going for it. The lake and mountain view is awesome; our room had a…read morenewer TV on which I watched the Stampeders defeat the Ti-Cats; it has access to free wifi; and it's affordable. Also, all of the staff we interacted with were friendly. Unfortunately, the place is gross. The first thing I had to do upon entering the room was kill mosquitos. Since we'd been camping, we didn't need more bug bites. There were many of the diminutive enemy resting on the filthy popcorn ceiling, so I stood on a chair and stealthily squished them with my finger. Since we'd been camping, showers were in order. We took them, and they were fine. However, my time in the washroom allowed me to observe that there were hairs in there that weren't ours, that the tub and mirror needed refinishes a long time ago, and that the fan didn't do anything to clear the steamy air. This last issue was important because the outside air quality was a level 7 from the wildfires, so we had the screen door and window shut (Our eyes and lungs were stinging like mad). But alas! No air conditioning. Thus, even though it was 70 degrees fahrenheit outside, it was hot and muggy in our room. The beds were ok, but every time someone walked by our room, the plywood of the landing resonated enough to wake me. Also, my wife was bothered by the train across the lake, which made an other-worldly sound that was something between a hum and a squeal, which I rather enjoyed. If you are a heavy sleeper, none of this would be enough to bother you. The road noise, of which there was a great deal during the day, died out at night. The most interesting part of our stay was "breakfast." It was self-serve, and our choices consisted of coffee, tea, toast, and cereal. I thought I would have cereal, but all four of the bowls in the "clean" stack were visibly dirty. So I had toast and jam. The bread choice was which bag would I take my slice of inexpensive brown bread from. The coffee was fine, but I'd advise you to use a to-go cup. The furniture in the dining room was shabby, even though recently purchased from Target. Nevertheless, we sat down at a crumb-covered table and took in the view.

    Fair prices, cozy rooms, very poor service!…read more A couple friends and I booked a stay and ski package here over reading week, first impression was a cozy little lodge, and decently priced rooms. This would have been a great place for us students to stay on a budget, if it wasn't for the service we received. The staff and management were cold and not very accommodating. A part of the package we booked was a shuttle service to and from the ski hill, and even after we double and triple checked the pick up time for that afternoon, our shuttle still managed to leave us at the hill as the driver decided to leave 25 minutes early. Hotel management refused to pay for the cab we had to take back, or to even apologize for the inconvenience and instead decided to argue with us before blowing us off completely. So bottom line, if you're willing to put up with extremely poor service and treatment in order to save a buck, you could give this place a try. Otherwise, I'd say keep looking.

    Emerald Lake Lodge - hotels - Updated October 2026

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