Best Lake Louise Hotels and Cabins (Local Picks + Nearby)

There are few places in Banff National Park more beautiful than the Lake Louise area. After spending a day exploring around the world-renowned, glacial-fed turquoise waters of Lake Louise or hiking around the iconic Moraine Lake, there’s no better feeling than walking into the lobby of one of the best hotels in Lake Louise.

Banff National Park is a huge national park. You may not be aware, but Lake Louise is 60 km (37 mi) away from the Banff Townsite. As you can see in our pre-built Banff National Park itineraries, visiting Lake Louise is certainly doable as a day trip from the Town of Banff, but it can be more convenient to split your accommodations between the Town of Banff and Lake Louise.

If your Banff vacation includes plans to visit Lake Louise, make your stay memorable at one of these excellent Lake Louise hotels.

Don’t Miss: Our list of the best hotels in the Town of Banff.

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Best Hotels in Lake Louise (in the Village and Lakeshore)

The hamlet of Lake Louise is a small community perfectly located in the middle of the area’s top attractions: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Lake Louise Ski Resort. There are so many amazing things to do in the area, that it makes sense to plan to stay in Lake Louise for some or all of your Banff vacation.

Because Lake Louise is small, there are only a handful of places to stay. Based on our personal experience visiting and staying in the area, here are the 6 best hotels in Lake Louise and the village. Our Lake Louise hotel picks are based on overall experience, location, comfort and value, and not just luxury.

1. Paradise Lodge and Bungalows

Best for families and cabin-lovers who want a true Lake Louise feel with more space and a quieter, woodsy setting.

Many people would expect to see the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise at the top of any list of the best hotels in Lake Louise. And, while there is certainly a case for that, if you are looking for the best non-luxury hotel in Lake Louise, take a good look at the Paradise Lodge and Bungalows.

A family run business for over a half-century, the Paradise Lodge offers guests a choice between cozy, spacious hotel suites and newly renovated, luxurious cabins. With its log construction and natural building materials, the Paradise Lodge blends in perfectly with its beautiful flower garden and evergreen forest surroundings.

Another of the biggest benefits of staying at the Paradise Lodge and Bungalows is the location. If you haven’t yet done so, you should educate yourself on how to get to Lake Louise.

Because Lake Louise is one of the national park’s biggest draws, Lake Louise shuttle and parking logistics can be stressful in peak season. Guests who stay at the Paradise Lodge don’t need to worry about all that. They offer free parking and the hotel is a short 1.4 km (0.9 mile) walk to the Lake Louise lakeshore!

Guests will rest easy knowing that the Paradise Lodge is a multi-time winner of the Alberta Housekeeping Award for its dedication to excellence in cleanliness.

Some accommodations at the Paradise Lodge offer 1-2 bedrooms and/or full kitchen facilities. Add this to the on-site playground and the Paradise Lodge is a great choice for a family-friendly Lake Louise hotel.

2. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Best for a bucket-list lakeshore stay where the views and easy lake access are the main event.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the only hotel located right on the lakeshore of the world-famous Lake Louise. With this incomparable location, the Chateau offers picture-perfect postcard views of the Victoria Glacier and the incredible turquoise waters of the lake.

The location of the Chateau Lake Louise isn’t just beautiful, it also offers the ultimate in convenience. While others scramble for a rare parking spot or shuttle tickets, you can enjoy a quiet morning stroll along the lakeshore before the crowds start rolling in. If you are building a two-day Lake Louise itinerary, a stay at the Fairmont makes everything feel effortless.

As the sister property to the equally famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the Chateau Lake Louise delivers the level of service and comfort you expect from a Fairmont. With over 500 rooms, the Chateau Lake Louise has a guest room for all tastes, ranging from a simple Fairmont Room, to 1 or 2 bedroom suites with a lake view, to opulent accommodations on the Fairmont Gold floor.

Wellness is also a big part of the appeal here, especially now that Basin Glacial Waters, the hotel’s brand new thermal wellness destination, has opened. It is designed as a true soak-and-reset experience with glacial-fed inspiration, and it pairs beautifully with The Spa at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise when you want a traditional treatment after a big day outside.

And if you are here to hike, it is hard to beat. Some of the best Lake Louise hiking trails begin right outside the front doors of the Chateau, including the Plain of Six Glaciers and the Lake Agnes Tea House trail. When you get back, you can enjoy one of the complimentary yoga and fitness classes, before going for dinner at one of the on-site restaurants.

With the incredible lake-side location and the level of luxury you’d expect at a Fairmont hotel, a stay at the Chateau Lake Louise does not come cheap, but if it is within your budget, it offers you a luxury stay that you will never forget.

3. Lake Louise Inn

Best for the best all-around value in the village, especially for families who want a reliable base that is easy to book.

As a budget-conscious, family of four when we stay in Lake Louise, the hotel we book most often is the Lake Louise Inn. It’s usually our first choice as it’s a (relatively) affordable, kid-friendly Lake Louise hotel with a heated indoor pool and hot tubs.

There are a wide variety of room options available at the Lake Louise Inn. As a family, we appreciate the ability to rent a 1-bedroom apartment, as the extra space provides privacy and helps everyone get a better night’s sleep. Our room was recently renovated and was nicely appointed.

There are two restaurants on-site at the Lake Louise Inn, including a pizza place and the all-day Legends Restaurant.

If you are visiting Lake Louise in winter, skiers will love the many amenities available at the Lake Louise Inn during winter, including a free shuttle to the nearby Lake Louise Ski Resort, along with ski storage and a ski tune-up area.

We recently stayed at the Lake Louise Inn with our kids during the Banff larch season, making it easier to get to Moraine Lake. We didn’t have to drive far to catch our Moraine Lake shuttle to hike to Sentinel Pass.

If you are looking for a good, affordable Lake Louise hotel which is not a hostel, the Lake Louise Inn is a good option!

4. Post Hotel

Best for couples who want a cozy, adults-first retreat with a spa focus and a more intimate, boutique vibe.

Sitting on the banks of the charming Pipestone River, the Post Hotel has been renowned as one of the best hotels in Lake Louise for over 70 years.

The Post Hotel in Lake Louise offers a wide variety of accommodations, ranging from standard & deluxe hotel rooms, to suites and 4 very charming cabins. Each room at the Post Hotel comes with wood furnishings, mountain views and a whirlpool bath, while select suites have fireplaces.

After a day of playing in the Canadian Rocky mountains around Lake Louise, treat yourself to a dip in the beautiful Roman inspired saltwater pool. Or, pamper yourself with a treatment at the full service Temple Mountain Spa. Experiences on offer at the Post Hotel spa are body therapies, massages, waxing, facials and nail services.

You will enjoy superb dining at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise. The cozy Fondue Stubli offers traditional Swiss style fondues, while the Outpost is a comfortable English style Pub.

Wine enthusiasts will be in heaven at the Post Hotel. The Post Hotel wine cellar has been awarded the Grand Award by Wine Spectator Magazine an astonishing 23 years in a row! Today the wine cellar has a collection of over 20,000 bottles for patrons to choose from.

In November 1990, the Post Hotel at Lake Louise was admitted to the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group, which represents some of the finest hotels and restaurants in the world. In addition, with their unwavering focus on service, cuisine and comfort, the owners of the Post Hotel were named Canadian Hoteliers of the Year in 2011.

5. Mountaineer Lodge

Best for a comfortable Lake Louise Village stay with practical perks and an easy, low-stress home base.

The closest hotel to the Lake Louise Village, the Mountaineer Lodge is one of the most practical places to stay in Lake Louise. You can easily walk over to the village to plan your visit at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre, or grab a tasty meal at the Trailhead Cafe, our favorite Lake Louise restaurant.

Families traveling to Lake Louise will be interested in knowing that many of the suites at the Mountaineer Lodge include rooms with bunk beds for the kids. If you are travelling with your furry-friend, there are a selection of pet-friendly rooms available too.

Guests who stay at the Mountaineer Lodge in winter will love the ski storage room, ski waxing room and complimentary shuttle to-and-from the nearby Lake Louise Ski Resort. Apres-ski, you can enjoy relaxing in the indoor hot tub or steam room.

If you are looking for a mid-range Lake Louise stay with solid perks and a low-stress setup, Mountaineer Lodge is a strong pick.

6. HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre

Best for budget travellers who still want to stay in Lake Louise and do not mind a hostel-style experience.

You may be surprised at seeing a hostel on the list of the best hotels in Lake Louise. Well, the HI Lake Louise has earned its way onto this list with having very satisfied clientele.

Located next door to the posh Post Hotel, the HI Lake Louise hostel has a wide variety of room offerings. As you’d expect with a Lake Louise hostel, the standard offering here is shared accommodation with 4-6 beds per room. But, this Lake Louise hostel also offers private rooms with a basic double bed and a simple private washroom.

You may think that staying at a hostel is not a good option for family accommodation, but the HI Lake Louise hostel has private family-friendly rooms with a loft that sleep up to 6! Kids staying at the HI Lake Louise with their families will love the bonfire nights and the large playroom at this Lake Louise hostel.

Guests looking for affordable, comfort food will enjoy having Bill Peyto’s cafe onsite. If you are looking to self-cater during your visit to Lake Louise (a great way to travel to Lake Louise on a budget), you are free to use one of the two onsite guest kitchens.

If you are looking for the best cheap hotel in Lake Louise, check out the HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre!

Best Places to Stay near Lake Louise (Within 30 Minutes)

The six hotels in the list above are all located between the lakeshore of Lake Louise to the hamlet of Lake Louise. If you have a rental car and don’t mind a short drive to Lake Louise, there are also some excellent hotels and cabins near Lake Louise.

1. Moraine Lake Lodge

Moraine Lake is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places in Banff National Park. Due to the traffic and parking issues associated with the overwhelming number of people who wish to visit Moraine Lake, Parks Canada has closed the road to Moraine Lake to private vehicles.

With a little advance planning, there are a variety of ways to get to Moraine Lake, but the best way to guarantee you see Moraine Lake on your trip to Banff is to stay at Moraine Lake. The issue is that there is only one place to stay at Moraine Lake… but for those lucky enough to get a reservation, the Moraine Lake Lodge is a wonderful hotel.

With an envious location in-between the shores of Moraine Lake and the lower slopes of Mount Temple, the Moraine Lake Lodge has one of the most incredible settings for any hotel in Banff.

With a guiding philosophy about getting away from it all, you won’t find any televisions or phones at the Moraine Lake Lodge (although they have started to offer complimentary Wi-Fi to all guests). In addition to Wi-Fi, the Moraine Lake Lodge offers some amazing complimentary amenities such as free breakfast, interpretive hikes, naturalist talks and more.

The free Moraine Lake canoe rentals for guests will save you the ~$160/hour that non-guests pay to rent a canoe on Moraine Lake. Even with these huge savings, the most valuable included amenity at the Moraine Lake Lodge is the ability to avoid taking a Moraine Lake shuttle, and drive up to Moraine Lake with your own car.

You’ll also enjoy being among the first on many great Moraine Lake hiking trails, including the very popular Larch Valley hike, which begins right next to the lodge. Getting ahead of the crowds is a wonderful way to add to your enjoyment of this outstanding Banff hike.

Due to its remote location, the Moraine Lake Lodge will meet all your dining needs. The Walter Wilcox Dining Room is one of Banff’s top gourmet restaurants, featuring the finest regional cuisine from local organic farmers. For simpler fare, the Snowshoe Cafe offers a wide variety of hot and cold meals, pastries, deli foods, etc.

Guests of the Moraine Lake Lodge can choose between staying in a cabin or a room in the lodge. The Moraine Lake cabins offer privacy, wood burning fireplaces and private balconies with views of the lake and mountains.

The amenities in the lodge rooms vary, but include either a patio or balcony with excellent views. Some lodge rooms offer a wood burning fireplace, while others offer a gas burning fireplace.

Regardless of your type of accommodation, your stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge will be unforgettable. It is truly one of the best hotels near Lake Louise and ideal for exploring some of the best larch hikes in Alberta.

2. Baker Creek by Basecamp

A short 20 minute drive from the shores of Lake Louise, Baker Creek is a small, distinctive mountain resort on the Bow Valley Parkway not far from the famous Johnston Canyon. Guests may choose from elegant, rustic Banff cabins or a romantic suite in the lodge, many of which have a fireplace or private jacuzzi.

In the summer, guests of the Baker Creek by Basecamp may enjoy the use of bikes to cycle the Bow Valley Parkway, fishing rods and even s’more sticks for a creek side fire.

In the winter, guests will love the skating rink, the snowshoe trails (with complimentary rentals) and the groomed cross-country ski trails.

No matter which season you choose to visit, the Baker Creek by Basecamp resort is easily one of the best resorts near Lake Louise.

3. Cathedral Mountain Lodge

If you are looking to rent a cabin near Lake Louise, be sure to look into the Cathedral Mountain Lodge. Located 30 minutes away from Lake Louise, across the continental divide in Field, BC, the Cathedral Mountain Lodge is an excellent alternative to staying in Lake Louise.

An excellent perk of staying at the Cathedral Mountain Lodge is that you can enjoy a complimentary shuttle to Moraine Lake, where their sister resort, the Moraine Lake Lodge, is located.

The Cathedral Mountain Lodge cabins feature stone fireplaces, antique furniture, soaker tubs along with balconies to enjoy the views of the surrounding Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Note that the Cathedral Mountain Lodge is a seasonal property with operational dates between late May until early October.

4. Castle Mountain Chalets

Being a 25 minute drive from the Banff townsite and a 24 minute drive from Lake Louise, the Castle Mountain Chalets is an ideally located hotel for visitors who wish to spend time in both Banff and Lake Louise.

With such a central location, it’s a great spot for anytime of year but especially for visitors to Banff in September who might be interested in hiking Banff’s best larch hikes.

The chalets and suites at the Castle Mountain Chalets have an impressive variety of amenities for your enjoyment including jetted tubs, full kitchens and/or wood or gas burning fireplaces. Enjoy an impressive mountain view from every doorstep!

5. Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows

I know I promised to list only the best hotels near Lake Louise within a 30 minute drive, so I hope you’ll forgive me for including the Johnston Canyon Lodge and Bungalows, which is a 33 minute drive. We recently enjoyed a weekend here and loved it so much that we felt compelled to include it on this list.

This is one of those rare stays where the accommodation is part of the Banff experience, not just a place to sleep. Tucked into a lush evergreen forest on the Bow Valley Parkway (one of Banff’s most scenic drives), it sits right at the trailhead for the very popular Johnston Canyon hike. This amazing location means you can hike early and enjoy the beauty of the canyon before the day-trippers arrive.

The Johnston Canyon resort is made up of 42 rustic cabins, and the setting feels quiet and secluded even when the trail is busy. Most cabins are small and cozy, with a private ensuite, a coffee and tea setup, and a bar fridge, while the larger bungalows and cottages give families more space and can include full kitchens when you want a break from restaurant meals.